Taking care of a woman’s emotional health is an important part of every cancer treatment plan. And that means offering easy, respectful and private access to the products that you need to feel and look your best.
With recent advances in hair replacement technology, women have a variety of choices to help make themselves look and feel better during treatment. Images human hair prostheses are now made to allow a woman’s scalp to show through to give the impression that hair is growing from the scalp.
Although it's not essential, you should consider visiting Images before you begin losing your hair so that we may become familiar with your present hairstyle and color. Images specializes in hair loss from chemotherapy and pattern baldness and we are able to offer you specific advice.
Images will provide you with advice about how to take care of your new hair. This advice includes what type of shampoos, conditioners, and brushes to use on the prosthesis. Most prostheses require shampoo and conditioning every one to two weeks. This is something that you may do yourself, or we will be happy to do it for you. We are using 100% human hair, so your new hair can be curled, or treated with hairspray or mousse.
If you are currently or about to go through chemotherapy treatment, please give Images a call for a no obligation consultation at 609-584-9875.
Chemotherapy and hair loss: Why does it occur?
Chemotherapy drugs are powerful medications that attack rapidly growing cancer cells. Unfortunately, these drugs also attack other rapidly growing cells in your body — including those in your hair roots.
Chemotherapy may cause hair loss all over your body — not just on your scalp. Sometimes your eyelash, eyebrow, armpit, pubic and other body hair also fall out. Some chemotherapy drugs are more likely than others to cause hair loss, and different doses can cause anything from a mere thinning to complete baldness. Talk to your doctor or nurse about the medication you'll be taking. Your doctor or nurse can tell you what to expect.
Fortunately, most of the time hair loss from chemotherapy is temporary. You can expect to re-grow a full head of hair six months to a year after you stop treatment, though your hair may temporarily be a different shade or texture.
Chemotherapy and hair loss: What should you expect?
Hair usually begins falling out 10 to 14 days after you start treatment. It could fall out very quickly in clumps or gradually. You'll likely notice accumulations of loose hair on your pillow, in your hairbrush or in your shower drain.
Your hair loss will continue throughout your treatment and up to a month afterward. Whether your hair thins or you become completely bald will depend on your treatment. You generally need to lose about 50 percent of your hair before it's noticeable to other people.
It takes about four to six weeks for your hair to recover from chemotherapy. In general, you can expect about a quarter inch of growth each month.
When your hair starts to grow back, it will probably be slightly different from the hair you lost. But the difference is usually temporary. Your new hair might have a different texture or color. It might be curlier than it was before, or it could be gray until the cells that control the pigment in your hair begin functioning again.
Chemotherapy and hair loss: Can hair loss be prevented?
Unfortunately, no treatment exists that can guarantee your hair won't fall out during or after chemotherapy. The best way for you to cope with impending hair loss is to plan ahead and focus on making yourself comfortable with your appearance before, during and after your cancer treatment.
Chemotherapy and hair loss: Is the cost of a hair prosthesis covered by my insurance company?
Most insurance companies will cover 80% or more of the cost of a hair prosthesis if it is needed for medical reasons. Insurance companies usually require proof of a prescription for hair prosthesis from a physician. The purchase of a hair prosthesis for a medical reason is also tax deductible.
Note: We strongly encourage you to talk with your health care professional about your specific medical condition and treatments. The information contained in this web site is meant to be helpful and educational, but is not a substitute for medical advice.
