Emotional support to cope with hair loss

Many people see their hair as an important part of their appearance and identity. You may worry about how your different appearance will affect your relationships with family and friends. You may also feel uncomfortable about socialising and feel less confident.

Other people find their hair loss can act as a visible reminder to themselves and others that they have cancer. This may make you feel vulnerable and exposed, especially if you feel forced to tell people about your cancer diagnosis when you do not wish to do so. It can also be a shock if your eyebrows, eyelashes, beard or moustache and pubic hair| fall out. You may feel even more vulnerable and this can affect the way you feel about yourself. 

Today, people are much more aware of the effects of cancer treatment on hair, but some people find they're still surprised by other people’s reactions to their hair loss. Family and friends may be upset and find it hard not to show this. If they don’t know the reason for your hair loss, they may wrongly assume that you’ve chosen to have your hair or beard shaved off and wonder why.

Some people feel that losing their hair is the final straw, while others find that it isn’t as bad as they expected.

All these reactions are completely normal. It may take a while for you to come to terms with your hair loss, and to talk with others and deal with their reactions. Most people find that their family and friends are very supportive, and that it can help to talk through their feelings about losing their hair.

In some cultures, hair is seen as a symbol of fertility and desirability, or a sign of health and status. Some cultures believe that hair gets rid of impurities from the body. If hair has a special significance for you, it can be even more difficult to adjust to losing it.

At the hospital, you’ll probably meet other people who’ve had hair loss, who can often give helpful advice and personal hints on how they’ve coped. You can also meet people at cancer support groups|. 

Some people find it easier to talk to someone they don’t know. You can talk to our cancer support specialists if you're finding it hard to cope with hair loss or other aspects of your cancer and its treatment. They can also give you information about counselling and how to contact a counsellor in your area.

You can also visit our online community. There you can chat with other people who have hair loss, or just read through the posts or blogs other people have written.