Chemotherapy Hair Loss - article about Chemotherapy Hair Loss

Ways to Cope with Chemotherapy Hair Loss

Why Does Chemotherapy Cause Hair Loss?

The reason that chemotherapy often causes hair loss is because the drugs used in the treatment tend to cause hair cells to quit dividing. This results in shafts that become thin and break as they leave the scalp. This process can happen quite suddenly or more gradually, and can occur at the very beginning of treatment or a few weeks later. Not all drugs that are used in chemotherapy will cause hair loss. For example, Cytoxan, which is used to treat some forms of breast cancer, will cause hair to thin but not to fall out completely. On the other hand, some of the medications will cause a gradual reduction of hair, while others will see a sudden and dramatic hair loss after using the drug for a period of time.

How to Manage Chemotherapy Hair Loss

Some patients who know that they will probably lose their hair during treatment will go ahead and shave their heads or begin wearing wigs right from the beginning to curb the impact of the actual hair loss. Once the chemotherapy hair loss occurs, some will choose to wear a wig all of the time, which is often covered by insurance plans. Others will opt for brightly colored scarves or hats, and some will prefer the look of the bald scalp as a way of showcasing their battle against cancer. The important thing to remember is that there is no right or wrong way to deal with chemotherapy hair loss. Whatever feels comfortable to you is the right method for your situation.

When hair begins to grow back after treatment, the strands will have a different texture than they did before. Usually after six months to a year, the texture will return to your pre-treatment state. During the time when the hair is just beginning to grow back, you can apply a cream or moisturizer to help your scalp feel less itchy. Try to remember that chemotherapy hair loss is a temporary condition, and the same medications that are causing this unpleasant side effect are also the ones that are battling the cancer inside of you.

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