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    Here’s how to care of your hair loss following cancer treatment, including chemotherapy and radiation

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    Chemotherapy and radiation medications also harm the body’s healthy cells, resulting in skin and hair issues. Hair loss is common approximately 2-4 weeks after treatment, and the scalp may feel painful. Here’s how to look after your hair after chemotherapy.

    Cancer is an emotionally and physically taxing disease, and even with the most advanced therapies, hair loss is a common side effect of the condition, which may be emotionally devastating for someone who is losing hair due to chemotherapy.

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    Here's how to care of your hair loss following cancer treatment, including chemotherapy and radiation

    Chemotherapy-related hair loss affects hair on the eyebrows, eyelashes, and other areas, therefore some temporary remedies include wearing a wig or hat to cover up the lost hair and recover confidence in one’s self-esteem, but they are not permanent answers.

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    “Chemotherapy and radiation treatments are highly effective therapies that attempt to target the quickly proliferating cancer cells in the body,” stated Dr Rinky Kapoor, Consultant Dermatologist, Cosmetic Dermatologist, and Dermato-Surgeon at The Esthetic Clinics. However, these harsh chemicals also have an effect on the body’s healthy cells, resulting in skin and hair issues.

    Hair follicles are the home of one of the body’s fastest-developing cells, and cancer therapies harm them as well. Hair loss is common approximately 2-4 weeks after treatment, and the scalp may feel painful. This hair loss might also linger for a few weeks after therapy.”

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    “Chemotherapy hair loss is not permanent; your hair will come back eventually, but there may be some change in tint, texture, and pace of hair growth,” she says. This regrowth may not be as rapid as you would want, but it should be approximately an inch in a month or two following the therapy. Simply see your doctor about treatment options for hair growth.

    According to her, the following therapies can assist you in taking good care of your hair during cancer recovery. – 

    Cold cap/scalp cooling: 

    This is a prophylactic measure used during chemotherapy. The cap cools the scalp, causing less damage to the follicles. However, this cannot be utilised on all patients.

    Medications

    Minoxidil is the most often recommended hair loss treatment medicine by physicians globally. This should be applied to the scalp twice a day. The disadvantage is that after you stop using minoxidil, hair loss may resume.

    QR678 hair regeneration therapy: 

    QR678, an FDA-approved treatment, is a safe and effective technique to enhance hair health after chemotherapy and speed up new hair growth. QR678 is a natural formulation rich in peptides, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals that is injected directly into the hair follicles to stimulate hair growth. This is a permanent hair loss treatment with no adverse effects.

    PRP, or platelet-rich plasma therapy:

    PRP, or platelet-rich plasma therapy, involves utilising healthy platelets from patients and injecting them into follicles to provide them with a health boost. This medication requires a booster dosage every six months or so.

    Hair transplants:

    Hair transplants are an alternative for chemotherapy patients whose hair follicles have been damaged beyond repair. Follicular unit extraction (FUE) and Follicular unit transplantation (FUT) are the two most common hair transplant techniques for covering blading patches on the head.

    She underlined that, while the therapies are working, you may support your hair health by –

    • Applying mild shampoo to your scalp.
    • Avoid washing your hair every day and instead use a mild detangling spray to remove knots.
    • To avoid tugging your hair, use a wide-toothed comb and a soft brush while combing.
    • When going outside, use a hat, sunscreen, turban, scarf, or cap to protect your scalp from the sun.
    • For the first 2-3 months after chemotherapy, avoid heat styling, chemical curling, straightening, and colouring your hair.
    • To avoid hair friction, use a silk pillowcase.
    • Ask your hairdresser for a simple hairdo, such as short hair.
    • Instead of rubbing your hair dry after shampooing, use a microfibre towel to absorb the extra moisture.
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