Chemotherapy is one of the most common ways to treat cancer, and many health professionals will recommend it to their patients. However, some of the medication associated with this kind of treatment has the potential to cause some unwanted side effects. For instance, cancer patients often experience hair loss as a result of undergoing chemotherapy treatment. Hair loss, in particular, can be quite distressing for many people – it may serve as a constant reminder of their disease, and even affect the way they see themselves. Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent hair loss from occurring during chemotherapy treatment, but there are ways in which cancer patients can manage it when it happens.
Get a Shorter Haircut
One way to manage hair loss during chemotherapy treatment is to get a shorter haircut. This management strategy mainly has psychological benefits for cancer patients. For instance, when hair loss starts to occur, it may be less shocking to see short clumps of hair fall out. Additionally, having shorter hair can make the transition from a full head of hair to complete baldness less confrontational. Some people may even choose to take it one step further and shave off all their hair prior to undergoing chemotherapy treatment. This can be very empowering move, as it may help cancer patients feel in control. Instead of being a passive subject to their disease, they are able to take charge of it.
Use a Gentle Shampoo and Conditioner
Another strategy for cancer patients to manage hair loss is to use a gentle shampoo and conditioner. This is because chemotherapy treatment can cause hair to become fine and brittle, as well as make the scalp more sensitive. For example, many shampoos contain harsh chemicals which dry out skin, and conditioners can upset the pH balance of hair by being too oily. A gentle shampoo and conditioner, such as the Follact Hair Care Range that Aurora Direct offers, may help cancer patients better manage their hair and scalp both during and after chemotherapy treatment. This particular hair product contains an active botanical ingredient which has been shown to act on the hair follicle and help stimulate hair regrowth.*
Use Scalp Cooling Products
Scalp cooling products are quickly becoming a popular method for naturally reducing hair loss during chemotherapy treatment. The idea behind these products is that cooling the scalp will tighten and constrict the blood vessels in the scalp. This, in turn, is thought to reduce hair loss by making it more difficult for chemotherapy medication to reach the cells of hair follicles.
The Best Management Strategy
Unfortunately, there is no ‘one size fits all’ management strategy for dealing with hair loss during chemotherapy. Each person has a physiology which is unique to them, and they will have different experiences during the treatment process. What works for one person may not necessarily work for another. As such, the ‘best’ way for cancer patients to manage hair loss is to figure out what makes them comfortable.
Sources of Information:
- https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/physical-side-effects/hair-loss/cold-caps.html
- https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/cancer-information/managing-cancer-side-effects/hair-loss/coping/
- https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-in-general/treatment/cancer-drugs/side-effects/hair-loss-and-thinning
- https://www.rosettelavedette.com/en/10-questions-chemo-hair-loss/
- https://www.verywellhealth.com/caring-for-your-hair-and-scalp-during-chemotherapy-581983
- https://www.verywellhealth.com/prepare-for-chemo-hair-loss-582047
