What are chemo curls?

As a person completes chemotherapy treatment, they may notice changes to their hair for some time. One such change, known as “chemo curls,” causes hair to regrow curly after chemotherapy treatment. This is often temporary.

How long do chemo curls last?

If you keep your hair short, in six to 12 months most of your chemo curls will be gone and you'll be free to try new styles with your short hair. For those who enjoy longer styles, chemo curls may last several years, or until you cut off the growth that occurred just after chemo.

Does everyone get chemo curls?

Chemo curls affect both men and women, but since men usually wear their hair shorter than women, they often cut off the initial growth before it becomes a styling nightmare.

Can I keep my chemo curls?

Chemotherapy drugs can linger in the body after treatment, affecting many cells such as the hair follicles. Chemo curls are generally not permanent and should reduce with time. Other changes to the color and texture of the hair should also go away as the drugs leave the body after treatment.

Does chemo age your face?

So, it is not surprising that many people feel that they age dramatically during chemotherapy. During chemotherapy, the epidermis loses its ability to hold on to moisture, which leads to fine lines in the skin's surface. In the dermis, the collagen and elastin break down, which weakens the skin's support structure.

How to Care for Chemo Curls

Does hair grow back GREY after chemo?

Some people also find that their hair grows back gray at first, and then a few months later, it returns to its natural color.

Will my hair ever go back to normal after chemo?

Fortunately, most of the time hair loss from chemotherapy is temporary. You can expect to regrow your hair three to six months after your treatment ends, though your hair may temporarily be a different shade or texture.

What is the best shampoo for chemo hair loss?

Use baby shampoo or other mild shampoo (such as Aveeno^® or Vanicream^™). You should also use a cream rinse or hair conditioner. Use shampoos and conditioners that have sunscreen to prevent sun damage to your scalp.

What does your hair look like after chemo?

When chemotherapy is complete, remnants of the drugs may remain impacting the regrowing hair cells. These altered follicles may appear curly and more coarse. As the hair gets longer, the tight curls may fade to waves, while for others the curls may stick around for the long term.

Should I shave my head after chemo?

There is no correct answer, it's up to you! If you feel comfortable shaving it ahead of time, maybe you want to get accustomed to the new look you can do that. Otherwise, you can let your hair fall out slowly. It's entirely up to you and whichever you feel more comfortable with!

What helps hair grow fast after chemo?

Try hair regrowth treatment

Some research has suggested that minoxidil (Rogaine) might speed up hair regrowth or reduce hair loss during chemotherapy. Doctors may, for example, recommend Rogaine for people who have had tamoxifen therapy for breast cancer.

Does your scalp hurt when losing hair from chemo?

When hair loss does occur, it usually starts 2–3 weeks after the first treatment. Before and while your hair is falling out, your scalp may feel hot, itchy, tender or tingly. Some people find that the skin on their head is extra sensitive, and they may develop pimples on their scalp.

How long does it take for eyelashes to grow back after chemo?

Eyebrows and eyelashes may grow back more quickly or more slowly than the hair on your head. Eyelashes can be quite patchy when they start to grow back. They may take up to a year to grow back fully although they will usually grow back in about six months after treatment finishes.

How long does chemo stay in your body?

It generally takes about 48 to 72 hours for your body to break down and/or get rid of most chemo drugs. But it's important to know that each chemo drug is excreted or passed through the body a bit differently.

How many days after chemo do you feel better?

Most people say it takes 6 to 12 months after they finish chemotherapy before they truly feel like themselves again.

Does chemo make you lose weight?

Whether it's due to pain from a growing tumor, swallowing difficulties caused by radiation therapy, or the nausea, loss of appetite or mouth sores that are sometimes caused by chemotherapy, involuntary weight loss is a serious side effect of cancer and its treatment for many patients.

Does chemo cause facial hair growth?

The hairs on the scalp fall out first, and then a little later facial hair, body hair and pubic hair may fall out too. A few weeks after the end of chemotherapy, the hairs start to grow back in most people. Scarring on the scalp or other problems are rare.

How long should you wait to color your hair after chemo?

It is best not to use dyes or perms for around 6 months after finishing chemotherapy. This is because when you are recovering from chemotherapy, your hair is more fragile than usual.

What does chemo do to your eyes?

Many cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation, steroids and immunotherapies, are known to cause eye-related side effects such as dryness, tearing, cataracts, sensitivity to light, infection or altered vision. It's even possible for eye color to change.

What should you not do during chemotherapy?

What is chemo belly?

Bloating also can be caused when the movement of food through the digestive tract slows as a result of cancer treatments, including gastric surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy or other medications. The bloating associated with chemotherapy is often referred to as “chemo belly.”

Does chemotherapy make you smell?

One of the oddest and sometimes most annoying side-effects of certain chemotherapy drugs is an awareness of bad smells, or consciousness of foul-smelling odours in various locations, particularly around the house.

How do I keep my eyelashes during chemo?

How can I wash my hair during chemo?

Caring for your hair during chemotherapy

Your scalp may be sensitive. You may also feel cold or lose some hair. Wash your hair with a mild soap, pat gently with a towel to dry and use a wide toothed comb.