“As much as you can prepare yourself for the idea of losing your hair, when it starts shedding, reality strikes hard. It’s not something humans encounter very often, is it? What can be surprising, as no one tells you, is that it’s not just the hair on your head that goes! Eyebrows, lashes, body hair – it’s all out of here once your body decides it’s time.
Much like choosing a hairdo itself, hair loss choices are entirely personal too.
Some people like to take the time before hair loss to get a short pixie cut, or even a buzz cut. I personally went down this route as it was empowering to me. I had no control over much else at the time. Cancer can take a lot from you, but it couldn’t take my hair if I got there first.
Shorter hair can be less distressing when it starts to fall out. Little pieces instead of long strands. Regardless, it is sad, and although it is ‘just hair’ as many people will want to tell you (and you are allowed to roll your eyes at them), it’s also part of our outward identities.
Similarly, a friend with long blond hair couldn’t bear to cut hers, and that’s a valid choice too. Choosing to keep it for as long as possible to feel like yourself until it’s time to move onto something else, be those wigs, turbans or anything else that feels right.
When my hair started to fall out from my buzz cut, it was like an Etch-A-Sketch. You could run a finger through and create lines. We all took a turn to draw pictures on my head! Some ruder than others (looking at you sis).”
“There are so many options for hair-loss head coverings, and you can really make them your own. You may have lost your hair, but you don’t need to lose your personality.
Big soft scarves make a great option, that can be tied in a retro ‘Rosie the Riveter’ way or in about a thousand variations of which there are plenty of videos online.
I was fortunate not to get a sore head, which can happen, but it did get very cold and almost ‘sticky’ feeling as there aren’t even any baby hairs between your skin and the rest of the known universe.
An odd feeling if you’ve always had hair.”
“Stretchy head turbans provide lovely comfort and are quick to pop on. Not to mention cosy if you feel your head is getting cold and tingly. Bamboo jersey is particularly lovely against the skin, moisture-wicking and warm, making this a wonderful option. I found these nice for adding warmth at home and for wearing in bed so my bald head wouldn’t stick to the pillow. There are some wonderful prints and patterns available to buy, and if you are crafty, they are quite easy to make yourself.”
“If you can’t bear to be without hair, wigs are always an option – please do get them fitted properly or have someone at places such as The Big C to show you how to install them so it’s comfortable. They are an expensive option, but one that may be worth it to you. Personally, I found them too itchy and frustrating, and ditched the idea about as quickly as I had clicked ‘order’ – an expensive mistake!
That being said it is such a personal a choice, my friend enjoyed her Amber Jane wig and looked beautiful as though it had always been there. When in doubt, try some and see how you feel then go with that gut instinct.”
“An option that is barely heard of but one of the best things I ever did during chemo, was to have a Henna Crown. If you are going to embrace the bald, how about make it empowering with a beautiful design. I swear this gave me superpowers in terms of lifting my spirit. Less of an invisible cancer patient, more of a chance to feel alive and experience something different. I mean, when else can you do this really?! I felt very ‘other-worldly’, although there’s a chance that was all the drugs.”
“As for the body hair, at least that’s one less thing to worry about. You’re dealing with cancer you don’t need to add shaving to your to-do list. (Not that you need to anyway!)
For me, the difficult part was losing my lashes. I hadn’t realised just how much they change a face. Small fry in the grand scheme of what we go through, but another strange experience nonetheless.”
“Winged liner and makeup can give you a lash effect too, again with lots of practice and videos.
By chance, I already had semi-permanent eyebrows done as my own were barely there to start with (thank you, 1990s). It is something worth looking into BEFORE you start treatment, as I found it was nice to have some characteristics I recognised in the mirror, when some days it feels like looking at a stranger. But like most things, you can draw them on too.
Don’t fear hair loss; try to accept it as part of the journey. Slowly, slowly, it will come back and there are always options to deal with it. Check out Look Good Feel Better for some brilliant courses you can join to help with physical effects of cancer where you can learn how to apply lashes and eyebrows if that’s what you would like to do.
In the words of Ru Paul – we’re all born naked, and the rest is drag.”
We hope you enjoy this post. We would love to share more experiences. So, let us know if you would like to get involved by emailing social@littlelifts.org.uk.