Fighting liver cancer is already challenging in itself, and it can be an even bigger struggle because of the various side effects that the treatments can cause. One of the possible risks you face is hair loss or alopecia, which your liver cancer specialist may warn you about beforehand.
While hair loss is not a dangerous complication, it can still be emotionally distressing to experience. After all, hair is an important part of our image. Losing it can constantly remind us of our illness.
But there are ways for us to cope with this unwanted change, as we will discuss below.
Why Does Hair Loss Occur During Liver Cancer Treatments?
Treatment plans that include therapies like chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapy can cause hair loss because they damage all fast-growing cells. Cancer cells grow rapidly, as do the cells in your hair follicles. The more hair cells that die, the more damaged your hair follicles get until they start thinning or fall off.
Can Hair Loss Happen in All Treatments?
Not all treatment plans automatically lead to alopecia, even if it includes chemotherapy. It all depends on what therapy medications you take. Your liver cancer specialist may prescribe drugs that are less likely to make you lose hair.
And even if your treatment plan includes medicine that increases your chances of hair loss, keep in mind that each cancer patient responds differently to their treatment. A doctor cannot predict that you will lose hair, but they can warn you if you are at risk of experiencing it.
Are There Natural Ways to Stop Hair Loss From Chemotherapy?
Unfortunately, there are no natural methods to fully prevent alopecia induced by liver cancer treatments. However, we can manage hair loss in other ways, such as by:
Using Gentler Hair Care Products
Your hair can easily get damaged by hair care products with ingredients like fragrances or alcohol. Consider using mild shampoo and conditioners like those made for babies.
You should also avoid hair salon services such as dyeing and straightening, as these use chemicals that further damage your hair.
Mind Your Scalp as Well
As you continue with your treatment sessions, your scalp can become increasingly itchy and sensitive. You can use moisturising lotions or natural products like aloe vera to soothe it. If you are going outdoors, apply sunscreen to protect your scalp from the sun.
Wear a Wig or a Head Wrap
Wearing a wig can help you gain some sense of normalcy, especially when you get a wig that suits you well. You can buy either human hair wigs or synthetic ones. However, it would be safer to avoid them if your scalp gets irritated.
You could also wear head wraps, turbans, or scarves to cover your head fashionably. They also protect your scalp from the elements.
Try a Shorter Hair Style
If you have long hair, cutting it short seems counterintuitive when you suffer from hair loss. However, it has some benefits to it. For instance, your hair can look thicker and fuller since it does not lie flat on your head. Short hair also makes wigs and head wraps easier to wear.
Consider Scalp Cooling
If your liver cancer specialist prescribes chemotherapy, see if you can try scalp cooling. This is a type of therapy that helps prevent chemotherapy-induced alopecia by lowering your scalp’s temperature and slowing down blood flow. This reduces the chemotherapy drugs that reach your scalp, minimising the risk of hair loss.
However, this treatment does not work against all chemotherapy drugs. Not everyone responds well to this method either. The physician may also advise you against it if they find cancer cells on your scalp.
You Do Not Have to Deal with Hair Loss Alone
Do not lose hope that we will never have our hair back again. Hair loss from liver cancer treatments is often temporary, though it can take months to recover from it. So let us be patient and kind to ourselves as we wait.
If the emotional toll of losing hair is too much, remember that there are support groups that can help you face your struggles in healthier ways. Do not hesitate to speak with your liver cancer specialist as well — they can also provide tips to manage the side effects of your treatment plan.
The fight against liver cancer should never be done alone, so be brave and take the first step to get help.