Hair Regrowth

paff
paff Member Posts: 4
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Yes, I know, I have lots of questions! You can tell by the other posts I have on here. One month ago, my husband completed his 7 rounds of chemo and 35 radiation treatments to the neck area. Prior to treatments he had a beard. Does anyone have any idea if the facial hair will grow back? Also, how long does it normally take before the hair on your head starts growing back?

Comments

  • MLC53
    MLC53 Member Posts: 109
    #2
    The hair on my head started growing back about 2-3 months after I finished radiation/chemo. I am a female so I can't answer for the beard. I can only assume it would be about the same amount of time. Everyone is different though. Hope this helps.
  • BugHunter
    BugHunter Member Posts: 152
    #3
    I am 10 months post treament myself and my neck hair has yet to return.....saves on razor blades!
    I think the hair on the head will come back sooner(I never lost mine)if it was from the chemo. Radiation has longer lasting effects.

    BILL
  • soccerfreaks
    soccerfreaks Member Posts: 2,788 Member
    #4
    Paff: I was bolted down to a table during my rads, wearing a fiberglass sort of mask. Between that and the chemo, I lost NO hair from my head. However, I did lose facial hair. When my beard came back, it grew only above my jawline which, as someone else who has posted points out, saves some on razor bills :)

    Of more interest to me, prior to my surgery and other treatment, I had started to look like Stephen Speilberg: nearly all grey hair, certainly all white beard. AFTERWARDS, the hair on my head is darker and my beard is clearly black/brown.

    Strange, but true. I am sure it is a bit different for everyone.

    As for WHEN it started growing back, I never lost hair off my head, and never worried about hair on my face...I had bigger concerns!

    Take care.
  • paula002
    paula002 Member Posts: 45
    #5
    Hi Paff,
    Like MLC53, my head hair started growing back about 2-3 months after treatments. Wouldn't know about facial hair. Best of luck,
    Paula
  • devildawg
    devildawg Member Posts: 16
    #6
    In 2004 I had the same amount of radiation treatmets to my head aswell.The majority of the radiation was to the right side of my head. I can no longer grow any facial hair on the right side of my face. It's weird though because I can grow some on the left side and I am able to grow some hair on my chin. It was frustrating for awhile because overtime I grew found of my sideburns/beard, but now It's kind of convenient It takes less time to get ready only having to shave half of my face and I no longer get those ridiculous razor bumps on my neck.It sucks but whatcha gonna do.
  • krayon63
    krayon63 Member Posts: 3
    #7
    i did not have chemo and am female so no facial hair, however I did notice in addition to losing hair in the front and back of my head- which a year later grew back. i did no have to pluck my eyebrows- lol although now i do!
  • stevelfun
    stevelfun Member Posts: 17
    #8
    Yup
    I am with others here. Below the jaw line - VERY thin, slow growing - virtually non-existent.

    I used to grow a beard every winter - live in Massachusetts - a beard is nice in the winter months for all that I do outside - run, ski, split wood, etc...

    Do not think it is coming back.

    As for the rest of my head - Top of my head is no different. I was pretty bald before - am still - .... LOL

    Best to all.
  • dedesert
    dedesert Member Posts: 17
    #9
    stevelfun said:

    Yup
    I am with others here. Below the jaw line - VERY thin, slow growing - virtually non-existent.

    I used to grow a beard every winter - live in Massachusetts - a beard is nice in the winter months for all that I do outside - run, ski, split wood, etc...

    Do not think it is coming back.

    As for the rest of my head - Top of my head is no different. I was pretty bald before - am still - .... LOL

    Best to all.

    no more facial hair
    I think the facial hair will not be returning. I still have hair in the moustache and goatee area but those areas were not radiated. the sides and neck were radiated and have shown no signs of hair regrowth.

    Mark
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #10
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

Discussion Boards