Hair loss is the primary side effect of Chemotherapy in people who undergo this treatment. 

Chemotherapy kills cells in the body that are dividing rapidly.

It can also affect the healthy cells on the scalp and all over the body that makes hair.

Most of the time, hair loss starts a few weeks after the treatment begins.

There are a lot of Chemotherapy drugs that can cause hair loss.

According to the National Library of Medicine reports, hair loss occurred in 99.9% of patients. 

Although regrowth of scalp hair occurred in 98% of patients.

The hair regrowth begins soon after the Chemotherapy treatment ends. Knowing what to expect can help you prepare for Chemotherapy.

This article will discuss hair loss from Chemotherapy, including what to expect, why does chemo cause hair loss, and how to deal with it.

Effects of Chemo on the cells

Most cancer cells divide very quickly, much faster than other cells in the body.

They ignore the signals that stop normal cells from destroying and dividing. 

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Some normal cells in our bodies, like those in our hair follicles, also divide quickly.

Others also include cells that line our digestive tract and the cells that make blood in our bone marrow.

Chemotherapy drugs damage the genetic material RNA and DNA. These cells are responsible for informing the cells to divide rapidly. 

Since these medicines can’t differentiate between healthy and cancer cells, they also damage healthy cells.

Because hair follicles have a good blood supply, Chemotherapy drugs can reach them easily.

Alkylating agents

Alkylating agents damage the DNA cell at all phases of the cell growth cycle. 

They treat different types of solid tumors, like lung or breast cancer.  

Blood cancers, like Leukemia and Multiple Myeloma, are also a type. 

Agents more likely to cause hair loss are:

  • Cytoxan (Cyclophosphamide)
  • Ifex (Ifosfamide)
  • Busulfex (Busulfan)
  • Paraplatin (Carboplatin)
  • Platinol (Cisplatin)

Anti-tumor antibiotics

Anti-tumor antibiotics affect how cells copy DNA. They inhibit the growth and division of cells. Further treating many types of cancer.

Not all anti-tumor antibiotics cause hair loss. Adriamycin (Doxorubicin) and Idamycin (Idarubicin) are more likely to cause hair loss than the others.

Impact of hair loss

Hair loss due to Chemotherapy
Hair loss due to Chemotherapy

Hair has essential functions in culture and communication. 

Cancer patients who are getting treatment often lose their hair because of Chemotherapy, which is known as Chemotherapy Induced Alopecia (CIA).

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Therefore, Chemotherapy Induced Alopecia consistently ranks top as a traumatic event for chemotherapy patients.

Some patients refuse to undergo this treatment as they fear the CIA. 

Although the idea behind this treatment is that cooling will narrow the blood vessels that bring blood to the hair follicles.

Some studies from 2017 have reported success rates of up to 50 percent with this technique. But there is a need for more effective therapies.

Prevention and treatment

A woman taking selfie
Hair Loss

One way to stop it from happening is scalp cooling. This can be done with ice packs or scalp cooling systems used before, during, or after treatment.

Cooling makes the blood vessels that supply the hair follicles narrow, so they get less chemotherapy medicine.

Researchers are still trying to figure out how well scalp cooling works. But the Food and Drug Administration has given the green light to these medical devices. 

It works best for taxane-based Chemotherapy.

Using Rogaine (Minoxidil) in the form of Hair 4u helps in regrowing hair. You can buy this from WowRxPharmacy. 

Being gentle with your hair and scalp can help reduce hair loss. It also helps with hair breakage and prevents scalp irritation. 

Follow these tips:

  • Refrain from shampooing frequently
  • Use warm water to clean your scalp
  • Avoid any hair products like hair gels, sprays, or oils
  • If you have to use a hair dryer, use a low-heat setting
  • Try sleeping on a satin pillowcase.
  • Don’t curl your hair with brush rollers or use ponytail holders

Conclusion

Chemotherapy often causes people to lose their hair. It happens because of how the therapy works, which is to stop cells from dividing.

There aren’t many things you can do to stop hair loss.

Cooling the scalp may work, but it can be expensive and only work for some.

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