Hair Loss
Not all anti-cancer medicines cause hair loss; your doctor or nurse can tell you whether you might be affected. Hair loss is often one of the more frustrating aspects of cancer treatment. When hair falls out, it can affect self-image and quality of life. But there are ways to cope with this side effect.
Everyone’s experience is different, so it’s important to talk with your doctor or nurse about how your particular treatment affects hair loss. Depending on the treatment, hair loss may start anywhere from seven to 21 days after the first chemotherapy session. Hair starts to grow back when you are finished with treatment. It may have a different texture or color, but these changes are usually not permanent.
Coping With Hair Loss
Generally, when they lose their hair, most people want to wear some kind of head covering, whether it’s a scarf, turban, hat, or wig. Some insurance plans cover part of the cost of head coverings. Organizations such as CancerCare can also suggest places where you can find wigs. If you choose to wear a wig, consider buying one before all of your hair falls out. This way, you will have a good match to your own hair color. Having a wig ahead of time will also help you feel more prepared. You can have your wig professionally fitted and styled by a full-service wig salon. Some of these salons even specialize in hair loss from chemotherapy.