Don't Shave Your Head Before Baldness; Here's Why

For cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, a common concern is the prospect of hair loss. A question many ask is whether shaving their heads before hair falls out can help in styling wigs or maintaining comfort. This article will delve into the myths and truths behind this practice, and why it is generally recommended to wait before shaving your head when starting chemotherapy.

The Chemistry Behind Cancer and Hair Loss

Chemotherapy targets rapidly dividing cells, which include both cancer cells and healthy cells like those in hair follicles. As a result, hair loss is a common side effect of chemotherapy. The decision to shave your head before the hair falls out is often influenced by personal choice and a desire to preserve some control over the appearance during recovery.

However, it's important to understand that hair is not shaved to be used for making wigs. The hair falling out due to chemotherapy is actually the hair from the hair follicles, and there is no evidence to suggest that shaving your head before chemotherapy can make your hair fall out faster or more effectively.

Waiting Before Shaving Your Head

There are several reasons why it is generally advised to wait and not shave your head before starting chemotherapy:

No need for preemptive action: Most hair falls out after the first or second cycle of chemotherapy. Shaving before this can result in a completely bald head, which may not actually provide any additional comfort or benefits, given that hair is already expected to fall out soon. Lack of time for wig preparation: Shaving your head before hair starts falling out leaves you with very little time to prepare a wig or a toupee. If you decide later that you would like to use a wig, it can take days or even weeks for your hair to fall out, giving you adequate time to choose and prepare a suitable wig or head covering. Preserving hair to donate: If you decide to donate your hair after falling out, you might want to keep a bit of hair on your head to increase the volume and make donation easier. Shaving could be less practical for this purpose.

Organizations Offering Support in India

Despite the recommendation to wait, there are organizations in cities like Delhi and Bangalore that offer support to cancer patients, including help with hair loss, such as providing wigs and caps. These organizations are dedicated to making the experience of losing hair more bearable for patients.

Delhi: Organisations like the Sunny Leone Hair Donation Program can provide information on how to donate hair. They also offer wigs and other supportive items to cancer patients.

Bangalore: Various organisations in Bangalore, such as the Aasan Clinic, provide wigs and support materials for those dealing with cancer-related hair loss.

Conclusion

In summary, while it may be tempting to shave your head before starting chemotherapy to plan for hair loss, it is generally recommended to allow time for your hair to naturally fall out and for you to make informed decisions about hair replacement options like wigs. Many organizations in India are offering support to cancer patients during this challenging journey.