How chemotherapy can affect your hair

Hair loss happens because certain medicines affect rapidly dividing cells in hair follicles as well as cancer cells. It can involve scalp hair, eyebrows, eyelashes, facial hair, or body hair, and the amount may differ across these areas.

Hair may become dry, fine, or fragile before shedding, or it may come out more noticeably when washing and brushing. The timing and pattern depend on the medicine, dose, schedule, and individual response. A tender, itchy, or tingling scalp can accompany shedding.

Loss is usually temporary after chemotherapy, although regrowth can initially look or feel different. Hair colour, thickness, or curl may change as follicles recover. Your team should explain if the proposed medicine carries a possibility of prolonged thinning so you can make informed choices before treatment.

Use a mild shampoo, lukewarm water, a soft brush or wide-toothed comb, and low heat when drying. Avoid tight hairstyles, harsh chemical treatments, and pulling at loose hair. A soft hat, scarf, or pillowcase can protect a sensitive scalp and help with warmth.

If you want a wig, discussing it before shedding begins may make colour and style matching easier. Scalp cooling may reduce hair loss with some chemotherapy regimens, but it is not suitable or available in every situation. Ask the oncology service whether it can be considered for your treatment.

Tell the treatment team about a painful scalp rash, spreading redness, warmth, swelling, pus, open sores, or blisters. These changes can reflect irritation or infection and may need assessment, especially when chemotherapy has lowered infection-fighting blood cells.

Use urgent oncology advice for scalp symptoms accompanied by fever at or above your team’s threshold, shaking chills, or sudden illness. Seek emergency help for swelling of the lips or tongue, difficulty breathing, or a rapidly developing widespread rash.

Ask whether your particular medicines are expected to thin hair or cause broader loss, when change may begin, and whether scalp cooling is appropriate. The team can also explain safe hair products, local wig or head-covering support, and whom to contact if your scalp becomes sore.