Does Radiotherapy Cause Hair Loss?

Quick Summary: Does Radiotherapy Cause Hair Loss?

• What is Radiotherapy? Radiotherapy is a type of treatment that uses high doses of radiation that target cancer cells to prevent them from growing and multiplying.
• Hair Loss from Radiotherapy: Hair loss typically begins 2 to 3 weeks after starting treatment, and occurs mainly in the treated area. The extent of hair loss depends on the radiation dose and duration, with higher doses potentially causing permanent hair loss.
• Factors Influencing Hair Loss: Individual sensitivity, genetics, overall health, and concurrent treatments like chemotherapy can affect the severity of hair loss.
• Managing Hair Loss: Scalp cooling, topical treatments like minoxidil, gentle hair care, and nutritional support can help mitigate hair loss. In cases of permanent hair loss, hair transplants may be considered.
• Psychological Support: Hair loss can have a significant emotional impact, and support from healthcare professionals, support groups, or counselors can help manage these feelings.
• Conclusion: While radiotherapy can cause hair loss, understanding the causes and being proactive can help patients cope better with this side effect. Consulting with healthcare providers for personalised care is crucial for improving quality of life during and after radiotherapy.

Does Radiotherapy Cause Hair Loss?

Radiotherapy, also known as radiation therapy, is a common treatment for various types of cancer. While it can be highly effective in targeting and destroying cancer cells, it also has several side effects, such as hair loss. This article explores how radiotherapy causes hair loss, the extent of this hair loss, and potential treatments to mitigate or reverse its effects.

What is Radiotherapy?

Radiotherapy uses high doses of ionizing radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. The treatment works by damaging the DNA of cancer cells, which prevents them from multiplying and growing. When the DNA of cancer cells is damaged, the cells lose their ability to repair themselves and eventually die off, allowing healthy cells to replace them over time. Radiotherapy contributes towards 40% of curative treatment for cancer. The radiation can be delivered externally, via external beam radiation, or internally, through brachytherapy which is delivered from inside the body, sealed in catheters or seeds directly into the tumor site¹. 

Another widely used treatment for cancer is chemotherapy. Chemotherapy works systemically, using drugs that travel throughout the body to kill rapidly dividing cancer cells. Unfortunately, these drugs also affect other rapidly dividing cells, such as those in hair follicles, leading to widespread hair loss across the scalp and other body parts. When considering hair loss, radiotherapy has an advantage over chemotherapy, as it typically causes hair loss only in the specific area where the radiation beam is targeted².

How Does Radiotherapy Cause Hair Loss?

Hair loss usually begins about 2 to 3 weeks after the start of radiotherapy. Hair loss from radiotherapy, known as radiotherapy-induced alopecia, occurs primarily in the area being treated. For example, if the treatment is directed at the head or neck, hair loss will occur in these areas. Additionally, you might experience hair loss on the opposite side of the head or neck, where the radiotherapy beams exit, known as the exit site³. 

• Radiation Dose: The extent of hair loss depends on the dose and duration of radiation. Higher doses of radiation are more likely to cause significant hair loss. According to the NHS, radiation doses above 20 Gy (Gray units) can cause permanent hair loss in the treated area⁴.
• Mechanism of Hair Loss: While many research studies have been done on how radiation affects hair, the specific processes that cause these reactions at the molecular level are not entirely understood.

As far as we currently know, radiation damages hair follicles – the structures in the skin responsible for hair growth. This damage can disrupt the normal hair growth cycle, leading to hair shedding. Initially, the hair may become thin and brittle, before falling out entirely. In some cases, hair loss may be temporary, with regrowth occurring a few months after treatment ends. However, high doses of radiation can cause permanent hair loss due to the destruction of hair follicles⁵.

Factors Influencing Hair Loss

• Individual Sensitivity: Some individuals may be more sensitive to radiation, and experience more significant hair loss even at lower doses. Genetics, overall health, and the presence of other medical conditions can influence this sensitivity.

• Concurrent Treatments: Patients undergoing concurrent treatments, such as chemotherapy, may experience more pronounced hair loss. Chemotherapy drugs, particularly those that are cytotoxic, can exacerbate hair loss caused by radiotherapy⁶.

Other Side Effects of Radiotherapy

Other side effects of radiotherapy depend on the part of the body being treated, the dose of radiation, and the duration of the treatment. Common side effects include:

• Skin Reactions: Skin in the treated area may become red, irritated, or dry. These reactions are similar to sunburn, and can range from mild to severe.
• Fatigue: Many patients experience fatigue during and after radiotherapy, which can persist for weeks or months.
• Gastrointestinal Issues: Radiotherapy to the abdomen or pelvis can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and other digestive problems.
• Long-Term Effects: In some cases, radiotherapy can lead to long-term side effects, such as fibrosis or organ damage³.

Managing Hair Loss During Radiotherapy

• Scalp Cooling: Scalp cooling, or cryotherapy, involves cooling the scalp before, during, and after radiotherapy sessions to reduce blood flow to the scalp. This can help minimize hair loss by dampening the amount of radiation that reaches the hair follicles. However, its effectiveness is more established in chemotherapy than in radiotherapy⁷.
• Topical Treatments: Topical treatments like minoxidil (Regaine) may help stimulate hair regrowth after radiotherapy. While primarily used for androgenetic alopecia, some studies suggest it can be beneficial for promoting hair regrowth following radiation-induced hair loss⁸.
• Gentle Hair Care: Adopting a gentle hair care routine can help minimize hair breakage and loss during treatment. This includes using mild shampoos, avoiding harsh chemical treatments, and minimizing the use of heat styling tools.
• Nutritional Support: Maintaining a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals that support hair health can be beneficial. Nutrients like biotin, vitamin E, and omega-3 fatty acids are known to promote healthy hair growth⁹.

Hair Transplants as a Solution for Radiotherapy-Induced Alopecia 

While hair often regrows after treatment, it can sometimes be patchy, or have a different texture or color.
The extent and speed of hair regrowth depends on the amount and duration of radiotherapy received. In cases where hair loss is permanent, patients may consider hair transplant surgery as a viable solution. Hair transplants involve relocating healthy hair follicles from one part of the scalp, also known as the donor area, to the area affected by radiotherapy¹⁰. This procedure can effectively restore hair growth and improve appearance and self-confidence.

For men, the area of hair loss can also include beard growth, depending on the radiation beam’s position and the dosage. This loss could be permanent if the treatment area includes the facial hair region. For those interested in beard transplant surgery, check out our blog post here.

At The Treatment Rooms, we are happy to advise on what areas can be addressed and how to go about it. It’s essential to consult with a specialist to determine the suitability of a hair transplant, as factors like the extent of radiation damage and overall health condition can influence the success of the procedure.
If you are cancer-free and concerned about scarring, please feel free to reach out to our friendly team. We’re here to help you explore your options and address any concerns you may have.

Psychological and Emotional Support

Hair loss can have a significant emotional and psychological impact on patients. Feelings of self-consciousness, anxiety, and depression are common. Seeking support from healthcare professionals, joining support groups, or talking to a counselor can help manage these emotions. Some patients find wearing wigs, hats, or scarves helpful during this period¹¹. Whatever you are feeling, help is readily available to soothe the distress of losing your hair.

Conclusion

Radiotherapy can indeed cause hair loss, but the extent and permanence of this loss depends on several factors, including the radiation dose, the area treated, and individual sensitivity. While hair loss from radiotherapy can be worrying, consulting with healthcare providers about potential treatments and putting supportive measures in place can help improve your quality of life during and after radiotherapy.

References

1. Baskar R, Lee KA, Yeo R, Yeoh KW. (2012) ‘Cancer and radiation therapy: current advances and future directions’, Int J Med Sci, 9(3), pp. 193-9.Available at:  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3298009/
2. Haider M, Hamadah I, Almutawa A. (2013) ‘Radiation- and Chemotherapy-Induced Permanent Alopecia: Case Series’, Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery, 17(1), pp. 55-61. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23364152/
3. American Cancer Society. Radiation Therapy Side Effects. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/treatment-types/radiation/effects-on-different-parts-of-body.html
4. NHS. Radiotherapy – Side effects. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/radiotherapy/side-effects/
5. Song, S., & Lambert, P. F. (1999) ‘Different responses of epidermal and hair follicle cells to radiation correlate with distinct patterns of p53 and p21 induction’, American Journal of Pathology, 155*(4), pp. 1121-1127. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0002-9440(10)65215-7
6. National Cancer Institute. Chemotherapy and Hair Loss. Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/side-effects/hair-loss
7. Silva GB, Ciccolini K, Donati A, Hurk CVD. (2020) ‘Scalp cooling to prevent chemotherapy-induced alopecia’, An Bras Dermatology, 95(5), pp. 631-637. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7563013/
8. Gupta, A. K., Talukder, M., Shemer, A., Piraccini, B. M., & Tosti, A. (2023) ‘Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil for Alopecia: A Comprehensive Review’, Skin Appendage Disorders, 9(6), pp. 423–437. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1159/000531890 
9. Rajput, R. (2022) ‘Influence of nutrition, food supplements and lifestyle in hair disorders’, Indian Dermatology Online Journal, 13(6), 721. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9650738/
10. Rassman, W. R., Bernstein, R. M., McClellan, R., Jones, R., Worton, E. and Uyttendaele, H. (2002) ‘Follicular unit extraction: minimally invasive surgery for hair transplantation’, Dermatol Surg, 28(8), pp. 720-8. Available at:  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12174065/
11. Cancer research Hair loss | Radiotherapy | Cancer Research UK