Chemotherapy and hair loss
Chemotherapy may produce:
- Thinning of hair
- Partial loss of hair
- Total hair loss
Generally however hair loss following chemotherapy is normally temporary and full recovery will occur.
Different drugs will have different effects. Some are more likely to produce hair loss than others. The effect on the hair will also vary from patient to patient.
If you lose your hair from anti-cancer drugs it will grow back once your treatment is completed. By four to six months you should have a good head of hair. It may be more curly or a different colour.
Radiotherapy and hair loss
The effect of radiotherapy will vary according to the dosage and frequency of treatment. Generalised hair loss may occur following a course of radiotherapy. Once the treatment has finished your hair will often grow back. It may be thinner than before or patchy. It may grow back a different colour and more curly.
Localised radiotherapy to the scalp may result in small localised areas of hair loss at these sites.
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