Cancer Cervical Cancer Caring for Your Hair During Chemotherapy By Jaime R. Herndon, MS, MPH Jaime R. Herndon, MS, MPH Jaime Herndon is a freelance health/medical writer with over a decade of experience writing for the public. Learn about our editorial process Updated on May 17, 2022 Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD Doru Paul, MD, is triple board-certified in medical oncology, hematology, and internal medicine. He is an associate professor of clinical medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College and attending physician in the Department of Hematology and Oncology at the New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Fact checked by Elaine Hinzey, RD Fact checked by Elaine Hinzey, RD Verywell Health's LinkedIn Elaine Hinzey is a registered dietitian, writer, and fact-checker with nearly two decades of experience in educating clients and other healthcare professionals. Learn about our editorial process Print Steve Mason / Stockbyte / Getty Images Chemotherapy treatment can be physically and emotionally challenging, and the side effects can be the same. One of the side effects of chemotherapy can be hair loss. Hair loss is one of the most dreaded side effects of chemotherapy, which works by targeting the fastest-growing cells in your body. Among the most rapid-growing cells are hair follicles, which divide every 23 to 72 hours. Hair loss is one of the most common side effects of cancer treatment and one of the most devastating ones. While it can be challenging, it is typically temporary, and hair grows back. Read on to learn more about hair loss from chemotherapy and how to manage hair loss. Chemotherapy and Hair Loss Chemotherapy-induced hair loss (also called anagen effluvium) is diffuse hair loss due to exposure to a toxic drug in the hair matrix. While some people with cancer experience a visible thinning of hair, including the eyebrows and eyelashes, others will have total hair loss. The severity of hair loss depends on the type and dose of chemotherapy and how often it is administered. Higher doses of chemotherapy are associated with more severe loss. Chemotherapy drugs that usually cause hair loss can include: Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide) Cerubidine (daunorubicin) Taxotere (docetaxel) Adriamycin (doxorubicin) Epirubicin Etoposide (VP-16) Idamycin (idarubicin) Ifex (ifosfamide) Camptosar (irinotecan) Ixempra (ixabepilone) Mustargen (mechlorethamine) Taxol (paclitaxel) Abraxane (albumin-bound paclitaxel) Velban (vinblastine) Oncovin (vincristine) Preventing and Managing Hair Loss While there is no right or wrong way to care for the scalp, there are many helpful suggestions. Look Into Cold Cap Therapy Some people use this therapy, which is widely used in Europe, to preserve their hair. It freezes the scalp, reducing the effects of chemotherapy on scalp hair and slowing hair loss. While many women report great results, this method can be expensive. Be Gentle With Your Hair Being gentle with your hair reduces psychological distress and minimizes breakage and loss from too much brushing, pulling, or styling of the hair. You can shampoo and frequently condition if you prefer, but washing the hair once or twice per week is generally enough. Use a wide-toothed comb when brushing. Wearing a hair net at night can prevent your hair from falling out in clumps on your pillowcase and having to clean it up in the morning. Choose Mild Haircare Products Many shampoos have fragrances and harsh chemicals that only serve to dry out already-irritated skin. Conditioners, by contrast, can sometimes be overly oily or contain emollients, humectants you don't need. The first rule of thumb is to simplify when it comes to hair cleansing. If your hair is thinning, use a mild shampoo that is gentler on the scalp. Healthcare providers often recommend a baby shampoo with the proper pH balance for dry, inflamed skin. If your scalp is itchy or sensitive, rubbing baby oil or mineral oil on the skin can help. Consider a New Hairstyle If your hair has not entirely fallen out, you may want to consider a new, low-maintenance hairstyle. A pixie cut, for example, requires little hair product and allows you to style in whatever direction needed to conceal thinning patches. Some people shave their heads to reassert their power over their bodies during cancer treatment and avoid seeing their hair fall out—and this is also something to consider. Skip Coloring or Perming Healthcare providers almost universally advise against coloring or perming during chemotherapy. Even if you don't experience a lot of hair loss, chemotherapy can still damage the hair shaft and cause a dry, itchy, flaky scalp. Adding harsh chemicals can sometimes accelerate the thinning of your hair. If coloring your hair is important, opt for temporary/semi-permanent hair coloring that doesn't contain peroxide or paraphenylenediamine (PPD). On the other hand, if you want to lighten your hair, it is probably best to wait until you've finished chemo, as these hair products almost universally contain peroxide and bleach. Pick Out a Wig These days, there are countless styles and colors to choose from. You can even cut and color your wig to match your natural color and style. If you choose to wear a wig, get a cap liner to help eliminate some of the itchiness. Insurance plans will often cover the expense of wigs for people undergoing cancer treatment if they are prescribed as a "cranial prosthesis." There are even organizations that provide them for free. You can order from the American Cancer Society's not-for-profit website and catalog, tlc (Tender Loving Care). You can also ask your cancer team and others living with cancer for recommendations or look online for local wig shops. Wear a Headscarf If you're uncomfortable wearing a wig, wear a headscarf to provide sun protection, keep your scalp warm, and feel more comfortable. When outdoors with nothing protecting your scalp, use UV sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Summary During chemotherapy, you may experience hair loss. This can depend on the dosage of the drug used, the specific drugs used, and the combination of treatments. While hair loss is typically temporary, it may cause emotional distress. You can do things to help deal with hair loss, including wearing a wig or headscarf, changing your hairstyle, and being gentle with your hair. A Word From Verywell Whether you're simply noticing more hair in your brush or clumps are falling out in the shower, hair loss can be emotionally devastating, and support from loved ones is crucial. While you are battling cancer, the most important thing is to stay emotionally and mentally strong for the fight. Your hair will very likely grow back, and above all, it does not define you. Your strength through adversity does. Frequently Asked Questions How quickly does your hair fall out after chemotherapy? This can vary depending on the dosage of the drug used or the specific drug or combination of drugs. However, it typically starts one to three weeks after starting chemotherapy and becomes noticeable one to two months after starting treatment. What is the best shampoo for hair growth after chemo? There is no one specific answer to this. You should choose a shampoo that is best for your scalp. Chemotherapy and/or radiation can irritate the skin, and the scalp might be tender. Choosing a mild shampoo like a baby shampoo may help you avoid irritating the skin, or choosing one with aloe vera or coconut oil can help moisturize and soothe the scalp. Are there any medications that can prevent hair loss or thinning during chemo? due to chemo? No, there are no medications that can prevent hair loss or thinning during chemotherapy. 12 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Ferreira MN, Ramseier JY, Leventhal JS. Dermatologic conditions in women receiving systemic cancer therapy. International Journal of Womens Dermatology. 2019;5(5):285-307. doi:10.1016/j.ijwd.2019.10.003 Kanwar AJ, Narang T. Anagen effluvium. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2013;79(5):604–612. doi:10.4103/0378-6323.116728 University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics. Dealing with cancer therapy hair loss. Kruse M, Abraham J. Management of chemotherapy-induced alopecia with scalp cooling. J Oncol Pract. 2018;14(3):149-154. doi:10.1200/JOP.17.00038 Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Hair loss and your cancer treatment. Cancer Research UK. Using hair dye after chemotherapy. Seydi E, Fatahi M, Naserzadeh P, Pourahmad J. The effects of para-phenylenediamine (PPD) on the skin fibroblast cells. Xenobiotica. 2019;49(10):1143–1148. doi:10.1080/00498254.2018.1541264 American Cancer Society. Individual health insurance options. CancerCare. Wigs. American Cancer Society. Hair loss-tips for women. American Cancer Society. Coping with hair loss. Cancer Hair Care. Taking care of new hair. Originally written by Lisa Fayed See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit