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Why Does Chemo Make Your Hair Fall Out?

Chemo, also called chemotherapy, is a treatment used to destroy cancer cells. Chemotherapy can slow, destroy and prevent cancer cells from spreading, but it can also make your hair fall out.

  1. Side Effects

    • Side effects can occur with chemotherapy treatment. These include, but are not limited to, hair loss, appetite changes, constipation, diarrhea, fatigue and bleeding issues.

    Hair Loss

    • Hair loss, also called alopecia, may begin 2 to 3 weeks after chemo treatments begin. Whether or not hair loss occurs depends on how much and what kind of medication is received, although most people lose at least some hair.

    Reason

    • Chemotherapy drugs are made to attack cancer cells. These drugs also damage healthy cells, including hair root cells. Hair loss can occur on the head, eyebrows, eyelashes and all over the body.

    Options

    • No method has been proven to prevent hair loss as a result of chemo treatments, but options are available to help deal with this experience. A short haircut, shaving the head or wearing a wig are ways to manage this side effect.

    Prevention

    • Ice packs may be applied to the scalp to slow the rate of hair loss, and the drug minoxidil may be applied to encourage hair growth following chemotherapy.

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