Hair usually begins falling out two to four weeks after you start treatment. It could fall out very quickly in clumps or gradually. You'll likely notice accumulations of loose hair on your pillow, in your hairbrush or comb, or in your sink or shower drain.
Approximately 65% of individuals undergoing chemotherapy will experience chemotherapy-induced hair loss, which is usually temporary and completely reversible when therapy ends. The use of molecularly targeted agents in cancer treatment has also been associated with hair loss rates as high as 60%.
There is currently no medication that can prevent chemotherapy-related hair loss. Some people try out hair-growth products that are applied to the scalp, like those containing the drug minoxidil.
Hair growth after chemo can be stimulated to grow back faster by applying minoxidil or minoxidil alternatives. Research suggests that minoxidil (Rogaine) might speed up hair regrowth after chemo.
Most people think that chemotherapy drugs always cause hair loss. But some don't cause hair loss at all or only slight thinning. Other types of chemotherapy may cause complete hair loss. It might include eyelashes, eyebrows, underarm, leg and sometimes pubic hair.
Whether or not you will have side effects during cancer treatment depends on a variety of factors, including your overall health, the drug dosage, and the types of medication you take. A number of chemo drugs, for example, don't cause hair loss because they are better able to target cancer cells – not healthy cells.
The following timeline indicates what most people can expect to happen after chemotherapy: 3–4 weeks: Light, fuzzy hair forms. 4–6 weeks: Thicker hair begins growing.
Chemotherapy can cause your hair to become dry and brittle, so take good care of it. Use a neutral pH shampoo and conditioner (baby shampoo is too alkaline). Cut down on the number of times you wash your hair each week. Use a wide-toothed comb to avoid pulling at your hair and hair roots.
Some people also find that their hair grows back gray at first, and then a few months later, it returns to its natural color.
During a course of treatment, you usually have around 4 to 8 cycles of treatment. A cycle is the time between one round of treatment until the start of the next. After each round of treatment you have a break, to allow your body to recover.
Not all chemotherapy causes hair loss, but some chemotherapy drugs are more likely to cause hair loss or thinning. They include: Altretamine (Hexalen) Carboplatin (Paraplatin)
Some people report that their scalps feel itchy, sensitive and irritated during their treatments and while their hair is falling out. Shaving your head can reduce the irritation and save the embarrassment of shedding. Protect your scalp.
Doxorubicin is considered one of the strongest chemotherapy drugs for breast cancer ever invented. It can kill cancer cells at every point in their life cycle, and it's used to treat a wide variety of cancers, not just breast cancer. Doxorubicin is also known as “The Red Devil” because it is a clear bright red color.
Some cancer treatments may cause your eyelashes and eyebrows to become thinner or fall out completely. But remember that eyebrows and eyelashes usually grow back.
Henna and vegetable based dyes
You can ask your hairdresser to suggest henna dyes or vegetable based dyes for you. These are gentler on the hair than the other types of hair colouring. So hair specialists think it is safe to use them.
Why does chemotherapy cause hair loss? The reason chemotherapy can cause hair loss is that it targets all rapidly dividing cells — healthy cells as well as cancer cells. Hair follicles, the structures in the skin from which hair grows, include some of the fastest-growing cells in the body.
New Color, Texture or Curls
Many people report having "chemo curls," or different hair color and texture when it grows back after chemotherapy. This is because the chemotherapy medications can remain in your body and cause your hair follicles to behave differently.
When treatment ends, you may expect life to return to the way it was before you were diagnosed with cancer. But it can take time to recover. You may have permanent scars on your body, or you may not be able to do some things you once did easily. Or you may even have emotional scars from going through so much.
For most people the side effects were worst in the first few days after treatment, then they gradually felt better until the next treatment. Some said the effects were worse with each successive treatment. Most side effects don't persist and disappear within a few weeks after the end of treatment.
Short, planned delays in chemotherapy for good-risk GCT patients (less than or equal to 7 days per cycle) appear to be acceptable since they may prevent serious toxicity in this curable patient population. Delays of longer than 7 days are strongly discouraged except in extraordinary life-threatening circumstances.
Chemotherapy can be dehydrating. Drinking plenty of water before and after treatment helps your body process chemotherapy drugs and flush the excess out of your system.
You can use eyebrow wax as a base for eyebrow powder. It helps hold the colour in place. It's good for filling in gaps and keeping them in shape. You can put the wax on first and then the shadow.
However, it can be helpful to ask a hairdresser to help. Most hairdressers have experience of cutting hair prior to chemotherapy treatment, as it is a common form of cancer treatment. You may prefer to ask your hairdresser to come to your home so that you can have your hair cut in private.