Rooted in Strength
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.Get Ahead of It If You CanIf 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.Look After Your ScalpOnce 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 GoodThe 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. We also run free online scarf-tying sessions if you want a bit of help getting started.Think About Your Eyebrows and Eyelashes TooIt'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 Wunderbrow eyebrow pencil, which gives a really natural-looking result even without a base of hair to work with.Be Kind to YourselfHair 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.
Gentle Shampoo and Skin Care During Chemotherapy: Real Recommendations
When you're going through chemotherapy, your skin and scalp become much more sensitive than usual. The list of things people tell you to buy can feel overwhelming and expensive. But honestly, you don't need to spend a fortune to look after your skin well during treatment.I asked a group of customers to tell me what they'd actually used and rated during chemo. Here's what came back.ShampooThe Lush Cinnamon Shampoo Bar came up again and again. It's free from synthetic ingredients, cruelty-free, and comes in plastic-free packaging. It contains cinnamon and clove to gently stimulate the scalp, along with nettle and peppermint to soothe irritation. At around £8.99, it's great value too.Faith in Nature also came highly recommended. This UK-based, vegan brand makes affordable shampoos and shower gels that are genuinely gentle on sensitive skin. You can find their products on their own website, at Holland & Barrett and at Boots.A note on baby shampoo: a lot of people assume it must be the gentlest option, but it doesn't actually contain any conditioning agents. For a scalp that's already dry and sensitive, that can make things worse rather than better.MoisturiserFor skin that's feeling sore and irritated, Bosom Buddies Puriskin Resurfacing Formula came up as a favourite. It was created specifically for people undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy, is fragrance-free, and absorbs quickly without feeling heavy. It's around £13.99.If you're looking for something simpler and even more accessible, the Simple skincare range is worth knowing about. You'll find it in most supermarkets, Boots and chemists. Simple uses no harsh ingredients, artificial colours or unnecessary chemicals, and it's PETA-certified cruelty-free.Natural OilsFor massaging into dry or tight scalp skin, you really can't go wrong with a good base oil. Olive oil, sweet almond oil, apricot kernel oil and Moroccan (argan) oil are all excellent choices. If you enjoy aromatherapy, you can add a small amount of rosemary essential oil — but always dilute it in a carrier oil first and use sparingly, particularly if your skin is sensitive. Rosemary is a known stimulant, which makes it brilliant for the scalp, but a little goes a long way.I hope this gives you a helpful starting point. None of these products will break the bank, and they all come highly recommended by people who've been through treatment themselves. If you've found something that worked brilliantly for you, I'd love to hear about it.
Scalp and Hair Care During Chemotherapy
Losing your hair during chemo is one of the hardest parts of treatment. It doesn't feel fair, and it's absolutely okay to feel upset about it. But here's something important to hold onto: your hair will come back. Once your body starts to recover, regrowth begins — and how well you've looked after your scalp during treatment can make a real difference to that process.Caring for Your Scalp While You're in TreatmentYour scalp becomes more sensitive during chemotherapy, so what you put on it matters. Choose a shampoo that is pH neutral or organic. Baby shampoo is best avoided, as despite its reputation for being gentle it doesn't contain a moisturising agent, which means it can actually dry the scalp out and cause extra sensitivity.Products that have worked really well for people I've spoken to include: Philip Kingsley No Scent No Colour Shampoo — fragrance-free and very gentle. Lush Cinnamon Shampoo Bar — a surprisingly popular recommendation. Aveeno Skin Relief Shampoo — soothing and widely available. Wash your scalp twice a week using cool water. After washing, rather than reaching for a conditioner, try massaging in a base oil instead. Coconut oil, sweet almond oil and good-quality olive oil all work beautifully. The goal at this stage isn't hair care, it's scalp care. A soft, well-moisturised scalp makes it much easier for new hair to push through when the time comes.If you're using the cold cap and still have some hair, try not to rub it vigorously with a towel. Use a soft-bristled brush to gently remove any loose strands. It can be tempting not to brush for fear of making hair loss worse, but brushing actually prevents loose hair from matting with what's still attached.When Your Hair Starts to Come BackHair regrowth is different for everyone. Some people get 'chemo curls' — a wave or curl that wasn't there before. This is completely normal. As the hair grows around the follicle it tends to curl, but as it gets longer and heavier, gravity gradually brings it straight again.New hair will be very delicate. Here's how to take care of it: Brush gently with a soft-bristled brush to keep it in good condition. Keep up your scalp oil routine — this is still really important. Start using a conditioner once the hair reaches about two inches in length, and rinse well with cool to warm water. Add a drop of rosemary essential oil to your base carrier oil once a week — rosemary is a known hair growth stimulant, but always dilute it and never use it neat on the skin. Avoid heat tools completely until the hair is properly established. Hold off on hair colour or perming for at least a year after treatment ends. When you do go back to colour, your stylist should do a patch test 48 hours beforehand. Book a trim when the hair reaches 3–4 inches. It feels early, but trimming encourages stronger, faster growth. Aim for every 8–10 weeks after that. Be patient with yourself. Look after your scalp, stay consistent with your routine, and your hair will come back.Much love, Charley x
Hair Loss During Chemotherapy: A Hairdresser's Perspective
I've been a hairdresser for over 20 years. I've sat with hundreds of people and helped them through some really tough moments, but nothing quite prepares you for that conversation when someone comes in knowing their hair is about to fall out.I'm not going to pretend it's easy. For most of us, the thought of losing our hair is devastating. It's wrapped up in identity, confidence and how we present ourselves to the world. But I do know that the right advice at the right time can make a real difference — and that's what I'm here to share with you.Before Your Hair Falls Out: Talk to Your StylistYour first appointment at the salon after a cancer diagnosis can feel really daunting. My advice is to ring ahead. Ask to speak to a stylist you trust so they know what's happening before you arrive. That way, you can have a proper conversation about your options without feeling put on the spot.One thing we absolutely need to avoid is colouring your hair. No harsh chemicals can go on your scalp or hair at this stage — the risk of an allergic reaction is extremely high, and that's a risk not worth taking when your immune system is already under pressure from treatment.If you have long hair and the thought of losing it all at once feels too much, take it in stages. Have a little more length off than usual at first. Be creative with a short crop. At some point, the scalp will release all of the hair follicles — that's just how treatment works — and at that stage, I'd recommend having the remaining hair clipped off rather than letting it fall naturally. It's less distressing, and it puts you in control.Make sure your stylist uses sterilised clippers for this, and avoid a razor. Any small nicks to the skin can become a problem when your immune system is compromised.Looking After Your Scalp During TreatmentOnce your hair has gone, looking after your scalp properly is really important. Avoid anything harsh or heavily fragranced. Use natural products wherever you can, and make sure whatever you wash with has a moisturising or conditioning agent. You want to keep the skin soft, not dry it out.Don't underestimate a good head massage either. Not only is it a well-deserved treat, it increases blood flow to the scalp and that supports healthy regrowth once treatment is finished. Use a natural oil like olive oil, apricot oil or Moroccan oil which all work well. If you're into aromatherapy, add a few drops of rosemary oil to a carrier oil (never neat on the skin), as rosemary is a known scalp stimulant.Protect your scalp from the elements too. The sun can damage exposed skin, so if you're out and about in summer, a wide-brimmed hat is a really good idea. In winter, a soft, lined chemo hat will keep you warm and protect the scalp from cold air.After Treatment: Getting Your Hair BackWhen your hair starts coming back, treat it gently. It will be very fine and delicate at first — soft, a little fluffy, and sometimes different from how it was before. Some people get 'chemo curls' even if their hair was completely straight. This happens because the hair grows up and around the follicle as it comes through. Don't worry — as the hair gets longer and heavier, gravity gently pulls the curl out.My advice for looking after new growth: Brush gently with a soft-bristled brush to keep things in good condition. Continue your scalp massage and oiling routine. Start using conditioner once the hair reaches about two inches in length, and rinse with cool to warm water. Hold off on the hair dryer and any heat tools until the hair is properly established. No hair colour or perming treatment for at least a year after treatment finishes. When you are ready for colour, always do a skin patch test 48 hours beforehand. Start with a contained service like foils rather than a full-head colour. Aim for a trim every 8–10 weeks once the hair reaches 3–4 inches. Look after yourself and your scalp, and your hair will return. Take it easy.Much love, Charley x