Hair Loss as a Result of Chemotherapy
By Sara Wasserbauer | Published on August 4, 2010 | 0 Comments
These days, many cancer patients look to chemotherapy as a means of fighting back against such a dreadful disease. With advances in treatments over the past number of years, those who endure chemotherapy will often times be able to rid themselves of cancer and go on to live healthy, normal lives. The downside, however, is that chemotherapy is no picnic, and the same formula used to destroy those harmful cancer cells can also work by attacking certain healthy cells – particularly, the ones in the hair follicles. This is why many cancer patients end up losing their hair over the course of treatment.
Unfortunately, hair loss that comes as a result of chemotherapy can take a toll on a cancer patient’s self-esteem. In fact, following chemotherapy, some cancer survivors tend to find themselves wondering whether their hair will grow back at all. In such situations, seeking out the advice of a hair transplant surgeon may seem like a natural next step, but according to Dr. Sara Wasserbauer, a San Francisco-based Diplomate of the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery who runs her own practice in Walnut Creek, California, a hair transplant is usually not necessary following chemotherapy.
Expect some surprises
Since the hair loss that ensues during chemotherapy is directly tied to the results of the drugs, stopping treatment will generally remedy the problem, and over time, a patient’s hair will usually grow back. However, Dr. Wasserbauer likes to warn people in this situation to expect some surprises during the re-growth phase.
According to Dr. Wasserbauer, sometimes a blonde will become a redhead, or a straight-haired person will suddenly start growing curly hair. Along these lines, often times after chemotherapy, a person’s hair will grow in thicker and shinier than ever before.
On the flip side, however, sometimes a patient will experience thinner hair growth following chemotherapy. When this happens, Dr. Wasserbauer will generally recommend treating the problem with Rogaine, Propecia, or laser therapy. If those solutions don’t work, then the next step is to discuss the possibility of a hair transplant.
Focal areas of hair loss
Hair transplants in patients who have undergone chemotherapy and suffered hair loss as a result seem to work best for those who develop focal areas of loss, such as at the front of the head. However, according to Dr. Wasserbauer, hair transplant surgery can work wonders on a variety of patients if the circumstances are right.
Although Dr. Wasserbauer understands that surviving cancer is reason enough to celebrate, she thinks that patients who lost their hair during treatment have every right to pursue restorative options. In fact, Dr. Wasserbauer welcomes cancer patients to visit her Walnut Creek, California office to learn more about their options following chemotherapy. The way she sees it, by the time a cancer patient arrives at her door, he or she will have already been through so much, so the least she can do is offer a way to help with the aesthetic aspects of recovery.
*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.