What You Can Do To Help

Caring for the scalp is very important to decrease itchiness and dryness.

• Brush and wash away hair that is falling out.
  
• Gently clean hair and scalp with a mild protein shampoo twice a week, and massage the scalp.
  
• Use a protein conditioner, which adds body to fine or limp hair.
  
• Avoid harsh, damaging products containing bleach, peroxide, ammonia, alcohol, or lacquer.
  
• Avoid heat, curling irons, and hot rollers. Use the coolest setting on a blow dryer.
  
• Keep hair short and easy to style.
  
• To avoid breaking hair strands, avoid braids or ponytails, and use a wide-tooth comb.
  
• Ask the hair stylist about getting a permanent wave for thin hair during chemotherapy, to make it look fuller. (Avoid using a home permanent kit, however.)
  
• Postpone a permanent on new hair until after three haircuts or trims.
  
• Protect the head from sun with a hat and sunblock having SPF of at least #15.
  
• Use a satin pillow or a hair net while sleeping.
  
• Wear a hat or a head scarf to retain heat (and prevent dried-out skin) during cold weather.
  
• Wear sunglasses to protect eyelashes.
  
• Gently wash loose hair from arms, underarms, pubic areas; men should also wash hair from chest and face.

Getting a wig or head cover can preserve the person with cancer dignity and self-esteem.

• Ask a hair stylist about buying a wig. Some will come to your home or to the hospital.
  
• Call a wig shop in the phone book, and talk with professionals about wigs.
  
• Match a small lock of the person's hair with a wig color before starting chemotherapy.
  
• If you can't buy a wig, ask about borrowing one from the American Cancer Society.
  
• Before all the person's hair is lost, take the wig to a hair stylist to have it styled so that it looks like the person's hair.
  
• Practice wearing the wig at home.
  
• Return the wig to the hairstylist for repair or restyling.
  
• Wear turbans, scarves, or hats.

Possible Obstacles

1. "I can't afford a wig."
   
2. Response: Some medical insurance will cover part or all of the cost of a wig because it is needed after a medical problem. You might need a prescription; the doctor should write "wig for alopecia" or "full cranial prosthesis." Also, the American Cancer Society may be able to help with the cost of a wig. Local hair stylists may have free wig services.
   
   
3. "People say that he'll just have to live with being bald or having patches of hair on his head."
   
   Response: Appearance can be very important to the young person with cancer. Don't try to second-guess your family member or friend on how he or she reacts to losing hair. Helping him or her look his or her best during a difficult time in life can boost spirits and confidence.

Carrying Out and Adjusting Your Plan

If possible, decide in advance whether the person with cancer wants a wig (many do not) and what kind, and order it as early as possible. Consider alternatives, such as hats, scarves, and baseball caps. Meanwhile, follow the steps in this plan to slow or minimize hair loss. If your plan doesn't seem to be working and hair loss is getting worse and you both feel badly about it, get help from a social worker, nurse, or hair stylist.

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