It’s no secret that some cancer treatments can cause hair loss, leaving many women uncertain about what to do as their hair begins to grow back – especially if they’ve never had short hair before. In this post, we explore the process of regrowing hair after chemo, offering tips on how to grow out your hair and make the most of short haircuts during this time.
You might also like to check out our guide on how to prepare for hair loss from chemo.
Why Does Chemo Make You Lose Hair?
Some of the drugs used in cancer treatment can have extreme effects on the body, including fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite and memory difficulties. Hair loss is another side effect that’s common in different types of therapy, including:
- Chemotherapy
- Targeted therapy
- Radiation therapy
- Hormonal therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Stem cell transplants
Not all types of drugs used in these treatments will result in hair loss, and everyone’s body reacts differently – two people could undergo the same treatment for the same cancer and experience entirely different side effects.
‘Hair loss usually starts to occur around a month or two into treatment’.
Does hair grow back after chemotherapy?
In most cases, the hair should start to regrow within a few weeks of completing the course of treatment. When growing out chemo hair, the hair will likely be fuzzy at first, and it is common for hair to initially grow back patchy and possibly even a different shade or texture to what it was previously.
This is normal, and the hair should eventually settle into its pre-chemo state.
Timeline for growing out chemo hair
In the first three or four weeks after finishing treatment, some fuzzy hair typically starts to grow in. After around four to six weeks, this should become thicker. From then, you can expect roughly an inch of growth every two or three months.
A 2019 study found that new hair will likely be thinner and wavier for at least six months after finishing treatment, with most patients choosing to use a wig for around a year.
Some people choose to use growth-enhancing products like minoxidil or hair gummies, but you should always discuss hair treatments with your doctor before using them.
Short Haircut Styles After Chemo
It can feel like a slow process when it comes to hair growing in after chemo, especially if you had long hair prior to treatment. However, try not to see hair growth after chemo as a tedious journey to a final destination – there are plenty of short hairstyles for after chemo treatment that will look amazing in the meantime.
- BUZZCUT
Rocked by celebrities, from glamourous actress Lupita Nyong’o to Cara Delevingne – and who can forget Milly Bobby Brown shaving her head for her incredible role in Stranger Things? – the buzzcut is no stranger to the red carpet. Although short hair after chemo is likely to be more fuzzy than a standard buzzcut, the look is very similar.
If you like make-up, try pairing your new hair with a bold lip for an added confidence boost!
- CLOSE-CROPPED
Your styling options may still be a little limited with close-cropped hair when growing hair in after chemo, but some mousse or hair oil can encourage it to sit how you like it. In addition, close-cropped hair is easy to maintain and will take very little effort to look fabulous.
As the close-cropped hair grows out, you might like to try a fauxhawk and bold brows.
- PIXIE
When your hair reaches pixie length, you can really start having fun with it. Pixies work well with accessories like headscarves and hair clips, but they can also be styled to suit you as is. As your hair grows in after chemo and gets a little longer, you can choose a sleek style or a gorgeous, shaggy look.
- BOB
An eternally-classy look, the bob is perfect for framing your face. At this point in hair regrowth, you’re also likely to be able to start tying your hair up if you like – a French plait can keep your hair out of your face, especially when the weather is warmer.
- SHOULDER-LENGTH
If you previously had long hair, shoulder-length hair might feel like you’ve finally made it and grown your hair out! If you’re looking to stay at this level, it’s worth getting your hair cut to just above your shoulders to avoid the tips of your hair flattening against them.
Tips for Hair Growing in After Chemo
- Be kind to your hair – if your hair is starting to grow in patchy or a different colour or texture than what you expected, it’s natural to be frustrated by it, and you might immediately want to change it. However, remember that new hair growth can be vulnerable, and damaging your hair with heat or dye can impede later growth.
- Keep the back short until the front grows out. It might feel totally counterintuitive or scary to keep part of your hair cut short when you’re trying to grow it out but, unless you want to rock the mullet trend, keep the back trimmed until the front has the length to match it.
- Add easy volume by changing your parting. Short hair can tend to look a bit flat if you have naturally fine or straight hair, so try changing the side your parting lies on to create easy volume.
- Accessorise, accessorise, accessorise – if you’re not feeling completely confident in your shorter look, accessories are a great way to draw attention away from your hair while still looking incredible. Headscarves, clips, headbands – simple or elegantly patterned, pick something that makes you happy!
Using Wigs for Growing Out Chemo Hair
Some people choose to wear wigs, hairpieces or headwear when they lose their hair and others don’t. There’s no right or wrong way to do it – all that matters is that you feel comfortable!
After cancer treatment, some people just want to go back to normal straight away, and short hairstyles after chemo can feel restrictive or like a reminder of treatment. Wearing a wig while you grow your hair out can help you feel more confident and be part of an effective haircare routine, and there are other benefits too. Wigs:
- Can help to protect your natural hair as it grows, as it isn’t exposed to the elements or being heat-styled or dyed.
- Give you a range of style and colour options, whether you prefer to look as natural as possible or go outlandish with brightly coloured hair.
- Help to minimise the risk of tactless comments.
- Can keep your head warmer when it’s cold out.
Check out our blog post for tips on protecting your natural hair under a wig.
Should I wear hairpieces after chemo?
Hairpieces, toppers and extensions can seem like a godsend if your hair is growing in patchy or if it’s thin, but it’s important to make sure you’re not putting any undue pressure or strain on your new hair.
We don’t recommend using pressure clips on vulnerable hair – instead, why not try our scrunchie hairpieces or pieces with a comb attachment?
When your hair is growing in after chemo, you might be excited or frustrated, and hair loss might have affected your confidence. Remember, you look beautiful with or without hair! Whether you’re looking at short haircuts after chemo or prefer wearing wigs, you deserve to feel fabulous.
If you’re interested in purchasing a wig, we have a collection of wigs for cancer patients in a range of colours and shades – and don’t forget to claim back the VAT.
For more information or to book an appointment with our friendly team, please get in touch today.
Hi Lottie, thank you for sharing your experience. Hair regrowth after chemotherapy varies greatly from person to person, depending on factors like treatment type, genetics, etc. Your insight is valuable, and it’s important to acknowledge that everyone’s journey is different. The goal is to provide general guidance, but personal experiences like yours help paint a fuller picture for others going through the same process. Thanks 🙂
Hello, Just read your comments on growing back hair after chemotherapy. I stopped chemo in August 2023. I did not shave my head, just cut what was left very, very short. At the moment I have bald patches on the crown area and about an inch below that to two to three nches at the back. So, it has taken more than a few weeks, it has been one year and five months, and it is very, very fine in texture as before it was thick. So, I think printing hair should grow back in the timeline you give is very misleading. This does not just apply to me, in fact a journalist has written a book with a similar timeline to my own which I think is more common than yours. It has taken an average of a year for some people to grow back hair evenly and it is just covering the head, not down to the shoulders.