Generally, yes. Hair that is not being treated directly with radiation can be dyed. But if you're having radiation to the head and neck area and experience hair loss, it's best to wait a few months after your hair has grown back.
It is best not to use dyes or perms for around 6 months after finishing chemotherapy.
It's important not to rub, scrub or scratch any sensitive spots. Also avoid putting anything that is very hot or very cold—such as heating pads or ice packs—on your treated skin.
If your type of cancer treatment doesn't cause hair loss then as long as you have no scalp or hair issues and you carry out a sensitivity test there is no reason why you can't colour your hair if you choose to. Many women continue to colour their hair whilst having various treatments for cancer.
More than 60% of NPC patients receiving curative-intent radiotherapy suffered from a weight loss greater than 5% during the treatment [8], [9].
The most common early side effects are fatigue (feeling tired) and skin changes. Other early side effects usually are related to the area being treated, such as hair loss and mouth problems when radiation treatment is given to this area.
The side effects of radiotherapy usually peak up to two weeks after treatment has finished. The effects of radiotherapy continue developing, and it may take a further couple of weeks to several months for you to feel normal, depending on the area of the body that has been treated.
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People who have contact dermatitis i. are particularly prone to reactions because of the PPD and other chemicals present in dyes. People with skin conditions, like eczema and psoriasis, should also refrain from using hair dyes to color their hair.
Fatigue usually builds up slowly during the course of treatment, particularly towards the end, and may last for some weeks or months after treatment finishes. Many people find that they cannot do as much as they normally would, but others are able to continue their usual activities.
Many people who get radiation therapy have fatigue. Fatigue is feeling exhausted and worn out. It can happen all at once or come on slowly. People feel fatigue in different ways and you may feel more or less fatigue than someone else who is getting the same amount of radiation therapy to the same part of the body.
Our best overall pick is Biolage Haircolor, a henna dye that's free from harmful chemicals including ammonia and PPD. We also love Madison Reed Radiant Hair Color Kit, which is free of ammonia, parabens, resorcinol, PDD, phthalates, and gluten, plus the added benefit of being packed with hydrating ingredients.
Melissa Gilbert, beautician at Fantastic Services, says that you don't want to be in too much of a rush to re-dye your hair (yup, even if it looks really, really bad). "Experts advise waiting at least 2 weeks (technically 15 days) before dyeing it again.
An over-the-counter medication called minoxidil may help thinning hair from hormonal therapy or targeted therapy. It may also help if your hair does not grow back completely after chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a stem cell/bone marrow transplant. There are also other medications you can take by mouth.
"My roots grew about an inch, and I started noticing the salt-and-pepper pattern of my natural hair and toying with the idea of going gray." There's no hard-and-fast rule about when (or if!) you should stop coloring your hair and go gray; it's ultimately a personal choice.
And your hair might feel healthier
While hair dyes and techniques have come a long way since their follicle-frying beginnings, they do still leave some damage. Taking a hiatus from color will help your hair return to its previous state--especially as dyed ends get chopped off.
As hair dye sits on your scalp, chemicals are absorbed through your skin and into your bloodstream. Some of these chemical toxins are peed out, but some remain in the body for months, maybe longer.
Many types of chemotherapy cause hair thinning or complete hair loss. Wearing headgear such as wigs, hats, caps, and/or scarves is a creative way to camouflage and protect a bare scalp. Several organizations provide free headgear for those undergoing active cancer treatment.
"Semi-permanent hair dyes don't require bleach, which means they cannot affect the hair's natural pigment or penetrate the shaft, thus, they are less harmful," Lopez explained. "Permanent hair dye causes more damage, as it can effectively penetrate the hair shaft.
After radiotherapy
Some people find they feel low after finishing the treatment. It can take time to rebuild your confidence and accept what you have been through. It may also take time to recover from treatment. You may feel tired for a while and might have emotional changes or side effects to deal with.
Radiotherapy can cause tiredness because the body is using up your energy reserves to repair healthy cells damaged by the radiotherapy. If you are taking steroids, you might also find that you feel extremely tired when you stop taking them. Travelling to the hospital each day for treatment can also make you tired.