Losing your hair during chemo is one of the hardest parts of treatment. It doesn't feel fair, and it's absolutely okay to feel upset about it. But here's something important to hold onto: your hair will come back. Once your body starts to recover, regrowth begins — and how well you've looked after your scalp during treatment can make a real difference to that process.
Caring for Your Scalp While You're in Treatment
Your scalp becomes more sensitive during chemotherapy, so what you put on it matters. Choose a shampoo that is pH neutral or organic. Baby shampoo is best avoided, as despite its reputation for being gentle it doesn't contain a moisturising agent, which means it can actually dry the scalp out and cause extra sensitivity.
Products that have worked really well for people I've spoken to include:
- Philip Kingsley No Scent No Colour Shampoo — fragrance-free and very gentle.
- Lush Cinnamon Shampoo Bar — a surprisingly popular recommendation.
- Aveeno Skin Relief Shampoo — soothing and widely available.
Wash your scalp twice a week using cool water. After washing, rather than reaching for a conditioner, try massaging in a base oil instead. Coconut oil, sweet almond oil and good-quality olive oil all work beautifully. The goal at this stage isn't hair care, it's scalp care. A soft, well-moisturised scalp makes it much easier for new hair to push through when the time comes.
If you're using the cold cap and still have some hair, try not to rub it vigorously with a towel. Use a soft-bristled brush to gently remove any loose strands. It can be tempting not to brush for fear of making hair loss worse, but brushing actually prevents loose hair from matting with what's still attached.
When Your Hair Starts to Come Back
Hair regrowth is different for everyone. Some people get 'chemo curls' — a wave or curl that wasn't there before. This is completely normal. As the hair grows around the follicle it tends to curl, but as it gets longer and heavier, gravity gradually brings it straight again.
New hair will be very delicate. Here's how to take care of it:
- Brush gently with a soft-bristled brush to keep it in good condition.
- Keep up your scalp oil routine — this is still really important.
- Start using a conditioner once the hair reaches about two inches in length, and rinse well with cool to warm water.
- Add a drop of rosemary essential oil to your base carrier oil once a week — rosemary is a known hair growth stimulant, but always dilute it and never use it neat on the skin.
- Avoid heat tools completely until the hair is properly established.
- Hold off on hair colour or perming for at least a year after treatment ends. When you do go back to colour, your stylist should do a patch test 48 hours beforehand.
- Book a trim when the hair reaches 3–4 inches. It feels early, but trimming encourages stronger, faster growth. Aim for every 8–10 weeks after that.
Be patient with yourself. Look after your scalp, stay consistent with your routine, and your hair will come back.
Much love, Charley x
