Cold caps or scalp cooling may help reduce the amount of hair loss for some individuals. They work by narrowing the blood vessels and reducing the amount of chemotherapy reaching the scalp. Not all treatment centres offer these as they can be expensive and are not always successful.
There is no reliable way to prevent chemotherapy-related hair loss. Some patients try cooling their scalp during the treatment. But there hasn't been much research on this approach. If you are having chemotherapy, you may lose your hair, depending on which medication is used.
Approximately 65% of individuals undergoing chemotherapy will experience chemotherapy-induced hair loss, which is usually temporary and completely reversible when therapy ends. The use of molecularly targeted agents in cancer treatment has also been associated with hair loss rates as high as 60%.
Fortunately, most hair loss from chemotherapy is temporary. Many patients experience an initial thinning or loss within 1-3 weeks of their initial treatment or dose of chemotherapy and by month three the hair loss is often complete.
Raw, organic coconut oil is an option. This will keep the scalp hydrated and help with minor irritation. I personally suggest applying emu oil to your scalp if it is itchy. This soothing transdermal oil is chemical-free has anti-inflammatory properties.
Sickness caused by chemotherapy can start within a couple of hours of starting your treatment and only last a day or so. Or it can come on more than 24 hours after the start of treatment. This is called delayed onset nausea and vomiting and usually lasts about a week.
Hair growth after chemo can be stimulated to grow back faster by applying minoxidil or minoxidil alternatives. Research suggests that minoxidil (Rogaine) might speed up hair regrowth after chemo.
Doxorubicin is considered one of the strongest chemotherapy drugs for breast cancer ever invented. It can kill cancer cells at every point in their life cycle, and it's used to treat a wide variety of cancers, not just breast cancer. Doxorubicin is also known as “The Red Devil” because it is a clear bright red color.
During a course of treatment, you usually have around 4 to 8 cycles of treatment. A cycle is the time between one round of treatment until the start of the next. After each round of treatment you have a break, to allow your body to recover.
Whether it's due to pain from a growing tumor, swallowing difficulties caused by radiation therapy, or the nausea, loss of appetite or mouth sores that are sometimes caused by chemotherapy, involuntary weight loss is a serious side effect of cancer and its treatment for many patients.
Cut your hair short or shave your head. This can help reduce scalp tenderness and may also help you to adjust to your hair loss. If you shave your head, use an electric shaver and not a razor. If you plan to buy a wig, try to do so before you lose your hair.
Still, some research shows that despite their benefits, antioxidants such as vitamin E, beta-carotene, and selenium can actually increase the risk of some cancers, cause some cancers to recur, and interfere with the cancer-killing effects of chemotherapy.
For most people the side effects were worst in the first few days after treatment, then they gradually felt better until the next treatment. Some said the effects were worse with each successive treatment. Most side effects don't persist and disappear within a few weeks after the end of treatment.
Short, planned delays in chemotherapy for good-risk GCT patients (less than or equal to 7 days per cycle) appear to be acceptable since they may prevent serious toxicity in this curable patient population. Delays of longer than 7 days are strongly discouraged except in extraordinary life-threatening circumstances.
Around the third day following a chemotherapy treatment, some people may experience flu-like symptoms such as muscle aches and pains. If you experience these aches, you can take over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol or Advil. If necessary, contact your doctor for stronger medication.
Following the tips below will help protect your skin from damage and infection: Bathe every day and use warm water. Avoid soaking in spas or hot tubs. Use a mild soap for bathing.
You may worry about the safety of family and friends while you are having chemotherapy. There is little risk to visitors (including children, babies and pregnant women) because they aren't likely to come into contact with any chemotherapy drugs or body fluids.
You can ask your hairdresser to suggest henna dyes or vegetable based dyes for you. These are gentler on the hair than the other types of hair colouring. So hair specialists think it is safe to use them. Even with a vegetable dye, it is worth testing before you use it.
Wash your hair only as often as necessary. Consider using a gentle shampoo. Consider shaving your head. Some people report that their scalps feel itchy, sensitive and irritated during their treatments and while their hair is falling out.