AS YOU BEGIN CHEMOTHERAPY

Not all chemotherapy drugs cause hair loss, but the ones that do are fairly predictable. If your doctor has told you to expect hair loss, this is what usually happens: One and a half weeks after your first treatment, your scalp may become tender. Some people don't feel this at all, and for others their scalp is quite sore. This is normal and goes away after the hair loss is complete.  With most chemotherapy drugs, hair loss begins about two weeks to the day after your first treatment, and takes 3-7 days. Occasionally, hair loss doesn't begin until three weeks, but be prepared for two, just to be on the safe side.

Whether or not to cut your hair before you begin treatment is a matter of personal preference. For some women, having their hair cut into a shorter style helps them get used to it, and it's less traumatic when the hair begins to fall. For others, particularly if they love their hair, cutting it any sooner than they have to is more traumatic. Either way, you'll definitely want to have it cut short once hair loss begins. 100 hairs that are two inches long are much easier to deal with than 100 hairs that are 6 or 10 inches long. Something to consider, particularly if you have long hair, is to go wig shopping before you begin chemotherapy. You can pick out a shorter style that you are comfortable with and have your hair cut like the wig, or you can choose what you are used to. When you start wearing the wig, they will notice something a bit different and the change won’t be a big deal . This approach has been very helpful for many of my clients.

If you have long hair, and wish to donate it, contact Locks of Love for more information. Though some women shave their head when hair loss begins, keep in mind that all of your hair might not come out on the first treatment. You'll lose 90-95% of your hair, and if you shave it down to the scalp, what's left might feel rough and whiskery, so we suggest exfoliation. Continue to wash your scalp with a mild shampoo (not bar soap) every day, even after you've lost your hair. Your oil glands will put out the same amount of oil whether you have hair or not, and this will keep your wig, hats and scarves cleaner.

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