Hair loss

Shortly after my first chemo treatment my hair started falling out. When I woke up my pillow would be covered in strands of hair. Seeing my hair all over the pillow didn't really upset me as it wasn't very significant & there wasn't much change to how my hair looked. I was expecting it as I knew it was a side effect of chemo, also at the time when it was falling out I was so wiped out by my first chemo that I didn't really care. However, one day I decided to try and brush my hair as there was a big matted lump of hair on my head, as I brushed my hair big lumps of it was coming out and that's when it became real. It was extremely distressing seeing them huge lumps of hair coming out of my head, it kind of made everything real and it made me realise that I had cancer in a way- I know that sounds so weird but losing your hair is one of the most known traits of chemo treatment, and it just made me realise that I was a cancer patient. Surprisingly, the feeling of the chemotherapy drugs wasn't as bad as me losing my hair, as the chemo felt like how you do on a bad day (considering the chemo drug that causes nausea didn't affect me the first time), however the hair falling out made me realise that I wasn't going to look or feel the same again.
The next day, I insisted to get my hair shaved off. Believe it or not I was kind of excited, mostly because I was fed up of hair, in hospital it was such a nuisance as I just wanted to lay in bed all day and not bother brushing it, and of course it got matted all the time which was annoying. Also, I kind of just wanted to get on with it, I was a cancer patient now so I wanted to fully embrace it and most cancer patients have to go through it anyway. I actually really liked 'the bald look', I thought I looked pretty cool. (QUESTION for the cancer patients: Did anyone else feel like your bald head was wet all the time when you first got it shaved?)

How to deal with hair loss

For some cancer patients the thought of their hair falling out is very distressing, so I recommend that you shave or cut your hair short before it starts falling out. Also, to make your head shave a more enjoyable experience you could have a 'Head shave party' with family and friends, this will help you if you are sad about shaving your hair as you will have family & friends for support. 

Feeling self-conscious is completely understandable, however you shouldn't. I'm proud of my bald head as it shows people that I'm strong and brave, be proud of your bald head too and be proud that you are a cancer fighter!

Strange stares and looks from people may make you feel self-conscious, but remember that it is quite rare to see a cancer patient so it takes them by surprise, don't we all have a bit of a longer look when we see something different? Most of the time they are thinking very highly of you as you are being very brave fighting a hard battle, and they are feeling very sympathetic towards you. They aren't meaning to make you feel uncomfortable but they don't even realise they are doing it half the time.

Don't make self-consciousness make you isolate yourself, I guarantee you that isolating yourself will make you feel much worse. Isolating yourself will make you feel depressed, and in times like yours you need to be as positive as you can. A family member\friend visiting you can make you feel so much better, therefore isolating yourself won't let you get the support that you need.

Losing your eyebrows and eyelashes can make you look in the mirror and not even recognise yourself, this is very upsetting. I no longer have any eyebrows or eyelashes and I feel unrecognisable when I look in the mirror, it's as if I am a completely new person, not only has my lifestyle changed but I look different as well. However, there is a quote that I stick by "Cancer may have taken over my body, but not my personality." ,therefore even though you may look different you are still the same inside and that's what matters!

Most importantly, your hair will grow back! You must get bored of hearing this by now, I felt the same but having no hair isn't permanent, so there isn't any point of feeling sad when your hair loss isn't going to be forever.

How to cover your bald head

If you really feel self-conscious about your bald head, there are many alternatives, for example:

Wigs- A covering for the head that is made of real or artificial hair. These are very good if you want to look normal, and for cancer patients they tend to be provided by charities such as the 'Little princess trust'. However, some wigs can cause irritation and itchiness.

Hats- They are always a good idea as you can get them in many different styles and colours. However, especially if you are a girl it can easily be identified that you are bald.

Head scarves- They can come in many different colours and they are comfy for your head. However, like hats it can be easily identified that you are bald.

Wig

Hat

Head scarf

Top tips

• Baby shampoo and dry skin lotion to care for your bald head.
• Your head may feel more cold, so make sure to wear a hat or scarf outside.
• Don't expose your bald head to too much sun, make sure to apply sun cream or wear a hat.
• If hair growing is causing itchiness\irritation, then make sure to shave often.
• Patients may find pillows made from synthetic fibres irritating, so switch to cotton or linen pillows.
• If you are in the process of your hair falling out, wear a hair net at night to prevent hair falling all over the pillow and sleep on a satin pillow as it is smooth and won't pull hair out. Also, girls don't apply heat or dye your hair as it will make it fall out.
• Lightly massaging your scalp encourages blood flow which can lead to hair growth and prevents irritation.
• Drawing on eyebrows, or semi-permanently inking eyebrows which can be done in beauty salons.
• False eyelashes.
• EMBRACE your bald head!

Thank you for reading, I hope this benefitted you. Leave a note in the comments if there is anymore tips and trick that you have for hair loss.

Ellie x