How shall I best dry and style my hair during scalp cooling?
styling hair scalp cooling, Drying hair scalp cooling
It’s really important to maintain a style during scalp cooling. Whilst you do need to be gentle with your hair this doesn’t mean you can’t touch or style your hair. When it comes to scalp cooling common worries and questions are: I’m worried about touching my hair, I’m scared that I will make more hair come out, Can I use a hairdryer? Is it okay to use styling products? How can i style and shape my hair? Can I use hair bands? and How can I naturally dry my hair? Here in this section we will help with this.
It may be that you need to change your hair styling regime for a while to avoid unnecessary aggression on the hair. But do try and style your hair so that you can maintain a hairstyle. If you find that you are loosing hair and need some ideas on how to create new looks take a look in our section Thinning hair & troubleshooting – scalp cooling.
Take a look below for some styling tips:
Top tips for styling hair during scalp cooling
Know that it is okay to gently touch and move your hair. Remember that if hair falls out this is due to a side effect to your chemotherapy treatment. It is not a case that you are doing something wrong. The purpose of gentle styling is to minimise unnecessary stress on the hair, which is more fragile at this time.
Natural drying – If you can manage your style by letting your hair dry naturally that is ideal.
Using a hairdryer – If you need to use a hairdryer then use a low heat setting and gentle speed.
Additionally, a nozzle or a diffuser attachment may be helpful as this helps to gently distribute airflow from a hairdryer.
Style and shape – You can gently comb and brush your hair but avoid using harsh styling brushes that pull at your hair – be gentle
Soft brushes are ideal
Use gentle styling products (natural ingredients can offer added benefits) such as leave-in-conditioners and protection sprays that encourage good condition
Avoid using products that put additional pull on the hair such as thick, hard hold gel, strong mousse, wax or clay
Put hair up – If you find it frustrating that lose hairs are falling try gentry twisting your hair into an up-do and gently securing using snap clips.
Hair bands – You can use a soft hair band to gently tie your hair back into a ponytail or an up-do. Avoid any unnecessary pull by using snap clips and soft bands. A fabric covered scrunchy is ideal.
It is best to avoid tight plaiting, braiding, *hair extensions (clip or glue) and tight up-do’s. (*under expert guidance only specialist hair pieces designed for hair loss may be appropriate).
However, a loose plait is fine.
Avoid heated stylers – Avoid heated rollers, straightening irons and other high temperature heated appliances.
Be gentle but do style – avoid any aggressive actions on your hair but try to maintain a style that feels good.
Roots to hide – If you usually colour your hair and have roots to blend take a look at our guide Colouring hair – Scalp cooling do’s and don’ts.
Next planned review: February 2022