Let's learn more about hair loss and some of the reasons why it can happen!

Here at The Little Princess Trust, we are passionate about giving Hair and Hope to children and young people experiencing hair loss and helping them to regain their confidence and identity.

We do this through our free provision service of real hair wigs to children and young people up to the age of 24 experiencing hair loss due to cancer treatment and other conditions, but also funding vital research into kinder and more effective treatments for childhood cancers.

As it is Hair Loss Awareness Month, we wanted to share some facts about hair loss and why it happens. Hair loss is one of the most commonly known side effects to cancer treatment, however hair loss can also be caused due to other conditions.

So, why does hair loss happen due to cancer treatment?

If you are undergoing chemotherapy, hair loss occurs as the anti-cancer drugs that work to destroy the cancer cells also effect the normal cells, including the cells of hair follicles. Radiotherapy uses radiation to target cancer cells in a certain area, however similarly to chemotherapy, this can also attack normal cells, causing hair loss. This is often the case in the areas where the radiation beam has both entered and left the body.

But as there is still so much to learn, here are 10 facts about hair loss that you may not know:

1.      Hair loss due to cancer treatment is nearly always temporary.

2.      Anyone can experience hair loss, even if you are not undergoing cancer treatment.

3.      When hair grows back after cancer treatment is completed, it can sometimes be a different colour, texture, or thickness to what you hair was before!

4.      When undergoing cancer treatment, it is unlikely that your hair will fall out immediately or after the first session – although sometimes this does happen! Hair loss most commonly begins within the first 2-3 weeks of treatment

5.      Hair can regrow at different speeds all across your body

6.      Celebrities who have experienced hair loss include Matt Lucas, Ariana Grande, and Keira Knightly

7.      Hair loss can impact hair all over your body, not just your scalp – including eyebrows, eyelashes, and arm or leg hair

8.      Conditions such as tinea capitis, alopecia areata and totalis, and trichotillomania all can result in hair loss

9.      Afro hair tends to grow back more slowly

10.  Hair loss is an incredibly personal journey and there is no ‘correct’ way to deal with it! Cutting your hair short, wearing a wig or head covering, or telling people about your hair loss are all personal choices and it’s important to remember that everyone copes with this change differently!

Here at The Little Princess Trust, we are passionate about helping children and young people experiencing hair loss to regain their confidence and identity. If you would like to request a wig for yourself or a loved one, click here to check out our Wig Referrals page.

We want to be there for every child or young person who needs us, so be a part of our mission! Click here to request your FREE Fundraising Pack and do something amazing for the children and young people we support today!

If you would like to read more about hair loss due to cancer treatment, why it happens or how you can prepare, click here to read more from MacMillan’s page all about hair loss and what to expect. Or, to read more about hair loss due to other conditions such as alopecia, click here to check out the charity Alopecia UK.