How to Handle Losing Your Hair

Losing your hair due to cancer symptoms can be difficult to deal with. The first thing to know is that it doesn't change who you are. In the past, some cancer patients have worn a bandanna to cover the hair loss. If this look isn't good for you, you could try a hat or even a wig. They make wigs these days that look just like a normal head of hair. It's easier to deal with the hair loss once you tell yourself it's just a temporary side effect. - DrewB123 on 1/17/2012 

I agree with the information in this link about how to handle losing your hair because there are many ways around this issue if the person finds this difficult. The person can get a wig that will imitate the same hair color, length and preferred style that the person had. - Informed on 1/17/2012 

I have not personally been in this position, but my mother was when she was battling cancer. It was hard on her because she always had big black hair, even when she reached an age where her friends all had gray hair. She did buy a wig, but she only wore it a few times. Instead, she liked wearing caps, like ski caps and tams. They were comfortable and unpretentious, which was why she liked them. - ValerieAnne on 1/23/2012 

Losing your hair due to the side effect of cancer treatments is hard to deal with, no matter if you are a man or woman. Fortunately in most cases it's a temporary side effect but can cause a cancer patient a lot of anguish. There are many options for dealing with the hair loss, for many women the option of choice is getting a welling fitting wig. Most men opt for bandanna or caps. - bart2012 on 1/31/2012 

It sounds like people here think that treatment-related hair loss is painful - a visual reminder for you and everyone else of what you are dealing with. That is not the only way to view things, though! Think of this as an opportunity to wear every awesome hat you can get your hands on, and make your friends join you on your hat hunts. Hair is replaceable, after all; you are not. - efredericks on 2/6/2012 

I agree with the original poster's sentiment that it does not have to be regarded as a bad thing. When my mom had cancer she shrugged off the hair loss as an opportunity to get a new head of hair later. When she did, her gray hair came back brown and she loved it. I asked her about how it felt to lose her hair, and she said she had plenty of other things on her mind that she thought of as more important. She's a very strong woman. - voterthisyear on 2/14/2012 

No one likes the thought of losing their hair. I agree with the first post, find some nice hats and try to have some fun with the situation. I saw a TV show where the patient's family shaved their hair to show their support. I thought that was great! The thing to remember through your trying times is that there are always people there that love you and won't think any different of you just because you don't have hair for a while. - cleopattie1987 on 2/21/2012 

My fiancée actually has cancer and she is very concerned about losing her hair. The doctors say that there is only a slight chance of her needing chemotherapy, but she is nonetheless concerned. I would like to hear some ideas from you guys so that I can be prepared to help just in case. - Alexcanton on 3/23/2012 

What works for some may not work for others. When my dad had cancer, he wore a baseball cap, as he normally did anyway. When my mom had cancer, she opted for wearing nothing at home, and when she went out, she wore a scarf. - carolois on 3/27/2012 

I agree with the above posters about using hats to hide hair less. When my wife had cancer she would use hats and various head coverings to hide her hair loss. Wigs can work as well. - bob112 on 3/30/2012