How to Grow Your Hair Out After Chemotherapy or Cancer Treatment

I'm a two-time cancer survivor (Acute Lymphoblastic Lymphoma) and the first time I was recovering from chemo I did everything wrong when it came to growing out my hair, which made it take A LOT longer than it needed to.
At the time I had tried googling "how to grow your hair out after chemo" but couldn't find anything specific to cancer, and growing your hair out post-cancer is much different from growing your hair out after a short haircut (post-cancer hair grows out in a strange way you'll want to be aware about).
Now I'm recovering from round 2 of treatment for my lymphoma (a stem cell transplant) after relapsing last year, and I'm doing a much better job with the hair (my overall health is doing pretty well, too!). This video describes my hair-growing process, and will be helpful to anyone who had shoulder length or longer hair and wants to get back to that length after cancer treatment.
Ps - This video is a part of my Life Teachings membership program. Learn more about it here:
zenpsychiatry.mykajabi.com/of...

[@roxannedombrosky9817]

Thank you for the helpful information regarding a bob! I wish you the very best!

[@theimperfectscrapper5313]

You look so fantastic with your pixie hair - love it!

[@jilly235]

Thank you sooo much for this info. I’m a 11 weeks post chemo in my hair growth journey. So I did not know a lot of this that you shared.

[@ilianadiaz8039]

Thank you so much for your video. I am 10 months post chemo, my hair is so curly on the bottom but straighter wavy on the crown and top of my head. The only way my hair looks some what normal is using an organic gel with Rosemary and biotin. then it stays in place. When I wake up its sticking up like an Afro. I have to wet my hair and comb to get it to calm down. Before chemo, I had fine straight wavy hair. The crown still has not filled in as thick. I am taking biotin. I have not gotten a hair cut yet, I am waiting. I did color it. I was concerned, but I have a lot of baby hairs growing. I hope it fills in thickly so I can’t see bold spots. Its a bit insane, but I am grateful to have my hair growing back!

[@lindacraig5056]

My hair came back wavy and thicker than it was before. I always had very straight hair. It took 8 months until i got it cut to start shaping it up. I also took Biotin for my hair nails and skin.

[@jljohnson1949]

thanks so much for this information Elana!

[@sproutsrevil6508]

I’m 9 months post chemo. My hair looks insane. It’s come back so grey. Really coarse and so so curly. I look like a mad scientist and don’t know what to do!

[@alicebecht859]

That’s what my hair looked before chemo, what’s it going to look like post chemo!

[@sproutsrevil6508]

@@alicebecht859 Most probably nothing like it was before is the answer! But give it 2 years - it should calm down I can now get the tiniest ponytail and I’m using lots of grips to try to pin the madness down!

[@eb6641]

This sounds like me right now ...crazy how something can change your image...x

[@nobo764]

my hair fell out this week. i feel like a cucumber. i guess its my eyebrows i miss most. being a man i look a bit funny if i draw them on. but i feel i look constantly surprised. will my hair start to come back while still getting treatment or after? dont have much support..... my doctor tells me to isolate and shield from others due to covid. he is a bit patronizing .he said it would come back when it comes back!🙄 chemo is a bitch! i knew it was going to be hard. but DAMN.its hard.

[@tigsouth9036]

Hw are you today?, hope all is well 🙏

[@nobo764]

@@tigsouth9036 hello
Yes I'm well today. Very well actually. Cancer is in remission.. and I have a full head of hair again.. goodness reading back what I wrote. It was the hardest time in my life. I hope you are well. ❤️

[@tigsouth9036]

@@nobo764 going through it now, your comment gives me hope, 🙏 thank you

[@nobo764]

@@tigsouth9036 no worries friend. Take care and much ❤️

[@kingscommunitybaptistchurc5301]

Pantene products helped me

[@patriciasanders6444]

It took my hair 2 yrs to get to shoulder..also I had straight natural blonde hair…now I have this ugly wavy curly brown hair..it’s uncontrollable….but glad I have some 😊

[@LadyD1979]

My hair is growing straight. I have naturally curly, but I had been Brazilian straightening my hair for years prior to chemotherapy. I think it's almost time for my first haircut, but I have no idea what to do.

[@christinal.2253]

Thanks, makes sense. My hair looks like a giant Afro right now and I have NO idea what to do with it. I have never had curly hair...so I keep letting it grow but all I want to do is cut it. Awkward for sure!

[@sproutsrevil6508]

You sound the same as me. I’m wearing hats to hide under and hating them. Really hating it. So hot! Don’t know what to do. 😢. Just going to let it grow until nature and time sorts it out.