Skin & hair · 15 min
Hair during and after treatment
When treatment or illness changes your hair, a few gentle habits, and some time to decide what feels right, can make it easier to face.
Some medicines, treatments and illnesses can thin hair, change its texture or cause it to fall out. For many people this is one of the hardest visible changes. There is no right way to feel about it. A few gentle habits, and time to decide what you want, can help you feel more in charge.
The steps
Four small steps,in your own time.
Ask your care team whether your treatment is likely to affect your hair, when, and what support is available locally. Write down their answer.
Treat your hair and scalp gently: a mild shampoo, lukewarm water, a soft brush, and no heat, colour or perms during treatment unless your team says otherwise.
Decide, in your own time, what you would like to do: keep it as it is, have it cut shorter, try scarves, hats or a wig, or a mix. You can change your mind.
Protect your scalp with a hat or scarf in sun and cold, and keep it moisturised if it is dry.
The reason
Why it helps
Knowing what to expect can make change feel less sudden. Gentle care reduces strain on hair that is already fragile. Making your own choices about how to manage hair loss is one way to keep control during a time when much else feels decided for you.
A gentle variation
If talking about it feels like too much, start with one small step, such as trying on a soft hat or scarf at home. Some people find a shorter cut before treatment starts makes the change feel less abrupt; others prefer to wait.
WE · TRIBE
Try itwith someone.
Ask someone you trust to help you shop for a scarf or wig, or to cut your hair if you decide to. If you care for someone going through this, ask what they would like rather than assuming, and tell them they look like themselves.
Try it today
This week, ask your care team how your treatment may affect your hair and what support is available, and write the answer down.
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