‘Taking Control of Unexpected Challenges’: Actress Yan Kay Crystal Lowe, 44, Says It ‘Feels Good’ to Shave Her Own Head as Breast Cancer Treatment Ramps Up
‘Taking Control of Unexpected Challenges’: Actress Yan Kay Crystal Lowe, 44, Says It ‘Feels Good’ to Shave Her Own Head as Breast Cancer Treatment Ramps Up
Actress Crystal Lowe, known for “Children of the Corn” and “Final Destination 3,” was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. Treatment for breast cancer, in most cases, will need chemotherapy according to medical oncologist Dr. Elizabeth Comen. She adds that if the cancer is also hormone receptor-positive, aggressive hormonal therapy may be offered as well.
Hair loss usually begins about three to four weeks after chemotherapy and continues throughout treatment. Most people can expect regrowth four to six weeks after treatment.
While chemotherapy is a common cause of hair loss, radiation can also lead to thinning or baldness—especially when the treatment area includes the scalp. For instance, radiation targeting a brain tumor may result in hair loss on the head.
Hair typically begins to regrow within four to six weeks after treatment ends. According to Dr. James Taylor, a radiation oncologist at GenesisCare, “Fortunately, for most patients, hair loss is not a concern when having radiation therapy.” Still, regrowth may come with changes in texture or color.
Hair loss is one of the most challenging stages of the cancer journey because hair is so closely tied to your identity. If losing your hair is a concern for you before cancer treatment, know you have options like wigs, hats, wraps, and scarves, among other things, to maintain your self-esteem.
Scalp cooling devices such as the one Thurston uses constrict 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.
Actress Yan Kay Crystal Lowe, 44, is boldly reclaiming her identity in the face of breast cancer—starting with a shaved head and a fearless attitude. Known for her roles in Children of the Corn and Final Destination, Lowe is turning one of cancer’s most emotional milestones—hair loss—into a moment of empowerment.
“Well…I’m bald. So you know, there’s that. I can’t tell you how much better I feel,” she shared in an Instagram post.
“The whole family was there to support me. Kids giggled, and my son asked me to let his friends all touch my bald head. My daughter even said… You look pretty good! lol, the highest compliment you can get is from a 9-year-old girl,” Lowe added.
Supportive followers chimed in with positivity, including Instagram user Fotoula Boustris.
“If you want to hear the truth, always ask a child. They will tell you the truth, and I totally agree with them. You are bald and beautiful.”
“You are teaching your children so much about resilience, taking control of unexpected challenges, and approaching them with a positive attitude. Continuing to send you much love and many prayers!” Instagram user Christine Wuertz Labozan said.
The 44-year-old mother of two was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer.
WATCH: Stage 3 Breast Cancer Explained.
Stage three breast cancer typically refers to a relatively large tumor that may have invaded nearby skin or muscle tissue. It may also mean that lymph nodes near your breast and/or under your armpit are involved. In most cases, stage three breast cancers will need chemotherapy. If the cancer is also hormone receptor-positive, aggressive hormonal therapy may be offered as well.
The moment she received the phone call from her doctor, sharing the news, still sends a chill up her spine.
“I still remember getting off the phone, curling up into a ball, and just bawling,” Lowe shared, reflecting on the shock of her diagnosis in an essay for People Magazine.
Lowe’s self-awareness is what helped her discover something abnormal with her breasts.
“I noticed a large mass in my right breast. In that moment, everything else fell away. At first, I thought I had sprained a muscle while working out. To be safe, I immediately went to my doctor, who ordered a mammogram and guided ultrasound, but found nothing.”
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – MAY 21: Crystal Lowe attends the 49th Annual Gracie Awards, hosted by The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation at the Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire Hotel on May 21, 2024, in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Presley Ann/Getty Images for Alliance for Women in Media Foundation)
But the relief didn’t last. The mass remained—and began to change in appearance.
“The mass was still there, but it was changing in size and placement, and my confusion (and fear) kept growing. I didn’t feel any pain, but my nipple became inverted, so I went back to the doctor,” Lowe explained.
Her physician’s words were sobering: “Honey, I can’t be sure, but this feels like cancer.” Days later, the diagnosis was confirmed: stage 3 breast cancer.
“I’m facing the full journey—chemo, a double mastectomy, radiation, and eventually implants,” Lowe shared. “For someone who’s never dealt with a major illness, it was a lot to take in.” Among the many side effects, hair loss became a defining moment—one she chose to embrace with confidence.
Coping with Hair Loss in Cancer Care: Practical Advice & Emotional Support
Hair loss can be one of the more emotionally challenging parts of a cancer journey. For many patients, it’s not just about appearance—it’s about identity, control, and coping with change. SurvivorNet offers guidance and resources to help you navigate this side effect with confidence and care.
“For cancer patients, losing one’s hair can be unbelievably stressful. The dread alone can lead to sleepless nights and heightened anxiety,” says Dr. Samantha Boardman, a New York-based psychiatrist and author.
WATCH: What is a scalp-cooling device?
While chemotherapy is a common cause of hair loss, radiation can also lead to thinning or baldness—especially when the treatment area includes the scalp. For instance, radiation targeting a brain tumor may result in hair loss on the head.
The good news? Hair typically begins to regrow within four to six weeks after treatment ends. According to Dr. James Taylor, a radiation oncologist at GenesisCare, “Fortunately, for most patients, hair loss is not a concern when having radiation therapy.” Still, regrowth may come with changes in texture or color.
If hair loss is a concern, know that you have options—from wigs and wraps to hats and scarves—that can help you feel more like yourself during treatment.
Understanding Scalp Cooling Devices
Cold cap during infusions to help protect hair follicles. Scalp-cooling devices have been approved by the FDA recently, first for breast cancer and then for several other cancers.
That means wearing cold caps or special cooling caps before, during, and after each chemotherapy treatment.
The caps, which are tightly fitting and strap-on helmet-style, are filled with a gel coolant that’s chilled to between -15 and -40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Essentially, the caps “cause vasoconstriction, or a narrowing of the blood vessels bringing blood to the scalp,” Dr. Renata Urban, gynecologic oncologist at the University of Washington, explains.
By constricting the blood flow to the scalp, the caps limit the circulating chemotherapy that reaches the hair follicles, protecting them from some of the chemo’s damaging effects.
The cold also decreases the activity of the hair follicles, which slows down cell division and makes the follicles less affected by the chemotherapy medicine.
WATCH: What is a scalp-cooling device?
Dr. Julie Nangia, a medical oncologist at Baylor College of Medicine and a lead author on one of the major studies of the device, says 50% of women were able to keep their hair after four rounds of chemotherapy, and added: “Without the devices, 100% of patients lost their hair.”
There have been some safety questions when it comes to scalp-cooling, but Dr. Nangia says that when given to people with solid tumors (like breast, ovarian, colon, and lung cancer), the devices are safe.
Help Coping With a Breast Cancer Diagnosis
If you are facing a breast cancer diagnosis, your emotions are likely to run high, which is completely normal. Psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik says emotions are often fluid when coping with a diagnosis.
“The patient or person going through the stressful event should accept that emotions will be fluid. You may feel fine one day and then feel a massive wave of stress the next. It’s also important for those you look to for support, whether that’s a therapist, friends, and family, or both, to understand the fluidity of stress-related emotions,” Dr. Plutchik said.
WATCH: How to cope with complex and changing emotions.
If a stressful event affects how you think and feel, it may be time to seek mental health treatment. This could mean traditional talk therapy, medication, changing lifestyle habits (like exercise and diet), seeking a support group, or many other approaches.
SurvivorNet experts suggest women needing a little extra help coping with a breast cancer diagnosis.
Let your family and close friends know, and let them help. So many cancer survivors tell us they want and need support, but are often too preoccupied to make specific requests. Urge those close to you to jump in with whatever practical help they can offer.
Keep a journal. It can be extremely cathartic to let those feelings loose on paper. Grab a pen and a nice journal and chronicle your thoughts throughout the day.
Join a cancer support group. Groups in nearly every community offer opportunities to connect with others going through a similar journey. You’ll learn constructive insight from others who can tell you what to expect and how to stay strong on tough days.
Consider seeing a therapist. Ask your doctor to refer you to a therapist so you can discuss your fears and concerns in a safe space. Often, vocalizing your thoughts and feelings rather than internalizing them can provide relief.
What To Ask Your Doctor
If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, you may have questions about keeping your strength through treatment. Here are a few questions to help you begin the conversation with your doctor:
What treatment will I be receiving?
What side effects are associated with this treatment?
Are there steps I can take daily to help minimize these side effects?
What physical activity routine do you recommend for me during treatment?
Do you have recommendations for someone who doesn’t particularly enjoy exercise?
Can you recommend a dietitian who can help me with healthy eating tips and weight maintenance?
I’ve been having trouble sleeping. Do you have any treatment recommendations?
