Chemotherapy Hair Loss: 7 Best Ways to Managing Chemo Hair Loss

• 2–3 weeks: your Light hair forms.

• 1–2 months: your Thicker hair starts growing.

• 2–3 months: An inch of your hair may have grown.

• 6 months: Some 2–3 inches of your hair have grown.

• 12 months: your hair may have grown 4–6 inches.

• Not all chemotherapy causes hair loss: Not all chemotherapy treatments are causes hair loss.

• Scalp cooling caps might help prevent hair loss

 

• A short haircut might make a difference: If you keep your hair short during chemotherapy then it gives you many benefits. If you have short hair after chemo then hair loss might be less noticeable. If you don’t cut your hair short then after chemo hair loss might make your scalp feel itchy, irritated, or sensitive. If you are going to start chemo treatment then definitely think about it once.

• A variety of head coverings are available

 

• Some health insurance plans cover wigs: If you have health insurance, then the cost of your chemo treatment may be partially or fully covered. You can also take help from many nonprofit organizations. They also help fund the cost of wigs for people in need.

• Talk to your doctor about hair loss: Not all medication taken during chemo treatment cause hair loss. If you want to make your hair loss less scary, You can talk to your doctor about what will happen.

• Go easy on your hair: If you want to slow down your hair loss then you should stay away from chemical shampoo, color, perm, straighten, rollers, curling irons, or straightening irons. Try to Use a soft-bristle hairbrush, Try to let your hair air-dry.

• Take care of your scalp: After losing your hair, You might be feeling on your scalp itchy and tingling sensation. You can try organic moisturizing shampoo and conditioner on your scalp it helps you also try to take gentle lotion massage on your scalp.

• Minoxidil:

Using minoxidil on your scalp does not stop hair fall, however, it has been proven to hurry hair growth in breast cancer sufferers who’ve misplaced their hair, It could even delay the loss.

• Talk about your feelings: During treatment or after treatment you might be feeling angry, depressed, or embarrassed about your hair loss. It can help you to share these feelings with someone who understands. 

• Connect with a chemo support group(1): They Help you to feel better, more hopeful, and not so alone, They Give you a chance to talk about your feelings and work through them, and They Help you deal with practical problems, such as problems at work or school.

• Rest easy: Try to wear a soft cap or turban on your head, It helps you to collect loose hair as it falls out.

• Make the most out of your appearance: You can buy beauty products or a new pair of earrings or a pretty, colorful scarf.

• Be patient: Do not worry about this, Your hair starts growing under 4 to 6 weeks after you finished chemo. Many times, your hair grows in different colors or textures, but this is temporary. Please be patient.

• Try to eat Dark leafy greens during chemo and also try to eat Swiss chard, spinach, and other dark leafy greens. This can be very helpful for your hair because It will give you vitamins A and C which are very important for your hair during chemo. It will help you in producing oily substances in your body like sebum, A natural conditioner for your hair.

• Try to eat Salmon (choose wild Alaskan salmon) during chemo. This can be very helpful for your hair scalp because It will give you Omega-3 fatty acids and protein which are very important for your hair scalp during chemo. If you do not like to eat fish, try a high-quality fish oil supplement.

• Try to eat Beans and legumes during chemo. This can be very helpful for your growth because It will give you iron, biotin, zinc, and protein which are very important for your hair growth during chemo. Avoid high-dose biotin supplements.

• Try to eat Nuts, Walnuts, Cashews, almonds, and pecans during chemo. This can be very helpful for your hair scalp because it will give you vitamins and minerals, omega-3 fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid, and zinc which are very important for your hair scalp in during chemo.

• Try to eat Eggs during chemo. It will give you protein as well as biotin, helping prevent dry, weak, and brittle hair.

• Try to eat Yogurt, Spinach, Broccoli, Garlic, Red bell peppers, Ginger, Citrus fruits, Turmeric, Sunflower seeds, Fruits and fruit juices, and Fresh seasonal vegetables during chemo, eat daily to boost your immunity. Avoid consumption of processed, packaged, and junk foods. 

• Fatigue, Hair loss, Easy bruising and bleeding, Infection

• Anemia (low red blood cell counts), Nausea and vomiting, Appetite changes, Constipation

• Diarrhea, Mouth, tongue, and throat problems such as sores and pain with swallowing

• Peripheral neuropathy or other nerve problems, such as numbness, tingling, and pain

• Skin and nail changes such as dry skin and color change

• Urine and bladder changes and kidney problems, Weight changes

• Chemo brain, which can affect concentration and focus, Mood changes

• Changes in libido and sexual function, Fertility problems
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• Alkylating : Ctoxan or neosar (cyclophosphamide), Ifex(ifosfamide), Myleran or Busulfex(busulphan), Thioplex(thiotepa), Hexalen(altretamine), paraplatin(carboplatin).

• Antitumor antibiotics:- Cosmegen(dactinomycin), Adriamycin or Doxil (doxorubicin), Idamycin(idrubicin).

• Topoisomerase inhibitors:- Vepesid(etoposide), Camptosar(irinotecan).

• Antimicrotubule agents:- Taxol(paclitaxel), Taxotere(docetaxel), Ellence(epirubicin), Lxempra(lxabepilone), Marqibo or Vincasar(vincristine), Alocrest or Navelbine(vinorelbine).

• Antimetabolites:- Efudex(fluorouracil), Gemzar(gemcitabine).