Hair falls out spontaneously, during combing, or breaks at the bulb. Chemotherapy affects all body hair. Since scalp hair is an active growth phase more often than any other body hair, this is the hair that chemotherapy most often affects. Hair loss can range from thinning to complete baldness and the degree of hair loss is drug and dose dependent. This condition is always temporary.
Radiation therapy affects hair only in the area where the radiation has been administered.
With radiation therapy, hair loss may or may not be permanent and is dose and site dependent. No hair growth stimulant, shampoo, conditioner, or other cosmetic treatment will prevent or retard hair loss. These techniques are no longer recommended because reducing the circulation in this area also reduces the delivery of chemotherapy and its therapeutic effects. Hair loss usually occurs two to three weeks after chemotherapy or radiation treatment begins. Hair loss may be sudden or gradual.