THE EFFECTS OF CHEMOTHERAPY TO CELLS AND HOW IT CONTRIBUTE TO HAIR LOSS

People undergoing chemotherapy often experience hair loss. Cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow in the body and multiply uncontrollably. The atypical cell from tumors grows at an alarming rate, destroying normal neighboring cells. There are times when cells from the cancerous tumor get detached and attaches to other organs of the body and grows there, this is called metastasis or spreading of cancer.

Chemotherapy or radiotherapy is done after surgical removal of the tumor. Chemotherapy is the process of poisoning and killing cancerous cells. Chemotherapy drugs usually target rapidly dividing cells, which is typical of cancer cells. However, there are normal cells that also rapidly grow and these cells are also killed by the chemotherapy medication. This includes the hair cells which explain the hair loss.

Complete hair loss does not affect all patients. Hair loss can be simple hair thinning or complete hair loss, depending on the administered chemo drug and dose.

Hair commonly starts to fall out in just a few days after initial dose. It may continue to fall off even up to a few weeks after treatment. The good news in hair loss due to chemotherapy is it’s all temporary. Resumption of hair growth is expected within twelve weeks to 10 months after the treatment ends.

During this time, the hair may temporarily have a lighter shade or a different texture. There are plenty of options to manage hair loss in chemotherapy.

Having a shorter haircut before treatment can lessen the impact of sudden hair loss. Wigs, hats, and scarves can be used to cover up hair loss. Be sure to protect your scalp as well to ensure that hair growth can proceed at a maximum rate after treatment.

For faster hair growth, using an herbal hair loss treatment will work best instead of drug-based treatments that can further damage the delicate hair and scalp.