Chemotherapy and Hair Loss

Probably the most difficult news that an individual may ever get is hearing that they have been diagnosed with cancer. For most people, cancer equals chemotherapy, and whenever you think of chemotherapy you also think of hair loss.

It seems rather cruel that an individual suffering from a serious life threatening disease also has to contend with complete hair loss which can often times alter that persons physical appearance, however, regrettably most of the chemotherapy drugs still contribute to hair loss in most cancer patients.

Fortunately, hair loss from chemotherapy is not permanent, and in almost all instances, the patients hair will start to come back when the chemotherapy treatments have been completed. Meanwhile, there is a few alternatives available in dealing with hair loss from chemotherapy treatments.

How Come Chemotherapy Induces Hair Loss?

The basic conclusion of why chemotherapy stimulates hair loss is because the chemotherapy drugs used in cancer treatments make hair cells stop dividing. This then affects the hair shafts, then they get thin which causes breakage.

Hair loss from chemotherapy treatment may either occur rather abruptly or more gradually, it may also happen at the start of treatment or a couple of weeks afterwards. However, not all medications that are used in chemotherapy will induce hair loss.

For instance, the drug Cytoxan, which is taken for many kinds of breast cancer, may cause hair to thin but not to fall out entirely. Then again, many of the chemthotherapy drugs can stimulate a slow reduction of hair, so some people can undergo an abrupt and dramatic hair loss later on after they have taken the drug for some time.

How to Cope with Hair Loss from Chemotherapy

Many patients who know that their hair most likely will drop out during treatment go ahead and shave their heads or start wearing wigs. When hair loss begins to fall out, many people will decide to purchase a wig, which is frequently compensated by insurance policies. Then there are individuals that choose to wear colorful scarves or hats, and a few people just like the look of being bald, maybe since it is a way for them to demonstrate their fight against cancer. It is crucial to remember that there's no right or wrong method to cope with chemotherapy and hair loss. Whatever is best for you is the best method.

Once your hair starts to grow back after treatment, the hair will feel a little unsual with a different texture than it was prior to chemotherapy. Typically within a years time, the texture will be restored to its original state. While the hair is starting to come back, you are able to use an ointment or cream if you find that your scalp is itchy.

Do remember that the hair loss is not permanent, and the very drugs that are causing the hair loss are also the drugs that are fighting the cancer within you.