Rooted in Strength

Cold Cap Chemo: Does Scalp Cooling Really Work?

What scalp cooling involves, how well cold caps work, what they feel like and how to look after your hair if you use one. An honest guide for UK patients.

Losing Your Eyelashes During Chemo

Why chemotherapy affects your eyelashes, when they grow back, and how to apply false lashes when you have none of your own to work with.

How to Apply Temporary Eyebrow Tattoos

A simple guide to applying temporary eyebrow tattoos after chemotherapy hair loss, including how to place them, make them last, and remove them safely.

Look Good Feel Better Workshops

If you're going through cancer treatment in the UK, there's a charity you should know about. Look Good Feel Better runs free workshops that help people manage the visible side effects of treatment, and they've been doing it here since 1994. Ask anyone who's been to one and you'll get the same two responses. First, that they nearly didn't go. Second, that it was one of the best afternoons of their whole treatment. What they actually do Look Good Feel Better runs group workshops led by trained beauty and wellbeing professionals who volunteer their time. The sessions cover the practical things that fall through the cracks in cancer care; How to look after skin that's changed, what to do about eyebrows that have vanished, and how to feel like yourself again. What's more, they're completely free. The charity works hard to keep it that way, funded by the beauty industry and by donations. The sessions on offer There's a decent range of sessions available, so it's worth looking at what suits you: •      Skincare and make-up, the flagship workshop, covering how to care for changed skin and create a natural look •      Wigs, brows and lashes, which is the one to book if you're dealing with hair loss •      Hair loss and scalp care •      Hand and nail care, since nails take a real battering during treatment •      Styling for confidence, led by style experts, covering colour, shape and dressing a body that's changed •      Gentle exercise and mindfulness •      Men's wellbeing sessions, hosted by barbering experts, covering shaving, sore skin and scarring •      Young adult sessions, aimed at a younger crowd who often feel out of place elsewhere The goody bag Let's talk about the bag, because it's genuinely lovely and it's the thing everyone remembers. Go to an in-person workshop and you'll be given a bag of full-size skincare and make-up products to use during the session and take home. Not samples. Proper products, donated by the beauty brands that support the charity. The bags are pre-packed, so you can't choose what's in yours, and supply depends on what's been donated. If you have allergies or you're particular about what goes on your skin, you can bring your own products to use in the session, nobody will mind. The bag isn't really the point, mind. It's just a very nice extra on top of an afternoon where someone treats you like a person rather than a patient. What actually happens on the day The workshops run for up to two hours. In-person groups are small, usually eight to fifteen people. Online groups are bigger, and the hair sessions and exercise classes can run to eighty or so. You do your own make-up. The volunteers are there to guide you, show you techniques and step in if you're struggling, but nobody is going to give you a full makeover while you sit there. That's deliberate. You're learning skills you can use at home on a Tuesday morning when nobody's watching. Most people arrive nervous and almost nobody stays that way. The thing everyone says afterwards is that it was the first time in weeks they'd been in a room where nobody talked about cancer. You're allowed to leave it at the door. Who can go Anyone with a cancer diagnosis. Women, men and young adults, and the workshops are open to everyone regardless of gender identity. The skincare and make-up, hand and nail care and styling workshops are a one-off, one per person per diagnosis. That does mean you can't book a refresher a few months later, though the charity has a library of free tutorials on their website you can use any time. If your cancer returns, get in touch with them directly rather than assuming you can't come back. In person or online Both. In-person workshops run in hospitals, cancer care centres and partner venues across the UK. Virtual workshops run over Zoom, so you can join from your sofa on a day you don't fancy leaving the house. The trade-off is the goody bag, which comes with the in-person sessions. If you're well enough to travel, the in-person version is worth the effort for the room full of people as much as the products. A few practical things to know •      Book in advance through the Look Good Feel Better website, and you can also ring them on 01372 747 500 •      Turn up on time, as sessions start promptly and there's only a short grace period before the door closes •      Everything is provided, though you can bring your own foundation and concealer if you have shades you love, plus your own brushes if they're clean •      Bring a pen and paper if you like taking notes, and you'll be given a leaflet covering what was taught •      You can't bring a friend or family member, since the space is kept for people with a diagnosis, so ring ahead if you need a chaperone for a specific reason like translation •      Tell them about any accessibility needs when you book and they'll do their best What they can't help with They're upfront about this, and it's worth knowing. Look Good Feel Better aren't medically trained, so they can't tell you which products are safe for your particular treatment. That's a question for your oncologist or cancer nurse specialist, who can look at your history and advise on anything you should avoid. They also can't recommend wig shops, hairdressers or microblading artists. For hair specifically, they point people towards Cancer Hair Care, who offer one-to-one support. Where we fit in We're not connected to the charity in any way. We just think more people should know they exist, because the number of customers who tell us they'd never heard of Look Good Feel Better until someone mentioned it in passing is frankly too high. If you go to a brows and lashes session and come away wanting to practise what you learned, we stock false eyelashes and eyebrow pencils chosen for people going through treatment. Go, if you can The most common thing we hear is some version of "I almost didn't bother". People talk themselves out of it because they feel too rough, or too self-conscious, or because putting on make-up feels frivolous when you're seriously ill. It isn't frivolous. Recognising yourself in the mirror does something for you that no amount of good advice can. And a couple of hours in a room full of people who understand exactly where you are turns out to be worth a great deal. Look Good Feel Better is a registered charity, number 1031728. Find workshops and book at lookgoodfeelbetter.co.uk. The detail in this blog post was correct as of September 2026   Frequently asked questions Is Look Good Feel Better free? Yes. All workshops and classes are free for anyone with a cancer diagnosis, funded by the beauty industry and donations. Who can attend a Look Good Feel Better workshop? Anyone with a cancer diagnosis. There are dedicated sessions for women, men and young adults, and the workshops are open to everyone. What's in the Look Good Feel Better goody bag? A selection of full-size skincare and make-up products donated by the charity's partner brands. Bags are pre-packed and given out at in-person workshops, so the contents vary depending on what's been donated. How do I book a Look Good Feel Better workshop? Book through their website at lookgoodfeelbetter.co.uk, or ring 01372 747 500. Your cancer nurse or treatment centre may also be able to point you to a local session. Can I go to more than one workshop? The skincare and make-up, hand and nail care and styling for confidence workshops are a one-off per person per diagnosis. Free tutorials on their website are available any time. About the author Hi, I’m Lindsey. I started Chemotherapy Headwear after my mum was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006. She really struggled to find anything comfortable to wear after she lost her hair so I designed my own range to ensure other women wouldn’t have to go through the same thing. Cancer has touched my whole family repeatedly, so I know how frightening this time can feel. I’m not a medical professional, and any guidance I provide has been based on my experience working with cancer patients over the years. Please check anything about your treatment with your care team.

Hair Growth After Chemo: Chemo Curls, Colour and Your First Cut

The short answer: Most people have their first proper haircut three to six months after chemo ends, but there's no set date. Wait until you have an even covering with some body to it. A tidy-up around the neckline and ears can happen sooner, and it's worth finding a hairdresser who has cut regrowth before. You've finished treatment. Somewhere around week three or four you run your hand over your head and feel something soft that wasn't there before. It's a genuinely lovely moment. Then comes the awkward bit. The fluff arrives at different speeds in different places, it may be a colour you've never had, and you have no idea whether to cut it, leave it, or hide it. Almost everyone asks the same question at this point. When can I get it cut? The short answer is that most people book their first proper haircut somewhere between three and six months after treatment ends. But the calendar in my view doesnt matter - what matters is how you feel. What regrowth usually looks like Everyone's timeline is different and depends on the drugs you have been given, your dose and your own hair. A rough guide, based on what most people tell us is: Weeks 3 to 6: soft fuzz starts to appear, patchy and often colourless Months 2 to 3: a proper covering, still very short and very soft Months 3 to 5: enough length for a short crop or a soft pixie, and this is where most first haircuts happen Month 6: roughly three inches for many people Month 12: often five or six inches, around chin length Hair grows about half an inch a month once it gets going. That's the same rate as anyone else's, which is why it feels so slow. You're just starting from a lower baseline. If you're months in and seeing very little, or your hair is coming back much thinner than expected, mention it to your team. It's worth raising rather than worrying about it alone. The fluffy stage, and why cutting too early can backfire There's a stage most people hit around two to three months where the hair is soft, wispy and standing up in all directions. It's the stage where you're most tempted to take scissors to it. Cutting into very fine regrowth usually makes it look thinner rather than tidier. Heavy layering or a sharply defined crop needs density to hold its shape, and at this point there isn't any yet. Most hairdressers who work with cancer patients will say the same thing. Wait a bit, and let it gain some weight. The exception is a genuine tidy-up. Cleaning up the neckline, softening round the ears and taking off a few fluffy tips is a small job that can make a big difference to how you feel. That's not really a haircut. It's a tidy-up, and you can have one much earlier. Signs you're ready Forget the number of months. Book your appointment when: You've got a reasonably even covering rather than patches The hair has some body to it and stays roughly where you put it Bits are starting to stick out or curl in directions you don't want The neckline or the area round your ears looks scruffy You want to, which is honestly reason enough What a good first cut actually involves Manage your expectations, because a good first haircut is subtle work. If you turn up at four months with a couple of centimetres, the appointment might take twenty minutes and look fairly subtle to everyone else. Your hairdresser will probably tidy the neckline, shape gently around the ears, take off any wispy ends and leave the top alone to build up. That's a proper haircut. It just respects where your hair is right now. If your hair has come back thicker and faster, there's more to work with and a soft pixie or a neat crop may be on the cards straight away. Finding a hairdresser you feel comfortable with This appointment carries more weight than a normal trim, and the right person makes an enormous difference. Ring ahead and say you've just finished chemotherapy. Ask whether they've cut regrowth before. A good salon will book you a quieter slot, give you a bit of privacy, and won't make a performance of it. If you'd rather not sit in a busy salon at all, plenty of stylists will come to your home. Your cancer centre or local support group can usually recommend someone who works with cancer patients regularly. Chemo curls, and why your hair looks like someone else's More than half of people find their hair comes back with a different texture. Straight hair returns curly, curly hair returns straight, and colour often shifts too. Lots of people get more grey than they had before, at least at first. This catches people off guard. You waited months for your hair and it belongs to a stranger. It usually settles. Texture and colour tend to drift back towards your old hair over the first year to eighteen months as the follicles recover. Some people find they keep a bit of the new wave, and a few decide they rather like it. While it's settling, a light leave-in conditioner and small trims every six to eight weeks will keep it looking intentional rather than in-between. Looking after new hair New hair is soft and fine, and it needs a gentler routine than you're used to while it settles. Our resident hairdresser Charley suggests: Brush slowly with a soft-bristled brush, without tugging Keep your scalp moisturised with a few drops of a light oil, such as almond or coconut, massaged in after washing Wash with lukewarm water and a mild, fragrance-free shampoo Start using conditioner once your hair is an inch or two long Leave hairdryers, straighteners and tongs alone until your hair has some length and strength Ask for a patch test before any colour, even with products you've used for years There's more from Charley in her guide to scalp and hair care during chemotherapy. Before you reach for the colour New hair is fragile. Cancer Research UK suggests holding off on permanent and semi-permanent dye, bleach, perms, chemical straightening and extensions for around six months after chemotherapy finishes. If your scalp has been sensitive or you're still recovering, check with your medical team first, and always do a skin sensitivity test even with natural products like henna. When you do colour, a trained hairdresser is a safer bet than a home kit. Covering up while you wait The months between finishing treatment and having a haircut you feel good about can be surprisingly hard. You're well again, and you still don't look like yourself. A soft chemo beanie sits neatly over short regrowth and works with a coat and a school run. A lightweight head scarf gives you a different option on the days you want a bit more. Both are seam-free and gentle on a scalp that's still tender. Plenty of our customers keep wearing theirs long after their hair's back, simply because they've grown fond of them. One last thing There's no right moment for that first haircut. There's only your moment. Some people book it the second they've got an inch, because sitting in a salon chair feels like proof they've come out the other side. Others wait until the hair is long enough to do something with. Both are fine. You've been through a great deal. This bit is allowed to be yours. Frequently asked questions How soon after chemo can I cut my hair? There's no medical reason to wait once your hair is growing. Most people find three to six months gives them enough to work with, though a tidy-up around the neckline can happen earlier. Should I shave the first regrowth to make it grow back thicker? That's a common belief but there's no evidence behind it. Shaving doesn't change how thick your hair grows back. Most people leave it be. Why is my hair curly after chemo? Texture changes are extremely common after chemotherapy and usually temporary. Most people find their hair drifts back towards its old texture over twelve to eighteen months. When can I dye my hair after chemotherapy? Cancer Research UK advises waiting around six months, as new hair is fragile. Check with your medical team first, and do a skin sensitivity test before any colour goes near your scalp. About the author Hi, I’m Lindsey. I started Chemotherapy Headwear after my mum was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006. She really struggled to find anything comfortable to wear after she lost her hair so I designed my own range to ensure other women wouldn’t have to go through the same thing. Cancer has touched my whole family repeatedly, so I know how frightening this time can feel. I’m not a medical professional, and any guidance I provide has been based on my experience working with cancer patients over the years. Please check anything about your treatment with your care team.

Hat and Head Scarf Combinations for Chemo: 5 Ideas

How to avoid getting in a knot! With a little bit of practise you will be able to master each style effortlessly. Some chemo head scarves are secured to a 100% cotton jersey hat so that the scarves do not slip off your head when your arms get tired. Simply pop on the hat and that's the first step covered! Prefer to wear your scarf on its own? Our step-by-step guide on how to tie chemo head scarves walks you through three simple styles. STYLE 1 - LEVEL: EASY After you put the hat on, drape the chemo scarf over the head, leaving the two ends hanging either side by your shoulders. Pick the ends up and tie them in a simple knot at the back. This look is great for people who are used to longer hair because it simulates a ponytail at the back of the head. STYLE 2 - LEVEL: EASY Fold the chemo scarf so that it creates a “band across the front of the head, pull the two ends towards the back and tie in a simple knot. The folds give additional padding to the hair line and is suitable for those who feel exposed without the weight of their hair around the face. STYLE 3 - LEVEL: EASY After tying the ends of either of the above styles in a simple knot, tuck the ends back over upon themselves – this creates a bow-like style and helps keeps the ends shorter. STYLE 4 - MODERATE Fold the head scarf in three so it forms a band across the forehead and the two ends hang either side of your face. Bring the two ends around the back of the head and tie firmly in a simple knot. This will hold the scarf in place whilst you start twisting! Take one end in turn and twist it so that it forms a tight rope like cord. Then bring this around to the front of the head and tuck the end securely into the band at the front of the chemo hat. Next, do the same with the remaining end. You can secure this with a pin if you feel you need a bit of added grip. STYLE 5 - MODERATE Fold the scarf in three so it forms a band across the forehead and the two ends hang either side of your face. Bring the two ends around the back of the head and tie firmly in a simple knot. This will hold the scarf in place whilst you start twisting! Take both ends and twist them around each other. Keep twisting until the rope like cord starts to curl up into itself. Next, twist the cord round as if creating a “bun” or rosette. With the remaining ends of the chemo scarf, push them part the way through the centre of the rosette to secure it in place. About the author Hi, I’m Lindsey. I started Chemotherapy Headwear after my mum was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006. She really struggled to find anything comfortable to wear after she lost her hair so I designed my own range to ensure other women wouldn’t have to go through the same thing. Cancer has touched my whole family repeatedly, so I know how frightening this time can feel. I’m not a medical professional, and any guidance I provide has been based on my experience working with cancer patients over the years. Please check anything about your treatment with your care team.

How to Tie a Chemo Head Scarf: 3 Simple Step-by-Step Styles

Three simple step-by-step styles for tying a square chemo head scarf, plus our best tips for making it easier.

Coping With Hair Loss During Chemotherapy

Hair loss is one of the most talked-about side effects of chemotherapy, and for good reason. It's visible, it's hard to hide, and it can knock your confidence at exactly the time when you need it most. If you're dreading losing your hair, or already in the middle of it, please know that you're not alone in finding it difficult. The good news is that hair loss from chemotherapy is temporary. Your hair will grow back once treatment is complete, and many people find that their regrowth is strong and healthy. In the meantime, here's what we've found most helpful. Preparing for hair loss during chemotherapy If you've been told your treatment is likely to cause hair loss, you might want to see your hairdresser before it starts. Having your hair cut shorter before it begins to fall can make the whole process feel less shocking. Some people choose to have a really short crop; others go all the way and shave their head on their own terms. There's no right or wrong answer — it's whatever feels right for you. How to look after your scalp during chemo Once hair starts to fall, your scalp needs a little extra care. Use a gentle, pH-neutral or organic shampoo, nothing harsh or heavily fragranced. After washing, massage in a natural base oil (coconut, almond or olive oil all work well) to keep the skin soft and moisturised. A healthy scalp sets the foundation for good regrowth later on. Avoid heat styling tools entirely during this time, and protect your scalp from direct sun and cold air by covering up with a soft hat or scarf. Find Headwear That Actually Makes You Feel Good The right headwear really does make a difference. A hat or scarf that feels comfortable, looks good and fits well can transform how you feel about stepping out of the front door. Our hats and headscarves are made from 100% cotton or bamboo, both incredibly soft next to a sensitive scalp. Whether you're looking for something cosy for around the house, something stylish for going out, or something special for a good day, there's something in our range that will work for you. And if you'd like help getting started with scarves, Headwrappers run free online scarf-tying sessions. Losing your eyebrows and eyelashes during chemo It's not just the hair on your head that can be affected. Eyebrows and eyelashes sometimes go too, and that can feel just as unsettling. We stock Eylure C-Lash eyelashes, which are designed specifically for people going through chemo, and Browmatic eyebrow pencils, which have a slanted tip for natural-looking, hair-like strokes even without a base of hair to work with. Our hair loss guides Before hair loss: a hairdresser's advice on preparing for hair loss, cold caps and scalp cooling, wig or headscarf? how to decide During treatment: scalp care during chemotherapy, keeping your head warm at night, how to choose the right chemo headwear Brows and lashes: losing your eyelashes during chemo, how to apply temporary eyebrow tattoos After treatment: hair growth after chemo, scalp and hair care during chemotherapy For family and friends: how to help a loved one cope with hair loss, telling your children you're losing your hair Be Kind to Yourself Hair loss during chemotherapy is a big deal, and it's okay to feel however you feel about it. Some days will be harder than others. The most important thing is that you're comfortable and, as much as possible, able to feel like yourself. If you need any help choosing the right headwear, or just want to talk through your options, please do get in touch. We've been helping people through this since 2008 and we're always happy to chat. About the author Hi, I’m Lindsey. I started Chemotherapy Headwear after my mum was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006. She really struggled to find anything comfortable to wear after she lost her hair so I designed my own range to ensure other women wouldn’t have to go through the same thing. Cancer has touched my whole family repeatedly, so I know how frightening this time can feel. I’m not a medical professional, and any guidance I provide has been based on my experience working with cancer patients over the years. Please check anything about your treatment with your care team.