Actor Ewan McGregor, 54, Is ‘Braving the Shave’ for Cancer Charity, Reflects on His ‘Trainspotting’ Look as His Daughter Clara Shaves His Head
'Braving the shave is a small act, but it can make a big difference in raising awareness and funds," the 'Star Wars' star shared on his daughter's social media.
Solidarity for Cancer Survivors and People Experiencing Hair Loss
Actor Ewan McGregor, 54, is raising cancer awareness in the sweetest way, by having his daughter shave his head, showing solidarity with people experiencing hair loss from treatment, and encouraging others to contribute, all in aid of a leading cancer charity.
The on-screen Obi-Wan Kenobi from the Star Wars‘ prequels went on to share that many of his friends and family members have gone through cancer, so he has seen firsthand “how tough it can be.”
Hair loss is a common side effect of cancer treatment, particularly during chemotherapy. For many people, this can cause a lot of emotional turmoil, such as anxiety and sadness. For those going through chemotherapy and dealing with this side-effect there are a few ways to cope: cold caps, wigs and other temporary cover-ups can help, and of course, embracing baldness for those who choose to do so.
Actor Ewan McGregor, 54, is raising cancer awareness in the sweetest way, by having his daughter shave his head, showing solidarity with people experiencing hair loss from treatment, and encouraging others to contribute, all in aid of a leading cancer charity.
“Today, I am braving the shave for MacMillan Cancer Support to stand with people living with cancer and raise funds so that no one need[s] [to] face it alone,” the Scottish father of five began in an Instagram video shared by his daughter, Clara McGregor, 29, and the charity.
The on-screen Obi-Wan Kenobi from the Star Wars’ prequels went on to share that many of his friends and family members have gone through cancer, so he has seen firsthand “how tough it can be.”
“Braving the shave is a small act, but it can make a big difference in raising awareness and funds,” Ewan shared, cuing his daughter Anouk, 14, to do “the first stripe” on his head.
Ewan McGregor, courtesy of Instagram/@claramcgregor and @macmillancancer
“How about that, that’s a look!” the Moulin Rouge star quipped as he checked out his new ‘do on his phone, half-way through the cut. As Clara continued, he added, “This is taking me back,” seemingly as a reference to his shaved haircut in his 1996 breakout film Trainspotting (along with the 2017 sequel, T2 Trainspotting).
“Brilliant!” Ewan approved of the final reveal as fans chimed in applauding his efforts.
Actor Ewan McGregor attends a TriStar and Cinema Society screening of ‘T2 Trainspotting’ at Landmark Sunshine Cinema on March 14, 2017 in New York City.
“Your dad is amazing!” one person wrote, addressing Clara.
“I was wondering why he changed his hair! From the bottom of my heart, thank him,” another chimed in, while a third supporter called Ewan a “legend.”
Coping With Hair Loss During Cancer
Hair loss is a common side effect of cancer treatment, particularly during chemotherapy. For many people, this can cause a lot of emotional turmoil and a roller coaster of feelings such as anxiety and sadness. However, for those going through chemotherapy and dealing with this side-effect there are a few ways to slow the process.
Use Cooling Caps to Minimize Thinning
There is no miracle drug to prevent hair loss during chemotherapy. But there are some things that do seem to slow it. One of the most common ways for people to try to slow their chemo hair loss is by a process called scalp hypothermia: using ice packs or wearing special cooling caps or cold caps before, during, and after each chemotherapy treatment. These devices slow the blood flow to follicle areas to decrease the extent of hair loss. By constricting the blood flow to the scalp, the caps limit the amount of circulating chemotherapy that reaches the hair follicles, protecting them from some of the chemo’s damaging effects.
Even though cooling caps can slow the process of hair loss, it’s unfortunately inevitable over time. Some women opt to have a shopping spree by purchasing scarfs, hats, head wraps, and more in order to style up their new look.
Not only can retail therapy be a little uplifting, but rocking a stylish look can cause some much-needed confidence.
There’s no wrong way to cope with hair-loss, and so whether you opt for cooling caps, head wraps, a wig, or just owning your new look it’s completely up to you. For some people battling cancer, they were able to embrace their hair loss with the help of their family members. This was the case for Brittany Beadle, who was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer at just 18-years-old.
When her hair started to fall out after she began treatment, she figured she’d just go ahead and shave her hair off. Understandably this was a difficult decision for Brittany to make, but she was in for a pleasant, and heart-warming, surprise when her whole family decided to follow suit and also rock the bald look.
“When my hair started falling out, I would put my my hands through [my hair], and I would just have clumps of hair all over my pillowcase,” Brittany previously told SurvivorNet.
“I’m like,’ mom, we need to shave my hair.’ After I shaved mine, she goes ‘I’m going to shave mine with you’… my brother, Jesse saw how we shaved our heads, and he’s like ‘oh no that does not look good’ because we never shaved our hair before. He’s like let me help you guys,” she said.
“So he took the buzzers, and he shaved both of our hair for us, and he fixed it up. Then, he’s like, ‘I’m going to do this too.’ He took the buzzers, and he shaved his head as well. So we were just a family of shaved heads.”
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