How long does it take for hair to grow back after chemo?

[LouiseOvacome]

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[inthepink]

The hair on my head hasn't fallen out this time due to a different drug combination and my individual response to it, although I was told by the hospital to expect thinning and loss. However, my eyelashes are now thin and broken and I can't use mascara.

Normally it takes quite a few months, say 4-6 perhaps, to have decent coverage. The sides grow back slower than the top - think baby to toddler's hair growth.

[LouiseOvacome My Ovacome Team in reply to inthepink]

Thanks inthepink - I have heard that it can change colour/or become more or less curly than before. Did yours come back the same?

[Hidden]

Mine was actually growing back before I had finished chemo but it was patchy and I don't do wispy so I kept shaving it until it was obviously going to cover my whole head. Mine did come back white at the front and very grey at the back (don't panic I am at the more mature end of the scale!) I've taken the chance to outrage my rather prim daughter and have it dyed a plummy brown which is definitely a defiant purple where my hair is white.

So go for it girls.... I started having my nails done the day before chemo - nail art, sparkly stones, outrageous colours the lot! Anything that brings a smile has to be good.

<b>Updated on May 26 2010 4:39PM:</b> Forgot to say it was curly too which was such a doddle to look after that I'm quite miffed that it's nearly back to being straight.

[crystal6 in reply to Hidden]

mine came after about 2 months and it was curly and grey, it became straight the longer it got. Since then i have been every colour on the market..such fun..coz i know what i look like if it all falls out again due to my mistreating it and besides i have my wig and scarves. Ps i was 40 at the time im 50 now and still changing colour every few months

[Meryl]

I had my last chemo at the end of January and my hair started growing back within a couple of months. It's now about an inch long, same colour, but it seems to be growing straight up on the top. Family and friends think it looks 'funky' and I'm going to keep it short from now on. Other body hair seems to have grown back far quicker, although I never lost eyebrows or eyelashes. I think hair usually grows about half inch a month so a way to go before I can really get some style in it. Good luck.