When most people look at a cancer patient the first thing that draw their eyes is the hair. Hair loss during cancer treatment is a common side effect. However, the myth is that it affects everyone, but it does not. Also, the type of treatment that the patient is getting, the amount of drugs, the duration of treatment are some of the factors that may or may not cause hair loss. Onlymyhealth editorial team spoke to Dr. Rinky Kapoor, Consultant Dermatologist, Cosmetic Dermatologist & Dermato-Surgeon, The Esthetic Clinics, about hair loss due to cancer treatment and home remedies to cope up.
Hair loss during cancer treatment
To put it simply hair loss happens because the drugs that are meant for destroying the cancer cells, affect the healthy cells too and as a result the immunity goes down and the hair follicles become week. Patients loose hair from the scalp, arms, legs, backs, underarms, and the pubic area. The medical term for this type of hair loss is alopecia. Usually, the hair grows back in a few months once the treatment over, the time period can be very emotionally and mentally draining for the patient. It is one thing to understand that hair fall might happen and it is completely different to actually see clumps of hair shedding.
In chemotherapy, hair loss is usually noticeable about two weeks once the treatment starts and in case of radiation therapy patient notice hair loss three weeks post the first treatment. Cancer treatment is a draining time for the patient and their families. The hair have long since been seen as a mark of beauty and many male and female patients undergoing cancer treatment feel depressed, lost and worried on noticing hair loss. It is a long road uphill for hair growth after winning the fight against cancer and what helps is talking to support groups, the professional hair regrowth treatments, and some home remedies.
Also read: Losing Hair Life Never Before? These 4 Hair Loss Treatments Can Help
Home remedies to cope up from hair loss due to cancer treatment
Popular home remedies to aid along the hair regrowth include:
1. Eat certain foods
Foods that you should eat daily such as yogurt, garlic, bell pepper, spinach, ginger, turmeric, citrus fruits, eggs, sunflower seeds, seasons vegetable, walnuts, and other nuts.
2. Fenugreek mask
This is an age-old treatment for hair regrowth. Fenugreek is rich in protein and nicotinic acid and hair growth hormones that accelerate hair regrowth and prevent breakage.
- Soak a handful of methi seeds in water overnight
- Grind them to a smooth paste in the morning and apply on your scalp
- Cover your head with a shower cap or a towel and let it sit for 30 minutes
- Wash with room temperature water and shampoo and condition
- Use this every day for a month
3. Coconut oil and camphor mix
Coconut oil and camphor mix hair treatment will soothe the scalp, reduce irritation, inflammation, and dryness. Use this once a week.
- Take half cup of virgin coconut oil and slightly warm it
- Add two crushed camphor tablets to this mix and let it sit for few minutes
- Mix well and massage on your scalp gently
- Let it sit for about 30 minutes before washing
4. Jojoba oil wonder
Jojoba is antifungal and remove the dead skin layers from the scalp. The Vitamin E, Omega 6 and 9 reduce the effects of free radicals and unclog the hair follicles for better hair growth.
- This is a simple hair mask made with a blend of egg yolk, jojoba oil, a teaspoon of hone and 2-3 drops of lemon juice
- Apply the mix on your scalp and on hair length and let is sit for about three quarters of an hour
- Shampoo and condition normally
5. Shikakai powder
You can also use natural shikakai powder for hair cleansing or rinse your hair with soapnut liquids for healthy hair. As the hair grows back post cancer, be mindful of taking extra care of the hair. Massage your scalp gently, avoid professional treatments and styling for some time.