Alopecia and Hair Damage Induced by Oncological Therapy

Alopecia and hair damage were common adverse effects of oncological therapies such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted or hormonal treatments, significantly impacting patients' mental health. Hair loss could be diffuse, complete, partial, or regional, and might also affect eyelashes, eyebrows, and body hair. While often reversible, permanent damage could occur based on treatment type, duration, and dosage. High-dose docetaxel, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide posed a high risk, whereas platinum chemotherapy, melphalan, and capecitabin posed a lower risk. Targeted and immunotherapies could cause immune-mediated alopecia or paradoxical hair growth. Preventive and treatment methods included physical and pharmacological approaches, with scalp cooling showing good results in reducing hair follicle damage. Minoxidil was effective for accelerating hair regrowth, and psychological support along with cosmetically acceptable head coverings were crucial for patient care.