Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a time to focus on learning more about cancer, supporting those affected by it, and sharing personal stories to empower others.
As a cancer survivor and stylist, Teresa Romero, Creative Director for Sam Villa, discusses her own journey and particularly how she dealt with the changes to her hair both during and after treatment.
Over the course of seven years, I battled three different types of cancer. From this experience, I’ve learned that cancer's impact extends far beyond diagnosis and treatment. Even after you’ve beaten the disease, it can leave unexpected and lasting effects on your body.
One of the most profound adjustments I’ve experienced from cancer has been with my hair. Even though none of my treatments required chemotherapy and only one required radiation, my hair underwent a series of changes I never anticipated.
Cancer is the Culprit
Many people associate hair loss with cancer treatment, not cancer itself — but that's not necessarily the case. A cancer patient can experience hair thinning, loss, or changes in color or texture due to a combination of factors.
Yes, chemotherapy (in particular) and radiation are the biggest instigators because they damage hair follicles by targeting rapidly dividing cells, which are abundant in hair roots. This leads to hair becoming thinner, more fragile, and often falling out altogether.
Additionally, stress is a major factor in hair health and appearance: both acute stress from surgery, and persistent stress from the ongoing cancer battle. Plus, the impact of anesthesia and the body's hormonal changes can disrupt or slow down the hair growth cycle.
The First Round: Thinning and Brittle Hair
Before my initial diagnosis, my hair was fine but relatively thick and strong. After my first battle with thyroid cancer, my hairline became noticeably thinner and was completely gone in some areas. I could see more of my scalp. My hair looked transparent, stringy, and had fuzzy strands that looked like antennas.
When it began to grow back, my hair was much finer and more brittle than before. This new hair was fragile, breaking easily even with the gentlest of brushes.
My new strategy became taking care of the hair I had left. I stopped blow-drying altogether and opted to air-dry it instead. I turned to products that support a healthy scalp: reparative treatments for strength and moisture, minimal heat styling, and eventually cutting my hair into a short bob.
I began focusing heavily on nutrition, rationalizing that better nutrient intake would lead to healthier hair. However, I quickly realized 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 defense. 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 came my second: 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 anesthesia 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 than before.
Last year, I was diagnosed with skin cancer. Luckily, it could be removed with a simple surgery and, luckily again, my hair was not affected as much. Knowing I have a predisposition to cancer, I now remain under constant monitoring.
Tips and Remedies for Hair Care During Cancer
Dealing with hair thinning, loss, and brittleness is challenging. These strategies can help manage and improve hair health during a cancer battle:
Handle Hair with Care. A gentle touch is important. 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 further minimizes breakage while providing a polished shine. (Recommended: the Sam Villa Signature Series Styling Brush.)
Turn Down the Heat. Minimize the use of flat irons and other heat tools. When you do use them, keep the settings on low heat. Resist going over the same section of hair multiple times. Allow hair to cool in between passes.
Turn Up the Cold. To prevent or reduce hair loss from chemotherapy, scalp cooling is simple but effective. Using cold caps or manual scalp cooling devices restricts blood flow to the hair follicles, which also reduces the amount of chemotherapy drugs that can reach them. This protects follicle cells from being damaged or killed by chemo.
Some resources exist to help afford the cost of scalp cooling treatments, including HairToStay, a nonprofit organization that increases access to these treatments for low-income cancer patients.
Seek Out Reparative Products. Deep conditioning and leave-in treatments and hair masks were a lifesaver for me. I look for products rich in keratin, biotin, and natural oils to help strengthen and nourish hair. My favorites included Redken Extreme Anti-Snap Anti-Breakage Leave-in Treatment and Kèrastase Fusio-Dose treatments available in salons.
Show Your Scalp Some Love. A healthy scalp is the foundation for healthy hair. A gentle, sulfate-free shampoo and products aimed at balancing the scalp's biome, combined with a soothing scalp massage, stimulates circulation and promotes hair growth.
Nutrition, Nutrition, Nutrition. 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, all crucial for hair growth.
Supplement Well. After consulting with my doctor, I added hair-supportive supplements such as biotin, collagen, and vitamin D to my regimen. These have helped fill any nutritional gaps and support hair strength from the inside out.
Build a Strong Healthcare Foundation. Find medical and wellness providers you feel comfortable with and who listen to your concerns. Get regular health checkups. See a dermatologist for skin checks, and most of all, stay consistent with managing your ever-changing health needs.
Embracing the Changes
While my journey has been difficult, 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, knowing that with time, I can continue to nurture what I have.
Cancer changes many things in life. For me, one of the most visible has been my hair. But with each change, I’ve found new ways to adapt and take care of myself, reminding myself this journey is about more than just the physical — it’s about resilience and self-love.
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Sam Villa Company is donating a portion of sales through October to HairToStay's Sydney Berry Fund for hair and beauty professionals.
Teresa Romero is the Creative Director for Sam Villa and Artistic/Education Director for Jose Luis Salon. Find out where she will be teaching and book an in-salon class here.
