Dealing With Cancer Therapy Hair Loss

Patients often ask if there is anything that can be done to prevent the hair loss of chemotherapy. Generally there is nothing to stop hair loss if the chemotherapy agent is one that causes hair loss. With some chemo drugs hair loss is inevitable.

Points to remember with hair loss:

• Consider getting a shorter haircut. Shorter hair is easier to manage under a wig. A shorter style will make your hair look thicker and fuller. It may also make your hair loss less traumatic.
• Some people choose to shave their head once hair starts falling out.
• Use mild shampoos and conditioner.
• Use soft hairbrushes.
• You may use a color rinse on your hair.
• Do not use permanent dye on your hair or get a permanent.
• Use hair dryer on low heat when drying hair
• Do not use brush rollers.
• Avoid sleeping in hair rollers because this pulls the hair.
• Wear a hairnet, soft cap or turban around your head at night to collect any loose hairs.
• Use a satin, polyester or cotton pillowcase, rather than a nylon pillowcase, which can cause irritation.
• Be aware that during the period of time you lose hair, the scalp may be tender or sensitive. Some people report having a tingling feeling of the scalp during hair loss.

Returning hair may be different from the hair that was lost. Usually the pigment cells will go back to normal and original color returns. Texture may be finer for awhile also.

Tips for caring for new hair:

• Shampoo twice a week.
• Thoroughly massage scalp to remove any scaling.
• Avoid high heat from hair dryers.
• Keep hairstyling to a minimum, as new hair is prone to breaking.
• Avoid vigorous brushing, hair pins, curlers, curling irons. Use wide tooth combs.
• Mousse, gels, sprays may be used in moderation. Use products with normal to light holding abilities, as the high holding products may not be completely removed with mild shampoos. (Some hair styling aids can build up on the hair shaft resulting in dullness and possibly scalp irritation).
• Chemical curling is best avoided until hair is 3 inches long. Many patients cannot tolerate permanent wave solution on their scalp for possibly up to a year following chemotherapy/radiation.
• Hair coloring can also be irritating to the scalp. Permanent hair coloring is the most damaging to the hair shaft. Semi-permanent hair coloring products, which wash away, may be less harsh to the hair shaft. Most experts recommend waiting at least three months after the last treatment before using any type of hair coloring products.

Wigs
Many people say buy a wig before you lose your hair. However, the wig may not fit as well when your hair is completely gone, if fitted while hair is still present. Shop for the wig while you still have hair, but have it fitted after the hair has been lost.

• There are full service wig salons that fit and style wigs.
• Wig salons also sell turbans and scarves that come in a variety of colors and fabrics so that you can look good even when you are lounging at home or at bedtime.
• Wear stickies (double sided tape) to keep wig on, should it feel like it may slip. A well-fitted wig should not need stickies. Do NOT use any type adhesive on the scalp if your hair loss is due to radiation to the head.
• There are liners for wigs that tend to slip around, or do not fit well.
• The lining of a wig can sometimes irritate the scalp. It may be helpful to wear a thin cotton scarf or skull cap under the wig. These are usually available from wig suppliers.
• If you can not afford a wig:
  • Contact the American Cancer Society's Look Good/Feel Better Program--800-227-2345
  • Contact Cancer Care at 800-813-4673
• Some insurance plans cover the cost of wigs. Check with your particular insurance company.
• If you buy a wig, save the receipt. It can be a medical tax deduction.

Drugs that usually cause hair loss:

• Adriamycin
• Daunorubicin
• Etoposide
• Irinotecan
• Cyclophosphamide
• Epirubicin
• Docetaxel
• Paclitaxel
• Ifosphamide
• Vincristine
• Vindesine

Drugs which sometimes cause hair loss or thinning:

• Amasacrine
• Cytarabine
• Bleomycin
• Busulphan
• 5-Fluorouracil
• Melphalan
• Vinblastine
• Lomustine (CCNU)
• Thiotepa
• Methotrexate
• Mitoxantrone
• Mitomycin C

Drugs which usually do not cause hair loss:

• Carmustine (BCNU)
• Carboplatin
• Cisplatin
• Procarbazine
• 6-Mercaptopurine
• Streptozotocin
• Fludarabine

See related Patient Textbooks about Cancer Center.

See related Patient Topics Cancer Center, Cancer Chemotherapy, Cancer--General, Cancer--Living with Cancer, Cancers, Hair Diseases and Hair Loss, Mental Health and Behavior, Procedures and Therapies or Skin, Hair and Nails.

See related Provider Textbooks about Cancer Center.

See related Provider Topics Cancer Center, Cancer--General, Cancers, Mental Health and Behavior, Procedures and Therapies or Skin, Hair and Nails.

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