Before knowing how to regrow hair after chemotherapy, you should at least know what happened behind it. Chemotherapy is the process of curing cancer with one antineoplastic drug or a combination of such drugs in a standardized treatment procedure. The easiest meaning to understand this is that chemotherapy (chemo) is the use of drugs or drugs to treat cancer. The path of this treatment is to kill rapidly dividing cells. The cells include cells in the bone, marrow, digestive tract, and follicles. One of the most common side effects of chemotherapy is andalopecia, or hair loss.
The big loss is caused by drugs that kill rapidly dividing cells. Thinner hair is also the result of other medications. However, the effects are temporary. It will usually start to grow back a few weeks after the last treatment, and sometimes the new one tends to curl, which is called a “chemo perm.” Also, follicles damaged by chemotherapy may have a different color and texture than the condition before chemotherapy. Another worse effect is that the eyebrows and eyelashes can also fall out for several years at regular intervals. Some of you may not believe how this effect could occur, however this information is helpful in preparing yourself in case you experience this.
How to regrow hair after chemotherapy might be the question for the layman who has never suffered from the disease before. In fact, for patients it is normal as long as they execute the therapy. The use of chemotherapy drugs affects the roots and the pattern of the shaft. Since the effects of the drugs on your body system are still there after chemotherapy, the hair needs some time to recover as the toxins are washed out. The first new hair, which may be curly or even fine, may be trimmed as it grows for the next six to twelve months after treatment.
Actually, the answer of how to regrow hair after chemotherapy is none. The hair will grow on its own naturally and the speed of hair development is different between patients. Therefore, in order to support growth, you’d better do special hair-enhancing care. These are the tips to maintain good growth after treatment.
• You must have patience to wait. It takes between two weeks and three months for hair to grow back after chemotherapy. Usually, the hair that falls out first grows back first.
• You have to take care of the beginning period when your hair starts to grow again. As the hair can be very delicate and brittle at first.
• You can start washing your hair with a very mild shampoo like baby shampoo or damaged products. A scalp massage should be given while washing your chemo curls to improve blood circulation and get rid of dry, flaky skin. Since your scalp may still be soft, you should avoid using very hot water. For the best care, you can follow the rinse by giving the conditioner.
• Dry the hair, the use of a hair dryer is not recommended. I could only dry it by drying it with a thick towel.
• Comb your new hair gently to prevent breakage.
• Do not use hair straighteners as it could burn your scalp slightly.
• Use styling products that offer a light hold as they are easy to wash out. Products with water-based ingredients are safe for your hair. The American Hair Loss Council states that some styling products potentially inflame the scalp, cause buildup in the hair, and lead to scalp infections. To solve this problem, you have to wash your hair frequently.
• Avoid executing extreme styling treatments such as dyes or permanents.
• The use of minoxidil (Rogaine) can speed up hair growth after chemotherapy.
• To cover uneven hair growth, you can wrap your head with a scarf or attach hair clips.
• Have your hair cut at a salon when it grows unevenly. It might make your hair look better.
Having known such enlightenment earlier, you should not be afraid of chemotherapy and have no idea how to grow back after it ends. You will recover your hair or even a better condition than before taking this therapy naturally. Even though you could effortlessly regain normal hair, you still need to maintain it to get such healthy and beautiful hair. If you love yourself, you must take care of your body.