Hair loss is a common side effect of cancer-fighting drugs and radiation therapy. It may be a slow process that takes a month or more. First, you may notice more hair on your pillow or on your child's pillow in the morning or more hair on the comb after combing. Then the hair falls out more quickly.

What to Expect

In most cases, hair grows back shortly after treatment stops. Eyebrows and eyelashes may or may not get thin and / or fall out. When the hair does grow back, it may be a different color or texture. In some cases, especially with radiation therapy, the hair may not grow back where radiation was received.

Tips

• Consider a shorter haircut before the hair begins to fall out. This can make the adjustment to the hair loss easier.
• Choose some type of head covering, like a baseball hat, scarf, wig or turban, to hide the loss of hair. You can also choose to wear no head covering at all. But be sure to cover your head while outside to prevent sunburn, or apply sunscreen to your scalp if a head covering isn’t available.
• If you have questions about a wig, ask a social worker. There are many companies that make wigs. Check with your insurance company to see how much, if any, of the cost will be covered.

This can be a difficult time. There are books and other resources available to help adjust to hair loss. If you need help, please ask your doctor or nurse or your child's doctor or nurse.