Can your hair grow back while on chemo?

As an oncologist with extensive experience in treating patients undergoing chemotherapy, I can provide you with a detailed answer to your question. Hair loss, or alopecia, is a common side effect of chemotherapy, but it's important to understand that this is usually a temporary condition. The hair on your head is made up of a protein called keratin and grows in cycles. Chemotherapy affects cells that divide rapidly, which includes not only cancer cells but also the cells responsible for hair growth. When these hair follicle cells are damaged, they stop producing new hair, leading to hair loss. However, once chemotherapy treatments are completed, or even during a break in treatment, the hair often begins to grow back. The rate and pattern of regrowth can vary widely from person to person. For radiation therapy, hair regrowth will not begin until several months after the completion of the treatment. Scalp hair usually grows about a half inch each month. When new growth occurs, it may be slightly different in texture and color compared to the original hair. This is because the chemotherapy has affected the hair follicle cells, which can alter the characteristics of the new hair strands as they emerge. In summary, while hair loss is a common side effect of chemotherapy, it is generally reversible, and most people can expect to see their hair start to grow back once the treatment has ended.

Hair often begins to grow back during chemotherapy treatment. For radiation therapy, hair regrowth will not begin until several months after radiation treatment is completed. ... Scalp hair usually grows about a half inch each month, and new growth may be slightly different in texture and color.