Alopecia post chemotherapy is a very common consequence of cancer treatments and therapies and it is often the most psychologically and socially devastating side effect. Many patients shy away from the treatments because of fear of hair fall and hair loss. However, in most cases, such alopecia is reversible but the recovery takes several months and even up to a year. Some basic latest treatment methods will speed up the healing:
- Scalp Cooling: This is a FDA approved method for patients suffering from breast cancer. Scalp cooling or hypothermia results in constriction of the blood vessels in the scalp, which in turn leads to reduced delivery of chemotherapy to the hair. Scalp cooling devices consist of cooling unit that circulate the coolant on the scalp. This is done about 30 minutes before the start of chemotherapy. Patients can feel some mild discomfort, nausea, and dry skin because of scalp cooling.
- Topical Minoxidil: Minoxidil helps by increasing the blood flow to the hair follicle thereby preventing miniaturization of hair follicle.
- QR678 hair regrowth treatment: QR678 is a FDA approved, completely safe hair regrowth treatment that has no side effects or causes any discomfort to the patient. Clinical trials have proved QR678 to be effective in treatment of chemotherapy induced alopecia in both men and women. The results of QR678 last lifelong.