What should I know and do if I start losing hair?
ACS Answer
The normal scalp contains approximately 100,000 hairs. They are constantly growing, with old hairs falling out and being replaced by new ones. Some cancer treatments will cause people to lose some or all of their hair (alopecia), usually in clumps during shampooing or brushing. Sometimes clumps of hair are found on the pillow in the morning.
It is normal for men and women to feel distressed about hair loss. It helps to understand why it happens, to know that hair will grow back, and to take some steps to minimize the problem.
Hair loss occurs because chemotherapy drugs travel throughout the body to kill cancer cells, and some of these drugs damage hair follicles, causing the hair to fall out. Hair loss is very variable. Some patients experience it, and others do not, even with the same drugs. Not all drugs cause hair loss.
Some drugs can cause hair loss on the scalp and elsewhere on the body. Some drugs cause only the loss of head hair. Like chemotherapy, radiation therapy to the head often causes scalp hair loss, and sometimes, depending on the dose of radiation to the head, the hair does not regrow naturally. If hair loss does occur, it usually begins within 2 weeks of the start of therapy and gets worse 1 to 2 months after the start of therapy. Hair regrowth often begins even before therapy is completed.
What to do
- Before treatment begins or at the very start of treatment, buy a wig or toupee. Do this before hair loss begins so that the wig shop can match your hair color and texture.
- Be sure to get a prescription from your doctor for the wig, as they are often covered by insurance.
- Obtain a list of wig shops in your area from your doctor or nurse, or from the phone book.
- Many women who have long hair go to a good salon for a stylish short cut and have a beautiful wig made from their own hair.
- If you buy a wig, try on different ones until you find one that you really like.
- Consider buying 2 wigs, one for every day and one for special occasions.
- Before you need to wear the wig, be gentle when brushing and shampooing your hair, and wear a hat or scarf outdoors in cold weather to prevent loss of body heat.
- Hair loss can be reduced somewhat by avoiding too much brushing or pulling of hair, and by avoiding heat (e.g., electric rollers, hair dryer, curling iron).
- Use sunscreen or a hat to protect your scalp from the sun.
- Turbans or scarves can be alternatives to wigs.
Do not
- Wait to purchase a wig (you want to have it ready when you need it)
- Get discouraged (remember that your hair will grow back and that today's wigs look very natural)
Related Resources
Get more information about ways of coping with hair loss.
You might also try these other sources of information:
Look Good ... Feel Better
tlc (Tender Loving Care)
Recommended Consultation
You should consider discussing this topic with your doctor or health care team.
