Why did chemotherapy make my once-straight hair grow in curly?

[RedQueen]

I've asked this before and have never received an answer. Does anyone know why this happens?

Not only has my hair become curly, it's texture has completely changed --it's now thick and coarse rather than baby-fine.

I love this side-effect, I've always wished for curly hair.

I've taken chemo for three years and, unless my doctor changes my treatments, I can expect to be on it for life (I have rheumatoid arthritis) Can I also expect my hair to remain this way?

I realize this sounds rather vain, with all the problems others face. I've just always wondered about this and haven't found a suitable answer anywhere.

Thanks for taking the time to answer.


((((((((((((((Lady)))))))))

I hope everything is fine for you now, and that you are healthy.

[tinmuning]

Let me quote my answer to a member who posted a similar question:
Patients are advised that although hair growth is possible post-chemotherapy, the hair that grows may not be the same as to what they have before. It may be a different texture, like what happened in your case, and even a different color. Let me quote from Naturallycurly.com: Where curls come to life! :
"Cancer patients often find that after chemotherapy, their once-straight hair grows in curly. Chemo affects rapidly growing cells more than slowly growing ones, and hair follicles in the scalp grow rapidly. They are jolted by the chemo, and when they go back to work, they may have a new job description, says Dr. Jennifer Griggs. Over time, the hair follicle tends to return to its normal shape."