What should you know about hair growth after chemo?

Follicles may restart at different speeds, so early growth can appear soft, fine, patchy, or curly. Colour may look changed, and eyebrows or eyelashes may follow a different schedule from scalp hair. Slow or uneven regrowth does not necessarily signal a problem; the oncology team can relate it to the drugs received and any other treatment affecting the skin or follicles.

Some people experience ongoing thinning. If hair remains sparse or the scalp develops a new rash, the clinician can check for causes unrelated to chemotherapy and advise whether a dermatology review is useful.

Handle new hair gently with mild products and avoid pulling, bleaching, relaxing, or frequent high heat while the scalp is sensitive. Protect the scalp from sun and cold with comfortable coverings. Eat regular nourishing meals and discuss supplements before taking them; a supplement cannot replace evaluation of a persistent change. Choose a hairstyle that reduces friction and makes uneven growth easier to manage.

Arrange medical advice for scalp pain, scaling, sores, pus, marked redness, or sudden patchy loss after regrowth has begun. During or soon after treatment, fever, chills, or feeling acutely unwell warrants urgent contact with the oncology service.

What regrowth pattern fits my chemotherapy? Could another treatment affect the follicles? When is colouring or heat styling reasonable? Should persistent thinning be assessed, and which scalp products should I avoid?