Chemo Hair Loss

As devastating as hair loss can be for an adult, think of how much worse it could affect a child or a teenager.  Radiation to the head area may cause a temporary loss of hair at the site, or it may even be permanent.  Chemo therapy may or may not cause hair loss.  Certain drugs used in chemo therapy can cause hair loss, so it is important to ask the team that is caring for your child if hair loss is expected.  If they say it will, it is important that you take some time to prepare yourself and your child.  A teenager finding himself with no hair can be a traumatic happening.  Finding a way for you and your child to cope with hair loss before it happens will be best. 

Hair will grow back within several months after chemo therapy but it may come back with a different texture, color, or come back curly if it’s been straight or the other way around.  Planning for the hair loss is important to the child or teenager.  Feeling good about their appearance is important to a child or teenager.  You can help them by having their haircut short, so when the hair loss begins it will be easier to cover with a wig or other head cover.  Let your child pick out the hat or scarf they like, make it a fun and enjoyable time to pick out hats or other head coverings.  Classmates and families have shown their support for the cancer patient by shaving their head so their child doesn’t feel different from others. 

If your child wants a wig for covering hair loss, pick out a salon that specializes in wigs for children and teens.  The American Cancer Society may have recommendations about which wig salon will be able to fit your child best with a wig.  Wigs need to be the right size for the child, and will need some styling and shaping by a professional for it to look natural.  If you have cut your child’s hair and can take it with you to the salon, it will be easier to choose a wig that is closest to their color and texture. 

Synthetic wigs hold their shape and are easier to care for than human hair wigs.  Both kinds of wigs are available in many colors and textures so the chances of being able to find a match are good. 

Your hospital or a social worker may be able to help you find other children who have already gone through this phase of their illness.  They can give your child the added support and answer questions they may have about hair loss, hair coverings, and coping with the disease. 

A wonderful organization that works with children with cancer is Locks of Love.  Children around the world allow their own healthy hair to grow, and then have it cut especially for use by Locks of Love.  They use the children’s hair for making wigs for children who have cancer and have lost their hair.