Blog

When you are about to start chemotherapy, people will often tell you: “Just shave your head, it’s much easier”. If you find this a terrifying prospect, read on. You don’t have to shave your head if you don’t want to, but it does have several benefits. Once you know what they are, you might find the transition to a shorter hairstyle less scary.

When should you shave your head if you’re having chemo?

If you do choose to shave your head completely, there is no need to do it weeks in advance. Depending on the type of chemotherapy you are having, hair loss will usually begin after your first chemo session. “Ten to twelve days after the first chemo”, people often say, but it varies a lot from person to person. Don’t expect all of it to fall out in one go, either. Hair loss occurs gradually and irregularly. Here’s a tip: as soon as you’ve had your first chemo session, start thinking about what you want to do with your hair when you notice that it’s falling out. Are you going to shave your head? The time to start is as soon as you notice the first hair loss.

If you have long hair, you might find it too difficult to part with it all at once. Why not add an intermediary step? Visit your hairdresser two weeks before your first chemo session for a shorter style. This is a good way of getting used to having ‘less hair’. You can still shave your head when you start losing the first tufts of hair if you want to.

What are the advantages of a buzz cut?

1/ Sense of control: A cancer diagnosis comes like a bolt from the blue for many patients. You feel as if you have lost control of your life, as if the ground has been cut from under your feet. By choosing when to shave you head (or have it shaved), you regain a certain amount of control. You don’t have to grit your teeth and wait for all your hair to fall out bit by bit. You decide when to take this major step. Many people have said that this sense of control empowers and comforts them.
 

2/ The hair loss is less confrontational: If you have already shaved your head, you don’t have to face up to long hanks of hair coming loose. The last bits of stubble usually just rinse away in the shower. That means no tufts of hair in your comb, on your clothes, in your hat. And you won’t be left trying to style dry, lifeless hair, with bald spots here and there, when your hair is actually too brittle to style because of the chemo.

3/ Easy to care for: You don’t need to put much effort into looking after a buzz cut. Once the chemo starts to affect your hair, it will become dull and fragile anyway. If you do decide to keep it long, it is not a good idea to blow-dry it very often or to use a hot setting. Combing your hair frequently is a no-no, as are styling products. So prepare yourself for a lot of bad hair days. You won’t have to worry about any of those things with a shaven head. Your hair is dry in no time at all, giving you more time to pamper your hands or feet with a hydrating cream.

4/ Getting used to your wig or chemo scarf: Women who shave their heads usually opt for head coverings from the outset, or as soon as they find the first bald spots. It’s a great way of getting used to your wig or your chemo scarves or hats. Wearing them is also much easier when you have short hair. You don’t have to worry about locks of dry hair suddenly slipping out from underneath.

5/ A special occasion: If you choose for yourself when you are going to lose your hair, you can also choose the occasion. Do you want to shave it off yourself or will you ask someone else to do it for you? Do you want go to the hairdresser on your own or turn it into a quiet moment with your partner at home? Will you ask your children to help as part of their acceptance process? Or will you invite your best friends over and crack open a bottle of bubbly? You can do it any way you want: there are no rules. You’re the boss.

So what did our customers do? Did they shave their heads or not?

We asked the Rosette la Vedette fans on our Facebook page and this is what they told us about losing their hair:

Evelyne: “Two days after my second chemo, my hair really started to fall out. I gave myself a buzz cut that very day, and a week later, it was all gone! I’ve always had long hair but I was really glad I had shaved it all off! At least people didn’t notice as much that it was falling out. Now I have a short, snappy style and I'll never go back to long hair ever again!

Kelly (shown here with her children): “When my hair started to fall out, I let my children cut it. My husband ‘finished it off’ with his clippers. I’m happy with the choice I made. If I had to lose my hair, I wanted to make it a fun thing I did with my children. They loved being allowed to play hairdresser for once. It was our way of turning a painful experience into a fun memory”.

Gezina: “I’ve always had long hair, but it ended up falling out in bunches and I was getting bald spots. My boyfriend and I decided that he would shave it all off. It was a very sad moment, but it was also a very beautiful experience and I was happy that we were able to share it. I’m glad we chose to do it that way.”

Bianca “I decided that I would get the clippers out as soon as I spotted the first hair loss, (or realised that I was pulling it out by accident, because I’m always playing with my hair). It happened during the third week after my first chemo session. I was sitting at my PC and suddenly I was holding a handful of hair. I called my best friend to tell her that it was time for the clippers and she was on my doorstep within 10 minutes (we live on the same street). My boyfriend shaved my head completely, and then he shaved my best friend’s head as well. We had agreed to go bald together. My boyfriend was bald already. And I found the whole thing a really lovely, funny experience and a huge relief.” 

Marina: “My long hair started to get paler after my third chemo session and then it began to fall out. My hairdresser suggested that he cut it all off. Now it’s all behind me and I’ve gone for a short style. I’ve decided I like it short!”

Kathleen: “I knew from the outset that I would shave it all off. My cousin shaved it for me three weeks after my first chemo session, and now I wear your hats.”

Maria: “My hair started to fall out after my second chemo session. The hairdresser came to our house to shave it all off. It’s starting to grow in again now, one month after the chemo. It’s pure white and I intend to keep it short and stop dyeing it.”

Practical tip: how to shave your head safely before chemo

If you choose to shave your head, use an electric trimmer or clippers and watch out for cuts. Start by cutting your long hair short, and then use the clippers. This is easier and will also feel more comfortable. If you’re not very good at using clippers, then ask someone else who is more experienced to help you or go to your hairdresser. 

Want to know more about hair loss after chemo?

• Hair loss & chemotherapy: everything you need to know >>
• 8 essential questions about hair growth after chemotherapy >> 
• Losing your eye lashes during chemo: the 8 most frequently asked questions >>

For internal communications officer Laura Mathias (29), the pandemic lockdown has actually been a mind-opening experience. It allowed her to revisit feelings towards her baldness – caused by alopecia – and motivated her to leave the house without a wig for the very first time. With the support of a welcoming Instagram community, Laura has single-handedly changed her own life. 

To start at the beginning: how did your alopecia journey start?

Laura Mathias: “I started losing my hair when I was thirteen and was diagnosed with alopecia around the age of fourteen. I’d gone to the doctor’s a lot as a child because of my eczema, which is an autoimmune disease like alopecia. But alopecia was something I’d never heard of and my mum didn’t seem to know anything about it either. That made me scared, especially as the doctor couldn’t offer a medical solution. He just told me to try and stay calm and it would probably grow back.” 

To what extent did your diagnosis change your life?

“Looking back now, I can admit that I basically stopped leaving the house. I was so embarrassed as my hair loss progressed, that I stopped going to school, wouldn’t meet my friends etc. I completely withdrew and just gave up. I do remember I would spend my time at home doing a lot of exercise and controlling of my eating – I lost a lot of weight. I think, on some level, because I had no control over the hair loss, I was desperate to control the other things about me I didn’t ‘like’.”

And then, out of the blue, the lockdown of 2020 changed your life?

“Lockdown broke the routine of having to put a wig on every day. I used to get such bad eczema on my scalp, from the wig-wearing, but I never questioned it. ‘I’m bald, so I wear a wig.’ That was the only solution I ever considered, it was certainly the only solution ever offered to me. 

As for many people, lockdown offered me time for self-reflection and prioritizing. It was in lockdown that I discovered amazing people on Instagram sharing their experience of hair loss. It was like finding a whole community. Becoming part of this hair loss community was a game changer for me and my confidence.” 

How did you stumble upon that community?

“I posted a picture in which I tagged a wig brand. I started following the brand, and saw the people commenting on their posts. I was brave enough to send a private message to some of those people. A couple of months later, I changed my account name to @relightalopecia, so my account was searchable as well. The Instagram community opened my eyes. @farahmlondon was one of the first people I saw who really used her alopecia to be creative. 

I’m drawn to anyone who shares their insecurities, because I think they are doing something good and I need to see that in this social and supportive social media bubble. The truth is, I don’t see it anywhere else. In real life, magazines, billboards, apart from some tokenistic diversity here and there in a brand, I do not feel represented as a bald woman. I can’t believe it’s 2021 and brands have still not realised that representation of all people matters. “

When did you decide that you wanted to play an active role in the alopecia awareness community?

“I didn’t wake up one morning thinking: ‘I’m going to be an alopecia champion. My first bald selfie wasn’t until June 2020. So, while it wasn’t a conscious decision at first, after seeing all these beautiful women using their difference to be creative got me thinking. I was starting to be a bit more candid with the change in my own mindset, which kind of spurred me into sharing more. 

When I saw the positive reaction to that first bald selfie, I was overwhelmed. All I had done was share a picture?! It took me another month to leave the house with no head cover whatsoever and that was for a specific photoshoot, so I had a purpose. 

I do still feel that there is a big difference between the social media bubble and simply leaving my house without hair. It was an effort to take that first step outside without a wig, even in a bandana, and it definitely helped chronicling it on social media. On Instagram I wrote something like: ‘Today, I’m going to go out without my wig’. I thought: ‘If I say it, I can’t chicken out of it’. Setting these mini-challenges helps me make and mark my progress. If me sharing these milestones is also helping other people, then that’s amazing. 

I love the headwear that Rosette La Vedette makes. It’s comfy and perfect to wear outside. It’s something I don’t question anymore, even though a couple of months ago I wouldn’t even do the bins without a wig on.”

Did you surprise yourself with how fast your mindset has changed?

“I do fear that I will fall back into old patterns when the pandemic eases. My goal has never been to be someone who ditches the wigs forever. It’s just about not being petrified to leave my front door without my hair. I want to get to a point where wearing wigs or wearing headwear or being bald is just a choice I make day to day. I can do things now that I never even considered before because of my wig. It never dawned on me: ‘Just take the wig off’ (giggles). It sounds easy, but it’s not always an upwards trajectory.” 

You’re now an ambassador for Models of Diversity. How did that come about?

“I came across the charity on Instagram too and saw the things they were campaigning for: diversity in fashion and media. I felt that I needed to get alopecia on the agenda. I contacted the CEO and we had a phone call. They said that they needed people to be passionate about wanting to change the fashion and media industry, not just for people with hair loss, but for every person. 

It felt like a cause I could really get behind. My Instagram is only a tiny platform. Now I feel like I’m part of something bigger. Models of Diversity is a relatively young charity and it feels quite hands-on-deck. We’ve got a Whatsapp group with all the ambassadors in, about ten of us. We share ideas, our personal stories and generally support each other to shout about the cause.”

Although you find yourself in a closely-knit virtual alopecia community now, it is a community which remains mostly invisible to the outside world.

“It’s easy to forget that when you’re in the safe social media bubble. If I walk out in the street now, with my bald head, I still have people look at me. Until that changes, there’s work to be done. It’s not familiar enough to society and yet hair loss is so common. It’s awful that the feeling of shame is so closely associated with talking about, or showing, hair loss because it’s something you can’t control. It doesn’t help that people often assume that if you don’t have hair you are ill. So, you have to get to a point where you can just say: ‘I’m going to do what makes me feel good’. 

I do sometimes feel that people are more accepting on social media than they are in real life, although you might assume it to be the other way around. The community I’ve created is a supportive space, because people follow me for a reason. I hope that doing these things on Instagram will help me deal with my alopecia better in real life. I would like it if, when someone asks me whether I wear a wig, I could just say ‘Yeah, I do. I have alopecia, have you heard about it?’ Without being absolutely mortified as I often have been in the past.” 

What do you do to lift your spirits when you’re having an off day?

“The funny thing is I actually put my phone down and connect with friends in ‘real life’. Having a break from my phone in general and just getting outside always makes me feel better. Anything that takes the focus off myself and off how I look, because I’ve always been quite self-conscious – being a bit chubby, having no hair and having eczema. Doing something that gets me in the flow, like playing with the toddler of a friend of mine. Social media is good, but it has to be treated carefully because it can go the other way. If I post something that feels like a milestone for me, of course the positive reactions make me feel good, but it’s as important for me to keep my friends involved in these milestones.”

What would your advice to your younger self be?

“Don’t worry about what people are saying about your hair loss, because people will either act like it’s the end of the world to lose your hair, or they’ll say something condescending like ‘it’s just hair’. It can seem like there’s no middle ground for you to just feel the feelings of loss. 

Find people to talk with by all means, but make sure they respect that you have to come to deal with it at your own pace. It’s taken me sixteen years to get where I am today. I do think things would be easier for any young person with hair loss if our limited societal view of beauty can catch up with reality. It is beauty standards that made me develop a phobia of leaving my house bald. I never questioned why I should wear a wig, and no one helped me question why. Now they are.” 

It seems like, post lockdown, you will experience a lot of things for the first time again.

“I’m curious whether, if life ever gets back to normal, I will mix it up in the office every other day or maybe once a week. How will I bring what I’ve learned in lockdown back into a routine again? I hate saying ‘at the end of the day it’s just hair’, because it’s so much more than that. It’s how I feel about myself and how I feel that society views me. But it would be awesome to give a little less of a crap about my hair or lack of it, to be honest” (laughs).

Follow Laura on Instagram @relightalopecia 

Being confronted with cancer can make your world a whole lot smaller. You slow your entire life down and often put your career, hobbies and passions on hold to focus on your recovery. Are you feeling somewhat isolated due to your illness and do the gloomy days weigh on your mood? With these tips, you’ll turn the rest you need during your treatment into a time to enjoy the comforting cocoon your home has to offer. Exploring hygge in times of cancer treatment? Yes, we can! 

Hygge is the Danish recipe for happiness. Simply put, the term refers to creating a cosy atmosphere for yourself. The Danes consider it to be a vital part of their culture. No wonder, when you know that above all, hygge is about caring for others and yourself, and finding happiness in the little, everyday things. Could you do with a portion of hygge during chemotherapy? These five tips will get you started.

1. Cocoon with candlelight

Did you know that the Danes light way more candles than any other European? It is estimated that every Dane burns about 6 kilograms of candles every year. With candlelight you instantly create a warm, snug atmosphere in your home. As it comes along with comfort and solace, lighting a candle will always have that bit of magic to it. Are you glued to the sofa after yet another round of chemo? Then pamper yourself with an extra soft blanket and some soothing candles on the coffee table. 

2. Unleash the crazy plant lady within yourself

Nothing more relaxing than rummaging around in soil with your hands, gathering cuttings, watering plants and­—why not—talking to the one that appears to be a bit weary lately. Indoor greenery provides oxygen and lifts your mood. Plus, nurturing of those plants leaves will give you something to work on. Chemotherapy might just come along with finding the time you needed to add some life to the living room. And when in need of a little extra punch, get a nice bunch of flowers from the market to bring a touch of colour into your home.

3. Organise your photos and make albums

You haven't gotten around to putting together a photo album of that summer holiday two years ago? Hundreds of pictures on your smartphone need sorting? Then you’ve found yourself the ideal thing to do when your energy level is low and you still feel like doing something useful. From the comfort of your sofa, you have everything at hand to get cracking. And while doing so, you can reminisce about all those wonderful moments. 

4. Put on your favourite music

You know these kinds of those songs you spontaneously start dancing to? Or the ones that know how to get to you over and over again? Music significantly influences your mood and psychological well-being. Our advice to you: create a Spotify list for every mood, tune into your favourite radio station or browse your record collection and play your all-time favourites again. 

5. Get out to get your vitamin D refill

However tempting it might be to stay inside when you're having a bad day, we can't deny the wholesome effects of the outdoors. Take in some fresh air during a short walk in your neighbourhood. Or, when you're having a good day, head down to a nearby park or nature reserve to enjoy the peace and quiet. Spending time in nature is the best way to recharge your batteries. Invigorating and soothing!

Are you an outdoor person? Then be sure to read our 4 tips for an invigorating outdoor feeling and more energy! 

This season, Rosette la Vedette will guide you to the colours and glow of a wonderful Indian summer. Rust, burgundy and natural tones define the autumn collection. Shades of blue harmonise the warm colour palette. Distinguished floral prints and clean, graphics are delicately intertwined into one stunning feel-good collection. For even if you are dealing with hair loss caused by cancer or alopecia, you should be able to feel like a million dollars. And we would be more than happy to give you a hand!

Are you curious to see all the new additions to our range? Take a look at our latest collection of chemo scarves and chemo hats now >

Visiting your colleague, friend, family member, or neighbour affected by cancer but you haven't got a clue what to bring? We've got three tips in store for you that are sure to please and what's even better is that you can get creative yourself. No run-of-the-mill fruit basket or flowers, but heartfelt gifts, made with love! No doubt about it that they will light up the difficult days after cancer diagnosis or treatment. 

Gift tip 1: Prepare comfort food, soup or a little treat 

For someone who recently got diagnosed, the world seems to be upside down. Chopping away in the kitchen is just about the last thing on your mind. What's more, is that going through treatment drains your energy level so bad that cooking isn't an option. Sometimes even the aromas being released are too much to handle. That's why bringing a portion of homemade comfort food is always a good idea. 

Dealing with a sweet tooth? In that case, go for cookies or one of your delicious cakes. If you prefer to keep it healthy, you can team up with some friends or colleagues and create an entire menu for the weeks your friend is getting chemo treatment. A small effort for you guys, whereas a daily dose of comfort food or homemade soup could do wonders for your friend and their family.

Gift tip 2: Bring some plant cuttings as a symbol of hope during chemotherapy 

If you have a soft spot for house plants and you know your friend, relative, or colleague dealing with cancer is just as crazy about them, why not bring them a few cuttings of your favourite ones? Not only do plants bring life into a home, they are also a great source of distraction. For plant lovers, there's nothing more satisfying than watching a tiny little bud grow into a luxurious plant. 

By the way, did you know that looking after plants has a relaxing effect? The pastime takes your mind off things and turns your anxiety down a notch. Witnessing a small plant cutting grow into an abundant plant can also symbolise hope, which is a welcome perspective on the future during chemo or other cancer treatments.

Gift tip 3: Turn those funny snapshots into a wonderful photo album 

Recalling beautiful memories and having a laugh at the joyful moments you spent together ... For someone affected by cancer, it can be so rewarding to escape the madness of the disease and treatment for a while. A homemade photo album will take your friend or colleague back to wonderfully carefree times.  

So bundle the pictures you took during that hilarious teambuilding exercise, look for photos of some of the nicest moments of your yearlong friendship, or capture that great city trip in a photo album. Nothing short of the perfect way to get through challenging (sick) days! And perhaps your friend might even be tempted to sort her or his own photos and create a few nice albums during treatment and recovery at home. 

No time or inspiration for a home made gift? Take a look at ou specially designed Rosette la Vedette gift range, including sweatshirts, tote bags etc.

Losing your hair when you’re just in your teens isn’t exactly what you would call a fun ride. Plus, when the diagnosis goes by the name of alopecia areata, you soon realise that your condition may never improve. In those cases, it is worth your while to let go and move on, much as Christine did. "Shaving my head made my life easier." 

A few plucks just won't do

When Christine (19) was fourteen years old, she started losing small strands of hair. "Next to the hair loss, I had developed some kind of allergy. It took us quite some time to find out what was going on exactly. My mother, who is a doctor, didn't have a clue what was going on at first. Only after a while did we find out that I was dealing with an immune disease: alopecia areata." Christine's hair fell out several times, almost completely, after which it grew back. 

Two years ago, things got really bad and Christine chose to act radically. "Right there and then, I decided to shave my head. I admit it was a big step to take," Christine explains. "You cling so tightly to those few plucks of hair you have left. It is a big part of you after all." But trying to keep her bald spots hidden had become quite a job and Christine's fear of other people noticing proved too much of a strain. 

Looking ahead, thanks to the right advice

"Being bald as a baby enabled me to fully explore my options. I live in Antwerp, but after some digging, I ended up in Ghent, where Jasmine runs her business Haardecor. She welcomed me with great warmth in a homelike environment. To me, Jasmine was exactly the right person at the right time: someone who listened, who offered me advice, and who knew her job inside out." 

That very first wig was a relief, Christine recalls. "I remember I found myself thinking I was pretty again. My dermatologist also provided me with lots of information and candidly told me that there is no cure for my illness. That must have been the moment when I realised I had to turn the switch and let go. I now no longer expect my hair to grow back." Today, Christine has come to terms with her illness. She's a young, carefree science student with a zest for life. 

A hat as a fashionable extra

“Wearing a wig made my life easier than before. Back in those days, I constantly worried about people noticing my bald spots. And watching entire chunks of hair go down the shower drain wasn’t much fun either.” Christine’s first wig closely resembled the way her own hair used to look. “I now also own a dark bob and even a long-haired blond wig. And yes, I do like to play around with my different wigs to poke a little fun at people." (laughs) 

Nowadays, hats and scarves are just as much a part of Christine's daily routine. "They're simply much more comfortable than a wig and you can easily use them as a fashionable statement piece." At first, Christine wore them at home or to run an errand. Meanwhile, she casually wears her hats during lectures at university. 

Cards on the table about her alopecia areata

How do Christine's friends deal with an unknown illness like alopecia areata? "During my high school years, only my best friends knew about my condition. Anxiously, I kept it secret from all the others. When I entered college, I decided to do things differently. I opened up about it right away. I didn’t exactly walk around screaming it through a megaphone. But if it suited the conversation, I simply put people up to speed and said: ‘By the way, I'm wearing a wig.’ By being cool about it myself, my friends don't freak out when the subject comes up either." Same goes for Christine's boyfriend who doesn't look at her as dealing with a disease. "He says he thinks I am beautiful regardless of what's on my head. To me, that means a great deal." 

“It’s hair, nothing more”

Christine’s story just goes to show life gets better when you worry less. “You know what? In the end, it’s just hair. Other than my hair loss, I am a healthy young woman. Immune deceases can get so much worse, and I am glad I was able to keep my lashes and eyebrows.” Christine feels much more confident today than she did a few years ago. "I am now able to look at myself and say it aloud: Christine, you are pretty cute. People often compliment me about my wigs, too. Some of my friends even dream about such beautifully styled hair like mine." (laughs) 

However, Christine doesn't feel the need to reach out to peers in similar situations. "My parents and friends always provided me with the support I needed. What I would like to say to other people dealing with alopecia is this: keep your loved ones really close and simply be you. Then things will work out. What makes you worthwhile is not the way you look and it sure as hell isn't your hair.” 

Want to read more testimonials like this interview with Christine? You can find all of them in the 'Personal Stories' section of our blog.

When a friend is diagnosed with cancer, you may feel insecure about how best to react. Perhaps you try avoiding the subject, afraid that you might say something wrong. Or you swamp your friend with well-intentioned yet unsolicited advice. Drawing on our personal experience, we provide you with a few tips on what does and certainly does not help.

Do’s: this will be of real help to your friend with cancer

1. Reach out regularly
With a simple message, e-mail or phone call you show your friend that you are thinking about him or her, that you care, and that you have got their back.  

2. Offer specific, practical help
Why not look after the kids after school some time, drop by their house with some homemade comfort food or offer to take care of the groceries? Don't just stick to the no-strings-attached cliché “let me know if there's anything I can do” but take some real action. 

3. Schedule something fun to do together
Gong for a walk, sipping on a cappuccino downtown, enjoying a lunch date ... A relaxing break on a day your friend is feeling good will help them take their mind off their illness and break away from it all for a little while. 

4. Drive your friend to the hospital or accompany them to the doctor's appointment
Treatment or check-ups are always stressful. Accompanying your friend to the hospital can be reassuring. You can also indicate you wouldn't mind going in with them to see the doctor.

Don’ts: what to avoid if a friend gets cancer 

1. Do not dismiss the diagnosis
And more importantly, do not go avoidingyour friends becauseof their illness. If you feel awkward or uncomfortable around the subject, just go ahead and say so. “I don’t know what to say, but …” is always a good place to start.

2. Do not offer unsolicited (medical) advice
You're not their doctor. You're their friend. Similarly, well-intended parallels to an aunt or nephew also dealing with cancer won't do your friend any good. Leave the medical aspects to the professionals. 

3. Don’t change the way you treat your friend
No one benefits from pity. It is perfectly understandable that you might want to show more understanding or consideration in your friendship than usual. However, if you used to poke fun and mock one another all the time, you should continue to do so, even with the cancer diagnosis out there. Behind the veil of the disease still lurks the same person.

4. Don’t go minimising the situation
Of course, it helps to look at the bright side, but do not simply shrug off your friend's fears and anxieties. Truly listen to what concerns him or her and most of all: show understanding.

Blue radiates confidence, green is soothing, red bursts with energy ... Whether you believe colour psychology is a thing or not, one thing is for sure: if you suffer from hair loss due to chemotherapy or alopecia, a colourful accessory can help to highlight your face and add some spark to your look. Feeling a bit reluctant towards bright colors during your cancer treatment? Don't be. Colour has the power to lift your spirits as well as boost your outfit. And here is why. 

1/ Colour lightens up your face when your hair no longer does

Losing your hair tends to drastically change the way you look. Generally, your hair wraps a set of colour shades around your face while your eyebrows and eyelashes add structure to it. They help define your facial expression. Needless to say, hair loss can instantly strain the liveliness of your complexion. Additional bummer: chemotherapy or other treatments can also make your skin looking more pale or dull.

So, what to do? Put your faith in a colourful hat or scarf to give your face that instant glow. If you don’t know which hues suit you best yet, we advise one of the following: Night Blue, Framboise, and Aqua. Flattering to just about any skin type, they will surely make you shine.

2/ Hair loss due to alopecia or chemotherapy? Boost your confidence with just a tinge of colour

Looking in the mirror and discovering the first signs of hair loss can be pretty daunting. Still, try not to shy away from your reflection and come to terms with your hair loss. Going easy on yourself and maintaining a positive outlook is extremely important for your sense of well-being and your recovery. Show the world that you are keeping your head up and go for that bold, playful outfit. Finding your head too exposed? Nothing a bright-colored new hat won't cure! Pick a shade that complements the colour of your eyes... Oh so flattering!

3/ Colour encourages you to experiment

Fancy a new look? A new haircut, or different shade can do the trick. But not only do you need actual hair on your head, it also requires quite some of your time and above all, a good hairdresser. Those who lose their hair due to alopecia or cancer treatments and wear hats or scarves have way more freedom of choice. A summery yellow hat on Monday, a cool print in white and blue the day after... An entire range of possibilities is right there at your fingertips! And you don't even need that many hats to spice up your look. With about five hats or scarves in your closet, you are sure of matching every outfit.

4/ Turn yourself into the talk of the town!

Although people around you know that you are being treated, they often have a hard time talking to you about it. Sounds familiar? In those cases, a bright outfit and a cheerfully printed hat can make the perfect icebreaker. Bet that you'll be overwhelmed by all of the compliments! And there you have it: a pleasant starting point to a conversation. And of course, you don't have to explain everything about your illness and treatment, it's up to you to decide how much you want to share. But the fact that you are glowing is clear for all to see!

5/ When in need of some superpower: go for green and blue

Red cheeks, hot flashes, or rosacea bothering you during your cancer treatment and recovery? Then two colours will work wonders for your complexion: green and blue! This is one of the handy little chemo tips already a lot of women found useful. Each of these tints subtly conceals the redness of your skin tone and brightens your look. Talk about a great reason to add more colour to your outfit and look. Go for it!

Feel the need for a splash of color? Dive into our chemo fashion headwear collection and treat yourself to a new hat, scarf or turban.

During hot flashes or heat surges, it feels as if your body's thermo-unit suddenly tilts. Red blotches crawl from your neck and throat to your cheeks and you break out into a sweat. Hot flashes occur as a nasty side effect of hormone therapy, but also of chemo and other cancer treatments. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a miracle treatment against them. Yet we do have a few useful tips to help you cope with them.

Hot flashes after hormone or chemotherapy: what causes them? 

Why do you actually get hot flashes from hormone therapy or chemo? And what exactly happens with your body when you are having one? Hormone therapy and chemotherapy disturb the production of oestrogen temporarily. And the drop of oestrogen in your blood affects the heat centre in your brain.

In the event of a slight rise in your body temperature—for example from stress, but even a cup of coffee can do the trick—your body's heat control system will bug almost instantly. As a result, your body reacts as if your temperature were far too high: your blood vessels open up to bring more blood to the skin and you start sweating to increase the release of heat through the skin. And there you have it: a hot flash!

Understanding how chemo induced hot flashes are triggered enables us to find ways to prevent them and dig into advice on how to deal with them better.

Five tips to reduce hot flashes 

Tip 1: get enough exercise

Do not worry, there is no need to hit the gym all too hard. Relaxed walks, cycling, or a series of gentle yoga exercises already have a beneficial impact. Fond of floating around in the pool? Even better! Swimming is highly recommended since the water reduces the risk of hot flashes. Exercise helps you in many other ways too: it strengthens your bones, helps you sleep better and there is no better cure for stress and worries. Want to read more about exercising during and after chemo? >> 

Tip 2: avoid stress

Easier said than done, we know. But try to prevent stress or find ways you can support yourself in stressful situations. Focus on your breathing and try to breathe in and out in a gentle way. Or clear your head by taking a walk in nature. Releasing tension is key: let it go! Elza from Frozen already figured it out ;-) Now it is your turn. In case you would get overwhelmed and you find yourself going through a hot flash after all, do not be too hard on yourself and just let it happen. If not, you will just increase the pressure you were already building and provoke even more stress. 

Tip 3: do not overdo it on the coffee and alcohol

Of course, you do not have to deprive yourself of your daily dose of coffee but be cautious when consuming coffee and alcohol. They can provoke hot flashes or intensify them. Make sure to drink large amounts of water. This will remove toxins from your body and keep you well hydrated at all times. 

Tip 4: medication on doctor's advice

Nowadays many women affected by menopause complaints are being treated through hormone substitution. But when you develop hot flashes after chemo or hormone therapy, you should not resort to just any remedy. Always consult your doctor or gynaecologist first and never randomly reach for medication, not even natural or homeopathic alternatives. In recent years, doctors have prescribed antidepressants to patients who suffer excessively from hot flashes associated with hormone therapy. Again: do not jump into anything without consulting your doctor first. 

Tip 5: acupuncture

Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt. Without any effect, alas. Others have told us it did work out well for them though. Scientists have not reached a consensus on the matter yet. Maybe worth a try? 

Five pointers to keep a cool head (and body) in the face of hot flashes

Tip 1: stick to outfits/garments in natural fabrics

Synthetic fabrics, such as polyester or acrylic, are more likely to cause sweating. So opt for clothing made from natural materials, such as cotton, linen, and wool, but also viscose, modal, and tencel. Compose your outfit intelligently and use layers. This allows you to simply take something off as soon as you sense a flash coming up.The very same goes for your head by the way. Stick to natural materials for your hats and scarves. We have been swearing by high-quality viscose and cotton for years. Some hot summer day advice: our Audrey summer head wraps and our cotton Hannah head scarves are reversible. If your scarf should get sweaty, simply flip it inside out and let it air dry. 

Tip 2: always carry a face mist in your bag

In a perfect world, you could just put your head in the fridge for a little while, but unfortunately, you cannot. Next best thing is a facial spray. Keep one of these small tins in your bag and mist your face, cleavage, and wrists whenever you are in serious need of a cool-down. By the way, did you know that there is a thing known as an ice towel that provides you with instant cooling? Handy! When at home, you can store the water vaporizer and towel in the fridge: even fresher! 

Tip 3: cool yourself off with a handheld or electrical fan

Anything but a rare sight in the south: a fan creating a gentle breeze and providing a little extra cooling. No fan at hand? Even a piece of cardboard can do the trick. 

Tip 4: choose a natural deodorant

We swear by a natural deodorant without aluminium, parabens, and alcohol. While it does not prevent the sweat from being released, it does eliminate unpleasant odours. We prefer a roller (rather than a spray) to take with us in our bag. In this way, you can apply the deodorant when needed but without psssssshhhht noises. ;-) 

Tip 5: spend your nights in cotton sheets

As with clothing, natural fabrics such as cotton or linen are the most suitable choice for your duvet cover. Extra tip: keep your water spray by the bed at night. Feel a hot flash coming up? Apply the water mist to your face and body for a while and you will instantly feel refreshed.

Would you like to find out more about hot flashes and other side effects of cancer  therapy?

• https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/physical-side-effects/hot-flashes-sweating.html
• https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/coping/physically/sex-hormone-symptoms/women-coping-with-hormone-symptoms/hot-flushes-and-sweats
• https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/side-effects/hot-flashes-pdq

Just about everyone knows that chemotherapy might lead to hair loss and may leave you feeling tired and nauseous. The chemo brain phenomenon however is not exactly common knowledge. Nevertheless, many cancer patients find themselves struggling with it. Forgetfulness and poor concentration often arise after cancer treatments. But what exactly is a chemo brain and what can you do about it?

Forgetful after chemo: sounds familiar? 

Starting a conversation and forgetting what it is you wanted to say exactly halfway through your sentence, keeping all sorts of lists to prevent you from forgetting things, not being able to focus on a crossword puzzle, getting distracted at work... These are just a few examples of the forgetfulness and absent-mindedness that can affect you after chemotherapy and other cancer treatments (e.g. radiotherapy, hormone therapy, or surgery).

Chemo brain in a nutshell 

One could describe a chemo brain as a decrease in mental agility. You have a hard time multitasking, you struggle with acquiring new skills, you may have trouble remembering words, names, dates ... that you used to recall effortlessly. Everything tends to slow down a bit and sometimes it might seem impossible to keep your attention on the matter.

Causes and consequences of concentration problems from chemotherapy 

The exact cause underlying the problem remains unknown. At any point during your cancer recovery process, you may be affected by a chemo brain. Alongside cancer treatment, other factors contribute to the problem: advanced age, menopause, medication, sleep deprivation...

 Good thing: most people dealing with cancer only temporarily suffer from it. Still, the impact of a chemo brain on your job (or school) and social life may be significant. While the outside world may notice little changes, you feel things differently. Simple fact is, you are not performing as well as you used to, and it can get quite frustrating to feel as if you have lost your mental focus. In some cases, the phenomenon does persist for a longer period of time resulting in a much greater impact, even in the long run.

So, what to do about it?

Before anything else, do not start stressing out and feverishly training your brain with memory exercises and the like. This will only add to your frustration. More advisable is to take a step back, clear your head, and integrate more time for relaxation into your schedule. Do try to get enough sleep, eat an abundant amount of vegetables—these have a positive effect on the vitality of your brain—and avoid alcohol and other substances that interfere with your sleep pattern. Meditation can be a great way to increase your focus and awareness.

 When your day-to-day tasks become overwhelming, do not hesitate to ask your family and friends for help. Speaking out and discussing the problem will help those around you to understand what is going on exactly. Dealing with a chemo brain is obviously not as visible a problem as, for example, hair loss. As it is less well known, it may sometimes be a source of confusion or a lack of understanding. In other words, the more you share with colleagues, friends, and family, the better they can grasp where the problem lies!

Extra tip: keep a diary! 

Keep a record of the times when your memory troubles you the most. You may notice that the intake of medication, the time of day, or certain other events play a part in the problem. This helps you to anticipate and avoid problems or difficult situations. The diary can also come in handy when raising the issue to your doctor: you know exactly which concentration and memory problems you are experiencing and when.

Burdened by a chemo brain? Six practical tips to simplify your daily life

1. Whether you use a detailed diary, a notebook or your smartphone, keep track of all your appointments, to do's, birthdays, notes, interesting websites, books... in a single place.
2. Find out at what time of the day your energy level is at its highest - your journal helps! - and use that time slot to schedule the tasks that require the most of you mentally.
3. Just for this once, embrace routine: it helps. A repeating daily structure makes it easier to keep your mind on the job.
4. Put your keys, your purse, wallet... and any other items you regularly lose, always in the same place. Gather them, for example, in a basket in the hallway.
5. Do. Not. Multitask. Research already found that it really does not work for anyone, let alone if you are having trouble concentrating after chemotherapy.
6. Sprinkle a little humour on your forgetfulness. A good laugh goes a long way. Additionally... Forgot your friend's birthday again? Chemo brain ;-)! 
7. 

Sources: how to deal with your chemo brain?

• https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/physical-side-effects/changes-in-mood-or-thinking/chemo-brain.html
• https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-in-general/treatment/chemotherapy/side-effects/chemo-brain/about