When and how should you wash your hair to optimize the method?
To maximize the method's chances of success, follow these tips for washing your hair:
- Choose a gentle, all-natural shampoo and conditioner, free of chemicals such as parabens or sulfates. Apple cider vinegar-based products can help to gently regulate the scalp.
- Before wetting your hair, be sure to detangle it to eliminate loose hair and avoid tangles.
- Wash your hair in cold water, but do not spray directly onto the scalp. One effective method is to lie on your back with your head tilted in a bowl, which you fill and empty with each rinse.
- Gently massage the scalp without rubbing. Apply conditioner avoiding the scalp, distributing it from the middle to the ends of the hair.
- Gently detangle your hair strand by strand using a wide-tooth comb or detangling brush. Always start with the tips and work your way down to the roots. You can use a suitable conditioner.
- Do not wash your hair two days before and two days after the day of chemotherapy treatment. For example, if your treatment takes place on a Wednesday, wash your hair on Sunday, then you can wash it again the following Saturday.
- If you use a weekly treatment, wash your hair once a week. In weeks without treatments, you can wash them every 2 to 3 days at most, if necessary.
- The first few washes may cause the scalp to itch the same day and the following day. You can relieve this itching by applying cold to your head (e.g. one of your cold caps stored in your freezer, a bag of frozen peas or a frozen compress-style gel pack).
- It's normal for your scalp to take some time to adapt. Be sure to rinse your hair well to avoid excess sebum and shampoo deposits, which can create scabs. To remove any scabs, you can apply olive oil to them for around 30 minutes to soften them, then gently detach them one by one without pulling on the hair.
- The scalp's return to normal varies from person to person, but is generally within 2 to 3 months of treatment. It takes about 6 months after the last treatment for the follicles to fully recover.
- When hair loss returns to normal, you can gradually increase the water temperature when washing the scalp, monitoring how your hair reacts.
- If you want to go back to your original shampoo, start by diluting it and observing how your hair reacts to the first few washes. If all goes well, you can stop diluting it and use it as normal.
Of course, each person is unique. These recommendations are based on best practice and cannot guarantee results. Everyone should be inspired by the spirit of these recommendations to make the decision that's best for them, taking into account their own well-being, personal reality and theoretical information. Find the balance that suits you best.
For more detailed information, please consult the Hair Tips section of our <a href="https://gardetescheveux-staging.netlify.app/blogue/" target="_blank">Blog</a>.
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