Hairloss Due to Chemo

Hair loss is one of the most devastating side effects of chemotherapy. However, recognizing the need to triumph in the battle with cancer, many people don fashionable scarves, wigs and hats when hair loss begins to occur.

Reasoning

• Chemotherapy affects all of the cells in your body, including hair follicles. Hair loss occurs as these cells are attacked by the same drugs that are attacking the cancer cells.

Time Frame

• Hair loss may occur during the first weeks of chemotherapy or might not happen until the second cycle, which is months later. There is no way to tell when it might happen as it depends on the cells.

Considerations

• Hair loss due to chemo is temporary, as the hair follicle cells will regenerate over time, causing new hair growth.

Prevention/Solution

• There is no way to prevent hair loss due to chemotherapy as it is necessary for the chemo drugs to attack all cells in an effort to root out the bad ones.

Potential

• Consider making the best of the situation and wearing fashionable hats, scarves or wigs similar to your natural hair until regrowth of hair.