Caring for Your Scalp — During Hair Loss

Washing every day tends to strip the scalp's natural oils and make dryness worse. Washing every few days is generally enough to keep the scalp clean and comfortable. If your scalp sweats or feels uncomfortable between washes, a rinse with plain lukewarm water is fine. Use a mild, fragrance-free shampoo each time rather than whatever is to hand in the shower.

Look for one labelled sulphate-free and fragrance-free, designed for sensitive skin. Baby shampoo is a practical choice because it is formulated to be gentle. Avoid shampoos containing alcohol, menthol, strong fragrance or anti-dandruff actives such as ketoconazole or coal tar, unless your oncology team has specifically asked you to use one. When in doubt, show the label to your nurse before using it.

Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen labelled for sensitive skin, ideally fragrance-free and without alcohol. Mineral sunscreens containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are often better tolerated than chemical sunscreens during chemotherapy, because they sit on the skin surface rather than being absorbed into it. A hat remains the most reliable protection and has no ingredients to worry about — use both whenever you can.

A mild tingling, tenderness or soreness as hair falls out is common. It comes from the hair follicle itself and usually settles within a few days of the loss completing. If the pain is severe or persistent, or if it comes with redness, swelling or a rash, call your oncology team — that goes beyond the normal range and is worth a same-day call rather than waiting for your next appointment.

Gentle fingertip pressure can feel soothing and may help spread a moisturiser evenly across the scalp. Avoid vigorous massage, which can irritate already sensitive skin, and avoid massaging over any area where the skin is broken, red or rashy. If your team has advised against skin friction at a particular point in your cycle, follow that guidance. Ask before using any massage device on your scalp.

Most people notice the scalp becoming less dry and sensitive within a few weeks of finishing chemotherapy, as the skin recovers alongside the rest of the body. Hair typically begins to return within weeks to a few months after treatment ends, and most of the sensitivity resolves as it grows back. If your scalp still feels very dry, unusually sensitive or changed in texture well after treatment has finished, mention it at your follow-up appointment.