Post Chemo Hair Loss Treatments

Patients experiencing hair loss from chemotherapy or radiation now have options.

Supporting Recovery Without Interrupting Life-Saving Treatment

It is now known that 30-40% of patients undergoing chemotherapy can have some degree of permanent hair loss. We also know that long term hormonal blocking therapy used to prevent recurrence in breast cancer has been known to cause hair loss, with both decreased hair counts and diameter.

We would NEVER recommend stopping this life saving therapy, or any other chemotherapy, but utilizing hair loss treatment simultaneously has been shown to decrease or slow down further loss, and in some cases help regrow what has been lost.

When to Start Treatment

We have found that it is important to start treatment immediately after the treatment ends and remission is documented; however, we have had success treating a limited number of patients who had had chemotherapy or radiation several years before. As long as there are hair follicles present on trichoscopy during our evaluation, then treatment will likely help with some recovery.

Caring for the Whole Person

Fortunately, survival rates of nearly all cancers are improving, but now we need to be sensitive and respectful of how permanent hair loss can affect men and women as they recover.

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The More You Learn, the More You Grow

Treatment for Hair Loss After Cancer

One of the newer preventative treatments is scalp cooling devices. A cap with the cold water running through it is worn during the infusion of chemotherapy. This prevents the chemotherapy meds from reaching the hair follicle. In some studies, this treatment has reduced hair loss up to 50%.

Can My Medication Cause Hair Loss?

Many medications have side effects, but one side effect from medications that is often not discussed is hair loss. If you asked most people if they know of any medications that can cause hair loss, they would probably answer with chemotherapy, which is certainly the most extreme case.

Increasing Incidence of Hair Loss in Women

Hair loss certainly isn’t as prevalent in women as men, but it is still a very common problem with significant accompanying emotional distress. The incidence varies according to the type of hair loss, but the statistics are as follows: Between the ages of 15 and 29 about 12% of women have thinning hair from all causes. By the time a woman reaches 65, up to 50% of women have thinning hair.