As a popular treatment for many illnesses, including cancer, radiation therapy can cause hair loss. Moreover, people getting radiation treatment must know How Radiation Can Cause Hair Loss. However, radiation can hurt both cancer cells and good cells. Therefore, it can also affect the cells that help hair grow. Additionally, hair loss can happen because of this. Although, when you are getting radiation treatment, there is nothing you can do to stop hair loss. However, you can deal with hair loss in some ways.
Further, you may lose your hair two or three weeks after surgery. In addition, most of the time, it starts to grow back after radiation is over. Therefore, it might be lighter than it used to be and can be patchy in some people.
How Radiation Can Cause Hair Loss?
Radiation therapy targets cells that divide quickly, including cancer cells. Moreover, they also damage good cells, like those in hair shafts, which is a shame. Additionally, radiation hurts the hair cells, making it hard for them to grow new hair. Depending on the dose and length of radiation treatment, this damage can cause hair loss that lasts for a short or a long time.
Radiation-Caused Hair Loss Comes in Different Types:
Different types of radiation treatment can cause hair loss of different sizes and levels of intensity. Some people may notice their hair getting thinner, while others may lose hair in spots or all at once. How Radiation Can Cause Hair Loss and how much hair is lost can depend on the type of radiation treatment and the place of therapy.
Hair Loss and Other Side Effects of Radiation Treatment:
Radiation treatment can cause other side effects in the head and hair cells besides hair loss. Some of these are irritated, red, and sensitive skin. Also, based on how well the person responds to treatment, regrown hair’s thickness and color may differ from the original hair.
Radiation-Induced Hair Loss:
Dealing with hair loss during radiation treatment requires both physical and mental ways of selling. For some people, covering up their hair loss with hats, scarves, or wigs may be the best way to keep the head safe from outside influences. Some people may accept that they are bald as a short part of their healing.
After radiation treatment, supportive care like moisturizing the head and gentle hair care routines can help ease pain and encourage healthy hair growth. Help from healthcare workers, support groups, or loved ones can also give you mental support and direction during this difficult time.
How to Deal with Hair Loss During Radiation?
- Cutting your hair short before treatment might help if you get radiation therapy to your head or neck. Some people say this makes them feel in charge.
- Do not cover your hair, wear a cap, or leave it bare. It would help if you did whatever makes you feel good and at ease.
- Wear a hat, beanie, cap, or blanket over your head to protect it from the sun and the cold.
- You should pick out a wig before your treatment starts to match your hair’s color and style.
- Ask the person who cuts or styles your hair how to do it. It might be thinner or curly where it used to be straight, and the new growth might initially look patchy.
Is the Hair Loss forever?
A lot of the time, hair loss from radiation treatment is temporary. You can talk to your doctor about whether your hair loss should be short-term or long-term. If you only lose a little hair, it will grow back after the treatment.
When it grows back, the shape and color may be different. Hair often grows back curlier than it was before. Hair will sometimes grow back a different color.
Final Verdict:
In conclusion, radiation therapy is an integral part of treating cancer, but it can cause side effects like hair loss. It is essential for people getting radiation treatment to understand how it works and what side effects might happen. People can deal with the problems that come with hair loss with strength and confidence if they learn how to cope and get help. They can focus on their path to healing and recovery.
Consult with a specialist at SKN Cosmetics Islamabad for expert advice on all your concerns about hair loss as a consequence of radiation.