Hair Loss & Appearance

Cancer treatments can cause hair loss (alopecia) and change the way you look and feel.
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​We understand the impact that hair loss can have on people with cancer. We have many resources available to support patients experiencing hair loss.  ​​​​​

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​​​​Why am I losing my hair?​​

Cancer treatments may cause h​​air loss (alopecia) by damaging hair follicles responsible for hair growt​​​h. This can change the way you look and feel about yourself​​. However, not all cancer treatments result in hair loss. If you are unsure if this is a side effect of your treatment, please talk to your care team.​​ This document outlines information and resources to help support your physical and emotional well-bei​​ng with hair loss.​​​​​​​​

​​​​​​​What can I expect?

It is​​ im​portant to recognize that everybody’s physical and emotional experience with hair loss will be different.

Hair loss is usually temporary, and the type and amount of hair loss depends on the treatment. It may start 1 to 3 weeks after the first treatment. You may completely lose your hair, or it may happen in patches. In other cases, hair loss may be gradual. For some people, their hair simply gets thin, dull, or dry. You may experience tenderness to your scalp as hair thins.

You may lose hair all over your body, including your head, face (eyelashes, eyebrows, and beard), arms, legs, underarms, and pelvic area. Hair loss is most noticeable when brushing or combing and often comes out in clumps, which can feel shocking and upsetting.​

These changes may make you feel like a different or unfamiliar person and can bring feelings of grief and loss.​​​​

​Will my hair grow back?

​Your hair m​ay begin to grow back 6 to 8 weeks after the last treatment. However, full regrowth can take several months. Some people notice hair growing back between treatments. When it does grow back, it may look or feel different, such as being curlier or greyer. Hair on different parts of your body may grow back at different times or in patches. Sometimes, ingrown hairs can happen. If this occurs talk to your healthcare team.​​​

What can I do?
​​​​​Preparing Yo​ursel​​​f

You may find the following tips helpful:

  • Talk to a counsellor or others who have experienced hair loss about what to expect.

  • Talk about hair loss with friends and family, especially children, before it occurs so they are prepared.

  • You may want to cut your hair with scissors or clippers. Do not use a razor as it may irritate your skin.

  • Take a class on wigs, hair alternatives, skincare, or cosmetics. These can help you manage changes and connect with others who share similar experiences (see Look Good Feel Better below).

  • If you are thinking about a wig, try to choose one before your hair loss starts. Ask your doctor for a prescription for “hair prosthesis” (wig). This may be covered by extended health benefits or claimed as a tax-deductible medical expense.

  • When selecting a wig, bring a recent photo of your hair to help match your hair colour and style. Ask your hairdresser if they can style the wig for you.

  • Choose soft, comfortable head coverings such as hats, scarves, or wigs.​

  • Speak with a dietitian about hair regrowth.​​​

​​​​​Caring for Yourself​​​​

​​​​The following tips may help you care for yourself during and after treatment:

  • Be gentle with your hair. Use a mild shampoo, such as baby shampoo, a soft hairbrush, and either let your hair dry naturally or use a hair dryer on low heat.

  • If you have thinning hair, avoid dyeing, perming, curling, or straightening your hair as these can make your hair dry and brittle.

  • Keep your scalp moisturized. Gently massage it with an unscented hair or scalp oil.

  • Protect your scalp and skin from the sun when outdoors. Wear a wide-brimmed hat or scarf, a lightweight long-sleeved shirt, and pants. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. You may notice that the sun feels more intense than before.

  • Your head and neck may feel cooler without hair. Wear a soft hat or scarf to reduce the loss of body heat.

  • Use a satin or satin-like pillowcase, or a satin-lined, cotton, or bamboo night cap. This can prevent hair from pulling while you sleep and help with temperature control.

  • If you lose your eyelashes and eyebrows, protect your eyes from dust and grit by wearing glasses and a broad-rimmed hat.

  • Be gentle with yourself. You are beautiful just as you are! Give yourself kind words and allow space for grief and affirmation.​​​

Who can help?

​If you have questions, ​​​ple​​ase co​ntact your health care team.​

​BC Cancer Centres​​​​​​​​

  • Abbotsford
  • Kelowna
  • Prince George
  • Surrey
  • Vancouver
  • Victoria

​​​​​Provincial Nurse Lines​​​​​​​​​

​​​Ca​ll the ​​24/7 P​rovincial Nurse Line (PNL): 1-833-818-ONCO (6626)​

​​​Telephone ​Nurse Line (Kelowna ​​​only)​​​​​​​

Call the Telephone Nurse Line between 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday to Friday (excluding Statutory holidays)​: 250-712-3944 or 1-888-563-7773​​

BC Cancer Patient and Family Counseling T​​ea​m​​

Ask your care team for a referral or local contact number to set up an appointment.​​

Learn More

​​Lo​ok Good Feel B​​etter​​​​

  • ​​Join a supportive community and learn ways to manage the appearance-related effects of cancer. Take a class on wigs, hair alternatives, skincare, or cosmetics.
  • LGFB workshops help women living with cancer learn special cosmetic techniques and tips on wigs and head coverings. The goal is to help you cope with the appearance-related side effects of cancer treatments. Sessions are usually once a month. In addition, a wig consultation and stylist service may be available at the session.​
  • For more information or to find an LGFB workshop in your area go to the Look Good, Feel Better website​ or ask a BC Cancer volunteer or counsellor. ​

​​​Canadian Cancer Society​​

InspireHe​alth​​

  • ​Free online and in person nutrition and counseling supports.​​​

Additional Nutrition Support​​

  • ​HealthLink BC: Call 8-1-1, to speak with a dietitian.​​​

BC Cancer Library​

​​​Cold Caps &​ Cooling Systems​