I bet you never thought you’d see yourself bald. For men it’s often not such a big deal, but for women, hair is sooooo important. It’s our identity. It makes us feel sexy. Since hair loss due to cancer treatment is often inevitable, instead of dreading it, own it!
Here are a few tips:
1. Your hair won’t all fall out at the same time. It tends to fall out gradually in clumps, which can be traumatizing to say the least. Instead of seeing your long, beautiful locks at the bottom of the shower or on your pillow in the morning, it’s easier to either shave it off right away or get a very short haircut. If you have long hair, do it gradually. Start with a bob, then work your way to a pixie cut. This way it won’t be as obvious once it becomes patchy.
2. Rock a wig and change your look. If you’ve ever wondered what you look like with a different hairstyle, now is the time to try. Some wigs are truly beautiful and look quite natural. I’m always amazed when one of my patients takes off their hair before treatment and I had absolutely no idea it was a wig. Some wigs can come at a hefty price so be sure to do your research before buying one online. Just because a wig is made with 100% human hair, the quality of the hair differs greatly between companies. Those that use ‘Remy’ hair (meaning real unprocessed hair) tend to be the best quality.
3. Once you lose your hair it becomes more obvious that you have cancer. If you’ve been holding off on telling certain people about your diagnosis, things can get awkward if the next time they see you if you have a bald head. It’s not to say that you need to tell everyone and anyone that you have cancer but you should consider the pros and cons of being open about it vs not. Sometimes it’s easier announcing it than keep it quiet in the long run.
4. Use an eyelash/ eyebrow serum after chemotherapy. Using these products during treatment won’t keep your hair from falling out but using them after your finished treatment will help them to grow back.
Xlash is more affordable than Latisse, and doesn’t require a prescription. However, I've personally had better results with Latisse. My lashes grew noticeably longer and thicker within the first 2-3 months.
5. Give microblading a try. Although it can be pricey, microblading lasts about 18 weeks – the perfect length of time for your eyebrows to grow back. Unlike tattooing, microblading is done with a very fine needle, which implants a medical grade pigment on the epidermis layer of the skin, making it semi- permanent. Fine, realistic looking hair strokes are used to form brows that are unique to each person according to the shape of their face.
6. Take Biotin and a good multivitamin daily after you're finished treatment. When choosing a multivitamin make sure that it contains Vitamins A, B, C, D, and E, along with Iron and Zinc. Supplement it with Biotin capsules to increase the rate of hair regrowth.
7. Massage your scale with oil. Scientists believe that a scalp massage can improve hair growth. with more blood flowing through the scalp, the follicles receive more nutrients and oxygen, which promotes hair growth. In addition, the scalp massage is also though to result in increased hair thickness. Also, how amazing are head massages!? Get a spouse or family member to help you out.
For more helpful tips, visit us at Own Your Cancer Coaching.
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