The devastating effects of breast cancer start right from the words 'you have breast cancer' and leave thousands of women reeling every year. They don't even get a chance to fully process the basic facts before receiving treatments such as chemotherapy and having to deal with the repercussions of the treatment including female hair loss.

In some ways, this is worse because it is like advertising the fact that you are sick. It makes it hard for women to look in the mirror and look at themselves with pride. Thankfully, treatments in the form of non-surgical hair replacement are an option to help lift their spirits and make them feel better about themselves. In fact, numerous studies have shown that being happy and having fun can significantly improve the body's response to treatments.

Why Chemotherapy Causes Female Hair Loss

Chemotherapy specifically acts on the cells in your body inhibiting their ability to multiply. Because hairs rely on this process to grow and replace those you have lost through the natural life process, it causes your hair to die as well. After only a few treatments, breast cancer victims begin to notice their hair starts to fall out. In some cases, it looks like you are experiencing thinning hair. For other women, the hair literally falls out in large clumps winding up on the bathroom floor or bed. This can lead to extreme depression.

Female hair loss associated with cancer treatments is not just on their head, but spreads to their eyelashes, eyebrows, legs, and arms until there isn't a single hair on their entire body. While the loss of hair is a welcome change in some places, missing eyebrows and eyelashes just complicate matters. The extent of the hair loss depends on the timing of treatments. Treatments once a month causes lower levels than receiving treatments once per week. Likewise, stronger doses kill hair faster than weaker treatments.

Non Surgical Hair Replacement

Due to the nature in which chemotherapy and other breast cancer treatments cause female hair loss, some non surgical hair replacement methods are not an option. After dealing with the stresses of cancer treatment, surgical treatments are not available either. One of the most effective ways to treat this problem is by covering it up.

Items such as hats, turbans, and scarves are one way to treat the problem fashionably. This is also a great way for the cancer patient to spend time with friends or get some quality time in with a loved one. Some breast cancer victims use their downtime to purchase some fabric and create their own hats and coverings. For eyebrows and eyelashes, makeup and things such as synthetic lashes can disguise the hair loss.

Wigs are another treatment. Many women think of old wigs and cringe, but newer versions have made these items appear far more natural and better quality. Once the hair starts growing in again, 100% human hair extensions, clips, headbands, and other items can improve the thickness and volume of your new hair. Another non surgical hair replacement option is a treatment such as Reallusions, which uses membrane grafting to replace the natural hair without harsh surgeries. This is far more superior to wigs since it acts just like your natural hair and can be styled and treated the same way.

Knowing that female hair loss is often a result of chemotherapy is not enough to prepare breast cancer victims for the reality of actually living without their hair. Nothing will ease the devastation of seeing their own bare scalp. For women, hair is a main part of their identity and becomes a determiner in their self-worth due to society's superficial requirements for beauty. Non surgical hair replacement offers breast cancer victims a method to help ease the terrible effects of lost hair so they can focus on their health and loved ones.