Chemotherapy Hair Loss : The experience of losing one’s hair is considered to be among the most distressing aspects of cancer treatment. Patients undoubtedly feel extremely self conscious about their appearance as they anticipate how others might react to these changes. In many cases, hair loss is often just a temporary side effect. But this ultimately depends on the treatment type and the dosage issued.

Chemotherapy Hair Loss

Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs to slow the formation of cancer cells as they divide. Likewise, it can also aim to eradicate them altogether or alleviate the symptoms of cancer through palliative care. Results will largely vary on an individual basis.

Individuals can lose their hair due to chemotherapy because the chemicals of the medication travels throughout the entire body by way of the bloodstream. Therefore, hair follicles are affected by the chemo drug just as the cancer cells themselves. In fact, they are one of the more vulnerable types of tissues to be adversely affected since the cells of these structures reproduce quickly. However, this fast rate division also makes it possible for the follicles to repair themselves as well. Therefore, recovery of hair can occur within three to ten months after treatment, or during the later phases.

It is important for patients to realize that hair loss doesn’t necessarily occur with all forms of chemotherapy. This side effect is actually contingent on how the individual reacts to the type of drug used as well as the dosage given.

Hair loss from chemotherapy can be sudden or gradual. Onset typically occurs within weeks two or three during the first cycle of treatment. Or it can manifest during the second cycle.

The image that many people have of cancer patients is near to complete baldness. However, loss of hair may occur only on parts of the head and not the entire scalp. In some cases, shedding is evenly distributed. And in others, it occurs in clumps.

Can Chemotherapy Hair Loss Be Prevented?

Some specialists attempt to help their patients avoid hair loss through cryotherapy. This involves the use of ice packs to help constrict the blood vessels in the scalp. The idea is to minimize the exposure of hair follicle cells to the drug chemical without lowering the dosage. However, if the cancer is present in the head region, cryotherapy may reduce the effectiveness of the medicine treatment.

Minoxidil is sometimes considered for addressing hair loss during chemotherapy. As opposed to constricting the blood vessels, it relaxes and widens their diameters. While this can improve the availability of oxygen to these structures, it will not stop drug compounds from interacting with these cells. Therefore, using Minoxidil is most likely not an effective way to prevent hair loss. But it may be helpful after chemotherapy to help encourage the growth of new hair.

Due to the potential risk of side effects from using Minoxidil and other drugs like Finasteride, individuals around the world are increasingly turning to natural hair loss remedies for safer treatment choices. Scientists are now finding that many forms of plant extracts are able to influence pathways in the body that are responsible for hair loss. Therefore, Dr. U encourages individuals who want to consider natural ingredients to spend time carefully researching these factors before deciding on what product to use.

Losing Hair From Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy involves the use of high energy waves or particles to destroy cancer cells, or at least damage them so that they don’t reproduce. Unlike chemotherapy which affects tissues throughout the body, radiation only targets a specific area.

Hair loss can be a temporary side effect. But it can also be permanent if higher dosages are used when permanent scarring or atrophy occurs in the treated areas

If changes in physical appearances due to hair loss is extremely concerning for patients, Dr. U suggests the use of hats, wigs or scarves which can make a big difference in how a person feels about themselves. Likewise, an organization for women, called Henna Heals, is working to help improve the confidence of hair loss sufferers of cancer and auto-immune disorders through the use of temporary tattoo designs known as Henna Crowns. Choosing new personal associations through support groups can also be enormously therapeutic to patients as well.

Chemotherapy Hair Loss, what you should know

Chemotherapy Hair Loss, what you should know

Chemotherapy Hair Loss