Cancer Research UK main site

Any tips on styling post chemo short & curly hair?

Alyb79
Offline

Hi all,

I am 6 months from my last chemo and my hair has grown back really thick and now starting to curl. I am not complaining, its hair! And its darker than before but its sooooo frizzy! I look like i have gotten a really bad perm. It is about 3 inches thick at the top and a bit shorter on sides but they are starting to curl too. My hairdresser has just been shaping the back to tidy it up but i really need advice on how to style it. Has anyone used straightners? Iv every mousse wax gel and oil under the sun but nothing works. Any tips would be greatly appreciated x

  • Hi Alyb79 and welcome to Cancer Chat.

    I'm really glad to hear your hair has grown back after chemo although I'm sorry it's become a tad unruly and hard to style at the moment.

    I'm sure some of our members will share their tips and advice with you soon but if you'd like to speak with one of our cancer nurses about this, you're welcome to give them a call on 0808 800 4040. They'll be available from tomorrow onwards between 9a.m - 5p.m.

    I hope you're able to find some solutions and your hair becomes easier to manage soon.

    Kind regards,

    Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Offline

    Hi, I’m 11 months after my last chemo and my hair is so frizzy and I hate it. Just wondering did your hair tame down after a while? Has anyone gotten a keratin treatment on chemo curls. 

  • Offline in reply to Ireland22

    Hi, I'm 10 months after last chemo and my hair is very thick, very curly and very frizzy. At first I hated it and continued to wear my wig as I lost all my confidence. However I'm starting to get used to it (can't say I like it) and am now using hair bands which help to give it a bit of shape. 

    I still can't wait for "normal" hair to return  but having read so many stories of "chemo curls" I've just got to be patient and be glad that at least I've got hair now!. I've tried several treatments to try and tame the curls, none of which have made any difference.

    My chemo hair also grew back white and grey - I'd never had grey hair pre cancer so I am using a semi permanent colour which at least covers the grey.

    Sorry I can't help and I totally understand your hatred for your hair. I'll be interested to hear if anyone else has found any miracle cure for chemo curls?

  • Offline in reply to Poodlelulu

    Hey, I’ve done a cocochoco treatment on my hair three times and had to trim the very bottom of my hair as it was flicking upwards. Pretty happy with how it has turned out. I’ve recently got tape extensions installed and I’m really happy with them! Hopefully you will feel the same too soon! 

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.