Post chemotherapy hair growth progress!

 

Last year I was diagnosed with cancer and I had surgery and treatment. I had chemotherapy and radiotherapy. One of the two drugs they used for chemo made my hair fall out.

I had a really bad time with the first chemotherapy round, and they removed the aforementioned drug and gave me three more rounds with one drug, and chemo was then a lot easier on me.

I was really worried about my hairloss – mostly about the regrowth, given how brittle my hair is and how long it takes to grow back.

But losing my hair was surprisingly the easiest part of chemo and cancer. I loved how I looked bald. And the regrowth has been surprisingly easy too.

My hair fell out mid August 2024. I used Avène Xeracalm Balm and castor oil on my scalp twice a day when it was bald until about two months ago. The castor oil promoted hair growth (Jeanette Findlay fortuitously bought some in South Africa last year!).

This is my hair right now – January 2025. It is the thickest and strongest it’s ever been. It barely falls out or breaks off, even when I comb the scale from my scalp. The curls are coming back. My scalp is not patchy. It isn’t that itchy compared to before cancer.

I’m so happy. And my friends and colleagues and family can’t believe how thick my hair is either!

Oh and I’m now cancer free.

I joke that I should do a round of awful chemo once in a while to renew my hair! (Of course I wouldn’t. It’s the worst.)

I’ve been documenting my journey with cancer to make it easier for people with ichthyosis who are diagnosed with cancer.

💗
Images: .1. A collage of Carly, a woman with a red face and gradually balding head she goes from losing some hair to completely bald. 2-3. Carly, a woman with red skin and very short dark curly hair, wearing a pink and gold dress with big puff sleeves, and gold boots. Shes also got a gold heart pendant on, and a Little Miss Fabulous brooch. She’s smiling in the second photo. The back of her head, full of hair, is the third photo.