Chemotherapy Hair Loss: My Top 3 Products to Ease the Pain
The Side Chemotherapy Hair Loss that No One Warned Me About
Hair loss from chemotherapy? I knew that was coming. But the physical pain that came with it? No one warned me about that.
Everyone talks about the emotional toll of losing your hair, but no one really mentions the physical discomfort that can come with it. Before chemo, I assumed hair loss just meant shedding—maybe a little messy, definitely emotional, but overall, something I could handle. What I wasn’t prepared for was how sensitive and painful my scalp would become as my hair started falling out.
For me, it wasn’t just an itch or mild irritation—it was a soreness that sometimes felt like my scalp was on fire. At night, the discomfort made it hard to sleep, and I found myself reaching for Tylenol or ibuprofen just to take the edge off. It wasn’t unbearable, but it was definitely unexpected, and I wish I had known ahead of time so I could have been better prepared.
Turns Out, There's a Name for It
When I lost my hair for the second time (yup, I did it all over again), a dermatologist finally gave me an explanation—I was experiencing folliculitis, an inflammation of the hair follicles that can happen during chemo. With over a million hair follicles on the average scalp, that meant a million tiny sources of pain. And I wasn’t alone—since treatment, I’ve spoken to many women who have shared the same experience. Why Are We Not Talking About This?
While some people don’t experience any pain, many of us do—and yet, it’s rarely mentioned before treatment starts. I think doctors worry about overwhelming us, but personally, I’d rather just know what to expect. If I had been told ahead of time, I could have been better prepared instead of caught off guard. So, if you or someone you love is going through chemo, here’s what I wish I had known:
The pain is real, and you’re not imagining it.
There are things that can help.
What Helped Me Through The Transition
I don’t want anyone else to go through this feeling unprepared, so here are the products I always recommend to make this part of the journey a little easier. (Trust me, they make a difference.)
Clippers
Wahl Clipper USA Color Pro Complete Haircutting Kit with Easy Color Coded Guide Combs
The greatest relief came from shaving my head. For some unknown reason, I clung to my hair with all my might, convinced that my thick locks would somehow defy the odds of RCHOP chemotherapy. But alas, I was not that lucky. I stubbornly held on for two agonizing weeks as my hair fell out in clumps, desperately trying to hide the loss by tying my hair back in a low ponytail. Looking back, this only worsened the folliculitis and caused excruciating pain every time I moved. Those two weeks were filled with sleepless nights as I tried to ease the pain with over-the-counter medication. Finally, I called a friend to have her mother shave my head; I couldn't bear it any longer. And just like that, the relief of having a bare head made me regret not doing it sooner. The second time I lost my hair, I wasted no time - as soon as I got home from the hospital, I shaved it all off. I found owning clippers came in hand when my hair started to grow back and I needed to clean up my neck or touch up the back.
Scalp Serums with Peppermint Oil
Here are a few that I really like:
Act + Acre Microbiome Cooling Scalp Serum
Allpa Peppermint Hair Oil
Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp Hair Oil
There are so many great products on the market, so just make sure you purchase a scalp oil that includes peppermint oil. Peppermint oil is known for its natural analgesic properties and provides a cooling, soothing sensation to the scalp, which can help alleviate discomfort. The menthol in peppermint oil works by blocking certain pain receptors, offering relief while also stimulating blood flow to the area, which may promote healthier skin and even hair regrowth in some cases. The second time I lost my hair, I applied this oil multiple times throughout the day to reduce tenderness and irritation. It made a significant difference in managing the discomfor.
I just want to warn you, if it's an 'oil' product, it might leave your hair feeling a bit greasy. Personally, this didn't bother me since I had nowhere to be. But as my hair started growing back and I returned to work, I found myself reaching for the 'serums' more often in order to prevent my scalp from becoming too oily.
Bonus: when your hair starts growing back, these oils not only soothe but also help nourish your scalp and encourage healthier hair growth.
Ice Caps
IceBeanie Migraine Headache Relief Cap 2.0
This product is a true two-in-one solution—not only does it offer excellent relief for the pain and sensitivity associated with hair loss from chemotherapy, but it’s also incredibly effective for headaches and migraines, both of which are common side effects of cancer treatment. Cold temperatures are known to help constrict blood vessels, reduce inflammation, and numb pain receptors, which makes cold therapy especially beneficial for migraine relief and soothing a sensitive scalp. While I found it more comfortable to keep the beanie in my fridge rather than the freezer (to avoid the shock of extreme cold), the cooling effect was invaluable.
During my CAR T-cell therapy, I was hospitalized for 28 days, and toward the end, I began experiencing severe migraines. Unfortunately, the hospital couldn’t treat them due to concerns about interfering with the transplant. This beanie became my go-to during those tough moments. With high fevers and intense migraines, and no access to medication for relief, the cold therapy provided immediate, soothing comfort.
I highly recommend keeping one in your refrigerator or freezer at all times. The combination of cold therapy and the beanie’s gentle compression made it a lifesaver for me, and it's something I would gift to every cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy or a cell transplant if I could. The power of cold therapy shouldn't be underestimated when it comes to managing pain and discomfort during treatment.
Leave What Worked for You Below!
If you’re going through chemo, know that you’re not alone. There are ways to manage the discomfort, and simply understanding what’s happening can help you feel more in control. I wish someone had told me what to expect so I wouldn’t have been caught off guard, which is why I’m sharing this now.
The more we talk about the realities of cancer treatment, the better we can support each other through it. If you’ve been through this and found something that helped, please share in the comments below—your experience might make all the difference for someone else going through it. 💛
