Managing hair loss

Learn how to cope with hair loss and feel more confident. Find helpful tips, support, and ways to manage this common issue.

Learn more about:

• How you might feel after hair loss
• Ways to take back some control
• Taking care of hair and scalp during and after treatment care

How you might feel after hair loss

If you lose your hair, you may experience a range of different emotions including anger, anxiety and sadness. For some people, hair is an important part of their identity, and losing the hair on their head or face (beard, moustache, brows and lashes) can be distressing. Other people may find the experience is not as bad as expected. Everyone is different – there is no right or wrong way to respond.

Some family members and friends may not know how to react to your hair loss. If you are uncomfortable talking about it, give a simple response (e.g. “I’m having some treatment for my health and this is one of the side effects.”).

Children may get upset or feel anxious about hair loss. See our Talking to kids about cancer for tips on how to talk to children about the changes treatment for cancer may cause, including hair loss. Call Cancer Council 13 11 20 for other recommended resources.

Ways to take back some control

Being prepared, talking about how you feel and planning ahead for the possibility of treatment- related hair loss may be helpful.

• Cutting your hair before treatment can give you time to adjust. You might choose to cut your hair short straightaway, or cut it in stages.
• Some people choose to shave their head (and beard) in the early stages of hair loss when they start to notice larger amounts of hair falling out.

Taking care of hair and scalp during and after treatment

If you have lost your hair

• when outdoors, protect your scalp from the sun with SPF50 or SPF50+ broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen and a hat
• moisturise your scalp using a non-perfumed lotion to help reduce flaky and dry areas
• use a pillowcase made from a smooth fabric such as cotton sateen or bamboo
• consider wearing a soft cap, beanie or turban to keep your head warm.

If your scalp is sensitive and your hair is thin

• use a gentle shampoo and conditioner
• brush your hair gently with a soft-bristle brush
• dry your hair naturally or use a cool setting on the hairdryer
• avoid using heated rollers, curling wands or straighteners
• avoid having your hair coloured, chemically straightened or permed.

We found humour was very helpful. We joked that our daughter could paint my head. I also encouraged her to touch my head and feel how strange it felt. We discussed how my hair would come back.

Melanie

→ READ MORE: Wigs, turbans, scarves and hats

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