With radiotherapy, only the hair in the area of the body that’s being treated falls out. So if you’re having radiotherapy to your brain you’ll lose your hair in the areas where the radiotherapy waves pass through.
After radiotherapy, your hair is likely to grow back but it will probably be thinner than before. The time it takes to grow back depends on the amount of radiotherapy you’ve had. It normally takes about 6-12 months after treatment for your hair to grow back.
Some people’s hair never grows back. This happens because the hair roots have been destroyed by high doses of radiotherapy. Your doctor or radiographer will talk to you about this if they think it's likely to happen to you. This is a tough thing for anyone to face and you'll be offered support to help you cope.
what can help?
The skin in the area being treated can become red, flaky, itchy or sore during treatment. Sometimes it can start to peel or to weep as well.
- Wash the area gently with warm water and non-perfumed hair products.
- Don’t use any washing or styling products on the area other than those recommended by your doctor or nurse. Using products with perfumes or chemicals can irritate the sensitive skin. If some chemicals are left on the skin, they can even stop the radiotherapy from working as well as it should. You can use a moisturiser like aqueous cream or E45 cream 2 – 3 times a day to stop your skin from getting too dry.
- Try not to rub the area. Pat the skin dry or if you're putting aqueous cream on, smooth it on then leave it to sink in.
- You will be seen by a nurse or radiographer every day during your treatment. If your skin turns red, let them know and they'll give you advice. Don’t wait until it gets really sore to say anything.
- Take extra care in the sun. The area of skin where you are having your radiotherapy must not be exposed to the sun at all during treatment. It also stays sensitive to the sun for many years. This means you need to take extra care to protect that area. Stay in the shade, use a sun block that is at least Factor 25 and try to keep the area completely covered with a hat.
