I Lost My Hair to Chemo. Will Anyone Want to Date Me?

Expand your social connections. Needle says you don’t have to rush into dating. In fact, while you work through your feelings about your hair loss, it might be good to just gently open the door to opportunities for connection in general, which is critical to emotional well-being.

She suggests joining community groups, classes, volunteer organizations or support groups for cancer survivors that can introduce you to people seeking a similar experience.

“Whatever you are interested in, there are people doing it in groups,” says Harris. “This is where you can find purpose, friendship and community.”

Study up on wigs, head coverings, hairstyles. Wigs are trending. Celebrities routinely wear them on the red carpet. There are a ton of wig tutorials on YouTube with titles like “Top Wig Picks of 2026” and “The Most Realistic Wig I’ve Ever Worn.”

“Wigs are surprisingly good now,” Harris says. “If it boosts confidence to wear a wig when you go out, there’s no reason not to do that. It’s no different from wearing a new lipstick or a new dress that makes you feel pretty.”

Certified sex therapist Rosara Torrisi, founding director of The Long Island Institute of Sex Therapy, says she’s had plenty of patients who have lost their hair due to cancer, and that women tend to favor wigs while men prefer glue-on hairpieces that stay in place for weeks.

Many insurance plans cover the cost of wigs after chemotherapy. There are also organizations, such as the National Wigs for Cancer Society and the American Cancer Society, that subsidize wigs at a discount or provide them for free. Torrisi suggests consulting your cancer care team for more information.

Certified sex therapist Nan Wise recommends talking to a hairstylist about what would work best. “There are a lot of wonderful stylists who can guide you to a good hairpiece that is just right for you,” she says.

Other options: scarves, hats — or choosing to embrace your baldness. As Needle notes, “The goal isn’t to meet anyone else’s expectations; it’s to find what helps you feel most comfortable in your own skin.”

Medical options to explore. Hair loss or thinning hair is common after chemo and also among the postmenopausal women that family physician Evelin Molina Dacker treats.

Dacker’s go-to is minoxidil, a blood pressure medication used for hypertension that she prescribes off-label to treat hair loss. The lowest dosage is 2.5 milligrams, so she has her female patients cut the tablet in half and take it at night. “It’s getting more widely known,” she says.

Minoxidil is branded as Rogaine, which most consumers know as a foam or spray applied to the top of the head. Unlike the tablet, the topical treatment is FDA-approved to treat female-pattern baldness. Dacker, who specializes in menopause and sexual health, isn’t a fan, because the topical treatment isn’t as strong as the pill; plus, she says, some of her patients find it smelly and messy.

Health insurance may cover minoxidil for off-label use. If it doesn’t, Dacker says it’s inexpensive and frequently discounted — roughly $15 for 90 2.5-milligram tablets. There is a risk of possible dizziness, but Dacker says none of her patients have been troubled by it.

Patients typically see results in six months. Dacker takes minoxidil herself and says her hair has thickened.

If minoxidil doesn’t work, Dacker refers patients to a cosmetic surgeon who offers platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections. The outpatient procedure involves drawing blood and platelets from your body and then spinning them down in a centrifuge to isolate so-called “growth factors” that are then injected into the scalp.

The process requires at least three treatments, each costing about $1,000. It is not covered by insurance.

Dacker says it takes about six months for results, and it isn’t a permanent solution, so future injections would be required for maintenance. Possible side effects include soreness at the injection site; Dacker adds that there is a low risk of infection with any injection.

Practice self-compassion meditation. Brandon recommends incorporating a guided meditation into your daily routine that can help you feel compassion for yourself rather than the self-criticism or self-doubt you seem to be feeling now. You can find plenty of guided meditations online.

How to start? Create an environment that feels soft and welcoming. Play soothing music. Put your hand on your heart. Slowly look in the mirror, make eye contact, and breathe love into yourself for five to 10 minutes. If it feels like a chore, Brandon says to dial it back.

Brandon says you may feel vulnerable at first, or silly or self-conscious: “Everyone feels that way when they do something new like this.”

Her hope for you: “She’s a survivor, she’s been through a frightening and painful ordeal, and she made it to the other side — she deserves to recognize and own that.”

Parting thoughts. Torrisi acknowledges that our hair is central to our sense of self. “It’s a true loss you are feeling,” she adds. But she says it would be wonderful if you could go out into the world and live. “You are alive! Be alive!”