What you need to know about hair loss during breast cancer treatment

When your doctor tells you that you have breast cancer, it's normal for questions to come to your mind. You want to know about the future, the treatments, and the side effects. One of the biggest concerns for many people is hair loss . For women, hair is a part of their identity. So let's talk about this in more detail today.

Why does hair fall out during chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy is the main treatment for breast cancer. Simply put, this treatment destroys rapidly dividing cells. Cancer cells are a type of cell that divides very quickly. But the cells in our hair roots, that is, the cells in our hair follicles, also divide rapidly.

So chemotherapy drugs can't tell the difference between cancer cells and healthy, rapidly dividing cells. So these drugs damage the hair roots. As a result, hair starts falling out. When you comb your hair, or when you shower, you may notice that your hair is coming out in clumps.

Some people lose their hair completely, others experience thinning hair, and sometimes there may be no hair loss at all. This varies from person to person and depends on the type of chemotherapy given. Hair loss usually begins 1 to 3 weeks after the first chemotherapy treatment.

The special challenges of curly and wavy hair

Some of us are born with curly or wavy hair. If you look at a strand of hair like this under a microscope, you can see that it has a twisted nature. These twisted areas are like a flexible tube, which can break easily.

Also, it is difficult for sebum, the oil naturally secreted by the oil glands in our scalp, to travel down the hair shaft like this, making it more likely for hair to dry out and break quickly.

Hair can also be weakened by using things like tight braids, wigs, and weaves. So during chemotherapy, if your hair is already weakened, it is more likely to fall out.

What should you do before starting treatment?

If you are about to start chemotherapy, your scalp may be very sensitive during this time. It may hurt and itch. If you have braids or other hairstyles, this discomfort may be increased due to the pulling on your scalp. Therefore, it is wise to remove any hair extensions before starting treatment .

The 'Cooling Cap' method to protect hair

Scalp cooling, or scalp hypothermia , is a method used to reduce hair loss during chemotherapy. In this, you wear ice packs or a special cap containing a chilled liquid on your head during treatment.

This temporarily constricts the small blood vessels in the scalp. This reduces the amount of chemotherapy drugs that reach the hair roots. This also minimizes damage to the hair. However, this method does not work equally well for everyone. There are varying opinions in research on how effective it is, especially for very thick, curly hair.

If you're thinking about trying this method, keep these things in mind.

If you use a wig...

Wearing a wig during or after treatment can help reduce anxiety about your appearance and give you the mental strength to carry on with your daily activities as normal until your hair grows back.

Wigs made for cancer patients are a little different from regular fashion wigs. They have special adhesives that ensure they stay firmly attached to the scalp.

However, finding a wig that matches your natural hair color and texture can sometimes be a challenge. They can also be a bit expensive. Synthetic hair wigs are less expensive than human hair wigs. Ask your doctor or the hospital's social services department if you can get any help with this.

How to care for the scalp and new hair?

During and after treatment, your scalp and newly growing hair need special care.

• Sun protection: When you lose your hair, your scalp is exposed to direct sunlight. Although the melanin pigment in our skin provides some protection from the sun, it is not enough. Therefore, when you go out, apply a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to your scalp. Also, cover your head with a hat or scarf.
• Use of oils: If you normally use natural oils like coconut oil on your hair, use them sparingly during this time because it is difficult for the scalp to absorb the oil, and the new hair that grows in may look patchy.
• Hairstyle: When your hair starts to grow back after chemotherapy, it is very fine and weak . So, don't rush into using relaxers, dyes, and extensions. Be patient until your hair grows back at least 2-4 inches .

This journey is challenging. But you are not alone. Your medical team, family, and friends will be a great source of strength during this time. Talk to your doctor about any questions or concerns you may have.