Best Shampoo For Breast Cancer Patients During Treatment
NOTE: All my recommendations have been put in my Amazon Store under Hair Growth and Repair Products: Hair Growth List. I may get a small commission on purchases through my affiliate links.
Overview: Going through breast cancer is such a challenging and scary journey. For many of us, the uncertainty of what lies ahead accompanied by the thought and reality of total hair loss or thinning of our hair is very traumatizing.
Whether we are going through chemotherapy treatment or we are in recovery, it’s normal to search for the best shampoo for breast cancer patients that’s gentle on a sensitive scalp and that won't cause any additional hair loss.
Hair loss often happens within the first few weeks of treatment. For me, it occurred a week after the second infusion and came out in large clumps even though I was using a Paxman cold cap during treatments to reduce and prevent hair loss. You can find out more about Paxman scalp cooling on their website and Facebook group.
While going through chemo, the most important thing is to be very gentle with your scalp. There are several side effects to be aware of, depending on the type of cancer treatment that your healthcare team is recommending for you.
You may experience hair loss roughly 2 to 4 weeks after your first chemotherapy session. Skin changes are also common during this time. Itchy skin, tenderness in the scalp and follicle area or hot, dry skin on the scalp is to be expected.
While going through chemotherapy, if that is part of your treatment plan, you want to pick a shampoo and conditioner that is free of toxic or irritating chemicals. So, I'm going to break down tips and cancer hair care recommendations when picking a shampoo and conditioner during treatment and during recovery.
During Treatment and Chemotherapy: Tips and Shampoo and Conditioner Recommendations
If your treatment includes chemotherapy, you can research cold capping which is a cooling device you wear during infusions to protect hair follicles. If you decide to do cold capping, learn more on the company website or reach out through their facebook group to see if they recommend a specific shampoo and conditioner. I used the Paxman cooling cap which came with a specific shampoo and conditioner by the same brand. However, I didn’t like that formulation and I ended up just using a gentle shampoo during treatment by Aesop which I will link below. I hardly shampooed my hair while undergoing chemotherapy-induced hair loss. It was just very occasionally as needed. And I also diluted my shampoo with a little bit of water so it just flowed easily over the scalp. I was careful to hold my hair while brushing, avoiding tugging at the roots.
Tips:
- Avoid harsh chemicals and opt for gentle shampoos and conditioners. Steer clear of phthalates and parabens.
- Add small amounts of water to your shampoo so you can easily glide it onto the scalp for a more gentle cleanser.
- A wide tooth comb or brush can be used gently to avoid tugging at the roots.
Best Shampoo for Breast cancer patients: My Recommendations
- Aesop - I trust this brand to focus on safe natural ingredients. Their products are pricey but smell botanical and soothing. Here is a link to the one I used. Aesop Classic Shampoo
- Simple Shampoo - this brand can be used by anyone that wants a gentle option. People who have gone through breast cancer have liked this brand for giving a gentle effective cleanse and softening hair.
- Alra mild conditioning shampoo- formulated specifically for cancer patients going through chemo and radiation, this shampoo is gentler than baby shampoo and has all natural ingredients.
After Treatment focus on regrowing, thickening, and softening dry hair. There are some great hair products on the market that can help you during this next phase of recovery.
Hair regrowth starts quickly after your final chemotherapy session, also called PFC (post-final chemo). During recovery, you want to nourish your scalp and follicles while being gentle so you can encourage new growth. Some common ingredients that have been known to help with hair growth are biotin, rosemary and DHT blockers.
DHT is a hormone that is linked to hair loss and thinning. Once treatment has concluded, you still want to use a very gentle shampoo. Consider using one with biotin which has been studied and shows potential for regrowth, and accelerated hair growth. However, make sure you reach out to your health care professionals to confirm if a biotin supplement or shampoo is something you can use. DHT blocking shampoos can be helpful for hair retention. Below are some that people have had really good results with.
If you are looking for something that is natural for hair strengthening or hair regrowth, I strongly recommend products that have rosemary in it. I specifically use rosemary oil and that has produced not only dramatic hair growth, but also improved my overall hair density.
Tips:
- Remaining hair after treatment can be dry and brittle. Finding a deep conditioning treatment can help.
- New hair growth can feel coarse or curly. This is often called chemo curls and as stated above you’ll want a good conditioner or oil or deep conditioning hair mask.
- Rosemary and other natural elements like pumpkin seed oil have been linked to hair regrowth and density improvement.
- You may experience fast hair growth after treatment is over! This is a great thing and hopefully will make you feel better.
- I promise you that your hair will grow and get fuller. The various products I've gathered for you in this post are meant to point you in the right direction. Feel free to comment below this post if you have any questions at all.
Hair Regrowth Product Recommendations
Rosemary - Rosemary has been the top natural ingredient that has helped me accelerate hair growth and improve density. My hair is thicker and fuller now— even more so than before treatment. I swear by the rosemary oil below and am also listing the rosemary shampoo and conditioner.
DHT blocking shampoos - these work by retaining hair and blocking DHT which has been linked to thinning hair. See my recommendations here: DHT Blocker Shampoo and Conditioner.
Brittle hair is a common result of chemotherapy, so using a nourishing oil or conditioner or hair mask can be game changing and also make it easier to brush hair through your regrowth.
Here are my favorite hair regrowth products:
- Renewing Argan Oil Shampoo
- Moroccan oil hair mask to bring softness back to brittle hair. I use it 2 or 3 times a month
- Biotin Shampoo - please consult with your medical team regarding using products with biotin since they are used for hair growth and some fear it can encourage growth of other cells. The one that I recommend is below and other women in my breast cancer support group had positive results using it. Biotin Shampoo and Conditioner
- The best serum for hair regrowth is Bloom Health Goods with rosemary and rice water. I use this 1-2 times a week and noticed improvement in just a couple of weeks. I think i would have more growth if I used it more often. Can’t recommend it enough!
Conclusion:
While hair loss is a common and daunting side effect of breast cancer treatments, finding a gentle and nourishing shampoo can help minimize damage and discomfort. By choosing products free from harsh chemicals and sulfates, you can support your hair health during this challenging time. Remember, the best shampoo for you may vary, so take it easy, go one step at a time to find what works best for your individual needs. Hair growth products have really worked fast for me, so take heart and I’m wishing you a safe and speedy recovery!