Anyone going through chemotherapy will eventually hear about "chemo curls". Perhaps someone told you that your hair will grow back curly. Perhaps you've seen photos of women whose hair returned with a head full of curls after treatment. Or perhaps you're simply wondering whether your hair will ever look the same again.
Chemo curls are one of the best-known hair regrowth changes after chemotherapy. Yet there are still many misconceptions about them. What exactly are chemo curls? Does everyone get them? And do they last forever?
What are chemo curls?
Chemo curls are curls or waves that appear when hair starts growing back after chemotherapy.
Many women who had straight hair before treatment notice that their new hair suddenly has much more texture, wave or curl. Sometimes the change is subtle. Sometimes the curls are much more pronounced than anything they had before.
Hair colour and texture can change too. Some women notice their hair grows back darker or lighter. Others find it thicker, finer, drier or softer than before.
Read more: Fact or Fiction? The Truth Behind 4 Hair-Regrowth Myths After Chemo >
Why do chemo curls happen?
During chemotherapy, rapidly dividing cells are temporarily affected. Hair follicles are among those cells. Once treatment is over, the follicles begin to recover. During this recovery phase, the shape of the hair follicle can temporarily change.
Doctors do not fully understand why some people develop curls while others do not. One theory is that recovering follicles temporarily produce hair with a different structure, causing it to grow back wavy or curly. It is not something you can prevent or control.
Does everyone get chemo curls?
No. Some women develop very noticeable curls. Others simply notice more texture or wave. And for many people, their hair grows back looking much like it did before treatment.
Several factors may play a role, including the type of chemotherapy, your natural hair texture and how your body recovers. There is no reliable way to predict exactly how your hair will grow back.
When does hair start growing back?
For most people, the first new hairs appear a few weeks after the final chemotherapy treatment. At first, the hair often feels very soft, almost like baby hair. Growth is usually slow during the first months and gradually speeds up over time. Patience is key before you can really see what your new hair will ultimately look like.
Read more: Hair Growth After Chemo: 8 Questions You’re Not Alone in Asking >
Do chemo curls last forever?
Usually not. For many women, the curls gradually soften or disappear after several months or years. As the hair grows longer and the follicles continue to recover, the original hair texture often returns partially or completely.
However, some women keep their curls permanently. Unfortunately, there is no way to know in advance how it will evolve for you.
What if I don't like my curls?
That feeling is completely normal. Most people mainly hope that their hair will return. When it comes back looking completely different, that can be surprisingly emotional. You look in the mirror and see hair again. But you may not quite see yourself yet.
Give yourself time. Your hair needs time to grow. You need time to adjust. And many changes still happen during the first year after treatment.
Our favourite styling tip? Don't try to flatten stubborn chemo curls. Work with them instead. Add a little wax or styling gel, create a side part and add some volume. Your new confident look may earn more compliments than you expect.
What if I love my chemo curls?
That's perfectly normal too. Some women fall in love with their new curls and are even disappointed when they eventually disappear. There is no right or wrong way to feel about it. Your feelings are personal and completely valid.
What many women really want to know...
The question behind chemo curls is often not: "Will I get curls?" The real question is: "Will I ever look like myself again?"
That is a very understandable question. Hair loss during chemotherapy affects far more than your hairstyle. It can affect your self-image, your sense of femininity and sometimes your confidence.
The good news? For most people, hair does grow back. Maybe not exactly as before. Maybe with an unexpected curl. Maybe with a different colour or texture. But little by little, something returns. And for many women, that feels like an important sign that there is room for the future again.
Want to learn more about hair loss and hair regrowth after chemotherapy?
We've written dozens of practical articles about what happens to your hair during and after treatment. You'll find them all in our "Chemo & Hair Loss" section.
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