Hair Loss During Chemotherapy

Not all chemotherapy drugs cause hair loss; but after chemotherapy hair does grow back.

While some of the newer, more targeted chemotherapy drugs will not affect hair, the majority do cause hair loss. And unfortunately, there's nothing you can do to prevent it. Depending on the drug, your hair may gradually thin before you lose all your hair -- or you may lose it all at once.

For example:

• The breast cancer drug Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide) causes hair thinning but not hair loss.
• Adrucil (fluorouracil) does not cause hair loss.
• Adriamycin (doxorubicin) causes hair to thin during the first three weeks of treatment, then hair falls out.
• With Taxol (paclitaxel), there is very sudden hair loss; you will likely wake up one morning with your hair on your pillow.

To prepare themselves emotionally for the change, most patients have their hair cut before they start chemo. Others choose to have their heads shaved. Just be assured it will grow back.

Typically, within a few weeks after treatment ends, your hair will start growing back. If you've been using hair color or chemicals, your hair may be slower to grow back or may be more brittle.

What Does the New Hair Look Like?

As hair begins to grow back, it will have a different texture; it may be curlier than before. Six months or a year later, your hair will have returned to its normal texture. Until your hair grows back, moisturizer on your scalp might help skin feel more comfortable and less itchy.

Until their hair grows back, some people choose to wear a wig or hairpiece, which insurance usually covers. Women sometimes wear scarves; others prefer the natural look, as an expression of their battle with cancer. This is your choice; whatever makes you most comfortable is the right decision.

Just don't worry if -- during months of chemotherapy -- your hair starts growing back a little. This is not a sign your chemo isn't working. It's just a natural part of the process.

Don't let your hair loss bother you too much. It's an unfortunate side effect of chemotherapy that just about everyone goes through. But thankfully, it is temporary -- and it's helping you battle your disease.