Chemotherapy and hair loss: What to expect during treatment
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Wearing a scalp cooling cap during chemotherapy infusions might help prevent hair loss. These caps are thought to slow the flow of blood to your scalp. This may limit the amount of chemotherapy medication that reaches your scalp, reducing its effects on your hair follicles. As your hair grows, use a gentle shampoo and conditioner. New hair growth is fragile and your scalp may still be very sensitive.
Timeline for Hair Regrowth
Losing hair while receiving chemotherapy can be upsetting, but the loss is usually only temporary. All hair goes through periods of rest, during which it does not grow. Hair can also fall out when it reaches a certain length or when a person pulls it. We want everyone affected by cancer to feel our information is written for them. Temporary or semi-permanent dyes are a good way to find out if a hair colour suits you before you try a permanent colour.
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Many people lose some or all of their hair if they undergo chemotherapy. However, this effect is rarely permanent, and the hair should grow back once treatment is over. Some studies have suggested that these caps might increase the risk that cancer will develop in the scalp later on. However, a 2017 literature review found the rate of cancer recurrence in the scalp was low among breast cancer survivors. Here are seven facts about hair loss from chemotherapy, including strategies to manage it.
What about natural oils or hair growth products?
It may show up in patches, or even with a different color or texture than it did before. It generally becomes noticeable after about three weeks. Head hair usually goes first, followed by hair from other areas of the body. But again, everyone responds differently, so it could be sooner or later, depending on the individual. By Mary Nolan-Pleckham, RNNolan-Pleckham is an Illinois-based registered nurse with over 15 years of direct patient care experience. It could fall out very quickly in clumps or gradually.
What are the most common causes of hair loss during cancer treatment?
However, hair transplants are specialised treatments. You should begin to see hair regrowth a few weeks after your chemotherapy ends. Be prepared for a little shock — the initial growth is going to look different. Unless you’ve undergone chemo before, you very likely haven’t grown your hair out from complete baldness. People undergoing chemo often lose their hair, regardless of which cancer they’re fighting or which drug they’re taking.
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Comb or brush gently, and don’t weaken your hair with products that contain bleach, menthol, or alcohol. Patients usually start seeing regrowth after about six to eight weeks. That being said, once they get the green light from their care team, many patients consider a biotin supplement, also known as vitamin B-7.
Your scalp and hair will also need to be in good condition. There is limited evidence that using a drug called minoxidil may help when applied to the scalp. Factors such as the chemo dose and how you take the treatment (i.e., as a tablet or infusion) influence the severity of hair loss.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center says you can expect your hair to grow back in 3 to 5 months. The Macmillan Support Line offers confidential support to people living with cancer and their loved ones. We use gender-inclusive language and talk to our readers as ‘you’ so that everyone feels included.
Natural products may still cause an allergic reaction. Unless the henna is bright red, it will have other forms of tint added to it. If you do use a henna product after chemotherapy, the colour the henna produces may be more intense. It is important to do a skin sensitivity test, even with natural products. The type of chemotherapy involved also plays a role in how effective these treatments are. In general, more research is needed on the effectiveness of cold cap treatments.
For people of African descent, the new hair usually curls over after the first stage of growth. Make sure you talk to the nurses and assistants you encounter in your chemo sessions and elsewhere during your treatment. They may have a broader perspective than your doctor has. Her bubbly demeanor was the best indicator I had of the return of her health. But last week, I realized I’d also been noticing the return of her hair.
Patients usually start seeing regrowth about six to eight weeks after they’re done with treatment. Over time, the hair should settle into a more regular growth pattern. However, its texture might be different than it was before the treatment. Chemo-related hair loss affects people in different ways.
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Look for regrowth to start within 3-6 months from your last treatment. You may even see a bit of regrowth while you’re still in treatment. Some people say that if the chemo drugs can’t get to your scalp, some cancer cells might remain -- but that’s rarely been reported. There are side effects as well, including head and neck aches. There’s no guaranteed way to save your hair during chemo.
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