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Breast Cancer  (Expert Forum)
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Texture of Hair
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Cleveland - OH
Questions posted in the Breast Cancer Forum are answered by medical professionals from The Cleveland Clinic. Topics include Breast Biopsy, Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy, Lumps, Lumpectomy, Lymph node dissection, Lymphedema, Mammograms, Mastectomy, Radiation Therapy, Reconstruction, Self Breast Exam, and Surgery.

Texture of Hair

by FiftyNine, May 17, 2008 03:58PM
I am done with Chemo and Radiation.  The hair that is returning is curly but it is also like cotton candy.  Will I get my original texture back?  How long will it be between this type of (Chemo Hair) and my regular hair?

by Cleveland Clinic, May 20, 2008 07:56AM
Dear FiftyNine:  When hair grows back after therapy, it is difficult to predict how it will ultimately turn out.  It is often more fragile at first but you may or may not get your “old” hair back. Time will tell.
Member Comments (2)

by BJSaws, May 19, 2008 12:34PM
To: FiftyNine
Hi,
I know everyone is different, but maybe my experience will be helpful to you.  I lost all of my hair to chemo.  Prior to that my hair was very thick, average coarseness, and very straight.  As my hair grew back in after the chemo, it was extremely curly, thinner, and finer textured (you described it well when you said like cotton candy).  Not knowing how to deal with this, I went to my hair dresser and had her bleach it platinum blonde and give it some shape.  I also got my ears double pierced to complete the "far out" look.
The curly hair lasted for about a year.  It gradually got less curly and after the year it was straight again.  My hair is thinner and finer now, but it is straight again.  It has been four years since I first lost my hair, so I guess this is the way it will be from now on.  I have had to re-learn how to style my hair since it is different than it was for most of my life.  I almost wish it had stayed curly since it was easier to take care of.
I hope this helps.
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