Ovarian Cancer Treatment and Hair Loss: What to Expect and How to Manage It

Hair loss can be common during ovarian cancer treatment, especially with standard chemotherapy, and there are practical ways to reduce it and care for your scalp and hair. ^[1] Chemotherapy targets fast‑growing cells, which includes hair follicles, so shedding can occur on the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, and body hair. ^[1]

Why Hair Loss Happens

• Chemotherapy drugs attack rapidly dividing cells to kill cancer, but hair follicle cells also divide quickly, leading to hair thinning or loss. ^[1]
• Radiation to the head can cause scalp hair loss; with pelvic radiation alone, scalp hair usually isn’t affected. ^[1]
• Hair often grows back after treatment, though texture, color, or thickness may change; in some cases, regrowth can be slower or incomplete depending on dose and regimen. ^[1]

How Common Is It?

• Chemotherapy‑induced alopecia is one of the most common side effects across cancers, affecting a large proportion of people receiving cytotoxic regimens similar to those used for ovarian cancer. ^[2]
• The emotional impact can be significant, and acknowledging this early helps with planning and support. ^[3]

What To Expect With Chemo

• Many people begin shedding 1–3 weeks after the first chemo session, with more noticeable hair loss within 1–2 months. ^[1]
• Loss can involve scalp, brows, lashes, and body hair; scalp tenderness or tingling can precede shedding. ^[1]
• Hair generally starts to regrow several weeks after finishing chemo, with ongoing changes over months. ^[1]

Can Hair Loss Be Prevented?

• Scalp cooling (cold caps or machine‑based systems) during chemo is the most studied method to lower the chance and severity of hair loss by reducing blood flow and drug delivery to hair follicles. ^[4]
• Success rates vary by chemotherapy regimen and proper use; it can prevent moderate‑to‑severe hair loss in a substantial portion of users, though not everyone benefits. ^[4]

Management and Self‑Care Tips

• Be gentle: use mild shampoos, avoid high heat styling, tight hairstyles, and harsh chemicals to reduce breakage. ^[1]
• Protect your scalp: use sunscreen on exposed areas and wear hats or scarves to prevent sunburn and heat loss. ^[1]
• Consider trimming or shaving: some prefer cutting hair short or shaving when shedding starts to reduce distress and scalp irritation. ^[1]
• Eye and brow care: temporary solutions like gentle brow pencils or false lashes can help appearance and eye protection; handle adhesives carefully on sensitive skin. ^[1]
• Comfort measures: soft caps or silk pillowcases can ease scalp tenderness and reduce friction. ^[1]

Emotional Well‑Being and Support

• Hair loss can affect body image and mood; planning ahead for head coverings, wigs, or styling options may ease anxiety. ^[3]
• Many centers offer wig programs, peer support, and oncodermatology referrals to help manage both the physical and emotional aspects. ^[3]

When Hair Grows Back

• Regrowth typically begins a few weeks after chemo ends; hair may come in with a different texture (for example, “chemo curls”), color, or thickness. ^[1]
• Some therapies can lead to slower or incomplete regrowth; if hair is not returning as expected, ask about evaluation with dermatology experienced in cancer therapy effects. ^{[1] [2]}

Summary Table: Key Points

Topic	What to know
Cause	Chemo targets fast‑growing cells, including hair follicles, leading to shedding on scalp and body. [1]
Timing	Shedding often starts 1–3 weeks after first chemo; regrowth begins weeks after finishing. [1]
Prevention	Scalp cooling can reduce hair loss likelihood and severity; results vary by regimen and usage. [4]
Care tips	Gentle hair care, scalp protection, trimming/shaving, and comfort measures help symptoms. [1]
Emotional support	Planning for wigs/headwear and accessing support services can lessen distress. [3]
Regrowth	Hair commonly returns, sometimes with changes in texture/color; pace varies by treatment. [1] [2]

Practical Next Steps

• Ask your oncology team whether your specific chemo regimen is compatible with scalp cooling and how to access it at your infusion center. ^[4]
• If you plan to use a wig, consider a fitting before hair loss begins for better color and style matching. ^[3]
• Report scalp pain, rash, or signs of infection to your team; targeted skin and scalp care can be prescribed if needed. ^[1]
• Seek psychosocial resources or support groups to help cope with the emotional impact of hair changes. ^[3]

Remember, hair loss from ovarian cancer treatment is common but often temporary, and there are evidence‑based options like scalp cooling plus gentle care strategies that may help you preserve more hair and stay comfortable during therapy. ^{[4] [1] [3]}