Safe Hair Recovery for Breast Cancer Survivors

The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The concepts discussed are theoretical and based on trichological principles. Any hair care, scalp care, or nutritional practices undertaken by the reader are done at their own discretion and risk. I, Kelsey Koldys, am not offering medical treatment or prescribing any course of action. For personalized guidance, I recommend booking a consultation with a qualified trichologist who can provide science-informed recommendations tailored to your individual needs.

It is important that we are under the care of competent, caring doctors and practitioners that will encourage safe hair recovery in cancer survivors. In the case of a past cancer history, it’s especially important to be in contact with the client’s primary care provider and oncologist. Clients should ideally have a comfortable and trusting relationship with their healthcare providers, as hair loss treatments—such as minoxidil, herbal remedies, or other options—must be cleared by the oncologist before the trichologist can proceed.

Cancer treatment must be completed before starting trichological remedies, as some herbs and ingredients can inadvertently interfere with cancer medications. Scalp reactions may also be mistaken for treatment side effects, and the immune system is often especially sensitive during this time. It would be difficult to accurately gauge the efficacy of hair loss solutions during active treatment anyway. Getting healthy must take priority.

A trichologist may not even feel comfortable discussing treatment options until the doctor’s approval has been granted. We understand the gravity of the health situations that can cause hair loss. A skilled trichologist will proceed accordingly and be honest about what it takes to work together—and what is within their scope. Not all trichologists specialize in supporting clients with medical histories or have delved into specific aspects of health-related loss. Cancer-related hair loss may stem from chemotherapy and we must also acknowledge the emotional toll losing our hair takes on us as well.

There may have been periods where the client opted to wear wigs, taking on the expenses and effort of wig preparation and maintenance throughout treatment. When hair begins to grow back—whether fast or slow—clients may experience texture changes that create styling challenges a trichologist can help navigate. Ongoing telogen effluvium (rapid shedding) may also occur. It’s important for the trichologist to understand which medications may be contributing to the ongoing “hair tug-of-war” so they can be factored into the treatment plan. For instance, knowing that tamoxifen may be responsible for thinning at the temples—not another factor—can offer clarity, especially since some clients may only remain on this breast cancer maintenance medication for 5 to 10 years.

Around three months after chemotherapy ends, scalp inflammation tends to subside, and regrowth may begin. During this time, the scalp needs to recover, gut health must improve, and stress levels must come down to re-establish a healthy hair growth microbiome.

Patients may also be dealing with autoimmune conditions such as alopecia areata, lupus, or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, which can require entirely different approaches. Even common medications—like antacids for heartburn—can reduce the absorption of nutrients needed for hair growth. This is why it’s crucial to keep bloodwork up to date when navigating post-cancer or autoimmune challenges. Vitamin D, B12, zinc, and ferritin levels are especially relevant. Your trichologist may recommend specialized diets that have been shown to help with certain conditions and may suggest discussing these options with your doctor or nutritionist.

Hair growth plans for those cleared to begin treatment must take into account what is safe vs. unsafe out of the many products and supplements on the market. For example, we would never want someone with a history of breast cancer taking saw palmetto four times a day, as might be done in protocols like Nutrafol. Instead, we may consider non-hormonal topicals such as Xtreme Growth Factors, healing proteins that avoid estrogen-sensitive hormonal pathways, or low-level laser therapy caps. Challenges that may come up include waiting on visible growth, navigating texture changes, addressing nutrient deficiencies, or managing autoimmune flares.

If a trichologist is properly prepared to help someone who has experienced breast cancer, we can begin—with oncologist permission. The client will fill out an intake form including hair and medical history, hair habits, food behaviors, and more. This consultation may run longer than average, and the trichologist may want to schedule a follow-up sooner than usual to allow time to gather more information or communicate with other care providers.

Check-ins are typically scheduled at one month, three months, and every three months thereafter, or as needed. We are monitoring the effectiveness of the plan, the scalp’s reaction, and whether the client is staying realistic and consistent with the routine.

In some cases, it may be wise to involve a reputable, doctor-approved nutritionist. Talking with a nutrition expert can help make your goals more manageable and provide much-needed support. Recovery is already a big deal—building a new hair care and nutrition routine doesn’t need to be done alone. It’s important to have the right professionals on your team to set you up for success.

At Rich Fix Trichology, we’re here to support your hair growth journey in ways that feel safe, comfortable, and personalized to you. Together, we’ll help you move toward your best hair day—one step at a time.

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