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 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.

And What Did Our Customers Do: Shave or Not?

We asked the fans of Rosette la Vedette on Facebook how they experienced hair loss during chemo. Here’s what they shared with us:

Evelyne: “Two days after my second chemo session, my hair really started to fall out, so I shaved it into a very short buzz cut. A week later, it was completely gone! I’ve always had long hair, but I was happy I shaved it! It made the hair loss much less noticeable. Now I have a bold, short haircut, and I wouldn’t want it any other way!”

Kelly: “When my hair started falling out, my kids got to cut it. My husband did the final touch with the clippers. I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. If I was going to lose my hair anyway, I preferred to make it fun with the kids. They thought it was amazing to play hairdresser for once! This way, we turned something painful into a lovely memory.”

Gezina: “I’ve always had long hair, but in the end, it was falling out so much that I started getting bald spots. That’s when my partner and I decided he would shave my head. It was a very sad moment, but also very beautiful and meaningful to do it together. I’m glad we did it this way.”

Bianca: “I decided that as soon as I noticed the first locks coming out (or pulling them out — I tend to fidget with my hair), I would grab the clippers.
In the third week after my first chemo, it happened: I was sitting at my computer when suddenly my hands were full of hair. I called my friend and told her, ‘The clippers are coming out!’ Ten minutes later, she was at my door — we live on the same street. My partner shaved my head, and then he shaved my friend’s head too. We had agreed to go bald together! My partner didn’t need to — he was already bald. It turned into a beautiful, funny experience and, honestly, such a relief.”

Marina: “After my third chemo session, my then-long hair first started turning lighter, and soon after, it began falling out. My hairdresser suggested we shave it off, so we did. Now that everything is behind me, I have a short haircut — and I want to keep it that way!”

Kathleen: “I knew right away that I wanted to have my hair shaved. Three weeks after my first chemo, my niece shaved my head, and then I started wearing your lovely hats.”

Maria: “My hair started falling out after the second chemo session. My hairdresser came to my house to shave it all off. Now, a month after chemo, it’s growing back — pure white! I’ve decided to keep it short and not dye it anymore.”

Inge: “When my hair started falling out, we decided to cut it together as a family. My three oldest kids, my husband, and I were crying as we shaved it with the clippers. Then my youngest, who’s only two, started laughing hysterically, and soon we were all laughing through our tears! It turned into a beautiful family memory that we now look back on with a smile.”

Elly (photo below): “My five-year-old granddaughter helped my daughter shave my head completely bald. She thought it was absolutely amazing! It was such a very special moment for me.”

Practical Tip: How to Safely Shave Your Hair for Chemo

If you decide to shave your hair, always use an electric trimmer or clippers, and be careful to avoid cuts. First, cut your long hair shorter with scissors before using the clippers — this makes the process more comfortable and easier. If you don’t feel confident doing it yourself, ask someone experienced or visit a hairdresser for help.