Dealing with Hair Loss Related to Cancer Therapy

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a time to focus on learning more about cancer, supporting those affected by it and sharing personal stories to empower others.  As a cancer survivor and stylist, Teresa Romero, Creative Director for Sam Villa and Artistic/Education Director for Jose Luis Salon@_teresa_romero shares her story.

As a cancer survivor, I’ve learned that the impact of this cancer extends far beyond the diagnosis and treatment. Even after you’ve beaten the disease, it can leave lasting effects on your body that you might not expect. One of the most profound changes I’ve experienced has been with my hair.

Over seven years, I battled three different types of cancer. Fortunately, none of them required chemotherapy, and only one required radiation. Like many, I initially associated cancer with complete hair loss, but that wasn’t my experience. Instead, my hair underwent a series of changes that I never anticipated.

The First Round: Thinning and Brittle Hair

Before my first cancer diagnosis, my hair was fine but relatively thick and strong. After my initial battle with thyroid cancer, I lost a significant amount of hair, much like the shedding that occurs after pregnancy. My hairline became noticeably thinner, and my hair was completely gone in some areas. I could see more of my scalp; my hair looked transparent and stringy and had fuzzy strands about 2” long that looked like antennas.  As the hair began to grow back, it was much finer and more brittle than before.

This new hair was fragile and broke easily, even with the gentlest brushes. I stopped blow-drying altogether and opted to air-dry my hair instead. My new strategy focused on taking care of the hair I had left. I turned to products that support a healthy scalp, reparative hair treatments for strength and moisture, minimized heat styling, and eventually cut my hair into a short bob.

Why Hair Thins from Cancer 

Hair thinning or loss during and after cancer treatment is often due to a combination of factors. Chemo (in particular) and radiation can damage hair follicles by targeting rapidly dividing cells abundant in hair roots. This leads to hair becoming thinner, more fragile, and sometimes falling out altogether.  Implementing a scalp cooling treatment can help reduce that damage.   

Additionally, the stress of surgery, the impact of anesthesia, and the body’s hormonal changes can disrupt the hair growth cycle, leading to increased shedding and slower regrowth. Even without chemotherapy, which is more commonly associated with hair loss, these factors can profoundly affect the hair’s health and appearance.

Focusing on Nutrition for Hair Health

After dealing with these changes, I shifted my focus to nutrition. I believed that better nutrient intake would lead to healthier hair. However, I quickly realized that the effects weren’t immediate. My body was still processing the aftermath of radiation and striving to rebalance hormonally. Hair growth, after all, is closely tied to our hormonal balance. When our hormones are out of sync, it can be reflected in our hair and skin.

Consistency became key. A combination of good nutrition, strengthening hair treatments, and maintaining a healthy scalp became my best defence. Gradually, my hair started to feel and look better.

The Second Round: A New Setback

Just as I was beginning to feel good about my hair again, life threw me another curveball. Five years after my first diagnosis, I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. This time, the treatment required aggressive surgery, though I was fortunate to avoid chemo and radiation once more. However, the effects of the surgery and anesthesia led to another round of hair shedding. This time, my hair didn’t recover as well. The strands were even thinner, weaker, and more prone to breaking.

Times Three:

Through years of cancer, treatments and tests, I learned I was one of many who have a predisposition to cancer, in particular skin and renal cancers. Last year, I was diagnosed with skin cancer. This time, we were able to remove it with a simple surgery. Luckily, my hair was not affected as much. However, I will remain under constant monitoring to try to stay ahead of any future new or recurring cancers.