People undergoing chemotherapy will notice different levels of hair regrowth.
This article discusses how chemotherapy impacts hair loss and regrowth.
What Is Chemotherapy?
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Chemotherapyis a treatment that uses strong medicines to kill fast-growing cells, including cancer cells and normal fast-growing cells.
It is a commoncancer treatmentand is often referred to as chemo.
Surgery and radiation therapy remove, kill, or damage cancer cells in a specific area of the body.
Chemo is different because it works throughout the body.
However, chemo also affects normal fast-growing cells throughout the body.
Chemotherapy and Hair Loss
One of the most frustrating side effects of chemotherapy ishair loss.
The extent of hair loss can vary among individuals and depends on drug bang out and dosage.
Some people may experience mere thinning of the hair, while others may lose all of their hair.
Hair loss tends to begin after a few chemotherapy treatments.
The hair may fall out gradually, or it may fall out in clumps.
Any remaining hair might look dull or feel dry during chemotherapy.
Some patients lose more than just the hair on their headssome lose hair all over their bodies.
They lose eyebrows, eyelashes, pubic hair, and even arm and leg hair.
Whenhairdoes grow back in, it may be a different texture or color than the hair you lost.
For example, if you had straight hair, it may be curly when it comes back in.
Caring for Hair Regrowth
As your hair grows, use a gentle shampoo and conditioner.
New hair growth is fragile and your scalp may still be very sensitive.
Summary
Hair loss with chemotherapy and cancer treatment is common.
You may experience changes to your scalp also.
It can take time for your appearance to return to what you were used to seeing.
Wigs, hats, and head coverings can all help to reduce the visible impact of hair loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hair regrowth after chemo is different for each person.
Hair loss from chemo is different from other kinds of hair thinning or loss.
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