CHEMO CHIC
Coping with hair loss during chemotherapy
They usually say a woman’s hair is her crowning glory. one of the side effects of chemotherapy is hair loss (alopecia). For women, this can come across as devastating as the hair plays a huge role in a woman’s appearance. Finding ways to cope emotionally and physically with hair loss ahead of time may ease some of the distress on the journey through chemotherapy. The thing is, by the time you are fighting to stay alive, the loss of your hair is just one of the many things you have to push to the backburner...until you are well and strong enough to adress it properly. By then, the following procesdures lited below will help you cope better.
Get informed. Not all drugs will affect your hair the same way. Some only cause gradual hair thinning. Others may cause your hair to fall out in clumps. Make hair loss less scary by asking your doctor what exactly will happen.
Prepare your family. Depending on their age, children may be scared or even embarrassed by your hair loss. Let them know what to expect and why your treatment is so important. The more positive you can be, the better they’ll react.
Go easy on your hair. To slow down hair loss, stay away from shampoos that contain strong fragrances, alcohol, or salicylic acid. For now, don’t colour, perm, or chemically straighten your hair. Don’t use rollers, curling irons, or straightening irons. Use a soft-bristle hairbrush, and instead of using a blow-dryer, let your hair air-dry.
Take care of your skin. As you lose your hair, your scalp may get tender or itchy. Some people even feel a tingling sensation. A moisturizing shampoo and conditioner can help, as will a gentle lotion you massage into your scalp.
Rest easy. Wearing a soft cap or turban around your head at night can help collect loose hair as it falls out. Don’t plait your hair or pack into a bun since both can tug on it. A silk pillowcase will also reduce friction when you’re asleep.
Cover up. A scarf or hat can act as a shield when going out. If you choose not to wear one, don’t forget to apply sunscreen to your scalp to protect against sunburn.
Consider a wig or hairpiece. – Wearing wigs are now a lot more fashionable than before, so it really wouldn’t be difficult getting one. Make comfort a priority when picking a style of your choice
Make the most out of your appearance - Buy a new pair of earrings or a pretty, colorful scarf. You may also want to use makeup like an eyebrow pencil or fake eyelashes to play up other features.
Ask your doctor about “scalp cooling.” - A tight cap filled with cold gel reduces hair loss for some people. The temperature narrows blood vessels underneath the scalp, limiting the amount of medicine that reaches hair follicles.
Talk about it - It’s normal to feel anxious, depressed, or self-conscious about losing your hair. A support group can connect you with others going through the same thing. They can share your feelings and offer advice.
Be patient - Most people notice their hair growing back within a few weeks to months after they’ve finished chemotherapy. Sometimes, it’s a different color or texture, but this change is usually temporary.