Hi Dean: Well, that varies, person to person. Also, depends what you mean by grow back - 1/2"? 8"? I'd say in general, once you finish chemo it takes about 6 months for your hair to grow back enough that you don't look like you've got a boys' haircut. And be aware it might (probably) will grow back different than it was— a different color, wavy if it was straight, straight if it was wavy... it's like your hair says, "YEAH, a new life, let's try something different!" It's interesting for sure... Good luck - PJH
It also depends on the kind of chemotherapy. I have been growing mine out since finishing 6 rounds of TAC in July 2006. I am still in chemo, though but a kind that doesn't usually affect hair loss (vinorelbine). My hair has grown out but is still by no means long. sigh. It's healthy, though and I am glad to have it.
It's funny - I had very short hair before being diagnosed. Now I just want it to flow....and most other women I know who've been through treatment have felt the same way.
I remember being at a meeting, during my return to work. A new staff member asked me what kind of leave I'd been on. She clearly just thought I was sporting a funky short hair cut.
Good luck and take good care-
Laurie
My hair started growing back just after my last treatment. Just days after my husband said I had peach fuzz on my head. I did wear a boyish style cut for a while cause I kept using the clippers on it. Bearing through a grow out period is HARD. A year later my hair was almost back to normal, then I moved to New Orleans and got so hot I cut it short again. Now the grow out is worse than before, as it seems soooooo much slower.
I was one that had hope for straight hair cause I have very thick, curly texture hair - but no such luck - not even letting it grow in and shaving it again. Never did change it, and though I was a blonde I have noticed my hair is a diff color and includes more grays, which does not make me happy at 34!
I hope when I go through chemo later this year that my hair comes back straight. I'm in radiation now and I've heard it can mess up your hair as well.
I suggest Nioxin hair vitamins that you buy from a salon, they will help it grow and keep it healthy.
Good luck making it through your grow out period!
Angi
My last chemo was January 2010, it's now May 2010 and my hair is growing, I have eyelashes and eyebrows now (never had that much). I'm excited to see what the Lord is doing. People ask me that don't know my story how did I get my hair to look like that? It's of course short, but has gray mostly on the edges and looks nice. My husband says it makes look very smart "ok". I'm a afro american woman, age 50 +. My hair is coming in curly, that I love all I have to do is wet/wash my hair put moisturizer/conditioner on it put a cap on my hair and I'm set to go. Let me say it hasn't always been that way...be patient and whatever way our God designs your hair back in your head it will be well worth the wait, he does all things well :-)
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