Chemo And Hair Loss: How To Protect Your Hair During Treatment

We all fear the word “chemotherapy.” The image that instantly comes to mind is often a frail, bald person. I’ll admit, one of my first thoughts when I was told I needed 16 rounds of treatment was, “I’m going to lose all my hair.” Chemo and hair loss just seem to go hand in hand, and out of all the side effects, the idea of losing my sense of identity and the way I looked felt the most devastating.

But that never actually happened. Thanks to scalp cooling, gentle hair care, and a few natural remedies, I got to keep a full head of hair through treatment. I never looked like I was going through cancer treatment. And, for me, that made a huge difference! It gave me the confidence to show up at the gym, go on walks, and live my life without hiding.

If you’re navigating chemo and worried about hair loss, this guide is for you. I’m sharing everything I wish I had known—what helps, what works, and how to feel like you throughout the process.

DISCLOSURE: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post, at no extra cost to you.

Why Does Chemotherapy Cause Hair Loss?

Cancer cells multiply much faster than most healthy cells in the body, and that’s exactly what chemotherapy targets: rapidly dividing cells. This is why it’s effective at treating cancer, but it also affects other fast-growing healthy cells, like those in your hair follicles, nails, and reproductive system. That’s why side effects like hair loss, nail changes, and even infertility are common.

But here’s something I wish more people knew: just because a side effect is common doesn’t mean it’s guaranteed. You are not a statistic. You absolutely can be the exception—I know I was.

It’s also important to understand that chemotherapy side effects vary depending on the specific drugs used. Not all chemo regimens cause hair loss. Different types of cancer require different treatments, so make sure to talk to your oncologist about what to expect and whether hair loss is likely in your case.

Can You Prevent Hair Loss During Chemo?

That’s a tough question to answer, because it depends.

While not guaranteed, there are ways to reduce hair loss during chemotherapy, and scalp cooling is currently the most effective option available (more about this next).

But here’s what’s important to know: not all chemo regimens cause hair loss, and not everyone will experience it the same way. Some chemotherapy drugs cause aggressive hair loss, while others can be gentler on the hair. It heavily depends on the specific drugs used, your dosage, and your body’s response.

The bottom line? You don’t have to accept hair loss as a given. It’s worth exploring your options and advocating for what matters to you.

Scalp Cooling 101

scalp cooling for chemo hair loss — This is what the Paxman system looks like

What is Scalp Cooling?

Scalp cooling is a technique used during chemotherapy to help reduce hair loss.

It works by lowering your scalp’s temperature, constricting the blood vessels, and reducing the amount of chemotherapy drugs that reach the hair follicles. By minimizing exposure, it can slow down or even prevent hair loss in some cases.

Scalp cooling can also support faster regrowth after treatment. Some people still choose to shave their heads early in the process to avoid the emotional toll of gradual shedding, but they continue scalp cooling to protect the follicles and encourage healthier, quicker regrowth.

You can use a scalp cooling hair loss calculator to determine the estimated percentage of hair loss according to your chemotherapy regimen.

It can help retain 50-80% of hair, depending on the chemo regimen.

It’s non-invasive and drug-free
May protect the hair follicles and lead to quicker, healthier regrowth post-treatment
Offered in many infusion centers across the country

Penguin vs. Paxman

When I first started looking into scalp cooling, I kept seeing two names pop up: Paxman and Penguin.

Paxman is the system most hospitals offer—it’s FDA-cleared, automated, and super convenient because the machine does all the work. This is what I ended up doing! The process is quite simple, and I will explain it in the next section.

Penguin, on the other hand, is old-school and more intense. It’s not automated, so you need someone with you during every infusion to manually change the caps every 20–30 minutes. However, it gets cooler, which might mean it can be slightly more effective.

Both have their pros and cons, and I honestly think it depends on your support system, finances, and how aggressive your treatment is.

What About DIY Scalp Cooling Kits?

When you start looking into scalp cooling, you’ll see some DIY versions on Amazon. I do not recommend those; they aren’t vetted and won’t help at all. Your scalp needs to reach a certain temperature, and that just isn’t possible with those ice packs.

Going on a tangent here, but the same thing goes for the gloves to prevent nail damage or neuropathy. Good for at-home use, but won’t help during chemo. Besides, most hospitals have ice bags you can use on your hands and feet, and those are free.

I wrote a lengthy article about this: How I Kept My Nails Strong and Healthy During Chemotherapy.

How I Chose Scalp Cooling

I remember the moment vividly. I was sitting in my oncologist’s office for the second time. I had already done some research and came across something called scalp cooling. So I asked her for her opinion.

But her response crushed me.

She looked at me, completely straight-faced, and said, “Yes, that works. But it won’t work for YOU.” She explained that my chemo regimen was too aggressive and said that “I’d be better off shaving my head before treatment even started”.

I can’t explain how heartbreaking that was. In that moment, it felt like I was losing control over every part of my life, including the one thing that made me still feel like me.

Deep down, something in me said not to let this go. So I researched, I reflected, and then I thought, “you know what? F*ck that. I’m not a statistic.”

Even though my oncologist called it a waste of time, I went ahead and tried scalp cooling. And I am so glad I trusted my gut.

My Experience with Scalp Cooling

The Cost

I’m so grateful I had access to Paxman during my treatment. My insurance covered part of the cost, and I was able to get a grant to help with the cost of the helmet itself, which, by the way, was a whopping $1,600. That meant I only had to pay $50 per session to cover the use of the machine.

The Process

The process itself is pretty straightforward once you get the hang of it. First, you wet your hair to help conduct the cold better, then apply a little conditioner so your hair doesn’t stick to the icy helmet. After that, the cap goes on and gets plugged into the Paxman machine, which cools your scalp for 20 minutes before your chemo drugs are even administered.

I would usually put the helmet on as soon as I got to my chemo suite, right after I’d get the Benadryl and pre-meds. My sessions lasted about 2 to 2.5 hours, depending on the day. During that time, I was plugged in the whole time—if I had to use the restroom, a nurse had to come and disconnect me.

After the chemotherapy drugs were administered, I had to stay plugged in for about 40 minutes.

Was it Tolerable?

Before trying it myself, I read stories about how painful scalp cooling could be. Some people even needed Ativan (a sedative) to get through it. So naturally, I was a little terrified. But it never feel painful to me—it felt minty. Honestly, the only way I can describe it is like smearing Colgate’s toothpaste all over your scalp.

To top it off, I was also icing my hands and feet during each session to help prevent neuropathy and nail damage. So yeah… I froze. Every. Single. Tuesday. For 12 weeks straight.

My chemo nurses were surprised by how well I handled it. I’ll write another article going deeper on my experience and tips for those going through it.

My Results

These photos were taken two weeks after my last round of chemotherapy.

What kept me going was something that happened during my fifth session. I was reunited with the nurse who had seen me on day one, and she looked at me and said, “You look exactly the same.” She told me that she’d never seen someone respond so well to scalp cooling.

At first, I thought she was just being kind. But session after session, every nurse I saw would say the same thing: “You still have all your hair.”

Of course, I had been losing hair every single day since week 2 of chemotherapy. Sometimes I’d just grab the ends of my hair, and many hair strands would come out by the handfuls. But I’d say I got to keep 65% of my hair, and that was good enough.

On an average morning, this is how much hair would fall out. Not counting the hairs on the floor, my pillow, and clothes. And more would fall out throughout the day.

As time went on, I did lose my eyebrows and lashes. And yes, I was bald everywhere else on my body… except the front of my legs, thanks to my red light therapy panel (lol). But even then, I didn’t look like a “typical” cancer patient.

What About Hair Regrowth?

My hair started growing back fast! And just a few weeks after my last round of chemo, I noticed my lashes coming back in. I share more details, including my hair growth timeline, later in this article.

hair growth after chemo — This is how I looked 3 months after finishing chemo.

I never had bald patches on my scalp, so when my hair started growing in, it just looked fuller. Was it thinner overall? Yes. And now, 10 months later, I’m still working on getting the thickness back, but I never went bald and I’m so grateful for my experience!

I’m sharing all of this with you not to brag, but to give you hope. Because I know how hard it is to find that kind of hope in a doctor’s office.

When your life starts revolving around survival, it becomes really hard to see the other side, let alone believe that it’s even possible to heal. But I’m here to tell you: it is. And even if you do end up losing all of your hair, there are so many things you can do to encourage faster hair regrowth.

How To Protect Your Hair During Chemo

Here’s a quick recap of this section:

Avoid washing your hair too often
Avoid standard dry shampoo

Use lukewarm or cool water
Swap your shampoo and conditioner for clean options
Apply conditioner before brushing wet hair

Use a wide-tooth comb or soft-bristle brush
Pat your hair dry with a microfiber towel or soft T-shirt
Skip heat styling tools (blow dryers, curling irons, straighteners)

Cut your hair short
Avoid tight ponytails, braids, or clips
Sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase

Consider sleeping with a bonnet
Protect your scalp from the sun
Avoid scalp oils or treatments

Stay hydrated
Protect your hair from chlorine and saltwater
Be gentle with hats and headwraps

Pay attention to your scalp

Avoid Washing Your Hair Too Often

One of the easiest ways to reduce hair loss during chemo, is to wash your hair less frequently. Every time you wash your hair, there’s a little shedding, and during treatment, your hair is more fragile than usual.

I washed my hair once a week, and sometimes, when possible, I went an extra few days without washing it.

Avoid Standard Dry Shampoo

If you’re thinking you’ll just use a lot of dry shampoo. It’s worth mentioning that most standard dry shampoos contain questionable ingredients like talc, synthetic fragrance, and even butane or propane, some of which have been linked to hormone disruption and potential carcinogenic effects.

Especially during chemotherapy, when your body is already under stress, it’s best to avoid these harsh chemicals.

Instead, I recommend using arrowroot powder as a natural alternative, which you can find online or at your local supermarket. Or you can try this non-toxic dry shampoo—I use this one and it has lasted me for a year!

Use Lukewarm or Cool Water

Hot showers are not great for your hair and scalp overall. They can remove the sebum, which is what maintains the hair protected, potentially leading to dryness, damage, and hair loss.

Stick to lukewarm or cool water when washing your hair to avoid further stressing your already sensitive hair follicles.

Swap your Shampoo & Conditioner for Clean Options

Traditional shampoos can be packed with sulfates, synthetic fragrance, phthalates, and other harsh ingredients that not only can dry out your scalp and hair, but that are endocrine disruptors or have been linked to cancer.

Go for clean, gentle formulas with minimal ingredients.

I recommend Vanicream’s fragrance-free shampoo and conditioner. That is what I used for the duration of my treatment.

I’ll share the full list of clean products I used in the next section.

Apply Conditioner Before Brushing Wet Hair

Smoothing a bit of conditioner into your ends before brushing helps everything glide more easily and prevents pulling on your hair.

Use a Wide-Tooth Comb

This one’s huge. Toss out anything that snags or tugs. A wide-tooth comb or extra-soft bristle brush is your best friend for gently detangling without causing unnecessary shedding.

Pat Your Hair Dry with a Microfiber Towel or T-Shirt

No vigorous towel-drying here! Use a microfiber towel or even an old cotton T-shirt to gently blot your hair dry. Rubbing causes friction, and friction leads to breakage.

Put Away All Styling Tools

During chemo, your hair is much more vulnerable. It is extremely important to give it a break and embrace the natural texture. Air drying is your best bet.

It’s hard to let go of your usual styling routine. I think I shed a tear when I put away my curling iron. But it’s only a break, not forever. Six months after finishing treatment, I was able to slowly start styling my hair again.

Cut Your Hair Short

I hate to say it, but the journey is much easier when you have short hair. Not only is the shedding less noticeable, but your hair is much more manageable.

I had beautiful long hair, and a few days before starting treatment, I decided to chop it and get a bob.

Avoid Tight Ponytails, Braids, or Clips

Now’s the time for loose buns and soft headbands. Tight styles put stress on your scalp and can pull hair out at the root. Keep things low-tension and comfy.

Sleep On a Silk or Satin Pillowcase

Silk and satin pillowcases are game changers for sensitive scalps. They reduce friction while you sleep, which helps prevent breakage.

Sleep With a Bonnet

Wearing a soft satin or silk bonnet to bed can help reduce friction while you sleep, which means less breakage and hair fallout overnight. It also keeps your hair in place, prevents tangling, and protects your hair from rubbing against your pillowcase.

Protect Your Scalp From the Sun

If you lose any hair or have thinning spots, don’t forget your scalp needs sun protection too! A soft hat, scarf, or mineral SPF will help prevent irritation and sunburn.

Avoid Scalp Oils or Stimulating Treatments

It’s best to skip heavy oils, serums, or hair growth treatments during chemo, especially if you’re doing scalp cooling. These products can act as insulation and interfere with the cooling process, making it less effective.

Some may also contain essential oils or ingredients that can irritate a sensitive scalp. Keep it simple and gentle.

Stay Hydrated

Hydration supports your overall health and may help your scalp and hair follicles stay in better condition during treatment. Aim for at least 8 cups of water a day—and more if you’re also doing detox practices.

Protect Your Hair From Chlorine and Saltwater

If you’re swimming during treatment (and your doctor clears it), wear a swim cap. Chlorine and saltwater can dry out and damage fragile hair even faster than usual.

Be Gentle With Hats and Headwraps

If you wear headwraps, turbans, or hats for coverage, make sure they’re made of soft, breathable materials. Ideally, they should be made from 100% cotton. Rough fabrics or too-tight styles can cause friction and lead to more hair shedding.

Listen to Your Scalp

If your scalp starts to feel irritated, dry, or itchy, don’t ignore it. That’s your cue to adjust your routine, maybe switch to a gentler shampoo, or stop using a certain product. Less is more during this time.

Clean & Non-Toxic Hair Care Products

Here are the hair care products I have personally used or seriously considered while going through chemotherapy. Since going through cancer, I have become even more picky with what I put on my body, and I did all the research necessary to vet these products so you don’t have to.

Resources for Vetting Products

A good way to check and see if a product is free of harmful ingredients, aside from learning how to read labels, is to check the EWG Skin Deep database. Simply look up the brand and product name, and it’ll be given a score based on how many toxic ingredients it contains and how damaging those ingredients can be. It truly is eye-opening.

You can also download apps like Think Dirty and Yuka.

Shampoo, Conditioner & Dry Shampoo

The best budget-friendly, non-toxic shampoo for chemo is Vanicream’s fragrance-free shampoo for sensitive skin. That is what I used while in treatment. I also used their conditioner. You can also find this brand at CVS. If you’re looking to also swap out other products you use in your body care routine, I’d look into their lotion and also soap.

Since I was washing my hair only once every week, dry shampoo was needed. However, standard beauty products contain chemicals that disrupt your hormones or that have been linked to cancer. So, I found this clean dry shampoo on Amazon and have been using it ever since. Alternatively, you can also use awroot powder.

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Other Things You Might Need

If you choose to do scalp cooling, you’ll need some soft headbands to protect your forehead from the cold. You can also wear them to work out.

I have to be honest, I hated wearing a bonnet. I found it uncomfortable and feel the need to disclose that it takes some time getting used to. However, I cannot deny the benefits, so it might be worth it to at least try. If you aren’t comfortable with the bonnet, you can also get a silk pillowcase that is less drying and more gentle than a standard cotton one.

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Supplements That May Support Hair Retention

While no supplement can fully prevent hair loss during chemotherapy, some may help support your body’s natural ability to hold onto hair or encourage a healthier scalp. Of course, you should always talk to your oncologist or integrative doctor before adding anything new to your routine, especially during treatment.

Here is a quick overview of supplements to prevent hair loss during chemo:

Biotin (Vitamin B7): Often known as the “hair vitamin,” it supports keratin production and overall hair health.
Collagen: Collagen is a major structural protein for skin and hair. Supplementing with collagen may help support your hair from the inside out. However, the research on collagen and cancer is mixed. More on this below.
Zinc: Zinc plays a big role in cell repair and regeneration, including in the scalp and hair follicles. A deficiency can contribute to hair thinning, so this is one worth checking. Plus, it strengthens your immune system.

Vitamin D: Low levels of vitamin D have been linked to hair loss, immune dysfunction, and cancer. Many people diagnosed with cancer are deficient without even knowing it. I dealt with years of vitamin D deficiency before my diagnosis. Make sure it contains both D3 and K2.
Omega-3 fatty acids: Found in fish oil or algae-based supplements, omega-3s may help nourish the scalp and reduce inflammation, which can support a healthier environment for hair retention.
Silica: Silica supports collagen production and strengthens hair, skin, and nails.

Before going through the supplements in more detail, I cannot stress enough how important it is to only consume high-quality supplements.

The brands I linked below are ones that I have vetted myself or that were recommended to me by my functional doctor. If you’re purchasing from other brands, please read the ingredient labels, check their claims, and make sure they are third-party tested.

Biotin (B7)

Biotin is often called the “hair, skin, and nails” vitamin. It supports keratin production, which is the protein that makes up your hair. While deficiency is rare, many people still find that supplementing with biotin helps strengthen hair and reduce shedding. It’s an easy one to add to your routine.

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Collagen Peptides

Collagen peptides are the most abundant protein in your body. They’re what gives your skin that bounce, your joints flexibility, and your hair and nails their strength. As we age (and during times of stress), our natural collagen production drops.

Supplementing with collagen peptides can help support skin elasticity, strengthen hair and nails, protect gut lining, and even aid in recovery and tissue repair.

However, there is mixed research when it comes to collagen and cancer. Some say that it feeds cancer cells and can contribute to proliferation. While others say that glycine, an amino acid in collagen, is linked to tumor reduction.

Ultimately, all I can do is share my own experience. I recommend you do your own research and talk about taking collagen with your oncologist or functional physician.

Why I Took Collagen During Treatment

My oncologist told me not to take collagen during chemo, but after doing a lot of research, I decided to trust my gut and take it. Later, when I finally got a functional doctor, it was confirmed I did the right thing for my own health, and now collagen is part of my daily supplement stack.

From a holistic standpoint, collagen is a great source of amino acids like glycine and proline, which help support tissue repair, gut lining integrity, and more. Collagen can help protect against oxidative stress. And chemo creates a lot of that.

Some studies have even shown that glycine—the main amino acid in collagen—has anti-inflammatory and potential anti-cancer properties by modulating immune function and reducing ROS (reactive oxygen species). I have linked all the medical studies I referenced at the end of this article.

Collagen supports healthy tissue in your body that’s trying to withstand chemo’s damage. During treatment, I decided to splurge and invest in the highest quality collagen I could find. So, I purchased LifeVantage Liquid Collagen. However, I understand it is pricey, so other reputable collagen brands I have tried are Vital Proteins and Thorne. When looking for a collagen product, you want it to be grass-fed, organic, and to have very minimal ingredients and no added sugars.

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Zinc

Zinc is essential for immune function and cell regeneration, which includes the cells in your scalp and hair follicles. A deficiency can absolutely contribute to hair thinning, and it’s actually pretty common, especially during stressful times like chemo. I like this one because it supports your whole body, not just your hair.

A zinc deficiency has also been linked to DNA damage and therefore increased cancer risk.

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Vitamin D (with K2)

Vitamin D is one of those nutrients that affects everything—your mood, your hormones, your immune system, and yes, your hair. Low levels have been linked to hair loss and even higher cancer risk. I had a vitamin D deficiency for years before I was diagnosed, and I wish I had caught it sooner. If you’re supplementing, make sure it’s vitamin D3 paired with K2, which helps with absorption and keeps calcium moving to the right places in your body.

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Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3s are amazing for reducing inflammation in the body, including your scalp. A healthier, calmer scalp environment is way more likely to support hair retention and regrowth.

Plus, omega-3s have been studied for their potential anti-cancer effects. Some research even suggests omega-3s may enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy and help protect healthy cells during treatment.

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Silica

Silica helps your body produce collagen naturally and strengthens hair, skin, and nails from the inside out. It’s super underrated, but definitely worth looking into.

I started taking this because I had a deficiency, not realizing it also plays a role in hair and nail health.

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Again, the goal here isn’t to “fix” hair loss, but to give your body the best possible foundation to work with. If you’re working with a functional medicine doctor or integrative oncologist, they can help tailor a supplement plan to your specific needs and treatment plan.

A Quick Word of Caution

Please don’t add any supplements to your routine without checking with your oncologist or care team first.

Even natural products can interact with chemotherapy drugs or impact how your body processes treatment. What’s safe for one person may not be safe for another, so always get the green light before trying anything new. In my case, I did extensive research before adding something to my routine.

Only Consume High-Quality Supplements

When it comes to supplements, quality matters. Not all supplements are created equal, and unfortunately, a lot of what’s out there is full of fillers, heavy metals, or low-quality ingredients that your body can’t even absorb. So, sometimes you’re paying for expensive pee. Some don’t contain what they claim at all.

That’s why I’m super picky about what I take and only use brands that are third-party tested and recommended by trusted practitioners. When your body is already working overtime to heal, the last thing you want is to burden it with something that does more harm than good.

Work With a Functional or Naturopathic Doctor

My oncologist didn’t recommend any supplements to aid me during cancer treatment. And that is not surprising. Most conventional doctors are focused on survival (rightfully so), but they don’t always consider the bigger picture when it comes to long-term recovery or quality of life during treatment.

That’s why I highly recommend working with a functional medicine doctor or naturopath alongside your oncologist if you have access to one. It completely changed the way I approached treatment. I genuinely believe that the reason I stayed as healthy as I did, was in remission after three months and was able to reverse so much of the chemo damage.

For those seeking integrative care, here is a list of integrative practitioners certified by Dr. Nasha Winters.

I got treated at the Cancer Center for Healing in California. And I couldn’t recommend it more. Worth looking into it if you’re in active treatment or finished your treatment, but are looking into preventing recurrence and being the healthiest version of yourself you can be.

What Helped My Hair Grow Back After Chemo

I’ll never forget how exciting it was to start noticing baby hairs and lashes coming back less than a month after my last round of chemo. It felt like such a beautiful sign that my body was healing.

While everyone’s timeline is different, there are a few things I believe helped with hair growth after chemo.

Red Light Therapy

If you knew me in person, you’d notice I cannot go too far into a conversation about health without mentioning red light therapy. I used a red light panel regularly during and after treatment, and I swear it helped not only with regrowth but also with inflammation and even helped improve my eyesight.

When it comes to red light therapy and cancer, research is mixed. Ultimately, I believe that supporting mitochondrial health was most important for me, so I did red light therapy almost every day during treatment and have kept doing it ever since.

There are even red light therapy helmets specially built to aid in hair growth. It might be worth looking into them, especially if your hair is taking a while to grow back.

I wrote a very extensive article going super deep into red light therapy and how I used it during cancer treatment.

I Focused on Nourishing My Body

I continued to nourish my body from the inside out. I stayed consistent with eating high-quality healthy foods, I ditched anything ultra-processed, and took all supplements recommended by my functional doctor.

I also made sure I was eating enough, especially after treatment ended, because your body needs nutrients and energy to rebuild. I cannot emphasize how important it is to eat a healthy diet, think Mediterranean & anti-inflammatory diets.

Also, all of my nutritional deficiencies and other imbalances in my body (hormonal, microbiome, etc) were fully addressed, and even though I am almost one year into remission, I keep doing this work.

I Kept My Hair Care Routine Simple

No harsh growth serums or oils. I kept washing my hair only once a week. Used only gentle products and had lots of patience. I truly believe that the consistency of scalp cooling helped preserve my follicles, so when my hair started growing back, it was barely noticeable. I never had bald spots, just overall thinning, which made the regrowth process so much smoother.

I started washing my hair more often around 4 months after finishing treatment. And I started styling it again over 6 months later.

How My Hair Changed + Regrowth Timeline

Hair Texture

I’m sure you’ve heard about chemo curls. That didn’t happen to me. I guess it is because I was never fully bald. However, my hair is way wavier now than it was before, and it is also frizzier.

My Hair Grows Quicker Now & I Don’t Lose Any

One of the craziest effects of healing holistically and addressing all of my deficiencies and imbalances is that now I barely shed any hair, and it grows faster than ever before.

Even before going through cancer treatment, I would shed a lot. I thought it was normal. But now, I barely shed a few hairs every day. Even on hair wash days, I barely have any shedding.

On that note, my nails are stronger than ever. Before, I had weak nails and could never grow them out. Now, they grow so fast and are so strong. I attribute this to my diet, but I also supplement with Vitamin C, collagen, and silica. These contribute to collagen production.

I mention all of this to show you what is possible and that there is hope. I am the healthiest I have ever been, even after an aggressive form of breast cancer (triple negative stage 2).

Eyelashes & Eyebrows

My eyebrows and eyelashes started coming back only a few weeks after my last round of chemotherapy, and I believe they finished growing around 3 months after.

I didn’t really take that many photos during treatment, but these were taking weeks after my last round of chemo. I underwent 12 rounds and some hairs were still holding on.

Timeline of Regrowth

Here’s the timeline of regrowth after my last round of chemotherapy:

Weeks 2-3: I started seeing baby eyelashes and eyebrows come in.
Month 1: I got a lot of baby hairs, and my hair volume increased
Month 2: My eyelashes and eyebrows fully grew back. Thin but longer hair.
Month 4: Time to get an at-home haircut (didn’t trust a hairdresser to be gentle enough). My hair was growing, and you could see the difference between the hairs that never fell out with baby hairs.
Month 6: Full head of hair. Wavy and frizzy, but fuller and with more volume.
Month 11: The baby hairs are fully grown, and my hair is slowly gaining thickness.

Chemo And Hair Loss Frequently Asked Questions

Does chemotherapy always cause hair loss?

Not always. It depends on the type of chemo drug, dosage, and how your body responds. Some regimens cause total hair loss, while others only cause thinning—or none at all. It’s something you can ask your oncologist about specifically based on your treatment plan.

What chemo drugs are most likely to cause hair loss?

Chemo drugs like doxorubicin, paclitaxel (Taxol), and docetaxel (Taxotere) are known to commonly cause hair loss. These drugs target fast-dividing cells, including the ones in your hair follicles. Your doctor should be able to tell you if your regimen includes any of these.

Can I prevent hair loss during chemo?

There’s no guaranteed way to prevent it completely, but scalp cooling is the most well-researched method to reduce hair loss. Many people are able to keep a significant amount of hair, sometimes 50–80%, if they use scalp cooling consistently during treatment.

Is it safe to use supplements during chemo?

It depends on the supplement. Some are totally safe and supportive, while others can interfere with your treatment. Always check with your oncologist or a functional medicine provider before adding anything new to your routine.

How long after chemo does hair start growing back?

Hair typically starts growing back within 3–6 weeks after your final chemo session. Lashes and brows might take a bit longer, but most people see noticeable regrowth within a few months.

Does hair grow back differently after chemo?

It can! Some people find their hair grows back curlier, finer, or even a different color, often called “chemo curls.” It’s usually temporary and may shift back over time.

Final Thoughts

Here’s a quick recap of what we covered:

Chemotherapy can cause hair loss, but not always, and not for everyone.
Scalp cooling may help reduce hair loss and support regrowth. It’s worth looking into.
Gentle hair care and non-toxic products make a huge difference.
Supplements and nutrition can support your body from the inside out.
You don’t have to accept hair loss as inevitable, you have options.

If you’re reading this, I hope you feel a little more empowered and a lot less alone. Going through chemo is hard enough—you shouldn’t also have to navigate hair loss in the dark. Whether you try scalp cooling, stick to gentle routines, or lean into clean products and supportive supplements, just know that you have options.

And more importantly, you have the right to care about how you feel and look during treatment. Don’t let people make you feel “vain”. Your healing journey doesn’t have to match anyone else’s. It can be soft, strong, hopeful, and uniquely yours. I’m cheering for you every step of the way.

The information in this article is for educational use, and not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and should not be used as such.