You look forward to it so much: those very first hairs that start growing back after chemo. And at the same time, it can feel a bit scary. Because what about all those stories you hear about post-chemo hair? Will you really turn grey? Will your hair suddenly be curly and unruly? Rosette la Vedette is here to reassure you — and to debunk four common myths about hair regrowth after chemotherapy.
“After chemo my hair will definitely come back curly.”
Ah yes, the famous “chemo curls”! It’s true that your hair can have a different texture after treatment. It may curl more, feel thicker, or feel coarser. But for most people, this is only temporary. Once your hair follicles have fully recovered from chemotherapy, your hair usually returns to the way it looked before. Sometimes that happens after just a few months; other times it can take a year. Why this happens is still a mystery even to medical specialists.
That said, there are exceptions. Some customers tell us their curls stayed — sometimes they’re delighted, sometimes… not so much.
But remember: your hair is only one small part of who you are as a person. You’ll get used to curls too. And who knows — you might get extra compliments!
“Help, my new hair after chemo will be grey!”
The answer here is nuanced: possibly, but not necessarily. After chemo, your hair can come back in a slightly different colour — for example, from light brown to dark brown or vice versa. But in most cases, your natural pre-treatment colour returns.
Occasionally someone does get grey hair even if they didn’t have it before. Sometimes it fades again, sometimes it stays. Unfortunately, the only solution is patience — and yes, that can be frustrating. That’s why it’s definitely worth reading up on colouring your hair after chemo.
“I must wait at least a year after chemo before I can dye my hair.”
Another myth that worries many women. No matter what you’ve heard, you do not necessarily need to wait a full year before colouring your hair after chemo. The most important thing to consider is the condition of your scalp. If your skin is dry or easily irritated after treatment, give it more time to recover.
Not experiencing a sensitive scalp? Then choose a gentle, non-aggressive hair dye. And above all: consult your hairdresser. They’ll be able to give you expert, personalised advice.
“Wearing chemo scarves or a wig slows down hair regrowth.”
Some people compare hair to a plant and think it needs air and oxygen to grow. But that’s nonsense. Hair grows from the inside out, and it’s the condition of your hair follicles that determines how — and how fast — your hair regrows after chemo.
Whether you wear a wig, a chemo scarf, or a chemo hat has absolutely no impact on your hair growth and does not slow it down. As long as your hair still feels too short to go bare-headed, you can continue wearing your wig or headscarves with complete peace of mind.
Want to read more about hair loss after chemotherapy?
• The 10 Most Frequently Asked Questions About Chemo & Hair Loss >>
• “Help! Should I Shave My Head Before Starting Chemo?” >>
• 8 Relatable Questions About Your New Hair After Chemotherapy >>
• What Does Chemotherapy Do to My Eyelashes? >>
And did you know…
… all the photos in this blog post feature real Rosette la Vedette customers? Women like you and me who lost their hair due to chemotherapy. If you’d love to be part of one of our photoshoot days with a professional photographer, stylist, and makeup artist, make sure to follow us on Facebook or Instagram. From time to time, we look for one-day models for our campaigns.
Note: Here, we focus on the most common myths and base our answers on how hair regrowth typically progresses for most women after chemo. Exceptions always exist. Have questions or concerns? Talk to your doctor or nurse.
