Practical help to cope with hair loss

Some hospitals have staff who can show you how to wear different types of headwear| and give you ideas and tips|. You can ask your nurses whether there is anyone who can do this for you. You could also ask a professional hairdresser for advice.

Some hospitals run hair and beauty programmes for people affected by cancer. Your nurses should be able to tell you if your hospital has such a programme, or if not, whether there is one at another nearby hospital. Most of these programmes are for women, but Look Good...Feel Better USA| has information for men affected by cancer, which includes practical tips on coping with hair loss.

You can also find information about Macmillan's partnership with TONI&GUY| salons across the UK to provide hair care information for those affected by cancer.

Preparing for hair loss Back to top

You could think about having your hair cut short before your treatment starts. If your hair is shorter, it will feel like you are losing less hair when it does fall out. If you’re used to long hair, you may find it easier to have it cut in stages to give you time to adjust to a new length. Some people prefer to shave their heads completely before they start losing their hair. This can give a sense of control over what is going to happen and you may prefer to do this, rather than wait for your hair to fall out.

Some people may not want to cut their hair for cultural or religious reasons, and may find alternative headwear helpful.

Looking after your hair Back to top

If your hair is dry or brittle during or after cancer treatment:

• Only use gentle hair products and non-medicated shampoo.
• If you're having radiotherapy to your head, check with the radiotherapy staff whether you can use shampoo on your hair and if so, which type of shampoo.
• Brush or comb your hair gently using a brush with wide prongs or a wide-toothed comb.
• At night, wear a soft cap or turban around your head to stop your hair becoming tangled and to collect any loose hair - women may find it easier to wear a hairnet.
• Eat a well-balanced diet with plenty of fruit, vegetables, protein, carbohydrates and iron-rich foods if your diet allows.
• Avoid using excessive heat from hairdryers, hair straighteners or heated rollers, as this can dry the hair and make it break.
• Avoid wearing your hair in a tight band, as this can damage and break it. If you plait your hair, plait it gently.
• Avoid perming or colouring your hair as this can make it even more dry and brittle.
• Avoid massaging your head as it's unlikely to stimulate new hair growth and could wear away any fine, new hairs.

Looking after your skin Back to top

If your hair falls out, it’s important to take care of the skin on your head and other places where you had hair, as it may be more sensitive than skin elsewhere.

• Use a gentle unperfumed moisturiser, such as E45 or aqueous cream, on your scalp if it gets dry, flaky or itchy, but avoid any oils. If you're having radiotherapy, always check with the radiotherapy staff before applying anything to your skin.
• Use pillowcases made of 100% natural fibres, such as cotton or linen, as man-made fibres like nylon and polyester can irritate the scalp.
• Cover your head with a hat to make sure your skin doesn't get burnt on sunny days. If you don't want to cover your head, use a suncream with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 on your scalp whenever you go out.
• Avoid using perfumed deodorants if you have lost hair under your arms. Baby powder or deodorants made from natural mineral crystals can be used instead - these are available from chemists or health shops.