Why Does Chemo Cause Hair Loss?

Chemotherapy is well known to cause hair loss. This hair loss all depends on the type of chemotherapy used and the amount prescribed. This hair loss is devastating to most people and is one of the most feared side-effects of chemotherapy.

Identification

• Hair loss after chemotherapy is widespread, and it usually results in complete baldness. Hair may also be missing from the eyelashes and eyebrows.

Types

• Hair loss caused by chemotherapy is called alopecia totalis. This type of hair loss can grow back since all hair follicles are still living, although it may take months.

Chemotherapy

• Chemotherapy is used in the treatment of cancer, because of its ability to destroy fast multiplying cells. Since cancer cells are fast-multiplying it works well to eradicate them and slow down their spread.

Cause

• The downside to chemotherapy is that hair follicles are fast-multiplying, so chemotherapy attacks these cells as well, which causes widespread hair loss. Although the hair loss is widespread, it is not permanent.

Time Frame

• Hair loss from chemotherapy starts about 10 to 14 days into the treatment. This hair loss may be gradual, or come out in plugs or clumps.