Does chemotherapy always cause hair loss?
Whether you lose hair after chemotherapy treatment is determined by a number of factors, predominantly the combination of chemotherapy drugs that you’ve been prescribed, the dose and the regimen. But it’s important to note that having chemotherapy doesn’t automatically mean you’ll lose your hair.
Why does chemotherapy make hair fall out?
One of the characteristics of the cancer cells that are targeted by chemotherapy is that they have the ability to divide very quickly (cell division is how cells “reproduce”). Unfortunately some of the chemotherapy drugs aren’t always able to distinguish between fast-growing cancer cells and other types of fast-growing cells — such as hair follicle cells. And so the same drug that stops the cancer growing, may also stop hair growing, meaning that when hairs fall out, there aren’t any growing to replace them.
Can anything stop chemotherapy causing hair loss?
People who have been prescribed a drug regime that has the potential to cause hair loss may be offered a cool cap. This is essentially a tight-fitting hat connected to a system that cools the scalp and works in various ways to minimise hair loss. The cooler temperatures reduce circulation around the hair follicles and so reduces the amount of the drug that is delivered to them. But it also slows down how quickly the hair cells divide — so they’re less likely to be targeted by the drug — and are cryopreserved — in the same way that fresh food can be preserved in the freezer, meaning the chances of the follicle recovering are greater.
Does hair always grow back after chemotherapy?
Hair loss from chemotherapy may be total, or partial, temporary or permanent. But in cases of non-permanent hair loss you would probably expect some degree of hair growth within the first three to six months after completing a chemotherapy regimen.
DOSE Post Chemo has been specially formulated to support hair regrowth during this time, strengthening delicate new strands and creating the optimum scalp environment for hair to grow. It contains prescription-strength minoxidil, a drug that has been shown to reinforce and encourage hair growth after chemotherapy-induced hair loss, the antioxidant niacinamide and ingredients that boost circulation to the follicles and help to improve scalp health by reducing inflammation and increasing hydration. While DOSE Post Chemo is designed to support hair regrowth after chemotherapy, it is not always possible to restore all lost hair.
