Our hair can change in many ways as we go through life. It can change color, turning gray or white if our genes have that in store for us. It can become thinner or more brittle. We can experience hormonal hair loss, particularly during premenopause. But we can also experience medical hair loss, and one way this can occur is via chemotherapy treatment for cancer.
How Do You Take Care of Your Hair After Chemo?
Firstly, it’s important to know that hair loss during chemotherapy may not always occur. It depends on which drugs you are prescribed for your treatment. In some cases, people experience thinning hair rather than losing it entirely. In other situations, people end up with brittle hair that is far more prone to breaking. And of course, we know that some do lose all their hair. This can occur gradually or much more quickly – it varies from one person to another.
Whatever occurs for you, it’s best to prepare yourself for the possible outcome as best you can. Your healthcare providers will be able to give you an idea of how your treatment could impact your hair.
For instance, if it is likely that you will experience total hair loss, you may want to order a wig as soon as possible if you decide to take this route. If your treatment is more likely to result in thinning or brittle hair, get some recommendations for a gentle shampoo and conditioner to use. Your usual one might be fine to continue with if it is of a neutral pH. This will be less harsh on your hair. It’s also wise to wash it less often than you did before treatment. Washing can enhance any hair loss or breakage, so it’s best to keep it down if you can.
You should also avoid coloring your hair or perming it, as these processes involve harsh chemicals that you could do without at this point. If you can avoid using a dryer or anything else that’s heated, that’s good too.
While we’re talking about being gentle with your hair, we should also mention that it’s best to stick with (or change to) a soft brush that is gentle on the scalp. Brush less often as well if you can, especially if you’re used to brushing it several times a day.
How Long Does It Take for Hair to Recover After Chemo?
Hair loss is typically temporary because of the treatment. Thus, when the treatment ends, the hair tends to begin growing back. This may take three to six months, although of course if you had long hair before, it would take longer for it to reach that length again.
Your hair stylist might also be able to recommend a shorter hairstyle to keep your newly regrowing hair looking its best while it gets longer. Short hair will look a lot thicker than longer hair. It can help soften the process of regrowing it too.
Make Sure You Take Care of Your Scalp, Too
Chemotherapy can affect your hair, as we’ve seen. But did you know it can also affect your scalp?
It makes sense when you think about it since chemotherapy can affect your hair follicles. This can lead to something known as chemo scalp, which can feel hot or itchy. This can occur during treatment and afterwards when your hair begins to regrow. Go for warm water when washing your hair as it is less likely to cause irritation. You may also consider a moisturizing based treatment to help calm and soothe your scalp. This is another reason for using pH-neutral shampoos and conditioners, too.
Everyone is different, so while some may lose some or all their hair, others may not lose much at all. Those that do experience hair loss may get an itchy or irritated scalp and others may not. With advice from your healthcare provider and your hair stylist, you can minimize the effects that you experience at this stage of your treatment and afterward.
To learn more about chemotherapy scalp care or medical wigs for chemo patients, contact the team at Unique Hair Concepts for a complimentary, private consultation.
