When my friend Mary’s hair grew back after completing chemo, she got quite a surprise.
Before chemo, her hair was light brown and on the straight side. After chemo her hair grew in silvery white and curly!
Another friend, Frances, had jet black wavy hair before chemo and it grew back reddish-brown, soft and straight!
While not everyone experiences hair re-growth the same way, there are some shared experiences, common enough to share here.
- Soft fuzz will start growing two to three weeks after you finish treatment.
- Re-growth speed, on average, is an inch of hair growth about two months after treatment
- A full head of hair within six months to a year of completing treatment
Hair stylists suggest that once you can grasp your hair between your fingers, it’s time for a trim. You may not want to part with even a fraction of an inch, but stylists agree that eliminating fuzzy or frizzy ends will help keep your hair looking healthy and give it more fullness.
Be sure to use mold shampoos, such as Ivory and shampoo every few days rather than every day.
Consult with your oncologist and dermatologist before doing any chemical processing of your new hair, including coloring, bleaching, or getting a permanent.
If new hair growth is slow to occur, speak to your oncologist about it. Causes may include treatment-induced low levels of zinc or iron, thyroid problems or stress.
Source: Health.com
