Hair loss after head and neck radiotherapy

Radiotherapy to the head always causes some hair loss. If you are having treatment to a particular part of your head or neck, your hair will only fall out in that area. But you may also have some hair loss on the opposite side of the head or neck - where the radiotherapy beams pass through. This is called the exit site. You may want to cut your hair short before the treatment starts as this may make the change less dramatic and easier to cope with.

When your treatment has finished, your hair will usually grow back. But it may not be quite as thick as before and in some people can be patchy. The more radiotherapy you have had, the longer your hair will take to grow back. It may grow back a different colour, or curly when it used to be straight. This doesn't always happen, but we have mentioned it so it won't be such a surprise if it does happen to you.

You may like to cover your head with a soft hat or scarf to protect the exposed skin and keep your head warm. 

The video below shows you the different types of hats and scarves you can wear when you have hair loss.
 

View a transcript of the video showing the different types of hats and scarves you can wear when you have hair loss (opens in new window)

Other people prefer to wear a wig until their hair grows back. You can get a wig on the NHS or can buy one privately. We have information about hair loss and wigs on CancerHelp UK.

Men may have a permanent loss of beard growth depending on the position of the radiotherapy beams and the dose used.

During your treatment, you may have difficulty washing your hair, as some radiotherapy departments advise you not to wash the treatment area. Others advise using tepid water and baby shampoo only.

It is best to follow the instructions of your own radiotherapist and treatment centre. But there is quite a bit of evidence that washing your hair in warm or cool water and with a mild shampoo does no harm. And it is likely to help you feel better. Don't use a hair dryer on a hot setting or rub too strongly with a towel though. You can use your hair dryer on the cool setting if you like to.

There are books and booklets about coping with hair loss, some of which are free. Look at our cancer and treatment reading list for details. If you would like more information about hair loss or you would like someone to chat to, contact our cancer information nurses. They would be happy to help.