A piece of advice you often hear when starting chemotherapy: “Shave your hair, it’s easier.” If that idea fills you with fear, keep reading. Shaving your head isn’t a must, but it does come with some advantages. Once you know them, you might find the idea of a shaved head a little less scary.

When Should You Shave Your Head During Chemo?

If you decide to shave your head, you don’t need to do it weeks in advance. Depending on the type of chemotherapy you receive, hair loss usually begins after the first chemo session — often “ten to twelve days later,” though this varies from person to person. Don’t expect your hair to fall out all at once; it happens gradually and unevenly.

Tip: After your first chemo session, start thinking about what you want to do with your hair as soon as you notice it starting to fall out. If you choose to shave it, do so once the first hairs begin to come loose.

If you have long hair and find it emotionally difficult to say goodbye to it all at once, you can take an intermediate step: visit your hairdresser about two weeks before your first chemo session for a shorter cut. This gives you time to adjust to “less hair.” Then, when the first strands start falling out, you can still choose to shave it completely.

The Benefits of a Shaved Head

1/ A Sense of Control: A cancer diagnosis often feels like a bolt from the blue. You may feel the ground slip away and lose all sense of control. By choosing the moment when you shave your head (or have it shaved), you regain a bit of that control. Instead of passively waiting to become bald step by step, you decide when to take this significant step. Many people find strength and comfort in that feeling of control.

2/ Hair Loss Is Less Confronting: With a shaved head, you won’t have to deal with long clumps of hair falling out. Most of the short stubble simply washes away in the shower in the morning.

No clumps in your comb, on your clothes, or in your headwear. And no dry, lifeless hair with random bald spots that you try in vain to style, even though it has already become too fragile due to chemotherapy.

3/ Easier to Care For: Taking care of a shaved head is quick and simple. When chemo starts affecting your hair, it will become dull and unmanageable. If you keep it long, blow-drying (especially with heat) is discouraged, as is frequent combing or using styling products. This often means plenty of “bad hair days.” With a shaved head, you don’t have to worry about that anymore. Tip: Use a very mild shampoo to keep your scalp healthy. Since your hair dries almost instantly, you might even have extra time to pamper your hands or feet with a rich moisturizing cream.

4/ Adjusting to Your Wig or Chemo Scarf: Women who shave their hair usually start wearing head coverings right away, or as soon as the first bald patches appear. This helps you get used to wigs or chemo scarves and hats early on. It’s also much easier to put them on over short hair, and you won’t have stray, dry strands sticking out unexpectedly.

5/ A Meaningful Moment: When you choose the moment to go bald, you also choose the setting and atmosphere. You can do it yourself or ask someone close to you to help. Some people invite a close friend or family member to share this emotional moment, while others prefer privacy. You can turn it into a ritual or even a small celebration of strength and resilience.

How to shave your head before chemo: a few practical tips

Decided to shave your head? You certainly don't have to do it all by yourself. Ask your partner, a friend or your hairdresser to help. The most important thing is to choose someone you feel comfortable with. And if you feel like it, why not make it a special moment? Put on your favourite music, for example. Or keep things quiet and simple, without needing to say much at all.

So, how do you actually do it? Ideally, use electric clippers with a guard to cut your hair very short without hurting your scalp. Avoid shaving your head completely smooth with a razor: during chemotherapy, it's best to avoid even small cuts.

Have long hair? Start by cutting it shorter with scissors to make using the clippers easier. Ask whoever is helping you to go slowly and gently, without pressing too hard on your scalp. After all, your scalp may be more sensitive than usual during treatment.

What will you wear on your bald head?

Of course, you don't need to buy a whole collection of chemo hats and scarves straight away. But having a little variety is nice! Think of a plain chemo hat that goes with everything, a cheerful print and a soft sleep cap for nighttime. To make things easier, I created our Start Packs: a handy combination of 2 chemo hats or 2 chemo scarves and a sleep cap, with a lovely discount.