Talking about hair in cases of cancer may seem banal. But it is not especially so for those who have placed a large part of their self-esteem in it. In the case of many of the people diagnosed with this ailment, it is usually one of the first uncertainties raised. After the medical visit with the oncologist, doubts are usually transferred to the hairdresser, a key figure at this stage. This is how Ramón Torralba, director of Salons Compte Barcelona, ??explains it to us, a professional who deals with many cases because, as he himself assures, “this disease is the order of the day and if they ask us for advice and come to us it is because they have a lot of trust in us.” .
The first thing that is valued is the oncologist’s diagnosis and treatment, explains Torralba, “because there are treatments that cause hair loss, but there are others that, although they weaken it and leave it more sensitive, do not necessarily cause it to fall.” When there is no loss but there is weakness, the hairdresser can treat the hair externally with products that give vitality and a greater sensation of volume.
The fall, when there is one, usually occurs after 15 days. During the first few days, almost nothing happens, but suddenly the hair falls out at an alarming rate. ”It’s getting up in the morning and finding your pillow full of hair. It has an impact and that is why we recommend cutting it, using the machine and eliminating this hair that will also fall.”
Whoever wants it can resort to the wig. “It is good to go with time to adapt to the new image that this substitute for your own hair provides,” explains Torralba. “Once the wig has been chosen, they can return to the salon to give it the shape they each want. For many people it is an option to change their image and avoid giving explanations.” As far as scalp skin care is concerned, Torralba prefers to leave the products recommended to treat dryness and flaking evident at this stage in expert hands “to choose well and avoid possible contraindications.”
Helping to go through this transition and explaining what recovery will be like is part of this path in which the hairdresser accompanies. “The hair will grow back, sometimes with a finer texture, curly or gray. But normality also comes and with it the old hair.” There we intervene again to recover the best image, self-esteem and morale, which is what is most needed.”
