Melanin & Pink Ribbons

Let’s talk about it, chemotherapy, and hair loss. As Black women, we have a complex relationship with our hair. The emotions expressed in context with our hair range from love, hate, like, and obsession, to everything in between. We wear loose natural like afros, twists, locs, weaves, wigs, and chemically straightened hair.  In our community we have been taught it’s our crowning glory, been subjected to old wives’ tales about only cutting your hair on a new moon or not allowing a bird to capture hair from a comb or brush for their next because all your hair will fall out. Laughable now but this thinking and attachment to hair is generationally ingrained. For example, it is not odd or culturally unique to see a Black woman who is bald or wears a close-cut Caesar. Our hair comes in every length and color of the rainbow.

Then we get diagnosed with breast cancer and as a part of our treatment we undergo chemotherapy. Part of the chemo side effects is losing your hair. Often women shave it off to spare the pain of losing it be it in clumps on a pillow when waking up or running your hands through your hair and coming back with a handful. Full disclosure I did not have chemo but have experienced it with others who have. It’s no fun and full of pain physically and emotionally.

There is a new treatment named Artic Caps which a patient wears when having chemo and the cold temperature of the cap is said to decrease hair loss. I don’t know anyone who has used this treatment, but it sounds promising. Chemo can alter the texture of the hair that regrows as well as the thickness. Usually, we are so relieved to be alive that our hair is secondary. That is a short-lived feeling because as women our beauty has been partially defined by our hair. It is a large part of our identity and a sign of our healing. It is also a sign that our life is getting back to normal. The farther away you get treatment and into survivorship the more your hair gets back to normal. Chemo affects the exposed hair shaft and thus the loss and changes. When new hair follicles move to the surface, they bring new/fresh hair to the scalp.

In the big picture of life and death hair is minor but once we are in remission we must get back to our life and most times that’s a new normal. Whatever your hair or lack thereof you are alive, and a solution can be found. Whether you rock a bald scalp, hat, silk scarf, wig, or combination it’s your empowered choice!  I champion any choice that contributes to and elevates you, and your self-esteem. Please be sure to return in 2 weeks for a companion post on the topic of How To Care For Your Scalp During Chemo.