Living with Cancer
Hair loss is a common, and in most cases reversible, side effect of chemotherapy, especially following the administration of certain drugs and the radiation you receive on your head.
Chemotherapy affects all the cells in the body. This means that by destroying the cancer cells, we may also affect normal cells, such as the hair follicles, which produce hairs, therefore resulting in the loss of head hair as well as other parts of the body. Usually the hair loss is temporary. This side effect does not occur in every case. Whether hair will stay as it is, get thinner or fall, depends on the drugs being administered, their combination with other drugs, the dosage and the body's response to them. If, however, there is hair loss, it could either be gradual or sudden. Usually the hair starts falling in strands during your shower or while combing. Some drugs also cause a loss of eyelashes, eyebrows, and the hair on the chest, underarms, arms, legs and pubic area. In rare cases, when particular drugs are used and in considerably large doses, may lead to the alopecia being permanent.
Hair loss is observed in the first and the second cycle of chemotherapy. Additionally, you may also experience irritation of the skin of the head. In most cases the hairs begin to regrow two to three weeks after the end of chemotherapy as baby hairs. Then, in the first month the first hairs will begin to show and by the end of the month you may have a full 1.5 centimeters of hair length. Keep in mind that the "new" hair may possibly have a slightly different color, different texture or be curlier or straighter than it was in the past. Unlike chemotherapy, radiation causes hair loss only in the area where it is applied. Unfortunately so far there is no known prevention for hair loss due to chemotherapy.
Psychological Effects
Getting diagnosed with cancer can completely turn your life around. The patient is confronted with a new reality, with the threat of loss and physical weakness. As a physical ailment, it leads to significant and continuous changes of body image. The body becomes a place of expression of symptoms and mental pain. It is the pain brought about by the visible signs of the illness, as the disease is publicly announced.
Sometimes the side effects of chemotherapy such as the possibility of hair loss is a more frightening experience than the actual process of chemotherapy, as it makes patients feel exposed, powerless and vulnerable. When a woman experiences the treatment of cancer and already feels scared and fragile, the dramatic changes in her appearance along with all the changes that have taken place in her everyday life, can be overwhelming for her. Hair loss, often accompanied by a loss of eyebrows and eyelashes, can really take a blow to a woman’s femininity.
The psychological changes are obvious and significant. The acceptance of the new reality and adaptation to the “new normal” are necessary for maintaining balance and the psychosocial survival of the patient. In collaboration with the physical care provided by the medical team, the psychotherapeutic supportive role is critical and essential. The therapeutic approach focuses on helping the patient to perform all that painful, agonizing and difficult work in relation to losses and adjustments imposed by the disease. Mental support and aid is aimed at helping the person suffering to adapt as best they can to their new body image and self, their new lifestyle and to create new opportunities so as to derive pleasure through the acceptance of the limitations and boundaries imposed by this new reality, with the goal of giving quality and meaning to life.
Hair care
If you’re being administered drugs that cause complete hair loss, then after your first treatment, the scalp will feel soft and sensitive. Once the hair starts to fall, give yourself a couple of days to accept this change in appearance and seek the support of your family and friends that can help. Then visit your salon to shave your head and wear the wig you have selected. This t1actic is much better and less traumatic than slowly losing your hair. In the meantime, be sure to remove all styling and hair products from your bathroom. Place them in a box and store them somewhere until your natural hair begins to grow again and you can start reusing them.
• Treat your hair with a mild shampoo, avoid high temperatures with the hair dryer and use a soft comb.
• Shampoo with tea tree oil can relieve the itching of the scalp.
• Avoid products with ingredients such as salicylic acid, menthol, camphor, eucalyptus, and henna, which can cause irritation.
• Postpone hair dyeing.
• If you follow a treatment that leads to hair loss, make sure you find the right wig so that it is similar in texture and color to your natural hair.
• You can begin by cutting your hair shorter before treatment so that the change is not that drastic.
• If you are having radiation applied to your head, consider lengthening your hair to cover the signs of thinning.
• If you lose your hair because of the treatment you are following, you should continue to wash your head. Use a moisturizing shampoo 1-2 times a week to clean and moisturize the scalp. Seeing as you will not have the natural oils of the hair for a while, the head will require extra nurturing.
• If you lose your hair make sure to use sunscreen to protect your scalp from the sun.
• Alternatively, you can cover your head with a nice scarf or a turban, especially during the winter to prevent heat loss from the body.
Practical advice for your "new" hair
A few months after the completion of chemotherapy the 'new' hairs begin to surface. Temporarily their texture may be thinner and they may have a slightly different color, but usually they will return back to their original state. For their proper care, use soft shampoo for frequent use and moisturizer often so as not to allow the scalp to get dry. Limit washing to twice a week. Massage the scalp often to remove dry skin and flakes and avoid brushing if possible. Use a gentle comb with wide, sparse teeth. Avoid high heat when drying, curling or straightening, styling and generally the use of chemical products. Avoid also dyes and other salon products for at least three months after treatment. New hair will initially be much thinner and therefore more vulnerable. You may have to wait up to a year before you can do curls or straighten your hair, but surely this is not the most important factor.
The wig solution
One of the side effects of chemotherapy is the loss of hair. In this case, a preferred solution is to use a wig, which is ideally acquired prior to the start of treatment in order to match the color of the natural hair. There are advantages and disadvantages to each type of wig. With regard to natural wigs, there are different qualities, depending on the place of origin of the human hair. European hairs are high quality and more rare. They are considered the best because of their composition. Some human hair can be coarse in their quality and very tough in texture and for this reason, they may be cheaper. Synthetic hair is made of very thin plastic fibers. The synthetic products can be easily maintained because of their ability to keep the hairstyle after shampooing. They are considered much cheaper as well. The base of the wig is also adjustable. To find the right size, measure the circumference of the head with a tape measure by placing it in the middle of the forehead at the point where the hairs start to grow. Pass the tape around the head, behind one ear, around the neck, behind the other ear and turn back to the starting point.
Synthetic hair
Synthetic hair is cheaper and requires less maintenance. In general, synthetic wigs retain their shape and color much more than natural wigs and their hairstyle remains almost unchanged. They appear exceptionally natural as each hair contains a vacuum, something that makes it behave exactly like natural hair, both in movement and when styling. The lifespan of a good synthetic wig is about one year, but it could last longer with proper care and attention. Some quality synthetic wigs are better than low-quality natural wigs. Some companies make high quality synthetic wigs upon request, thus fully satisfying customer requirements and providing a result that is very close to that of real hair. They clearly cost more however and require several months to produce.
Natural hair
Each wig made of human hair is unique, since the hairs used come from many different people and thus have a different thickness and texture. The wigs are made from hairs that have been treated chemically so as to remove the keratin so it can by dyed. The treatment it undergoes provides it with silky softness, so the hair does not tangle easily. It can be dyed and styled easily. If we decide to dye the wig, it’s recommended to use darker tones, as lighter tones damage the hair. The use of a straightening iron is possible but should be done with great care and preferably by experts. Human hair is obviously what appears more natural out of all the options. Wigs of natural hair are more expensive than synthetic ones.
Selection and purchase of wig
We initially start with research, e.g. via the Internet and by visiting wig stores with a friend or relative. The online wig market may be easier and more impersonal, however it doesn’t enable us to test the wig, which is very important. Take your time, ask questions and solve all your queries before your final choice. It is recommended that the color of the wig is a little lighter than your natural color, as according to patients' testimonies, it "illuminates" the face and "covers" skin changes.
Proper care of the wig
Humidity, pollution and other external factors affect the wig in the same way they do with our natural hair. The washing of the wig should be done every 15 to 18 uses in the winter and every 6-8 uses in the summer season. By keeping it in good condition, you are also lengthening its life span. Ensure that you always follow the manufacturer's instructions or ask the supplier for any further questions.
Synthetic wig care
Special shampoos and conditioner are recommended for synthetic hairs. Conventional shampoos are very harsh and may "dry" the hairs up. Special products help maintain the shine of the wig for longer, protecting it from damage and fading.
Fill a basin or sink with lukewarm water and pour 1-2 caps of shampoo. Dip the wig and let it soak for 5 minutes. Rub the wig and then rinse with warm water to remove all the shampoo. Refill the basin or sink with lukewarm water and pour 1-2 caps of conditioner. Dip the wig and let it soak for 2 minutes. Then wrap it with a clean towel to absorb as much water as possible. Place it in a basin for wigs and leave it to air dry. Comb only when it is completely dry. Never use a hair dryer on synthetic wigs, unless it is cold air, as the heat from irons and scissors destroy it.
Natural wig care
Natural wigs are more sensitive than our natural hair is therefore it requires special care to keep it in good condition. The use of conditioner for colored and damaged hair is necessary for its preservation.
Fill a basin or sink with lukewarm water and pour about 30ml of shampoo for every liter of water. Dip the wig and let it soak for 5 minutes. If it is very dirty, put the shampoo on the wig and let it soak for another 5 minutes. If any makeup residue is found on the wig, simply rub the spot very gently with a soft brush. Rinse with warm water to remove all of the shampoo. Then use a good quality conditioner or hair mask and leave it to act for a few minutes. Rinse again. Then wrap the wig with a clean towel to absorb as much water as possible. Place the wig in a basin and comb delicately so as to allow the hair to regain its natural form. Place the wig back in the basin and let it air dry. When it is almost dry you can use the hair dryer. You can use a straightening and curling iron only when the wig is completely dry.
Remember
Use styling products that are specifically designed for synthetic wigs that dissolve when placed in the water when you wash your wig. For extra shine and a healthier appearance of the wig, you can use a spray gloss from a distance of about 30cm.