After the first shock of receiving the diagnosis, you face the next stage - treatment. This is a time when you experience many strong emotions, especially at the beginning. This is primarily related to the fear of the unknown, concern about the effectiveness of treatment, as well as great fear of our image of cancer treatment and its side effects. When thinking about side effects, women are most often afraid of hair loss. However, we must remember that reactions to chemotherapy may be individual and side effects depend on the type of treatment.
So before you start worrying about hair loss, gather information about the treatment you are offered.
Ask your oncologist:
- – what type of chemotherapy will you take?
- – will the treatment cause hair loss?
- – how long after treatment can hair loss occur?
Sometimes, the side effect of treatment is not complete hair loss, but only loss of hair density or thinning. That is why it is so important to build a realistic picture of the treatment at each stage by collecting reliable information from specialists, which in turn minimizes negative thinking and allows for appropriate preparation for it.
HAIR LOSS IS A PROCESS
Hair doesn't fall out overnight. They are usually lost between the second and fourth week after starting therapy. The hair gradually begins to crumble and more and more of it remains in the shower or on the pillow. At this stage it is worth trimming them. Some women who have gone through this process point out that hair loss itself can be unpleasant and painful. Therefore, when the intensity of hair loss increases, you should not prolong this moment and it is best to shave it completely. You can do it at home by asking a loved one for help, at a hairdresser or at a wig shop, if it offers such services. Although the decision to cut your head bald will not be easy for you, remember that making it will help you eliminate both physical and mental discomfort. After shaving your hair, moisturize your scalp, e.g. castor oil throughout the treatment period and when the hair starts to grow back.
WIG, HOW TO CHOOSE IT?
Before your hair falls out, make sure you choose the right wig, scarf or turban. Find a professional, recommended wig salon where you will feel safe and specialists in this field will help you choose a new hairstyle. Losing your hair and then buying a wig is a big emotional challenge, so give yourself time and let yourself get used to your emotions. If you want to cry, cry and don't be ashamed of it. Say goodbye to your hair, give an outlet to your emotions.
Watch a video about types of wigs, prepared by us together with NAH https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClNtB-eDeFs&t=6s
It is worth going to a wig salon with someone close to you. It may be, for example, a friend, mother, sister, partner/husband. It is important that it is a person who will be involved in helping you choose a wig, but above all, it will be a person with whom you feel comfortable. There is no rush when choosing a new hairstyle. Remember you have time. Make the decision yourself, in accordance with your well-being, because you will see yourself wearing this wig every day and the most important thing is that you feel good in it.
You don't have to decide on your first visit to the wig salon. If you need more time to decide, allow it!
You can choose a wig in such a way that you will have an identical or very similar hairstyle to the one you have worn before. It is also a unique opportunity to go crazy with your image. Think about it, have you recently felt like changing something, trying something new? Remember, however, that wigs are medical devices and once you have selected a model, it may not be possible to exchange or replace them with a different color.
Depending on the type of wig, whether it is made of natural or synthetic hair, it is possible to change the hairstyle. Synthetic hair wigs have ready-made hairstyles and can be trimmed only a little if, for example, the bangs fall into the eyes. However, natural hair wigs can be cut as needed, to a length that will cover the base. Both types are readily available in professional wig shops. It is also possible to make an individual order, but this involves a longer waiting time.
Wig salons are usually equipped with or cooperate with hairdressing salons and, if you need it, they will help you cut or style a new hairstyle according to your individual needs.
The price of wigs depends not only on the type of hair, but also on their construction, i.e. the base on which the hair is placed. Nowadays, wigs look very natural and are difficult to distinguish from well-trimmed hair. Technical elements such as micro-leather or a blurred line increase their naturalness. However, the greater the naturalness, the more delicate the product.
Information you should receive in the store when purchasing a wig:
- – care method, helpful accessories, cosmetics
- – what cosmetics to use for care
- – what to pay attention to, e.g. if the wig has a blurred line.
In addition to the wig, it is recommended to buy a cotton, seamless hat, which can be useful on warm days and when you are too hot in the wig, or on cold nights when your head may simply be cold. Wig warmers are also available.
Turbans and scarves are also a good idea and are a great alternative to wigs. They look extremely stylish and are very comfortable.
EMOTIONS
The discomfort associated with hair loss is understandable, because our image is an integral part of us. The emotions that accompany it can be paralyzing, and the accompanying thoughts can affect your self-esteem. Often, confronting such a situation is a time to work on self-acceptance and learn to focus on other resources. After all, hair loss does not affect your sense of humor, intelligence and many other advantages. Moreover, the crisis situation you are in may cause you to discover other values and character traits that you never knew about before. Remember, diagnosis and treatment are just a stage in your life, and hair loss is a temporary side effect of chemotherapy. The hair grows back after the treatment is completed. They grow at a very fast pace and the only thing that may surprise you is their different structure. Straight hair can become curly. Usually, after a long time, the hair returns to its former appearance.
Above all, remember that a bald head no longer shocks anyone and is a natural emanation of our strength!
An article written jointly by psycho-oncologist Adrianna Sobol from the INEO Psychological Support Center and specialists from Rokoko Hair Company, the owner of a chain of wig shops in Poland.
Source: http://onkocafe.pl/onkoporada/208-skutek-ubo-leczenia-utrata-wlosow
