Updated - Natural Hair and Chemotherapy (Robin Roberts)

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I am again sharing this post. I hope and pray that you will never need these tips for dealing with hair growth post-chemotherapy, but if you do, I'm glad that I could provide some guidance.

Let's try to encourage early detection by performing our breast self-exams, going to our health care providers regularly, and trying to live healthy lifestyles. If you are concerned about the costs of going to see a physician or of having your mamograms know that you can go to centers that provide health care on a sliding scale, like Planned Parenthood, and that the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, popularly known as "Obamacare", helps us detect and fight this disease because it:

-"Directs the Secretary of HHS to develop a national education campaign for young women and health care professionals about breast health and risk factors for breast cancer" from Source

- And "...requires health plans to cover annual preventive mammograms for women starting at age 40...It prohibits lifetime dollar limits on coverage and also restricts the amount of out-of-pocket costs.”
Matt Schafer of the American Cancer Society via Source 

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Over the course of a lifetime, it is likely that you will be touched by breast cancer. Whether you experience it yourself or through a friend or family member - approximately 12 percent or 1/8 of all women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Typical treatment for breast cancer includes chemotherapy and some combination of radiation therapy and surgery. One of the most common side effects of chemotherapy is hair loss. But the good news is that the loss is not permanent. The hair will grow back....although it may be a little different than it was prior to the chemo.


Robin Roberts - prior to chemo

For many, the texture and color of one's new growth will change. Some naturals' hair will grow in with thinner, finer strands that have a looser curl pattern. Some women will grow "chemo curls", hair with a much curlier and tighter curl pattern than they previously experienced. In many instances, this new growth will generally be drier and more brittle than prior to chemotherapy. TLC is needed. On top of having delicate strands, a common after effect of treatment is a tender scalp, so be gentle!

During chemo

To encourage new growth, promote circulation to the hair root, and remove dry and flaky skin, gently massage the scalp while cleansing and conditioning, and while applying your oils (castor, coconut, jojoba, olive, or grapeseed oils) and leave in conditioners. Avoiding heat styling is advised because beyond being harsh on the hair, it may burn the scalp. Wearing hats or wigs is a good way to protect the hair and scalp during this delicate time, but please continue to massage and moisturize.

ZaireBellaHill (and many others) have YouTube videos with pictures chronicling hair growth after chemotherapy. I thought that she did a nice job of showing her hair growing in, but more importantly please, please, please, do your monthly breast self-exams, talk to your  friends and family about doing the same, get your mammograms....Also, show (and tell) your friends and family that they are appreciated and loved.

Robin Roberts - natural hair post-chemo

Images via abc.com

Robin Roberts at the 85th Annual Academy Awards - post bone marrow transplant. She looks beautiful! Thank you for being so inspirational to cancer survivors and their families.

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Write by: Unknown - Monday, January 23, 2012