Hair loss
Some treatments cause hair on your head and body to thin or fall out. Hair usually grows back after treatment ends, though it may look different at first.
Why it happens
Many chemotherapy drugs cause it, such as doxorubicin, paclitaxel, and docetaxel. Radiation causes hair loss only in the area being treated. Some targeted and hormone drugs cause thinning.
What helps
- Ask whether scalp cooling (a cold cap) is an option with your treatment.
- Think about cutting your hair short before it falls out.
- Use a gentle shampoo and a soft brush, and avoid hot tools and dyes.
- Protect your scalp from sun and cold with a hat, scarf, or sunscreen.
- Ask your insurance about coverage for a wig, sometimes called a cranial prosthesis.
- Give yourself time. It is normal to feel upset about losing your hair.
Call your care team right away if you have
- Your scalp becomes red, painful, or has sores.
- Your hair has not started to grow back several months after treatment ends.
Questions to ask
- Will my treatment cause hair loss, and when might it start?
- Is scalp cooling a good option for me?
- When can I expect my hair to grow back?
Medicines that can cause this
- Alpelisib
- Bleomycin
- Busulfan
- Carboplatin
- Cyclophosphamide
- Dacarbazine
- Datopotamab deruxtecan
- Daunorubicin
- Docetaxel
- Doxorubicin
- Enfortumab vedotin
- Epirubicin
- Eribulin
- Etoposide
- Exemestane
- Gemcitabine
- Hydroxyurea
- Idarubicin
- Ifosfamide
- Irinotecan
- Melphalan
- Mitomycin
- Mitoxantrone
- Nab-paclitaxel (paclitaxel protein-bound)
- Paclitaxel
- Palbociclib
- Pertuzumab
- Polatuzumab vedotin
- Ribociclib
- Sacituzumab govitecan
Sources
Quick answers
- What is hair loss during cancer treatment?
- Some treatments cause hair on your head and body to thin or fall out. Hair usually grows back after treatment ends, though it may look different at first.
- Why does hair loss happen?
- Many chemotherapy drugs cause it, such as doxorubicin, paclitaxel, and docetaxel. Radiation causes hair loss only in the area being treated. Some targeted and hormone drugs cause thinning.
- What helps with hair loss?
- Ask whether scalp cooling (a cold cap) is an option with your treatment; Think about cutting your hair short before it falls out; Use a gentle shampoo and a soft brush, and avoid hot tools and dyes; Protect your scalp from sun and cold with a hat, scarf, or sunscreen; Ask your insurance about coverage for a wig, sometimes called a cranial prosthesis; Give yourself time. It is normal to feel upset about losing your hair.
- When should I call my care team about hair loss?
- Your scalp becomes red, painful, or has sores; Your hair has not started to grow back several months after treatment ends.
Last updated: 2026-10-27. Medically reviewed by Veli Bakalov, MD, medical oncologist (October 2026). General education from Step by Step, the patient portal of HemeOncBuddy.