Better Hair Re-growth after Chemo

Q: Hi, I would like some advice please. I'm in the middle of my chemo and have lost most of my hair, so I've had it trimmed really short. I would like to know whether it is better to shave my head to encourage better regrowth, or does it make no difference compared with keeping it in a buzz cut?

A: This is really a matter of personal choice for the most part, but there are several dermatological considerations that favor keeping a short buzz cut over completely shaving your head.

First, chemotherapy temporarily damages hair follicles and can leave the scalp significantly more sensitive, dry, and susceptible to irritation than usual. Fully shaving the scalp with a razor introduces a risk of micro-cuts, razor burn, and folliculitis (inflammation of the hair follicles). Furthermore, when the remaining or new hairs begin to emerge through the skin, a completely shaved scalp is much more prone to intense itching and uncomfortable ingrown hairs. For these reasons, dermatologists generally recommend keeping a very short buzz cut rather than shaving down to the skin.

As far as the new growth itself is concerned, whether the hair has been shaved is irrelevant. It is a common myth that shaving makes hair grow back thicker, faster, or healthier. The determining factor for your regrowth is simply the time it takes for the chemotherapy drugs to completely clear your system so that your normal hair follicles can resume their healthy growth cycle. Shaving only affects the hair shaft above the surface of the skin; it does not change the number, health, or rate of the follicles beneath it.

For many people, leaving the hair at a very short buzz cut offers much the same clean cosmetic appearance as shaving while protecting an already vulnerable scalp. It also allows your hair to return more gradually and comfortably without the irritation of growing out from a completely smooth surface.

One thing to keep in mind is that initial regrowth after chemotherapy can be highly unpredictable. Hair often comes back softer, finer, curlier (frequently called "chemo curls"), or even a different color. These changes are usually temporary as the follicles recover, though they can occasionally be permanent. The first signs of regrowth are typically fine, fuzzy hairs that will gradually transition back to your more familiar hair texture over the following months.

In the meantime, focus on keeping your scalp gently cleansed, well-moisturized with a fragrance-free lotion, and protected from the sun with a hat or SPF.

©Hairfinder.com

See also:

Chemotherapy and hair loss

A cold cap may help women keep their hair during chemotherapy

Thicker hair growth after chemotherapy