How Long to Wait for Salon Services After Treatment
When we see the first signs of hair sprouting from our heads after treatment, it’s the visual realization that treatment is officially over! We all have a different experience with our new and sometimes foreign hair that begins to grow in. For some, it is baby fine with whirling growth patterns, and for others the hair can grow in thick, curly and dense.
What are the guidelines on how to care for this post-treatment hair?
When should I get my first haircut and when can I color my hair?
These are questions many folks have, and it is hard for beauty professionals to answer unless they are trained in oncology esthetics. I have received my training through Oncology Spa Solutions and was recertified with up-to-date material and products this past April in Minneapolis. Becky Kuehn, founder of Oncology Spa Solutions, is leading the way in teaching the beauty industry to help educate and prepare beauty professionals to fully assist their clients at every stage of self-image challenges due to cancer treatments. A few tips to help assist you and answer those top beauty questions are below.
When should I get my first haircut?
This is a question many struggle with. Fear of a stylists not being sensitive to the emotions connected to the new hair, there is a real concern that too much will be taken off, leaving us feeling like we are back to square one. As much as the new hair excites us, we must ensure that it is growing in healthy and evenly. Be extremely articulate with your stylist or bring photos of pixies or other styles you would like to see your hair grow into. Many times the first cut helps even out areas of hair that may be growing faster than the rest and the stylist can recommend products for the scalp and new hair. I recommend seeing a stylists around 6 months or less, depending on the speed of growth. Check to see if your salon offers specialty services or if someone in the salon has received oncology esthetics training.
How long do I have to wait to color my hair?
Ensuring your hair is strong enough and there are no scalp sensitivities is a must. Many people do not know there is a window to wait, myself included! Twelve years ago, I was eager and a stylist did an all over color with around 3-4 months of new growth. We frantically had to rinse it off, my scalp was on FIRE. Have your stylist do a patch test first to make sure that there will not be a reaction to the color line. Our bodies change after chemo and radiation, what once worked may no longer work again. It is strongly suggested from Oncology Spa Solutions to wait at least 6 months before coloring your hair.
When can I get a massage or a facial?
Facials and massages can take place during treatments, but they must be with a trained professional who has taken oncology training. If a professional does not have the expertise, the service can potentially cause lymphodemia, harm incisions, or make radiated skin worse, so please check with your provider before booking.