Coping with Chemo: Chemotherapy Hair Loss

Chemotherapy could lead to hair loss all over the body. There are some drugs which could cause more damage than others. Depending on the doses taken some result in hair thinning while others could make you completely bald. However, most of it is completely temporary and you can cultivate some good habits and grow it all back quickly.

Why Does Chemotherapy Cause Hair Loss?

The process of chemotherapy involves the administering of powerful drugs that attack and destroy rapidly growing cancer cells. However, these drugs also attack other fast-growing cells in the body including the hair cells resulting in hair fall. The chemotherapy hair loss is not necessarily confined to the scalp but can happen with your eyelashes, eyebrows and armpits as well.

The chemotherapy hair loss begins 2-4 weeks after you start your treatment. You could lose your hair in clumps or it could be a slow process. The hair fall will continue throughout the duration of the treatment until a week after you stop your medication. The amount of hair that you lose and frequency with which it happens depends on the procedure of treatment. Hair fall treatment will be necessary if you continue to lose hair a month after you stop your treatment

How to Manage Hair Loss Due to Chemotherapy

Though it is difficult to ensure that your hair does not fall out during or after chemotherapy, you can adopt some measures to ensure that hair loss after chemotherapy is curtailed.

• No chemical treatments: It is advisable to be as gentle with your hair as possible during this stage. Do not bleach or perm your hair. Use the hair dryer as rarely as possible. This will help ensure that your hair stays on your head for just a little bit longer.
• Get your information right: Not all drugs will affect you in the same way, some will make you lose large tufts of hair while other will lead to slow loss. Ask your doctor in what way the medication will affect you so that you are better prepared to handle hair loss after chemo.
• Wear a gel cap: Caps filled with cold gel are effective in reducing hair fall in some people. The cold temperature constricts the blood vessels reducing the amount of chemicals that reach the hair follicles.
• Minoxidil: This is a drug normally recommended to treat hair loss. This could also possibly be used for hair regrowth after chemotherapy.
• Cut your hair short: Loss of shorter hair impacts the scalp in a lesser way as it is less visible. It is advisable to cut long hair to deal with chemotherapy hair loss.
• Protect your scalp: Use a sunscreen when you expose your hair to the sun when you are experiencing chemotherapy hair loss. Your scalp is more sensitive when you are undergoing treatment. So, no hair or less hair makes it feel colder.
• Wigs: Use a wig as it will protect your scalp apart from adding to your look.
• Caps and scarves: You can also try out caps and scarves as they are comfortable and could be used as a fashion statement.

Excessive hair loss has become a significant concern in most women today. While losing a few strands every day is typical, too much hair loss or thinning of hair is often related to PCOS. PCOS or polycystic ovary syndrome is a common hormonal disorder that is related to excessive hair loss. Some other characteristics of this condition are weight gain, excessive facial and body hair growth.

When suffering from PCOS hair loss, some women experience hair loss and thinning, also referred to as female pattern hair loss. In this pattern of hair loss, the front of the scalp is usually seen thinning. Some again may experience the loss of hair at the top of the head. This pattern of baldness is often seen in women with excess male hormone or congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

Hair loss due to PCOS can be depressing, and finding an effective solution for the condition is paramount. But before you look out for any solution, you need to know the symptoms of excessive hair loss. The following section discusses exactly that. Read on.

Losing of hair due to PCOS can be detected a lot before diagnosing other related issues like weight gain or irregular menstrual cycle. By closer observation and research of people suffering from PCOS hair thinning, these are some of the symptoms detected-

• The crown part of your hair is visible as your hair is thinning.
• Lackluster hair that is damaged and breaks easily
• The hairline begins to recede near the temples
• Excessive hair shedding, especially when you comb your hair to detangle
• Lumps of hair come out on your palms every time you shampoo your hair
• The upper part of your hair is more visible as the frontline of your forehead has been thinning.
• You are experiencing dry and itchy scalp due to dandruff buildup

While these symptoms are related to your scalp or hair, you may also notice some other symptoms, such as

• Unusual weight gain or obesity
• Anxiety and depression
• Irregular menstrual cycle
• Increased risk of thyroid and diabetes

To treat or begin with your PCOS hair loss treatment, you must know the cause behind this condition.

Now that we know the symptoms, we must understand the reason behind this condition. PCOS and hair loss are interrelated, but then why do some women face it in the first place? What is the reason behind PCOS hair thinning or losing hair due to PCOS?

Well, the female body also produces male hormones, called androgens. These androgens are responsible for triggering puberty and stimulating hair growth in underarms or pubic areas. Now, for a woman who is not suffering from this condition, the female sex hormone or progesterone normally binds to the receptors of the hair follicles, which prevents hair fall.

On the contrary, in a woman suffering from PCOS hair loss, the progesterone levels go down, and the ovaries produce excess male hormones or androgens. This condition is also called hyperandrogenism.

Now when the progesterone is missing, the dihydrotestosterone or DHT binds the hair follicles receptors. DHT weakens the hair follicles, making it impossible for the healthy hair to survive, and the person experiences hair thinning. 

Although it is associated with excess hair loss, the female pattern baldness is associated with excess hair loss, but there is no complete baldness. Even though the female baldness pattern is somewhat similar to the male pattern baldness, there is one big difference between both types – the hair follicles in women remain alive, unlike in men.

If you are experiencing unusual hair loss when combing or washing your hair, you could possibly be facing the first sign of PCOS hair loss.

How to treat hair loss due to PCOS?

PCOS treatment for hair loss helps in managing your obesity problems, acne, hirsutism, or infertility. Such treatment may include lifestyle changes or medication.

• Lifestyle changes

Weight loss and low-calorie food. Reducing at least 5 percent of your body weight is essential to bring this issue under control. 

• Be active

If you are struggling with excessive hair loss, exercising regularly may treat or even prevent insulin resistance in your body.

• Limit carbs

Your intake of high carbs and low-fat food might increase the level of insulin in your body. You can ask your doctor for a low-carb diet to control extreme hair loss.

Yes, it can be reversed. Once you identify the hormonal imbalance and get the required medications, you will notice a significant improvement in issue.

However, if your hair is already damaged, you will have to take care of your diet and hair care regime. Be mindful of how to wash your hair and what you eat. A good diet is essential for a healthy life and beautiful hair.

Although losing hair due to PCOS is not easy to deal with, luckily, we have several treatments to deal with this issue.

• Oral medicines

One of the foremost PCOS hair fall treatment is oral medications. Your doctor will give you  a combination of oral contraceptive pills and anti-androgen drugs combined with other medications to control hair loss.

• Shampoo

Sulfate-free shampoos are one of the best things to have in your hair care regime. It will help treat damaged hair and extreme hair loss. 

• Topical treatments

Besides oral contraceptive pills, your doctor might also prescribe minoxidil for PCOS hair loss. This medicine comes in the form of foam or liquid that you need to massage your scalp with.

• Hair transplant

Hair transplant is a common PCOS hair loss treatment. In this process, hair follicles and hair is taken from one area of the scalp and planted into the area where the PCOS hair is thinning is prominent.

Besides this medical help to fight extreme hair loss, there are also some PCOS hair loss home remedies available that you can try to treat the problem-

• Aloe vera

Aloe vera needs no introduction, and we all know how effective it is to treat hair and scalp-related problems. By consuming aloe vera, it fights back hair loss problems from your body. It also helps to get rid of oily scalp.

• Amalaki

Amalaki or Amla has a detoxifying agent that helps separate DHT from the hair follicle hair receptors. It is rich in carotene, antioxidants, and iron that prevents bald patches and adds impressive volume to the hair.

• Herbal homemade shampoo

If you want to go all-natural, you can make a homemade herbal shampoo on your own. Take reetha powder, amla powder, and shikakai powder in equal amounts and add warm water into a runny consistency shampoo. You can use this shampoo to cleanse your hair whenever you feel the need to.  On regular use, you will see a drastic change in your hair condition.

• Ayurvedic head massage

Ayurvedic head massage is one of the best remedies for PCOS hair loss. Therapeutic essential oils help fight the signs of excess hair loss. 

• Add anti-inflammatory food

Include anti-inflammatory food in your diet that helps manage the PCOS hair loss symptoms. Foods such as fatty fish, leafy greens, starchy veggies, legumes, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and extra virgin olive oil have anti-inflammatory properties.

• The DASH diet

Doctors often recommend the DASH or Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet to reduce hypertension and heart-related issues. It may also help in extreme hair loss issues. A DASH diet will include poultry, fish, fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, etc.

• Vitamin D

An essential nutrient, vitamin D, is important for overall health. Vitamin D deficiency hair loss problem can be solved with proper supplements for PCOS hair loss. Ask your doctor to prescribe you some vitamins for PCOS hair loss and biotin for PCOS hair loss.

PCOS hair loss is no longer a rare condition. If you are struggling with this issue or have early symptoms like we discussed today, you should see your doctor and get yourself diagnosed. Besides, take special care of your pcos hair loss diet and hair care regime. If you have been struggling with PCOS hair loss, you can try natural hair remedies and hair shampoos from trusted natural brands. 

Rejuvenate Health is a hair care brand that offers a wide range of gut health supplements that is effective in treating underlying symptoms of PCOS, thyroid, or hormonal imbalances. The brand also offers natural hair loss kits and other natural products that can help you fight hair loss.

1. It’s normal to lose 100 to 150 strands of hair a day so don’t panic when you see a small bunch crawling across your tiled floor.

2. Comb wet hair with extreme care because they’re fragile and prone to breakage. Take a broad toothed comb and run it from the roots to the ends of your hair as gently as possible.

3. Trim your hair every few weeks to get rid of those brown and rough split ends. Cut about 1/4th an inch of your hair every 6 to 8 weeks to avoid the split ends to grow out again.

4. Don’t wash your hair everyday and whenever you do, apply some conditioner on the ends. Try and use the same brand of shampoo and conditioner.

5. Rinse the conditioner off with cold water as it is good for both strength and shine.

6. Unlike the labels on the back of our food items, the labels on the back of our shampoos are mostly left unread. In the last few years, there has been a lot of focus on sulfate in shampoos. What are sulfates? They’re the reason your shampoo lathers the way it does. They clean your scalp and hair, departing the dirt from it. But some researchers also suggest that they strip your hair of essential oils. They’re also why your eye stings when shampoo runs down the side of your face. If you feel any kind of irritation on the scalp or find your hair drying up over time then try and buy a shampoo that’s sulfate-free.

7. If you’ve got dry hair then it’s best to avoid colouring. However, if you can’t resist that gorgeous shade of brown, especially under the winter sun then follow this clever advise shared on the blog Free People. Use lemon, chamomile tea or honey as they work as great hair lighteners. You can add lemon juice to water and spray it over your hair when you’re heading out. You can rinse your hair with brewed chamomile tea after you wash them with shampoo or add honey to the water you use to wash your hair.

Besides these basic tips, here are few home-remedies that’ll take you a long way. From home-made masks to heat protecting serums, we’ve got it all.

Healthy hair doesn’t get easier than this! These unique hair care tips will win you over and your haircare regime will never be the same.

To condition or not to condition, to oil or not to oil – when it comes to your hair you’ll find all kinds of advice. Mothers’ will tell you to “oil your hair” while your hair dresser will recommend the new IT thing “hair spa, Moroccan oil, strengthening not rebounding and all.” Before you pick your choice of treatment, here are a few things you must know.

The first step in hair-care is your diet and the two most important things in your diet are iron and protein. The hair cells are the fastest growing cells in the body but they are also the first ones to be affected you don’t eat right or suffer with deficiencies because they are not required for survival.

Try and include iron-rich foods like leafy vegetables, fish, pumpkin seeds, beans, chickpea, soybeans and cereals in your diet. Doctors suggest that you consume around  12 mg of iron daily. You also need protein because that’s what strengthens your hair. Include complete proteins which are also rich in amino acids: like cheese, milk, soy, lentils, peas, quinoa and yogurt.