Why do cancer patients lose their hair?

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One of the most unfortunate side effects of getting a form of cancer is losing hair. This occurs because of a common cancer treatment: chemotherapy.

Loss of Hair

The purpose of chemotherapy treatment is to control and eliminate cancer cells in the body. Most of the time, it also affects parts of the body that have nothing to do with the cancer at all, such as the hair roots.

Timeline

Hair will typically begin falling out about 10 to 14 days after the first chemotherapy treatment. It can fall out gradually or quickly in clumps.

Treatments

There are ways to try to prevent or slow down your hair from falling out, such as cryotherapy or Rogaine.

During Chemotherapy

Take care of your remaining hair by using a satin pillowcase and washing it only when necessary. If you will be out in the sun or extreme cold, wear a hat to protect your head and hair.

Growing Back

You can expect your hair to begin growing back about a month after your last treatment. When it comes back, it may temporarily look a little different than it did before chemotherapy.

Source:

Chemotherapy.com: Side Effects

More Information:

Mayo Clinic.com: Hair Loss

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Why do cancer patients lose their hair?

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