Chemotherapy Treatment and Your Hair | The Wig Dresser, Stirling

Chemotherapy Treatment and Your Hair

When facing treatment for cancer one of the most distressing side effects can be the loss of your hair. A cold cap* can be an option to help preserve your hair during treatment, but even with scalp cooling some hair may be lost.

Whether to cut your hair or not is a very personal decision and you shouldn’t feel pressured into making a decision until you feel you are ready.

Here are some commonly asked questions and answers that may help you make an informed decision.

Should I cut my hair short?

This is entirely up to you, if and when you cut your hair. Understanding the time scale of hair loss may influence your decision, by talking to your nurse or health care professional who will explain when the hair loss may begin. With most chemotherapy treatments this can start 10-14 days after your first treatment. This comes at a very anxious time and can cause a lot of distress. For some ladies, cutting their hair shorter prior to hair loss helps them feel more ready.

*If you have decided to try the cold cap to prevent hair loss it is important that your hair is in great condition, it is essential you can comb your hair with a wide tooth comb to prevent tangles. So, a trip to the hairdresser to remove any dead ends would be worthwhile. It can also help to have some length to disguise any areas that look thinner during treatment if this is what works for you. There is no reason not to cold cap if you have short hair already, but you don’t need to cut your own hair to cold cap.

How short should I go?

This is your own personal choice. Depending what suits your hair, your style and how you feel. Cutting your hair in stages can help you adjust

to how you see yourself as things change. It’s also important to bear in mind that hair only grows approximately 1cm per month so it could be a while before your hair grows back to the length it was before.

Shorter hair can look beautiful too! Many of my clients are pleasantly surprised at how well it suits them. It can be easier to maintain at a time when you may not have the energy or inclination to fuss over your hair.

When your hair is shorter the loss can seem less distressing.

Who should cut my hair and how?

If you do decide to take all your hair off, it is best done with clean guarded clippers. The Wig Dresser offers this service in a private room at a time to suit you. We can also advise on wigs, scarves and different types of hats. There are many hairdressers who have an understanding of hair loss due to chemotherapy through organisations like My New Hair who would be very empathetic to your situation and accommodate your needs. You may ask a close friend or relative to perform the cut, or it may even be something that you want to do alone. Using guarded clippers enables you to go shorter in stages and protect the scalp. It is not advisable to use a razor for the same reason, to avoid cuts or abrasions, and prevent Folliculitis, inflammation of the follicle. During treatment you are more vulnerable to infection and healing can take longer.

The scalp can become more sensitive during treatment which can make cutting your hair at the time of hair shedding more uncomfortable , but you can cut your hair at any stage of your treatment.

For many of my clients cutting their hair shorter gives them a sense of control and alleviates some of the anxiety about if and when hair loss will happen.

Wig fitting in Stirling

Visiting The Wig Dresser before there are any changes to your hair can help in the choosing a wig that’s the right colour and style for you. Wearing a wig can seem very daunting initially, so trying some on and seeing how they feel can make the transition easier when the time

comes. Most of my clients wish to go for a wig that is very like their own hair but you may feel ready for a change of style or colour. A synthetic fibre wig is a good call when going through treatment as they are very low maintenance and they do not need styling. Even after washing they return to their original style whereas a human hair will need styling. Fibre wigs have come a long way and ours are a lovely quality, looking just like human hair. Many can tolerate a certain amount of heat so can also be styled if you prefer that option. Cost is another factor. Human hair wigs are much more expensive and as your hair loss isn’t permanent, a synthetic wig will be more economical, but this is down to your personal preference.

Hats, scarves and other head wear.

You may also decide that you want to wear a head covering. This can be for appearance and comfort. A head covering will protect your scalp from changing temperatures and from the elements like sunshine and bad weather. Bear in mind that with any head covering, make sure that the scalp is completely covered for full protection especially in strong sunlight. Charities like Head Wrappers run tutorials to show you how to tie a scarf in different ways for different occasions. The Wig Dresser also offers a wide range of lovely turbans in varying styles and colours.

Will cutting my hair short affect the long-term ability for my hair to grow?

No. Many people worry that cutting their hair short will affect how it grows after treatment, there is no need to worry, once treatment is finished your follicles will reactivate and your hair will grow. There may be an initial change in texture due to the trauma the follicle has undergone but this will settle down in time. Some say the colour has changed, however if you have coloured your hair for many years your natural colour will look very different from what you are used to seeing. How you choose to deal with your hair during chemotherapy is a very personal decision.There is no right or wrong thing to do. Knowing what options you have will help you decide what’s best for you.

Cancer Treatment and Oncology Massage in Stirling

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