Hair Growth After Chemo: What You Need to Know

7 min readJul 5, 2023

If you have gone through chemotherapy, you may have experienced hair loss as one of the side effects. Chemotherapy can damage the cells that make hair grow, causing hair to fall out during or shortly after treatment. This can be a distressing experience for many people, but the good news is that hair loss from chemotherapy is usually temporary.

In this article, we will answer some common questions about hair growth after chemo, such as:

When does hair grow back after chemo?
How does hair look and feel when it grows back?
How can you stimulate hair growth after chemo?
What are some natural and effective treatments for hair growth after chemo?

When does hair grow back after chemo?

The answer to this question depends on several factors, such as the type and dose of chemotherapy drugs you received, the type and stage of cancer you had, your overall health, and your individual response to treatment. However, a general timeline for hair regrowth after chemo is:

3–4 weeks after chemo ends: You may notice some soft fuzz on your scalp. This is the first sign of hair regrowth.
4–6 weeks after chemo ends: Your hair may start to grow thicker and longer. It may also have a different color or texture than before.
2–3 months after chemo ends: Your hair may be about an inch long and cover most of your scalp. You may be able to style it or use accessories to enhance its appearance.
3–6 months after chemo ends: Your hair may be 2–3 inches long and look more like your pre-chemo hair. You may be able to return to your previous haircut or try a new one.
12 months after chemo ends: Your hair may be 4–6 inches long and long enough to brush or style. It may also regain its original color and texture, or it may remain different.

Some people may experience faster or slower hair regrowth than others. Some people may also experience permanent hair loss or thinning, especially if they received certain drugs such as docetaxel (Taxotere). If you are concerned about your hair regrowth, talk to your doctor or oncologist for advice.

How does hair look and feel when it grows back?

Many people notice that their hair looks and feels different when it grows back after chemo. Some of the possible changes include:

Color: Your hair may grow back with a different color than before. It may be darker, lighter, grayer, or even have patches of different colors. This is because chemotherapy can affect the pigment cells in your hair follicles. The color change may be temporary or permanent, depending on how your body recovers from treatment.
Texture: Your hair may grow back with a different texture than before. It may be straighter, curlier, wavier, coarser, or finer. This is because chemotherapy can affect the shape and structure of your hair follicles. The texture change may be temporary or permanent, depending on how your body recovers from treatment.
Density: Your hair may grow back with less density than before. It may be thinner, sparser, or have bald patches. This is because chemotherapy can affect the number and activity of your hair follicles. The density change may be temporary or permanent, depending on how your body recovers from treatment.

Some people like their new hair better than their old one, while others prefer their pre-chemo hair. Either way, it is important to remember that your hair is not who you are. You are still the same person inside, regardless of how your hair looks.

How can you stimulate hair growth after chemo?

There are some things you can do to help your hair grow faster and healthier after chemo. Some of them include:

Eating a balanced diet: Your diet plays a vital role in your overall health and well-being, including your hair health. Eating a balanced diet that includes protein, iron, zinc, biotin, vitamin C, and other nutrients can help nourish your hair follicles and promote hair growth. You can also take supplements if recommended by your doctor.
Massaging your scalp: Massaging your scalp can help stimulate blood circulation and oxygen delivery to your scalp, which can boost hair growth. You can use your fingers or a gentle brush to massage your scalp for a few minutes every day. You can also use oils such as coconut oil, olive oil, or jojoba oil to moisturize and condition your scalp.
Avoiding harsh chemicals and heat: Your hair may be more fragile and prone to damage when it grows back after chemo. Therefore, you should avoid using harsh chemicals such as dyes, bleaches, perms, or relaxers on your hair. You should also avoid using heat tools such as hair dryers, curling irons, or flat irons on your hair. These can cause your hair to break, split, or fall out.
Protecting your hair from the sun: The sun can damage your hair by drying it out, fading its color, or causing it to burn. You should protect your hair from the sun by wearing a hat, scarf, or wig when you go outside. You can also use products that contain SPF or UV filters to shield your hair from the sun’s rays.

What are some natural and effective treatments for hair growth after chemo?

In addition to the tips mentioned above, you may also want to try some natural and effective treatments for hair growth after chemo. One of them is red light therapy.

Red light therapy is a treatment that uses low-level red light to stimulate your cells and tissues to heal and regenerate. Red light therapy has been shown to have various benefits for skin health, wound healing, inflammation reduction, and pain relief.

Red light therapy may also help with hair growth after chemo by:

Increasing blood flow to the scalp: Red light therapy can increase blood flow to the scalp, which can deliver more oxygen and nutrients to your hair follicles. This can help your hair grow faster and stronger.
Stimulating collagen production: Red light therapy can stimulate collagen production in your skin, which can improve your scalp’s elasticity and thickness. This can help support your hair follicles and prevent them from falling out.
Activating stem cells: Red light therapy can activate stem cells in your hair follicles, which can help regenerate new hair cells and restore your hair’s natural growth cycle.

Red light therapy is a safe and painless treatment that has no known side effects. It is also FDA approved for treating various conditions, including hair loss.

One of the easiest ways to use red light therapy for hair growth after chemo is to use a red light therapy hat. A red light therapy hat is a device that fits over your head and emits red light onto your scalp. You can use it at home while you work, watch TV, read a book, or relax.

A red light therapy hat usually has a rechargeable battery and a timer that automatically shuts off after a certain period of time. You only need to use it for about 15 minutes a day to see results.

There are many red light therapy hats available on the market, but not all of them are created equal. Some of them may have low-quality LEDs, insufficient wavelengths, or poor coverage. You should look for a red light therapy hat that has:

High-powered LEDs: The LEDs should be high-powered and energy-efficient to deliver enough light intensity and penetration to your scalp.
Specific and proven wavelengths: The wavelengths should be specific and proven for hair growth, such as 660 nm (red) and 850 nm (near-infrared). These wavelengths can reach different depths of your scalp and stimulate different aspects of hair growth.
Full coverage: The hat should cover your entire scalp and provide uniform light distribution. This can ensure that all areas of your scalp receive adequate stimulation.

One example of a high-quality red light therapy hat is the HairMax PowerFlex Laser Cap 202. This hat uses 202 medical-grade lasers that emit 650 nm (red) wavelength. It has a flexible design that conforms to any head shape and size. It also has an LCD display that shows the treatment time and battery level.

The HairMax PowerFlex Laser Cap 202 is clinically proven to regrow hair in both men and women with hereditary hair loss. It is also FDA cleared for safety and efficacy. You can use it for 15 minutes every other day to see results in as little as 12 weeks.

Conclusion

Hair growth after chemo can be a challenging process, but it is not impossible. With proper care and patience, you can restore your hair’s health and beauty.

You can also try some natural and effective treatments for hair growth after chemo, such as red light therapy. Red light therapy can stimulate your scalp’s blood circulation, collagen production, and stem cell activation. This can help you grow thicker, fuller, and healthier hair.

One of the best ways to use red light therapy for hair growth after chemo is to use a red light therapy hat. A red light therapy hat is a device that fits over your head and emits red light onto your scalp. You can use it at home while you work, watch TV, read a book, or relax.