Chemotherapy and Hair Loss FAQ

1. Does chemotherapy always make the hair fall?

No, it all depends on the substances at use. Those that are administered to cure digestive cancers, for instance, generally do not cause alopecia, whereas those that cure breast cancer usually do. It also depends on personal characteristics: some scalps are more receptive than others to toxic agents, which means that the same treatment can have different effects from one patient to another.

2. I want to understand what causes the hair loss

Anticancer chemotherapies kill every dividing cell, whether it is malignant or healthy. Their intervention is therefore not selective: they can also block the hair stem cells' activity in the hair follicle. Here is why:

- In normal times, those stem cells divide themselves at an unbridled pace (the fastest in the body) into “daughter cells”, which will then produce the hair’s keratin. 

- With some anticancer agents, the division process is suddenly ended, the birth and multiplication of young cells stops and the hair starts to fall two to three weeks after the beginning of the treatment.

- But because the stem cells are not affected, cellular activity resumes, as of the end of the treatment, and the hair always grows back. 

3.What do you think of the cooling helmet?

It is based on a rational principle: the cold contracts the scalp’s blood vessels and reduces the penetration of anticancer products into the cells where the hair is produced. Hair loss is thus avoided or decreased. On some treatments, it can work and on others, it is useless and the nurse will not even offer it.

If you medical team offers you a helmet, it is because it has chances of working on your treatment, and it is worth trying. But then, again, it will all depend on your personal characteristics and your scalp’s sensitivity: some patients can stand it while others find it too uncomfortable. If you can stand it, you may be able to keep a large portion of your hair. But you will need to wear the helmet during each chemotherapy session.

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4.The doctor advises me to have my hair cut before I start chemotherapy…

That will not keep your hair from falling if it must fall.  It is however a wise tip in any event, because:

- If you later wear a wig, it will get you used to having short hair, before the treatment. Ideally, you would have your hair cut and would choose your wig at the same time, so that they correspond to each other. That will help you to better psychologically deal with the moment when your hair starts to fall.

- If you wear a cooling helmet, a short hair cut increases its chances of being effective.

- Finally, if your hair only falls partially, daily care (brushing and untangling) and shampooing will be easier and less painful.

5. My chemotherapy is in process, I have no hair left, and my scalp hurts

Your scalp is in pain because of the excess of toxins stacked under your skin. It needs to be gently massaged in order to release its local micro tensions, as well as relax and revitalise it. At Centre Clauderer, we have developed massage techniques specifically designed for that purpose, which you can easily perform on your own with instructions that we are happy to provide you with free of charge. 

All you need to do is send us an email at info@clauderer.com with your name and postal address and we will send you the “Clauderer Chemotherapy Massages” info file.

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6. I have just finished my treatment, when will my hair grow back?

Regrowing varies depending on the substances taken in. Some are very rapidly evacuated by the organism, in which case the hair immediately starts growing back. For others, it is necessary to wait a bit. But in most cases, regrowing hair starts to appear in various places of the scalp by the end of the first month. Then, an average growth of one centimeter per month is to be expected. 

7. Can wearing a wig affect regrowing of hair?

No. Wigs nowadays are sufficiently ventilated and light to let the scalp breath and not disturb the hair’s ‘work’ underneath.

8. My hair does not grow as well as it did before...

It is true: whereas for some, the new hair’s quality is instantly identical (and sometimes superior) to before the treatment, for others, the regrowing process goes through transitional hair that is different:

. either thinner and less dense,
. or white or partially white,
. or curly when it was straight,
. or straight when it was curly…

But do not worry: this is temporary; your hair will thicken and progressively regain its original colour. Your traumatised hair cells need time to regain their vitality, after which everything will be back to normal. 

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9. Can a hair treatment help me regain my hair more quickly ?

Yes, it is possible to favour denser and stronger regrowing hair by specific massages and the application of products that help the scalp eliminate the medicine’s toxins and stimulate the activity of the roots (essential oils, sulfured proteins, vitamin B and various minerals). 

At Centre Clauderer, before recommending a treatment, we always prefer to do carry out an in-depth hair diagnosis of the scalp and the regrowing hair. That enables us to always suggest a treatment that is perfectly adapted to each case. The consultation at the Centre is free (open from Tuesday to Saturday; call +33 1 42 61 28 01 to book an appointment).

10. My hair is regrowing as down, I want to shave it in order to strengthen it...

This will not make the hair stronger. Cutting does not have an impact on the hair’s strength. That is because hair does not grow through the points, like grass, but rather through the roots. It is from the root (and the blood vessels that feeds it) that the hair gets its strength. In order to help your regrowing hair strengthen itself, it is therefore on the root that action is needed (see previous question).

11. Does the diet play an important role in the regrowing process?

Yes, of course. Given that it already plays a crucial role on the hair when it is in great shape, it does so even more on traumatised hair. After chemotherapy, your hair especially needs natural vitamins (which you will find in fruit and raw vegetables), sulphured proteins (sole, tuna, cooked ham, chicken, egg yoke…) and essential fatty acids + vitamin E (wheat germ and olive oil, cold sea greasy fish, almonds, hazel nuts…).

12. When can I return to colouring in order to hide the white hairs?

As soon as your hair has regained a certain length (2 to 3 cm), there is no counter-indication to colouring it. However, we advise you to initially use non-oxidising plant-based dying products, such as henna, or temporary colourations. You will thus avoid any irritation and the possibility of your scalp having an allergic reaction.  

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