How do you prepare for hair loss during chemo - cut or shave?

Both cutting hair short first and going straight to shaving are common approaches - many find that cutting it shorter initially makes the transition less overwhelming and easier to manage as hair continues to fall out naturally. This is such a personal decision, and whatever feels right for you is the best choice - some community members may have helpful tips to share about what worked for them during this challenging part of treatment.

I knew it was coming and my hair was the least of my worries. I shaved it. NOT to the skin as you might get ingrown hairs. Looked kinda cool like Pink only esy shorter. It helps with the pain too. Once I shaved my head - the hair follicles didn't hurt any more.

I was told by Oncologist to get a wig before hair loss, if desired, so they could fit me before total loss. My hair was gone in 2 weeks due to aggressive dosages. I found the wig to be of comfort, as my hair was long. I ended up with 4 wigs, as IV chemo was 6.5 months and oral chemo 4 months. Now, a year out of chemo, my hair has grown in pretty good:) Beautician trimmed it to shape and grow. I was never told to shave my head, due to scalp infection fears with low white counts. Best wishes… remember hair loss is temporary. My loss was combing the hair out… did not clog my home drains as I expected.

I cut mine really short n by my 3 treatment I went under my bathroom faucet n scrub the best I could so the most of th hair came out of my head . It was hard but I used to gradually. I’m almost a year , I finished all th treatment n my hairs is growing like crazy . It’s shocking at first . One of the thing that made me feel better, it was winter so I could use hats everywhere

I decided my hair being gone was the only thing I had control of so I decided to have my fiance and my daughter shave it off. My daughter was crying and she said I can't so I grabbed the shaver and cut the first strip off right down the middle of my head. I then handed her the shaver and she shaved my head bald. Can't say I don't miss my hair but it's going to grow back and besides that I have a pretty bald head

I just shaved my head

When I shaved my head, well my husband did, he started crying really hard. I felt so bad. We hugged, took a moment, and he powered on. It was harder for him than me.

When l first notice my hair falling out my scalp started itching really bad so I decided I would go ahead and cut it and I went involved. I rocked the ball head with big earrings and my makeup and my sun hats but remember it will grow back and it would be even more beautiful