Reducing Hair Loss Caused By Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a procedure with many uncomfortable after-effects, and one of the more drastic of these is hair loss. The condition is clinically known as Alopecia. Chemotherapy achieves its purpose in combating malignant cells in the body by inhibiting their growth, and unfortunately, the healthy cells (not excluding those in hair follicles) share in the effects. However, this condition is temporary, and will regrow after the treatment. And not all chemotherapy drugs have this effect, as some may cause only hair thinning. The severity of hair loss also depends on the patient’s specific tolerance to the chemo drugs. They usually fall off in clumps, either suddenly or gradually. Apart from clinical procedures, there are ways in which you can minimize as much as possible the effects of chemotherapy on your hair. And these are simple tips to follow, so you’ll have no problem in maintaining them.

Before the treatment, it may be best if you consider having your hair cut with a shorter style; this will prevent the severity of hair loss as caused by the pulling of weak, long hair strands. Make hair washing less frequent, limited to three times a week, at most. It is also necessary that you use hair care products which do not contain any harsh chemicals, since these can irritate your scalp, or cause it to dry up and itch. Switch to gentle products, at least for the course of the treatment. Use shampoos and conditioners with mild protein content, and rinse it thoroughly with warm water. If the scalp gets too dry, gently massage the skin with light moisturizers. After treatment, try not to have your hair permed for at least six months; this will give ample time for the hair strands and shafts to recover.

Brush your hair with added care; try using a soft hairbrush in order to prevent irritation of the scalp. Nylon pillowcases can also contribute to hair loss, as the fabric can irritate the scalp with prolonged contact. Use other fabrics which are scalp-friendly, like cotton or satin. When going to bed, you can minimize hairfall with the use of a hairnet, it reduces tangles and strand movement. Hair styling equipments are absolutely discouraged as well, as these can further speed up the loss by irritation; these include hairdryers, rollers, flattening irons, and the like. Try to do without these as much as possible, as your brittle hair needs all the care it can get. Detangle it after washing with gentle passes of a wide-toothed comb; don’t pull, but instead, raise the tangled area and work the tangle out, one strand at a time if necessary.

You need to protect your hair from the elements. When going outdoors, wear ample headgear for protection; a wide-brimmed hat for protection against the heat of the sun, and a scarf for the chill and the wind. Sometimes chemotherapy has radical effects on your hair, and you will find that it falls out much sooner, and in larger clumps than expected. In this case, you should seriously consider on having it shaved. A blotched scalp is more unsightly than a shaved one, and you can wear a wig to cover the affected area. Just keep in mind that the loss is temporary, and once the treatment ends, you’ll be able to grow back the hair you lost, with an added bonus of a much healthier body.