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Sharna Lewis

How To Prepare For Hair Loss

Updated: Oct 24

During chemotherapy, some cancer patients often find that hair loss is one of the most distressing side effects. Here are some of our top tips on adjusting to this change!


woman donating hair plait


Cut Your Own Hair


For many patients, hair loss during cancer treatment is a difficult change to have to grow accustomed to, and it takes time to adjust. It is completely normal to feel apprehensive!


With that being said, it is often empowering to cut or shave your own hair yourself! This can be done before or during treatment - ease yourself into it with a new and shorter style. This may also make the process feel less daunting if you're already accustomed to a shorter look.



Be Gentle To Your Hair


If you don't opt to shave your head right away, remember to use a soft bristle brush or wide tooth comb to brush your hair. With treatment, your scalp will likely get dry and itchy so it's really important to take extra care. For example, only pat your hair gently with a soft towel after showers, and avoid hair clips/ pins/ elastic bands as much as you feasibly can!

As your hair starts to grow back after treatment, it is really important that you continue to be gentle as this new hair will be delicate.



Make Sure Your Are Comfortable


Do whatever you are comfortable with! If you're not ready for complete baldness, that's okay! There are still plenty of other options to explore; such as headscarves, hats and wigs.



Protect Your Head


To keep your hair from coming out in clumps, try wearing a hair net at night, or sleep on a satin pillowcase. All year round, treatment or not, you should wear suncream to protect yourself from sunburn. With treatment, however, it is especially important to remember to apply sun protection as sunburn can cause flakiness, itchiness and dry skin.



Experiment


Experiment with your look! Treat yourself with new clothes or new nails - enhance your other features and overall look. What's the harm in getting creative? If your eyelashes or eyebrows begin to fall out, experiment with new makeup pencils and make your eyes pop! If you'd like a natural look, we suggest your natural colour or a shade lighter.



Keep A Healthy Lifestyle


In order to look and feel better about yourself, it is vital to look after your overall health. This includes exercising (this doesn't have to be intense), staying hydrating, and following a healthy diet. See our blog on healthy foods for some top tips!









Cited Sources:

City of Hope, "12 tips for coping with cancer-related hair loss", Cancer Center,

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