Many cancer patients who have undergone an intensive regime of treatment such as chemotherapy, may need to access some form of cancer hair loss treatment. Chemotherapy is the administration of drugs that are poisonous to rapidly reproducing cancer cells. These cancer cells have the capability to reproduce very rapidly within the body. Other cells within the body, such as those that contribute to the formation of hair shafts and nails, also reproduce quickly. So while chemotherapy drugs preferentially destroy cancer cells, the drugs can destroy cells which are responsible for normal growth of hair and nails. This is why cancer patients sometimes shed their hair and nails during treatment. No hair growth stimulants, shampoos, conditioners or other cosmetic treatments can prevent or retard the hair loss. The good news is that once chemotherapy is completed, the hair usually starts to grow back within six months but can take up to eighteen months to grow back to its original length and style.
Cancer Hair Loss Treatment – Total Hair Loss
For total hair loss, the NHS prescribed cancer hair loss treatment is to supply a synthetic wig. Whilst free of charge, the wig is not that natural to look at and it cannot be styled with heat. Human hair wig systems are a much better option but are a lot more expensive and are not supplied by the NHS as a cancer hair loss treatment. However on the plus side, they are a lot more natural, last a lot longer, can be styled with heat and can even be coloured.
Cancer Hair Loss Treatment – Partial Hair Loss
Once treatment has been completed, and the hair has had the opportunity to grow for about six months, further cancer hair loss treatment options become available.
The cancer hair loss treatment chosen by many women is a ‘Topper’ volumising crown extension system. This method provides the wearer not only with extra volume on the top of the head, but also length and volume on the sides, creating a natural looking hair style. Alternatively some women chose to use extensions to achieve the length of hair they previously had.
For men, hair regrowth is often not as thick on the top of their head as it previously was.The cancer hair loss treatment chosen by many men is to be fitted with a partial men’s hair replacement system. Manchester will provide guidance on the best cancer hair loss treatment.