Chemotherapy, a common treatment for cancer, can lead to various side effects, including changes to hair. One such effect, often referred to as “chemo curls,” involves a noticeable alteration in hair texture and sometimes color. These changes are a temporary result of the treatment’s impact on hair follicles. Understanding the nature and duration of chemo curls can help individuals manage expectations during and after their cancer treatment.
What Are Chemo Curls?
Chemo curls describe the new hair growth that often emerges with a different texture or color than an individual’s pre-chemotherapy hair. This hair might be curlier, wavier, or even straighter than before, frequently appearing after initial hair loss or during the early stages of regrowth. The underlying reason for these changes relates to how chemotherapy drugs affect rapidly dividing cells throughout the body, including those in hair follicles.
Hair follicles contain matrix cells that divide quickly to produce hair strands. Chemotherapy agents target these fast-growing cells, disrupting their normal function and development. As these cells recover and begin to produce new hair, they may initially do so imperfectly, leading to a temporary alteration in the hair’s structure and pigment. This disruption results in hair that looks and feels different from pre-treatment hair.
How Long Do Chemo Curls Last?
The duration of chemo curls varies significantly among individuals, making it challenging to predict an exact timeline. Many people find that their hair gradually returns to its pre-chemotherapy texture over several months to a few years. For some, the new texture may persist for 6 to 12 months as hair grows out, with the original texture slowly resuming.
Factors influencing how long chemo curls last include the specific chemotherapy drugs administered and the individual’s unique biological response to treatment. Certain drugs may have a more pronounced or prolonged effect on hair follicles. In a smaller number of cases, the change in hair texture can be semi-permanent or even permanent, meaning the hair may never fully revert to its original state.
Hair Characteristics During Regrowth
As hair regrows after chemotherapy, individuals often observe distinct changes in its characteristics beyond just the development of curls. Hair might emerge with a significantly different texture, becoming much finer or coarser than before treatment. Some people experience their hair growing back curlier, while others might find previously curly hair regrowing straighter.
Color changes are also common during this regrowth phase. Hair may return with a different shade, sometimes appearing darker, lighter, or even gray, regardless of the individual’s age. These alterations in texture and color are typically temporary. However, for some, these new characteristics can persist, becoming the new normal for their hair.
Caring for Hair After Chemotherapy
Proper care for hair after chemotherapy can help manage chemo curls and support healthy regrowth. It is advisable to use gentle, mild shampoos and conditioners that are free from harsh chemicals, sulfates, and parabens. Washing hair less frequently and using lukewarm water can help prevent dryness and irritation of the sensitive scalp. Air-drying hair whenever possible is beneficial, as heat styling tools like blow dryers, curling irons, and straighteners can cause damage to fragile new growth.
Avoiding chemical treatments such as coloring, perming, or relaxing hair for at least six months to a year after treatment is generally recommended. These processes can be too harsh for newly regrown hair and a recovering scalp. Protecting the scalp from sun exposure with hats or scarves is also important, as it may be more sensitive during this period. Patience is important during this phase, as hair regrowth is a gradual process.