The lives of many cancer patients have been saved by chemotherapy treatment. The most widely known side effect of Chemotherapy is hair loss. But there are many ways by which one can combat Hair Loss after Chemotherapy. Here we will discuss the possibility of a hair transplant and some other simple and cost-effective techniques. We recommend that when you start your chemotherapy treatment, talk to your cancer care team and prepare in advance to cope with hair loss.

Understanding Hair loss and Chemotherapy Treatment

The drugs used in chemotherapy are powerful in attacking rapidly growing cancer cells. But these drugs simultaneously attack other rapidly growing cells in your body, which includes the growing cells in the hair roots. Hair loss due to chemotherapy occurs not just on the scalp but all over your body. In some patients, your eyelashes, eyebrows, armpit, pubic and other body hair also fall out. Depending on the drugs used and their dosage, hair loss rages from a mere thinning to complete baldness. Speaking with your doctors beforehand will give you an idea of what to expect.

Two to four weeks after you start treatment, the hair could fall out very quickly in clumps or gradually. It continues throughout your treatment and up to a few weeks afterwards. Every time you catch a glimpse of yourself in a mirror, your appearance changes.

But there is light too!!! In most patients, hair loss from chemotherapy is temporary. Within three to six months after the completion of the treatment, the hair starts to regrow. This new hair might be of a different shade or texture, and the difference is usually temporary. 

There are some techniques that, when applied during chemotherapy, can reduce the effect of hair loss, such as:-

• Scalp cooling caps (scalp hypothermia) – A closely fitted cap cooled by chilled liquid can be placed on your head to slow blood flow to your scalp. This cooling cap reduces the effect of chemotherapy drugs on your hair.
• Using hair growth medication – The approved hair regrowth drugs may speed up your hair re-growth. But this method has not been as effective as the cooling caps.

Hair Transplant for Chemotherapy Patients

Yes !!! A hair transplant is possible after chemotherapy treatment is complete. A specialist hair transplant surgeon will scrape your hair if necessary before starting treatment so as not to suffer from hair loss constantly. However, for a successful hair transplant, healthy donor hair is required. So one cannot immediately think of a hair transplant after chemotherapy. After the effect of Chemotherapy drugs waves off, new hair starts to grow. This new hair can be used for Hair transplant.

Your hair loss generally can be managed as long as you take the following steps throughout your treatment to minimize the frustration and anxiety associated with hair loss.

Hair care in all phases of Chemotherapy

Before chemotherapy treatment, hair care

• Give your hair a gentle treatment – avoid bleach, colour or perm since this can weaken it. Dry your hair naturally and avoid heating devices such as curling irons and hot rollers. 
• Try a new short hairstyle – when short hair falls, also it looks fuller. Cutting the hair short will make it easy to accept when you start losing hair since you are already used to the new hairstyle.
• Cover your head – think about wigs, scarves or other head coverings. Planning before the surgery is easier than later. 

During chemotherapy treatment, hair care

• Give a baby care for the remaining hair – brush your hair with a soft brush and wash it with gentle, mild shampoos.
• Protect from itchiness of the scalp – Some people report that their scalps feel itchy, sensitive and irritated during the treatments. Hence, some patients try shaving the head to reduce irritation.
• Protect your scalp from weather- If you are stepping out, you will be exposed to the sun or cold air. So protect it with sunscreen or a head cover. As the treatment progresses, the scalp becomes more sensitive, so extreme cold or sunshine will easily irritate it. 

After Chemotherapy treatment hair care

• Avoid styling products – the new hair that will grow will be especially fragile and vulnerable to the damage caused by styling products and heating devices. Avoid colouring or bleaching your new hair until it is stronger. 
• Have patience with hair re-growth – once hair starts regrowing, it will be different than it was before, so be patient with it. 

If you are undergoing Chemotherapy, then hair loss is a prominent concern. We at HairSure International will help you in every way to cope with hair loss before, during and after the treatment. Visit our website https://www.hairsure.in/ for more resources or reach us on 040- 42 02 02 02, 94 94 02 02 02, or hairsure123@gmail.com.