As a cancer survivor and stylist, Teresa Romero, Creative Director for Sam Villa and Artistic/Education Director for Jose Luis Salon @_teresa_romero, shares her story…
As a cancer survivor, I’ve learned that the impact of cancer extends far beyond the diagnosis and treatment. Even after you’ve beaten the disease, it can leave lasting effects on your body that you might not expect. One of the most profound changes I’ve experienced has been with my hair. Over the course of seven years, I battled three different types of cancer. Fortunately, none of them required chemotherapy, and only one required radiation. Like many, I initially associated cancer with complete hair loss, but that wasn’t my experience. Instead, my hair underwent a series of changes that I never anticipated.
The First Round: Thinning and Brittle Hair
Before my first cancer diagnosis, my hair was fine but relatively thick and strong. After my initial battle with thyroid cancer, I lost a significant amount of hair, much like the shedding that occurs after pregnancy. My hairline became noticeably thinner, and in some areas, my hair was completely gone. I could see more of my scalp, my hair looked transparent, stringy, and had fuzzy strands about 2” long that looked like antennas. As the hair began to grow back, it was much finer and more brittle than before.
This new hair was fragile and breaking easily, even with the gentlest of brushes. I stopped blow-drying altogether and opted to air dry my hair instead. My new strategy focused on taking care of the hair I had left. I turned to products that support a healthy scalp – reparative hair treatments for strength and moisture – minimized heat styling, and eventually cut my hair into a short bob.
Why Hair Thins from Cancer
Hair thinning or loss during and after cancer treatment is often due to a combination of factors. Chemo (in particular) and radiation can damage hair follicles by targeting rapidly dividing cells, which are abundant in hair roots. This leads to hair becoming thinner, more fragile, and sometimes falling out altogether. Implementing a scalp cooling treatment can help reduce that damage. Additionally, the stress of surgery, the impact of anaesthesia, and the body's hormonal changes can disrupt the hair growth cycle, leading to increased shedding and slower regrowth. Even without chemotherapy, which is more commonly associated with hair loss, these factors can profoundly affect the hair's health and appearance.
Focusing on Nutrition for Hair Health
After dealing with these changes, I shifted my focus to nutrition. I believed that better nutrient intake would lead to healthier hair. However, I quickly realised that the effects weren’t immediate. My body was still processing the aftermath of radiation and striving to rebalance hormonally. Hair growth, after all, is closely tied to our hormonal balance. When our hormones are out of sync, it can be reflected in our hair and skin.
Consistency became key. A combination of good nutrition, strengthening hair treatments, and maintaining a healthy scalp became my best defence. Gradually, my hair started to feel and look better.
The Second Round: A New Setback
Just as I was beginning to feel good about my hair again, life threw me another curveball. Five years after my first diagnosis, I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. This time, the treatment required aggressive surgery, though I was fortunate to avoid chemo and radiation once more. But the effects of the surgery and anaesthesia led to another round of hair shedding. This time, my hair didn’t recover as well. The strands were even thinner, weaker, and more prone to breaking.
The Third Round
Through years of cancer, treatments and tests, I learned I was one of many who have a predisposition to cancer, in particular skin and renal cancers. Last year I was diagnosed with skin cancer. This time we were able to remove it with a simple surgery. Luckily my hair was not affected as much. However, I will remain under constant monitoring to try to stay ahead of any new or recurring cancers.
Hair Remedies and Care Strategies
Stay positive – dealing with hair thinning and brittleness can be challenging, but there are several strategies that have helped me manage and improve the health of my hair:
- Gentle Hair Care: Air drying and using a wide-tooth comb or a soft brush on wet hair will minimize tension and breakage. For dry hair a boar bristle brush like the Sam Villa Signature Series Styling Brush further minimizes breakage while providing a polished shine.
- Heat Tools/Flat irons: Use low heat settings and resist going over the same section multiple times. Allow the hair to cool in between passes.
- Reparative Treatments: Deep conditioning treatments, hair masks and leave-in treatments have been a lifesaver. I look for products rich in keratin, biotin, and natural oils, which help strengthen and nourish the hair. Redken Extreme Anti-Snap Anti-Breakage Leave-in Treatment and Kèrastase Fusio-Dose salon treatments are some of my favourites.
- Scalp Care: A healthy scalp is the foundation for healthy hair. A gentle, sulphate-free shampoo like the ones found from Oribe or Nioxin combined with a gentle scalp massage stimulates circulation and promotes hair growth.
- Nutritional Support: A diet rich in vitamins and minerals is essential for hair health. I focus on consuming foods high in vitamins A, C, D, E, and B-vitamins, along with iron, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids, which are all crucial for hair growth.
- Supplements: After consulting with my doctor, I added hair-supportive supplements like biotin, collagen, and vitamin D to my regimen. These have helped fill any nutritional gaps and support hair strength from the inside out.
- Establish a Self-Care Routine: Find health care providers you feel comfortable with and who listen to your concerns. Get regular health checkups, see a good dermatologist for skin checks and most of all, stay consistent with managing your ever-changing health needs.
Embracing the Changes
While the journey has been challenging, it has also taught me a lot about patience and self-care. My hair may not be as thick or as strong as it once was, but I’ve learned to embrace its new texture and look after it with the care it deserves. I continue to focus on nourishing my body from the inside out, knowing that with time, I can continue to nurture what I have.
Cancer changes many things in your life, and for me, one of the most visible changes has been in my hair. But with each change, I’ve found new ways to adapt and take care of myself, reminding myself that this journey is about more than just the physical—it’s about resilience and self-love.
In honour of Breast Cancer Awareness month, the Sam Villa company is sponsoring the Cold Rinse Challenge for HairToStay, donating a portion of sales throughout the month of October to the Sydney Berry Fund at (HTS).
Salons are offering guests a cold rinse after their shampoo/condition and encouraging them to share the experience on social media and make a donation to HairToStay. They can also challenge three others to do the same.
HairToStay is the first and only national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping low-income cancer patients afford scalp cooling, a treatment that can dramatically reduce chemotherapy induced hair. Learn how to get involved at HairToStay.org.
