When a woman starts to lose her hair as a result of cancer treatment, it can be an enormous blow to her self-confidence and self-esteem. Not only is she worried about losing her femininity, but she’s also concerned as to what reactions she’ll receive from others: being a bald woman, in a culture where female baldness isn’t as socially acceptable as it is in males, usually says to the world that you have cancer, and people can feel a little uncomfortable around someone with cancer. And if that wasn’t enough, this all happens at a time when a woman’s main objective is to stay as healthy as she possibly can. It can be a very trying time.

Very few women choose to hang on to their hair once it starts to fall out: as soon as they’re greeted by strands of hair strewn across their pillowcase on waking, most have their hair cut short. This usually helps a woman make the transition from having a full head of hair (albeit one that’s thinning rapidly) to a head covered with soft stubble, which is what most women opt for. Shaving one’s head at this stage is also a practical move -- you won’t