3 Life-Changing Chemo Hair Loss Stages And What To Expect
Cancer is a beast. While there are many ways to treat it, perhaps the most common method is chemotherapy. Chemotherapy helps people beat various types of cancer every day.
Chemotherapy (or “chemo”) is frequently given in a 21-day chemo cycle: 1 day of treatment with 20 days to recover. Chemo treatments are usually administered in 4-8 cycles over 3-6 months. The 21-day chemo cycle not only allows your body to create new, healthy cells, but it may also stop your body from building up resistance to the drugs used.
Please note that these are generalities. If you are diagnosed with cancer, it is always best to speak with your oncologist or care team about the right treatment and what your exact cycle will be.
So What About Hair Loss?
Hair loss is probably the most well-known side effect of chemotherapy, and the one people are most afraid of. In our society, we are regularly judged by how we look. People may not say anything, but sometimes you just know.
Women undergoing chemo lose their hair because chemo targets fast-growing cells. While this treatment is great for attacking cancer cells, it also goes after the fast-growing, healthy cells in your body – including those that help your hair grow. There is no sure-fire way to keep from losing your hair, but the type of chemotherapy and the dose can factor into the amount of hair loss and where you lose it.
So let’s prepare you for what you could expect by reviewing three chemo hair loss stages and what you can do at each stage. These chemo hair loss stages include pre-chemo, during treatment, and post-chemo.
Chemo Hair Loss Stage 1: Pre-Chemo Treatment
Talk to your medical team.
When you first learn that you’ll be starting chemotherapy, one of the best things you can do is talk with your medical team about what to expect when it comes to hair loss.
Not every cancer treatment causes hair loss and, for many people, it happens gradually. Your care team can usually give you a general idea; some treatments may lead to shedding around 14–21 days after your first session, while others might only cause thinning over time. Knowing this information can help you plan ahead and feel more prepared for the changes that may come.
Treat your hair gently.
Once you know your chemo timeline, hair professionals recommend that you take time to prepare for hair loss in practical ways. You’ll want to start being gentle on your hair so that it can be as strong as possible before your treatment.
Some ways you can do this are to avoid harsh chemicals on your hair, such as dye, perms, straighteners, and bleach. Our stylists also recommend that you air-dry your hair and not use heating devices like curlers, straightening irons, and blow dryers.
See a hair stylist ahead of time.
If wearing a wig or topper is something you're considering, this first stage is a great time to schedule a confidential consultation. At Hair Enhancements, we always encourage meeting before chemo if possible, so we can see your natural hair color, texture and style.
Seeing you then – before you start treatment – helps us create a piece that truly feels like you: natural, comfortable, and confidence-boosting. But if your timing doesn't line up, don't worry! We can always match your wig or topper with any photos or inspo pics you send us.
Consider different hairstyles.
You might also take this time to think about whether you want to try a new look or stick to your natural style. We usually recommend not cutting your hair before chemo unless you plan to use your own hair to make a custom wig.
If that's something you're interested in (getting help with a custom wig), it's important to plan this cut before your treatment begins, while your system is still chemical-free. Otherwise, keeping your hair up to the time shedding starts can help make the transition from your own hair to your wig much more discreet and natural.
Consider what length you'd like.
Some women choose to cut their hair short before chemo, but if your goal is to keep your hair loss journey private, it could be helpful to know that doing this, and then later wearing a wig that matches your original length, can sometimes draw more attention.
While we have given some general guidelines above for how to approach the pre-treatment stage, remember that everyone's situation is different. If you need to talk through your unique situation, know that our team will always be here to help you find what feels most comfortable and confident for you.
Chemo Hair Loss Stage 2: During Treatment
You will likely need to be tender with your hair due to sensitivity and the potential for hair damage from the chemo. The sensitivity, as well as hair loss, can start as soon as two to four weeks after you start your first 21-day chemo cycle.
There are many ways hair loss may occur. You might lose all your hair on your body or just in certain places. It could come out in clumps or thin gradually. Each person has a different experience.
One option for dealing with chemo hair loss is to shave your head. This may seem drastic, but while losing your hair, your scalp may feel itchy, irritated, or sensitive. Due to its sensitivity, it will be important for you to protect it. You could do so by using a covering like a scarf, a wig, or a hat, but if you choose to be bald, remember to use sunscreen on your head.
You could also ask your care team about cold cap therapy, which can help to minimize hair loss for some people. Your doctor can let you know if that's a safe and effective option for your specific treatment plan.
Wherever you are in your journey, know that you are not alone. Our goal is to walk beside you, guide you through your options, and help you feel beautiful and confident every step of the way.
Chemo Hair Loss Stage 3: Post-Chemo Treatment
The most common question about hair loss in post-chemo treatment is “How long does hair take to grow back after chemo?” As with anything else, the answer can vary from person to person.
Generally, very fine and soft hair starts growing 2-3 weeks after chemotherapy has ended. Then, by about 1-2 months, you should see thicker hair growing in. After 2-3 months, you could have around an inch of hair.At 3-6 months, any bald patches might be covered by 2 -3 inches of hair. Finally, after around 12 months, your hair could be up to 4-6 inches long.
Along with this, at first, your hair may grow back with a different color or texture. Don’t worry too much about this. Your body is still healing from the damage done by the chemotherapy, and it may take some time for your regular hair to return. Try to be patient through the process.
Your hair growing back will be fragile, especially the very fine hair in the beginning. It will be valuable for you to continue being gentle with your hair and not use chemicals or heat on your hair, just like in stage 1.
How We Can Walk With You On This Journey
We are here to walk you through not only wig selection but also wig care. When you partner with us, you can expect to experience a safe, gentle space where your voice is heard and your needs can be met — whether hair-related or otherwise.
We take real time to listen to your story and get to know your unique personality and hair loss needs. We will always meet you where you are at so we can share our knowledge in a way that makes sense for you and that helps you on your journey to finding the ideal wig products for your needs.
We can match your current hairstyle, or help you take a ride on the wild side and do something different. It’s entirely up to you. We want you to feel as comfortable and empowered as you can be. We also offer a range of products and services designed to keep your wig looking fresh for as long as possible.
Finally, we are committed to quality customization. In any virtual or in-person consultation, we map out your lifestyle, dreams, and financial situation to design a one-of-a-kind, real-hair wig or hairpiece with just the right size, texture, hair density, curl, length, and color for who you want to be.