Hair Growth After Chemotherapy: How Long Does it Take and What to Expect?

Losing your hair to chemotherapy can feel devastating. If you find yourself asking, "how long will it take to grow back?" you're not alone. In this video, Dr. Jennifer Griggs explores the typical timeline for hair regrowth process after chemotherapy. Learn what affects hair loss, how long regrowth takes, and how diet plays a crucial role in healthy hair recovery after chemotherapy for breast cancer. #breastcancer #chemo #chemotherapy #cancer #hairloss
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Timestamps
0:00 Intro
0:30 Chemo & Hair Loss
1:40 Hair Growth Timeline
4:05 Caring for Your Hair After Chemo
Disclaimer: Yerbba KZbin videos are for informational purposes only, do not constitute medical advice, and are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your medical team, mental health professional, or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition.

[@mctaylor8465]

Dr. Griggs, thank you for acknowledging there is a possibly(though low) your hair may not grow in or be very thin..unfortunately my hair grew in very very thin on top and fine in other areas..after years what hair I have is more curly..I had dark hair..now it is mousy brown with gray..I wear a wig the majority of the time..which after 14 years is still uncomfortable. I had a bilateral mastectomies without reconstruction(which in the long run was the right decision from a surgery perspective!)..the prosthetic bra and wig sometimes are sad reminders what difficult surgeries and treatments I experienced. But I also try to think about how grateful I am to be alive and well..

[@yerbba]

Thank you for sharing your story. It sounds like you’ve been through a lot, and your resilience is truly inspiring. Dealing with thin hair and the need for a wig can be tough, especially after so many years. It’s important to remember how far you’ve come and the strength you’ve shown. Your gratitude for being alive and well is a powerful reminder to all of us.

[@rebeccaherder8296]

I was 61 when I finished chemo. A year later I still only have about 3 inches of hair. I had long thick hair all my life. Now it is fine and breaks easy. Still falls out. Possibly bc of taking verzenio and anastrozole. Eyebrows and eyelashes are normal and unfortunately chin hairs have returned 😂but I'm unhappy with the new hair on my head. Growing very slowly and curly on one side straight on the other. My hairdresser says be patient. It might take another year. 😢 being bald was the hardest thing for me and given the choice again not sure I would do chemo. It is really traumatic for some of us.

[@rhonakumalo775]

Same here.

[@yerbba]

Thank you for sharing your experience. Hair loss and changes in texture can be incredibly challenging, especially after having long, thick hair for so long. It's understandable to feel frustrated with the slow regrowth and the new texture. Medications like Verzenio and Anastrozole can affect hair growth, making it more delicate and prone to breaking. It is more likely that the verzenio and anastrozole are causing the problems with your hair rather than the chemotherapy at this point. It would also be worth being evaluated for other things that can cause hair problems, such as thyroid problems. Your hairdresser is right; sometimes it can take a year or more for hair to start growing back as it used to. Meanwhile, focusing on gentle hair care can help minimize breakage. Using mild shampoos, conditioners, and avoiding heat styling might be beneficial. Wishing you strength and patience as you navigate this.

[@rebeccaherder8296]

@@yerbba thank you.

[@JanetMarsh-ji6rj]

Losing my hair was for me more traumatic than losing my breast. I used to have long golden shiny hair. Now, after 11months, i have fine, grey, curly hair that sticks out like ive had a shock. It is only 2 inches long. I hate the way i look and feel old and ugly. Taking letrozole isnt helping and im on that for ten years. Its relentlessly depressing.

[@EC-yd9yv]

🌺🙏✨✨

[@yerbba]

We're so sorry to hear about your struggle with hair loss. It's understandable to feel this way, especially when your hair was such a big part of your identity. Thank you for sharing your story.

[@naththomas9946]

Thank you, dr. Griggs, for your informative medical advice regarding hair growth and regrowth after chemotherapy and hair care.

[@yerbba]

Thank you for being part of the Yerbba community!

[@JerseyFlyGirl]

Has anyone else experienced an extreme “receding hairline” when growing back? 1-1/2 yrs. & extremely thin/short on top with approx 6 inch growth in back. Coarse & lost all auburn color to varying shades of gray, salt & pepper.

[@yerbba]

Although uncommon, some people do experience a receding hairline when their hair grows back after treatment. Hair regrowth can be uneven and come back with a different texture or color. It sounds frustrating to deal with such thin hair on top while having more growth in the back. Thank you for sharing this.

[@paigemckelvey8781]

I am sorry for those who have issues with their hair growing back post chemo. I lost mine within 2 weeks of the start of chemo and within two weeks of stopping chemo, I had the fuzz start growing. It has all come back, within 12 months, curlier and with dark and grey highlights. ( as I call them). My hairdresser now has the job of helping me with new styles.

[@yerbba]

It’s encouraging to hear how quickly your hair started to come back and how you're embracing the new look. Your story offers hope to those struggling with slow regrowth. Enjoy experimenting with new styles and colors - your hairdresser must love the challenge!

[@cynthiayee5116]

Greetings Dr Griggs ! Have a question to ask , would Henna be beneficial Since its not chemical and also Cocount oil to massage with some Helrbal plant leaf ...

[@yerbba]

There isn’t much research specifically indicating that henna or coconut oil are unsafe after chemotherapy. In general, we recommend being gentle with the scalp and hair after chemo. Henna is known for its conditioning properties, and coconut oil may help with scalp health and hydration. As we mentioned, occasional hair coloring is considered safe.

[@luciamcnamara8105]

Hi Dr. Griggs, I love your videos, I am taking anastrozole for 3 moths and notice a lot of hair loss, is it normal to lose all the hair with this medication? Thank you so much.

[@yerbba]

Hello and thank you for your kind words! Hair thinning is more common than hair loss with anastrozole and the other aromatase inhibitors. This can be a distressing side effect of anastrozole, but it usually doesn't cause complete hair loss like chemotherapy. It's important to be checked for other causes of hair thinning or loss, such as thyroid disease. We encourage you to watch our recent video where we discuss anastrozole: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4OpdIuchJqIlZI

[@judybee6698]

Ugh. 7 months post chemo and my hair is barely an inch long. Nowhere near what is suggested as growth timing. It's fine, thin, you can still see through to the scalp. I'm not a happy camper about it. Haven't found a wig that looks even remotely normal on me.

[@yerbba]

We completely understand your frustration with slow hair growth post-chemotherapy. It can be really disheartening when your hair doesn’t grow back as expected and the way it does for the vast majority of people. No one wants to be an outlier! Finding the right wig can also be challenging. Remember, you're not alone in this, and it’s important to be kind to yourself during this time.

[@irene1182]

My hair grew back quite well but about 6 months after it was fully grown I started to lose it again and it’s thinner now than after the first year after chemo.

[@yerbba]

This can happen after chemotherapy and is likely due to endocrine therapy (especially the aromatase inhibitors) and can also be from other things, such as thyroid conditions.

[@irene1182]

@@yerbba thank you

[@Barbara-ex3ge]

Thanks for your video. I lost all my hair. It used to be straight - quite fine but I had lots of it and it grew fast. My hair started growing back when I finished chemo but it’s very curly. It’s a bit coarser but I have lots of it. Will it go back to being straight?

[@cindyscharr457]

My hair was blonde and wavy after chemo. It has been three years since remission and I have had only two hair cuts. It has always been blonde but it is straight again and a little darker shade of blonde. Don't worry, what will be will be! Stay happy! Remember that you are still beautiful both inside and out.

[@yerbba]

Thank you for sharing your experience. Many people notice that their hair grows back differently after chemo, often more curly or with a different texture. While it's possible that your hair may eventually return to its previous state, it's also possible that it might stay curly.

[@SofiaAhmad-rp8sm]

Since 2 years I find my treatment,now I'm hormonal medicine letrozole,why my hair still very weak, falling down and no growing long?

[@victoriajarvis424]

Am on letrozole and my hair is very thin i hope after hormonal therapy it gets back normal

[@yerbba]

Thank you for sharing your experience. Hair loss and thinning can be really frustrating, especially on hormonal treatments like letrozole. These medications can affect hair growth, making it weaker and more prone to falling out. When you come off the letrozole, your hair should return to normal. It's also important to see your doctor to rule out other problems that can cause hair thinning and loss, such as thyroid problems.

[@emeraldm6774]

Hi. My hair is starting to grow. It feels like baby kitten fur. This initial hair is sparse and growing fast. My inclination is to shave it in another couple weeks. Then hopefully more hair will be growing (not so sparse). Is it fine to shave the new hair off once or twice? Thank you!

[@yerbba]

There is likely to be no benefit to shaving your hair. Shaving will not change the texture nor the rate of hair growth. Thank you for watching.

[@miriamperry3836]

Taxotere caused me to have permanent hair loss, I was never warned this was a possibility or that there was an alternative. Cold cap was not an option at the time either. By far the worst effect of the diagnosis.

[@yerbba]

We're sorry to hear about your experience with Taxotere. It’s deeply frustrating not to have been warned about the possibility of permanent hair loss no matter how rare it is. The emotional impact of hair loss can be significant, and it's important to acknowledge that. Thank you for sharing your story, as it highlights the need for medical teams to have better communication about treatment side effects.

[@cindyscharr457]

If you have MBC are on the target drug pertuzumab/trastuzamab for life is it safe to have your hair dyed or colored? My hair feels healthy to me and I explained to my hair dresser that the drug only attacks cancer but she is hesitant. Are other patients on immune therapy type drugs successful? Are there any studies on this? I told her that it is not chemotherapy.

[@MargaretSavoy]

I have MBC and am on those same drugs. I watched the Yerbba video on safety of hair coloring after cancer, where they essentially say it's ok to do so. I color my hair about every 6 - 8 weeks. Hair growth is slow, perhaps due to letrazole as well, so I need coloring less frequently, I consider that a plus :) I've mentioned to my doctor that I've colored my hair, she had no concerns. You may want to ask your doctor. I'm one year post diagnosis and thus far doing ok.

[@cindyscharr457]

@@MargaretSavoy Thank You. My health care team has confirmed that it is okay too and my explanation that I gave my hair dresser was right. So eventually I will highlight my hair as I did prior to cancer! As a blonde I figure it will help me to transition to gray someday. Have a wonderful 4th of July! People with MBC celebrate every day we get.

[@yerbba]

There are no problems with coloring hair if you're on these drugs. We hope this is helpful!

[@cindyscharr457]

@@yerbba Thank you. My oncology team confirmed it a again too. So now I may need a different hairdresser if and when I decide to do it.

[@bobbipetty7411]

It didn't bother me losing my hair. Its grown back curley. It is what it is.

[@cynthiayee5116]

I am asain chinese and chinese womens have very soft straight hair , after gone through chemo radiation and all treatemnt My hair has rough texture like a hay and also growing like slight curly

[@yerbba]

Your attitude of acceptance is truly inspiring. Sometimes, embracing these changes can be empowering.