MTV's Diem Brown Films Hair Loss

"Photo by PR Photos"

A couple weeks back, we talked about Popular MTV star Diem Brown's second fight with ovarian cancer and her fears of losing her signature blonde locks, for a second time. Brown has been blogging for People Magazine about her journey with cancer, and this week, she decided to make a chemo hair loss video. Brown's fears regarding hair loss are common among patients, both men and women. In fact, hair loss is often listed among the most commonly feared side effects after being diagnosed with cancer.  

To read more about Diem's journey with hair loss, and see her video, click here. 

While there is no sure way to prevent hair loss during treatment, there are several known ways to stimulate healthy hair growth following treatment - including low level laser therapy, hair vitamin supplements, and maintaining a healthy diet.  

Cold cap therapy is also becoming increasing popular, the therapy, which decreases blood flow to the scalp, causing the blood vessels in the scalp to shrink. This, in turn, blocks the harsh chemicals in the chemotherapy from reaching the hair follicles. While this is new technology, it does show promise for many patients. 

Can Cold Caps Stop Chemo-Caused Hair Loss?

Anecdotal evidence is pouring out that a new product called the Penguin Cold Cap can prevent hair loss caused by chemotherapy. Read this story from ABC News: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/OnCallPlus/cold-cap-therapy-women-chemotherapy-hair/story?id=11985624


This is no doubt interesting, but to-date there is no independent medical survey to confirm these effects are to be attributed to the cold caps. However, if testing proves it effective - and it doesn't pose a risk of preventing chemotherapy from reaching the scalp - then it would certainly be a breakthrough treatment.


As most people know, it is quite common for chemotherapy patients to lose their hair during the treatment process. The hair typically grows back once the treatment is finished. However, I've noticed in my own practice that cancer survivors often have permanent changes to their hair, including "thinner" hair after treatment as well as different color or curl. Treatments like low level therapy (using LaserCap or in-office devices) and the topical application of prostaglandin analogues or minoxidil can help.


Recently at the ISHRS 18th Annual Scientific Meeting, a case was presented where a man undergoing chemo for colon cancer used the LaserCap after his hair started to fall.  Even while undergoing chemo, his hair grew back thicker. More research is needed to determine if this will be a viable option.

A Balding Joseph Gordon-Levitt?

Joseph Gordon-Levitt recently shaved his head for a role as a cancer patient in "Live With It." And while his hair will likely have no trouble growing back after filming wraps, cancer patients don’t have it so easy.

Hair loss is an unfortunate side effect of chemotherapy that impacts both men and women. It can also remain after the chemotherapy is finished. In some cases, a cancer survivor's hair doesn't grow back quite as 'full' or 'thick' as it was prior to the illness. And hair follicles in the eyebrows and eyelashes can be particularly thin. I see this quite a bit with the breast cancer survivors we treat at Bauman Medical Group.    

As for Gordon-Levitt, we’ll have to wait and see if he decides he likes his new ‘do’ enough to keep it for a while. Though it does appear he has some temporal recession to think about.