Hair Growth after Chemotherapy

Cancer chemotherapy treatment targets all rapidly dividing cells—healthy cells as well as cancer cells. Hair follicles, the structures in the skin filled with tiny blood vessels that make hair, are some of the fastest-growing cells in the body. But as the chemotherapy does its work against cancer cells, it also destroys hair cells. So, within a few weeks of starting cancer chemotherapy, you may lose some or all of your hair.

The good news is that hair loss is temporary for most people. The answer to the question 'When will the hair grow back?' depends on the chemotherapy treatment used, and the composition and dose of chemotherapy pills or injections. How long it takes to grow back also varies from person to person.

Hair may start to grow back while still undergoing chemotherapy. In some cases, hair growth afterchemotherapy is also observed. Many people report seeing hair growth around four to six weeks after the end of treatment.

Generally, the hair that tends to fall out easily is the hair that tends to grow back the fastest. The hair on the top of your head grows faster than your eyebrows or eyelashes.

Your new hair may be of a different texture or possibly a different color than it was before you started treatment. It may be thicker and curlier, or straighter, than your original hair. Some people also find that their hair grows in gray and then a few months later resumes its natural color.

Preferably use a gentle shampoo and conditioner as your hair grows back. For the first few months avoid having chemical processes like perms or hair coloring because your hair is still fragile and scalp is very sensitive. Using a hair dryer or curling/straightening iron may also cause damage to the hair cells.

Chemotherapy Drugs

Chemotherapy drugs destroy the cancerous cells in the body. Depending on the extent and stage of the cancer, cancer chemotherapy can cure the cancer, destroy the cancerous cells, curtail its further growth and protect other healthy cells. Chemotherapy helps shrink the tumor thus allowing for a minor surgery. Sometimes, chemotherapy is the only available treatment for treating cancer. However, it can also be used along with other treatments like surgery and radiation therapy.

Some of the available chemotherapy drugs are mentioned below:

• Cisplatin: This is the drug that is used for cancers in bladder, testicles and ovary. It’s usually given intravenously.

• Carboplatin: It is administered intravenously and used for cancer in neck, lung, head and ovary.

• Docetaxel: This is the drug that is administered on patients suffering from cancer like, lung cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer. It’s given intravenously.

• Cyclophosphamide: This can either be administered orally or intravenously. This drug is beneficial for patients suffering from breast cancer, lymphoma and ovarian carcinoma.

• Erlotinib: This cancer chemotherapy is administered orally and used for cancer non small cell lung cancer.

• Gemcitabine: It’s intravenously given to the patient. This chemotherapy drug is given to patients suffering from breast cancer, lung and ovary cancer.

• Methotrexate: It can be administered intravenously, in the spinal column or orally. This chemotherapy drug is useful for treating blood cancer, bone cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer and cancer of the lymph nodes.

Cancer Chemotherapy differs from patient to patient as per their diagnosis and the state of advancement. So, the reaction to such chemotherapy pills will also be different for each patient. The side effects may be mild, severe or absent. You can always discuss with the medical team that is treating you about any possible side effects and take necessary measures.