Bengu says that her first reaction to finding out that she had cancer was:
“Am I going lose my hair?”
It’s a question a lot of people ask – losing your hair is one of the most well-known side effects of cancer treatment. But how much and for how long varies from person to person. You might even find yourself surprised by your reaction to hair loss.
Macmillan has a free booklet about coping with hair loss, which provides detailed information and practical tips to help you look after your hair during and after treatment.
Chemotherapy and hair loss
The drugs in chemotherapy treatment destroy cancer cells but they can also affect other cells in your body, including hair follicles. Not all chemotherapy drugs make your hair fall out. Sometimes you may find that your hair is thinner or drier than normal, or you may experience temporary, partial or complete hair loss on your head, face, underarms or legs.
The amount and speed at which your hair comes out depends on the drugs used and your body’s reaction to the drug. Depending on your treatment and type of cancer, you may be able to use scalp cooling methods to reduce your hair loss. If you’re worried, talk to your doctor about the possibility of hair loss.
Hair almost always grows back after chemotherapy treatment. You will probably have a full head of hair after 3–6 months and it may even start to come back before you’ve finished your treatment.
Macmillan’s Understanding chemotherapy booklet contains much more information on this cancer treatment.
Radiotherapy and hair loss
Because it uses targeted, high-energy rays, hair loss from radiotherapy treatment usually occurs only in the area being treated. If you have radiotherapy to your head, you’ll probably lose hair on a section of your scalp. If the treatment area includes your armpit, the hair under your arm is likely to fall out.
Hair doesn’t always grow back after radiotherapy treatment. Some people find it grows back patchy. On average, it starts to grow back after 3–6 months. Your doctor or radiotherapist will be able to talk to you about the possibility of permanent hair loss before your treatment.
We also have a booklet called Understanding radiotherapy, which explains the treatment and its side effects in more detail.
Wigs and hairpieces
The nurses on the ward can arrange for a wig fitter to visit you and help you choose a colour and style that suits you. Wigs can be made of human or synthetic hair, which have varying costs and methods for care. You may be able to receive a wig or partial help towards the cost of a wig from the NHS.
There are lots of options available to you when it comes to choosing a wig. You could match it to your own hairstyle as closely as possible or try a completely different style or colour if you fancy being adventurous!
Other options
If you don’t want to wear a wig, there are lots of other head coverings available.
As your hair grows back
You may discover as your hair grows back that it’s curlier, finer or a different colour than it was before treatment. Having your hair styled by a hairdresser who understands your situation can be very helpful.
Macmillan have been working with TONI&GUY salons across the UK to develop the skills of TONI&GUY stylists so that they are able to deal with emotional and practical issues around hair loss due to cancer treatment. They can help you before, during and after your treatment, so why not see if there is a Strength in Style consultant near you?
Support from Macmillan
The Macmillan online community has a hair loss support group where you can talk about your experiences with others who are living with cancer. Our coping with body changes web pages provide practical information about managing the effects of cancer. You can also call our cancer specialists on 0808 808 00 00 for more support and guidance.
