Can I cut or dye my hair before, during or after chemotherapy?

According to the manufacturer's recommendations, it's best not to cut off more than 1 to 2 inches of your hair before starting chemotherapy. During treatment, you can cut about one inch of hair per month. However, it's important to remember that each person is unique, and that you are in the best position to assess your own situation and needs. If you have very long hair that tangles easily, shortening it a little might make day-to-day management easier (but it's optional). To maximize your chances of success, the manufacturer recommends gradually cutting your hair one month after the end of treatment. It's advisable not to cut more than an inch at a time, and to continue doing so for up to 6 months after the end of treatment. By this time, your hair follicles should have regained their strength. Cutting long lengths of hair during or after treatment could weaken your hair follicles. Under normal circumstances, this wouldn't be a problem, but during chemotherapy treatment, it's best to maximize your chances of preserving your hair. As far as hair coloring is concerned, we strongly advise against it two weeks before the start of treatment, during treatment and up to six months after your last chemotherapy treatment. If you want to dye your hair sooner, you'll need to wait at least 3 months after the end of your chemotherapy treatment, and use a vegetable dye without peroxide or ammonia. **Covering hair growth** Although this is not recommended and carries a real risk, some women have tried to camouflage hair regrowth by using organic semi-permanent products. However, applying any kind of product to the scalp can stress the follicles, and no one can predict the impact this will have on your hair retention. The question is what's more important to you: camouflaging regrowth or maximizing your chances of success. Here again, each person is unique. For special occasions, some women have used Toppik camouflage powder to disguise hair regrowth, or powdered regrowth concealers sold in pharmacies, with no noticeable impact. **Using henna and dyes after chemotherapy** The use of henna is not recommended, even though it may seem like a natural solution. What's more, applying a traditional dye after using henna on hair that has undergone chemotherapy can be problematic. In fact, henna dyes can cause metallic salts to accumulate and bind to the hair. **Consultation at Specialized Hair Centers** More and more women are consulting trichologists at specialized hair care centers. A quick online search will help you find the nearest center. Ensure that the specialist has training and practical experience in supporting clients who have preserved their hair using the cold capping method. Many clients visit the Centre Santé du Cheveu on the North Shore or the IASO Center on the South Shore with Manon Beauregard.