Does age effect hair regrowth after chemotherapy?

[spat614]

I am 66, but have enjoyed very thick hair all of my life, until losing it from chemo. My last treatment was Sept 30, but the regrowth is scattered very sparsely on my shiny scalp and only 1/4". It is now Dec 2 - that's 2 whole months! Am I being too impatient? Does hair grow more slowly for post-menopausal women? Does the shiny scalp mean the follicles will never produce hairs again? I've worn a wig daily since the hair loss - should I cut back on doing that?
Thanks for whatever info you can give me! I realize that everyone is different, so my some of my questions may be unanswerable.


This discussion is related to Hair still not grown back.

[JeanP]

I finished my last chemo treatment for IBC Stage IV in March of 2005.  My hair came in curly. I had always had straight hair and the curl and thickness did not last long.  It seems to be thinning more all the time.  I am 67 and like you had always had thick hair.  I cannot find a style that looks good as it has not body, is very fine and breaks easily.  I read that B vitamins may help and I have been taking them for about 6 months.  No change.  I do get a perm now, but did not for a good year after.  It is just so listless I have to do something and I do hate the wigs. I really am thankful that I am in remission but so discouraged with the hair.  Thinking of going to a specialist for hormone regulation but I don't think there is anything to be done.

[BJSaws]

     Congratulations on completing your treatment.  I don't know if hair re-growth is related to being post-menopausal or not, but I do know that everyone has a different situation.  I will tell you my experience in hopes it will help you in some way.  
     I was 58 and post-menopausal.  I finished my chemo in April and it was September before I could even consider going without a wig. Even then, my hair was very short.
     I,too, had always had very thick hair.  When my hair came back it was thinner and finer than it had been before.  Five years later, it remains thinner and finer.  It was an adjustment learning to re-style this new hair.  Interestingly, when my hair first came back in it was very,very curly.  That lasted for about a year and then went back to being very straight as it had been before.  Another interesting side effect is that my underarm hair never has returned.  No more armpit shaving for me!