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Techniques to Prevent Hair Loss During Chemotherapy
by Alex Kilpatrick
Hair loss is a common problem for chemotherapy patients. The therapy targets the uncontrollable growth of cancer cells but unfortunately also acts on normal cells and often results in numerous other side effects.
One of the side effects of chemotherapy, hair loss occurs when the cancer drugs affect the hair follicles. Chemotherapy often causes hair loss all over the body, but there is a greater concern when it comes to the scalp.
The rate and extent of your hair loss during chemotherapy depends on the type and dose of your medication. Thanks to advancements in medical science, there are safe and effective ways to prevent hair loss during chemotherapy.
Although you can’t fully prevent hair loss during chemotherapy, there are a few ways to effectively manage the condition.
Manage stress
Don’t allow your stress to affect your emotional stability, since hair loss tends to be an unavoidable side effect of chemotherapy and these stress caused hormonal changes will only aggravate your hair loss. Dealing with your disease will be stressful, but it is important to try various methods like meditation to keep you relaxed during chemotherapy.
Scalp hypothermia cap
Specifically designed for use during chemotherapy treatments, this tight fitting cap made of silicon gel or rubber is cooled to -30 degrees Celsius, a temperature low enough to constrict the blood vessels in the scalp and help to reduce the amount of chemotherapy drugs that affect the hair follicles.
Cooling machine caps
Similar to scalp hypothermia caps, these caps are attached to cooling machines to cool your scalp and reduce the chemotherapy drugs’ effect on your hair follicles. Unfortunately, this method might restrict your movement, but you can safely remove the cap for brief periods of time, to visit the bathroom, for example. The method also requires you to spend more time in the hospital after chemotherapy treatment, but cooling machine caps are well worth the time and effort.
Luckily, any hair loss that you do experience during chemotherapy treatment is temporary. Once you are cured of your condition, everything will return to its normal state. The rate of your hair loss also depends on the type and dose of your medication, which gradually changes as your prognosis improves. Simply focus on keeping a positive mindset and find methods of dealing with your stress while you undergo chemotherapy.
Want to learn more about hair loss and how to treat it? Please feel free to schedule a consultation or contact one of our representatives today!
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