Hair loss may or may not occur during chemotherapy. In most cases, hair loss will occur two weeks into treatment and will start to grow back approximately six weeks after treatment.

Most young people, especially girls, would agree that this is a very unpleasant part of cancer treatment. Even after the hair grows back it may be quite different. Some notice their hair is slightly thinner, curly or even a different colour. There are ways to help cope with hair loss and live comfortably with a new look.

• Die your hair a crazy colour before your start treatment.
• Visualise yourself with out hair.
• Have a shaving party with your friends- order some takeaways, turn on the music and try different hairstyles before lopping the whole lot off.
• Remember that this is a temporary side effect.
• Learn to be comfortable with your new look: if you are, others will be too.
• Think about what you would like to wear on your head and explore all the different possibilities with your friends, including a variety of colourful CanTeen bandannas, wigs, beanies and baseball caps.
• Cut your hair short to get use to the adjustment.
• Go to a Look Good, Feel Better Seminar to get help with your new image.
• Buy a really nice bottle of shampoo as a treat for when your hair starts to grow back.