Chemotherapy And Hair Loss

Losing a part of your body is not easy. Some people advise you to focus on your inner self and to think of your body as just an envelope.

Although this is true, it is still difficult when a part of your identity has been taken away.

I love my hair today, but I used to hate it because I was lead to think that having afro hair was something to be ashamed of.

So I used to braid it, hide it, straighten it.

It’s only when I lost it to chemo that I became emotionally attached to it. Kind of ironic isn't it!

1. You can use a lace wig which is the most natural wig I have ever seen. Even the stars use these and they don’t have chemo! Have you ever noticed how the stars seem to have blond short hair one day and red long hair the next? You can even see the hairline which looks natural. So no one will know that you have lost your hair if you choose to wear a lace wig!

2. My technique at hospital was to wear it everyday after showering and getting dressed. This way my doctors and visitors got used to it and I didn’t feel like a patient.

3. Start wearing your wig before chemo starts! As if you are going to a fancy dress party and you wear a wig. It is good to get your life partner used to this as well as your entourage. The downside is that your head will be very hot. The upside is no one will see the BEFORE-DURING-AFTER.

4. Shave your head before your hair starts dropping out (and wear your wig).
That way you won’t be traumatised by seeing your hair fall out.

5. When your hair has gone massage your scalp very slowly. Enjoy this connection with your bald head because you won’t have it again. It is a very private and beautiful moment which you can turn into a ritual until the moment your hair starts to grow back.

6. Use an eyebrow pencil in case you lose your eyebrows. Some people resort to tattooing eyebrows. Remember, that hair grows back!

Enjoy the journey.