Why did my straight hair grow in curly after starting chemotherapy?

[RedQueen]

I take low-dose chemo as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, and a side effect was gradual hair loss. Because it never fell out all at once, I hadn't noticed that my new hairs were growing in curly. Eventually, they reached a length that was noticeable.

Having always wanted curly hair, I do love this side-effect. I'm just wondering why it would do this, and can I expect it to last?

If it makes a difference in your answer, I've been taking methotrexate for three years now, and unless my doctor changes my treatments I can expect to continue using it for the long-term.

Thank you.

[tinmuning]

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."

[hdblue]

I take low-dose chemo as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, and a side effect was gradual hair loss. Because it never fell out all at once, I hadn't noticed that my new hairs were growing in curly. Eventually, they reached a length that was noticeable.

Having always wanted curly hair, I do love this side-effect. I'm just wondering why it would do this, and can I expect it to last?

If it makes a difference in your answer, I've been taking methotrexate for three years now, and unless my doctor changes my treatments I can expect to continue using it for the long-term.

Thank you.

Hi,

I agreed with you. Any way, your points of view make me thinking about some thing for my project.

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Tks and best regards

[rollyfingerz]

Really hope you make it through what must be a very painful experience, best of luck to you OP.

[kerryjennings110]

I take low-dose chemo as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, and a side effect was gradual hair loss. Because it never fell out all at once, I hadn't noticed that my new hairs were growing in curly. Eventually, they reached a length that was noticeable.

Having always wanted curly hair, I do love this side-effect. I'm just wondering why it would do this, and can I expect it to last?

If it makes a difference in your answer, I've been taking methotrexate for three years now, and unless my doctor changes my treatments I can expect to continue using it for the long-term.

Thank you.

I am just wondering.... Is it true? Never come across this type of things.

THANKS

Regards

[etinin]

I believe I have a technical explanation for what has happened, if anyone is interested.
What happens is that the medication acts by inhibiting folic acid (B12) metabolism. That way, transmetilation reactions will not complete successfully, leading to an accumulation of aminoacid homocysteine. That way, more homocysteine residues go into your hair. Curly hair is the result of chemical bonds known as sulfur bonds and homocysteine has a sulfur atom, being able to make that kind of bond.

It should not last after treatment is completed, because the homocysteine levels will return to normal and so will the composition of your hair.

[Kit Spitz]

Hi. I'm new but wanted to add my two cents. I had very aggressive breast cancer in 2000 with massive chemo. I lost all of my hair (ALL) except for arms & legs! After treatment (chemo & radiation) my hair came in baby fine. I had always has spaghetti straight blonde hair. Having short hair for the very first time in life, I opted for a spunky short doo. It came in dark blonde, so I dyed it a few shades lighter, but it was very straight. I was hoping for a little bounce for all my trouble! Fast forward ten years to 2011. I got tired of dyeing it and cutting it, I let it grow. Lo and Behold! After two inches.. I sprouted curls. Massive curls ... And I HATE it. Now I know what they are always complaining about. It's unruly and oddly very symmetrical in it's curls. So, I must respectfully disagree that it returns to it's normal shape after a while. Lmao - after ten years I *finally* found out I hadn't been cheated after-all.

[betsky]

I believe I have a technical explanation for what has happened, if anyone is interested.
What happens is that the medication acts by inhibiting folic acid (B12) metabolism. That way, transmetilation reactions will not complete successfully, leading to an accumulation of aminoacid homocysteine. That way, more homocysteine residues go into your hair. Curly hair is the result of chemical bonds known as sulfur bonds and homocysteine has a sulfur atom, being able to make that kind of bond.

It should not last after treatment is completed, because the homocysteine levels will return to normal and so will the composition of your hair.

as a nurse that used to work oncology your explanation imo
is spot on however many times after treatment with
antineoplastics, esp. long term treatment , the hair follicles will not return to baseline
but remain curly.