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hair not coming back in years after treatment

I am new to this forum.  My daughter, now age 21, is over ten years off treatment for ALL.  She was high risk with CNS involvement and had to have radiation along with 2.5 years chemo.  Her hair did fall out, however, after every one said it would come back, it never really did.  Her hair is very, very thin.  She worked  with young children over the summer and they kept asking her what was wrong with her hair.  She was to a dermatologist shortly after her treatment stopped, but no suggestions were made.  She is still in tears at times with her self image.  I had not done much research because, frankly, I am just glad she is alive and think she looks beautiful no mater what.  We almost lost her with all the chemo and the side effects she endured.  She has multiple other medical problems, mainly dealing with fatigue and mood disorder.  Had open heart surgery last year as well for a benign tumor.

Has anyone else had this situation and does anyone know if there is a way for her hair to be regrown.  
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907672 tn?1381025723
You are welcome.  I'm sorry I didn't have any advice that you haven't already heard.  I hope she gets good results from the laser comb.
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Avatar universal
Thanks for your reply, I really appreciate it.  She has talked to her oncologist about this and was referred to a dermatologist.  Rogaine was suggested, but did not work for her.  We looked into a hair transplant also, only to be told they do not do an "entire head", usually do males for the male patterned baldness.  

She actually just talked me into purchasing a laser comb, sold on QVC.  It was very expensive.  But if it works, it will be absolutely worth it.  It takes up to four months for that to really notice a change.  Hopefully that will restore at least some of her hair.  

Thanks again for your response.  
Helpful - 0
907672 tn?1381025723
Welcome to our forum mom404.  It sounds like your daughter (and you) have been through a lot.  I can't imagine how disappointing it must be for your daughter to not have her hair return fully.  I too lost my hair due to chemotherapy, however I was fortunate that it returned when I was finished with my treatments.  

I have heard that rarely hair does not return or does not return fully for some people who have had chemotherapy.  Possibly she could talk to her cancer doctor about possible medical solutions or even someone that she could be referred to for this problem.  I have heard that some people take Rogaine to boost their hair growth and that this is the only medication that has been approved by the FDA for this.  I've also heard that once you start taking Rogaine, you must continue to take it religiously or you will lose the hair again.

Another option might be to look into hair plugs.  This is where they take pieces of existing hair or "plugs" of hair, and transplant them to other parts of the scalp.  Be sure though that her immune system is up for this since this does involve disturbing the tissue of the scalp.  I'm not sure of a good medical doctor or clinic for someone who does this sort of proceedure, but maybe someone else on this forum would know.    
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