Understanding Treatment-Related Hair Changes
One of the most obvious and emotionally difficult side effects of cancer treatment is hair loss. Most of the time, hair loss is just temporary, and hair usually starts to grow back after therapy finishes.
Different Kinds of Hair Changes
Cancer medications can make your hair:
✔ Thin out a little
✔ Lose patches of hair
✔ Go completely bald (alopecia)
Most likely, chemotherapy will cause a lot of hair loss, such as:
- Hair on the scalp
- The eyebrows and eyelashes
- Body hair, like on your legs, underarms, and pubic area
Other treatments, including targeted therapy, hormone therapy, and immunotherapy, usually cause hair to thin out slowly instead of completely falling out.
What Makes Hair loss?
There are a number of things that affect whether or not you’ll lose hair and how much:
🔹 The kind and dose of the drug (certain chemotherapy drugs are more likely to cause hair loss)
🔹 The way the drug is given (IV vs. oral)
🔹 The person’s sensitivity
🔹 Previous treatments
1. Chemotherapy and Hair Loss
- Timing:Â Hair usually starts to come out 2 to 3 weeks after the first treatment.
- Regrowth:Â Starts 1 to 3 months after therapy, and it may take 6 to 12 months for full recovery.
- Changes in texture or colour:Â The new hair may be softer, curlier, or a different colour.
- Note:Â In rare circumstances, very large dosages of medicines like docetaxel might cause extended delays or (very rarely) irreversible loss.
2. Targeted Therapy and Hair Loss
Changes can be:
- Hair that is thinner or grows more slowly
- Changed texture (rougher or smoother)
- Longer and darker eyelashes (with some medicines)
- Regrowth happens a lot even while you’re getting therapy.
3. Hormone Treatment and Hair Loss
- Usually makes hair thinner over time, but not completely bald.
- Could start in a month and last for the whole treatment.
- Note:Â Hormone therapy for prostate cancer doesn’t usually make men lose hair.
4. Immunotherapy and Hair Loss
- The effects are very different; some people lose hair in a few weeks, while others do so after a year or more.
- After therapy, hair usually grows back.
How to Deal with Hair Loss: Useful Tips
Take Care of Your Scalp
- Use shampoos that are gentle and don’t have any scents.
- Don’t use heat to style your hair.
Head Coverings
- Try soft caps, scarves, or wigs.
- Many hospitals have free ones.
For Eyebrows and Lashes
- Cosmetics or microblading are quick fixes.
Support for Your Feelings
- Talk to your care team; they can help you find counsellors or support groups.
- Before treatment, think about cutting your hair short to make the change easier.
- Keep in mind that it’s only temporary for most folks.
When Hair Comes Back
- Chemo regrowth:Â Usually starts within 3 to 6 months, and full thickness comes back by 12 months.
- Post-treatment hair:Â May look unusual at first, but it normally goes back to normal with time.
- Persistent thinning:Â If your hair keeps getting thinner, talk to your doctor about topical treatments like minoxidil.
A Last Word
Losing hair can make you feel like your cancer journey is showing, but it also shows how strong you are. Be patient with the process, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
Do you have any questions or advice to give? Leave them in the comments below!