Losing My Hair from Chemotherapy Sucks!

January 8th, 2006

Losing your hair from chemotherapy sucks….bottom line! There is no way to prevent it, it happens if the type of chemo your taking for your cancer has that particular side effect. It happened to me, and I was so sad…..but I learned to cope with it over time. The first thing I did when I found out about losing my hair was doing research on the internet. There were so many questions I had, and just could not find out the simple answers. Here are a variety questions I asked myself over and over again……and here are my answers…..straight from my own experience as an ovarian cancer patient…

Are wigs really comfortable?
Just like anything new, wigs take time to adjust to. Some people adjust very well, and find them to be comfortable. For others, they may experience some discomfort from their head becoming too hot. Some people get hot flashes during their treatments and having anything covering their head may cause discomfort. My recommended brand is Feke. It is more expensive than a lot of other brands, but it is worth it!

How do I get the courage to go out in public for the first time wearing a hat, wig or scarf? I’m scared of what people may think of me without hair.
Going out in public for the first time without hair can create anxiety for anyone. Remember that most people won’t even be thinking about it the way you are or notice you don’t have hair. The first few times you may feel uncomfortable, but in no time you will adjust. Once you find the right accessory your comfortable with, your confidence will build up over time. Remember that beauty comes from within.

Will it hurt when my hair falls out?
It varies from one person to another. Some people find that it’s uncomfortable. Often your scalp can itch or become irritated as the hair is falling out. Others have no discomfort.

How long will it take before I start losing my hair after starting chemotherapy treatments?
It depends on what type of chemotherapy drug your administered. Some drugs make your hair thin, while others make it fall out completely. Some people lose all of their hair in a matter of weeks, while for others it can take months.

When I starting losing my hair, does that include all my body hair too?
If one of your side effects from your chemotherapy drug is complete hair loss, that includes all body hair loss. This includes losing your eyebrows, and eyelashes.

Should I shave my head before starting my chemotherapy treatments?
If you are comfortable with this, then yes. This will avoid the anxiety of waiting for that day when the hair loss starts. It will also avoid you having to deal with experiencing your hair falling out every day until it has stopped falling out completely. If your not comfortable with shaving it, then you can cut it in stages.

My friend has cancer and is going to lose her hair from the treatments. What can I do to comfort her?
Be there for her as much as she wants you to be. If your friend wants to talk about her experience, be there to listen. If she needs time alone, respect her wishes and give her time. The most important thing is that she knows you will be there to care for her no matter what. Communicate to her you want to help her in the best way possible so she’s comfortable. Remember that everyone copes with an illness differently.

I lost my eyebrows and eyelashes during chemotherapy. What can I do to replace them?
You can use an eyebrow pencil and eye shadow to create new eyebrows. They also have fake eyebrows which you can order online. Fake eyelashes can be found at your local drug store, but often they irritate chemo patients.

Will my hair grow back after all my chemotherapy treatments?
In most cases it will always grow back. Consulting with your doctor about this is a good idea as well.

How long will it take for my hair to grow back after all my treatments?
It takes months for the chemotherapy drugs to get out of your system. Once the drugs are out of your system your hair can start growing. Also the growth of your hair depends on how it normally grows. A healthy diet can also help speed up hair growth.

Will my hair come back the same color, texture, and thickness after chemotherapy?
Usually it comes back the same color. It may come back a different texture and thickness. Some people experience having straight hair prior to chemotherapy, and when it grows back after their treatments it comes in curly.

Entry Filed under: Beauty & Coping with Cancer