Hair loss during chemotherapy: symptoms, course & prognosis

Chemotherapy is an enormous burden on the body. One side effect that occurs particularly frequently is hair loss. Both scalp and other body hair fall out due to the therapy, which is often an additional burden for those affected. After treatment, the hair usually grows back. However, this can take a while.

In this article, we summarize for you why hair loss occurs as a side effect of chemotherapy, how it progresses, and how many people are affected by it. We also show you how YELASAI hair care products can strengthen your hair before, during, or after chemotherapy and support hair growth.

How does chemotherapy cause hair loss?

Hair roots consist of living cells. They become keratinized and regrowing cells push the hair out of the skin. Cancer drugs prevent a cancer cell from dividing, which is intended to curb the disease.

However, the therapy has severe side effects because it also damages other cells. Among other things, the hair root cells are affected. They can no longer grow properly and the hair falls out.

How does hair loss manifest during cancer therapies?

Hair loss due to cancer and chemotherapy usually progresses very quickly. An initial sign may be increased sensitivity of the scalp. The hair then slowly begins to thin. Shortly after the start of treatment, the hair may begin to fall out. This can happen in clumps, so that within a few days or weeks only a few hairs remain. It primarily affects hair in the anagen phase, while hair in the telogen phase only falls out months later.

Not only scalp hair falls out: eyebrows, eyelashes and beard hair are also affected. This also applies to body and pubic hair.

When hair falls out, this often represents a very great burden for those affected. This is mainly because hair loss from chemotherapy can lead to baldness within a very short time.

Hair loss due to cancer: When will hair grow back?

If hair loss begins during chemotherapy, those affected often lose all their hair in a very short time. However, this development is usually reversible: once cancer therapy is complete, the hair grows back again.

With certain illnesses and chemotherapy, hair can grow back after just a few weeks. It may well be that the new hair looks different than before. Many sufferers describe that their hair is a different color or even has a different texture. This can be temporary or permanent.

Three to six months after therapy, the hair usually grows back completely. Most of those affected do not experience permanent damage. However, in around 5 percent the hair no longer grows back after chemotherapy.

Would you like to offer your hair and scalp specific care during this phase?
At YELASAI we specialize in developing gentle hair care products that can promote hair growth during and after chemotherapy. Among other things, we offer a hair care set specially designed for people during or after chemotherapy.

Can patients undergoing cancer therapy prevent hair loss?

There is currently no proven method to completely prevent hair loss during cancer and chemotherapy. The priority is to fight the disease so that you can recover.

If you are facing chemotherapy, ideally visit a hair-growth specialist two to three weeks before starting your therapy or, best of all, directly after diagnosis.

Depending on the chemotherapy, we cannot (yet) prevent hair loss. However, through intensive support, the scalp can remain supple and elastic. This gives the hair the opportunity to anchor itself more firmly and grow continuously, even during medical treatment. And if hair loss does occur, we focus together on promoting vital hair growth. Our experience shows that with breast cancer, through our active scalp care, hair growth typically resumes about 75 days after the first chemotherapy. With uterine cancer, hair growth can begin again after about 45 days. Also note the testimonials for chemotherapy and radiotherapy on our website.

Many cancer patients also report that detailed information in advance helps them. The treating doctor can inform you about which side effects to expect with your chemotherapy and how high the risk of hair loss is.

In this context, psychological support can also be helpful. This applies not only to dealing with hair loss, but also with the cancer diagnosis.

Some people also want to shave their hair before hair loss from cancer and treatment occurs. Talk to the doctor who is conducting your treatment and make use of support services if needed. If someone wants to shave their hair short, we recommend a great short haircut with scissors. About 10-14 days after the first chemotherapy, when the hair begins to break off, we recommend only brushing the scalp and hair, even if this takes an hour. This brushing out enables faster regrowth of the hair.

Scarf, wig, etc.: What can I do if I lose my hair during chemo?

Hair usually falls out one to three weeks after starting chemotherapy. Many of those affected do not feel comfortable with this and therefore turn to hair replacement to conceal the hair loss.

There are now a variety of contact points for this. You can go to a specialized hairdresser or a wig studio. There you will receive a wig that suits you and will help you feel more comfortable. Artificial or real hair differs not only in appearance, but also in price and the amount of care required. It's best to get professional advice about which model is right for you.

In addition, many affected people use hats and scarves to protect their scalp. This is particularly important in order to minimize heat loss through the scalp at low temperatures.

Hair loss during chemotherapy: How can YELASAI hair care products help?

Hair loss during cancer can be an enormous burden. Whether before, during or after
cancer therapy, active scalp care can help hair growth
resume more quickly. The products from YELASAI can support you in this. Our products deliver valuable
nutrients that can promote vital hair growth.

We have founded the initiative ONCOHAIRCARE, which stands by patients after a cancer diagnosis. We accompany you and your hair through the most varied phases. We advise you if you are facing chemotherapy and want to care for your hair preventively, if you have lost all your hair through chemo or if growth is just resuming.

Numerous products in our range are also suitable for patients before, during and after chemotherapy. These include the Ayurveda Hair Active Spray. It can provide your hair and scalp with additional moisture. The Ayurveda Hair & Scalp Active Oil can additionally be massaged into the scalp. This can be dry and irritated by chemotherapy. The oil is intended to care for the scalp gently.

YELASAI offers not only suitable products for hair and scalp, but for the whole body. With the Ayurveda Lash Active Tonic your lashes can grow back more quickly. The natural ingredients are intended to stimulate growth. The valuable Corialith Basenbad cleanses your skin alkaline and is intended to support the natural function of the skin barrier.

You are not sure which product would be best for you? Then feel free to get professional advice from our YELASAI hair-growth specialists near you.

Our conclusion: Support your hair and scalp after chemotherapy with care from YELASAI

If you have lost your hair due to chemotherapy, you can support vital growth with YELASAI hair care products. They provide moisture and deliver many valuable nutrients to your hair and scalp.

Our natural product range offers you a wide variety of products that can support you before, during or after cancer therapy. We have put together a complete set for you that contains products which can reactivate hair growth even during chemotherapy.

Many people affected wonder when it is advisable to visit a hair-growth specialist with the additional ONCOHAIRCARE training. This can be helpful in various situations:

Are you still facing chemotherapy or radiation therapy? Ideally, you should visit a hair-growth specialist 2 to 3 weeks before your therapy or, best of all, directly after diagnosis. Through the support of a specially developed Ayurveda scalp massage with the coordinated hair-root-strengthening care products, the scalp can remain supple and elastic while the hair continues to grow.

Are you already experiencing hair loss due to chemotherapy or radiation therapy?

Your hair-growth specialist can advise and support you so that your hair regrows significantly faster, even during your medical treatment.

Do you have no hair growth after chemotherapy or radiation therapy?

In up to 5 percent of cases, hair does not regrow even years after chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Your hair-growth specialist can show you how to reactivate the hair roots.

Strong hair growth after chemotherapy and 2 to 3 years later thin, weak hair? Some people affected have strong hair growth after chemotherapy and a few years later the hair is thin, weak and falling out again. Through the right care of scalp and hair, your hair-growth specialist will support you back to new vital hair.