HOW TO CARE FOR HAIR FOLLICLES AFTER CHEMOTHERAPY

This is a very interesting topic to cover and one that should be talked about when caring for your natural hair. Thanks to a follower of mine that had requested this I looked into this for her, I can honestly say I am very delighted to do this.

When people undergo chemotherapy for cancer, hair loss may occur all at once for some or very little for many. Having chemotherapy destroys cancer cells, but it can destroy healthy cells to including the hair follicles that supports hair growth.

IS HAIR LOSS A PERMANENT THING?

How I look at it, is when you take medication or have any form of chemo, during that period of time, you will see some form of hair loss or all, after the treatment, your hair will grow back, it is rarely a permanent thing, but it will grow back after the treatment is finished.

Disclaimer: Hair will not start to grow immediately after chemotherapy treatment because it takes time for the drugs to leave your body and to stop its course of action. Give it time and you will start to see some regrowth, at least two months of your last treatment.

HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR HAIR FOLLICLES AFTER CHEMOTHERAPY?

I am not a fan of taking medication to help with hair growth, I believe that using natural things is the best thing you can use to create natural products to help with hair growth. Here are some of my suggested steps to help you on your way to having healthy hair follicles to aid with healthy hair growth.

SCALP STIMULATION

You will need to use a baby brush to help with the scalp stimulating, your scalp will be sensitive, and you don’t want to cause any damage to the cells on your scalp which is why using a baby brush is best for now. It’s best to use a carrier oil mixed with essential oil to create a n oil mix that you can apply to your scalp, once you apply this oil to your scalp, use a baby brush to help stimulate the scalp for 30 mins.

Scalp stimulation helps stimulate blood flow to the scalp, which helps bring a flow of nutrients to the hair’s follicles to promote hair growth. The brushing of the hair with the oil will help to keep scalp and hair moisturised making it less to breakage and will help with hair growth.

Once you have finished your scalp massage for 30 mins, rinse the oil out of your hair and scalp and you are ready for the cleansing process.

SCALP OIL CIRCULATION BOOSTERS

You will experience an increase in blood circulation if you incorporate these oils in replace of using minoxidil to improve scalp circulation.

• Aloe Vera
• Rosemary Oil
• Peppermint Oil
• Lavender Oil
• Amla Oil

CLEANSING PHASE

1. Use a sulfate-free shampoo , is less harsh on the scalp and you want to always make sure your scalp is cleansed and free from any debris and dirt, look for shampoos that have the following essential oils:
2. Peppermint essential oil

You can always tell when using a product with peppermint in there because it can cause a cold, tingling feeling on your scalp, it is great because it increases circulation to your scalp which helps promote hair growth during the anagen or growing phase.

1. Lavender essential oil

This oil is known to speed up hair growth it has properties that generate growth cells, it has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties to improve scalp health.

What is antimicrobial?

It's a term used to describe substances that demonstrate the ability to reduce the presence of microbes, such as bacteria and mould.

1. Rosemary essential oil

This oil is great to improve hair thickness and hair growth, it is a great oil to improve cellular generation.

1. Thyme essential oil

This oil is great in promoting hair growth and stimulating the scalp at the same time, which is great to prevent hair loss. This essential oil is very strong, so you will need to mix this with a carrier oil before applying it to your scalp. Apply two drops into a carrier oil.

1. Tea tree essential oil

Tea tree helps to clear hair follicles and increase hair growth, thanks to its cleansing, antibacterial properties. You can mix 10 drops of this into your shampoo or conditioner.

SHAMPOO & CONDITIONERS WITH THESE ESSENTIAL OILS

1. Mielle Rosemary Mint Shampoo - https://bit.ly/2t9MYs7
2. As I Am Cleansing Pudding Moisturiser Cleanser - https://bit.ly/2YB0nFh
3. The Mane Choice 3-in-1 Conditioner - https://bit.ly/2RJwiSf
4. The Mane Choice Detangling Hydrating Conditioner - https://bit.ly/2E9UCF7
5. E’TAE Carmelux Deep Treatment Shampoo - https://bit.ly/2PxY4Pb
6. E’TAE Carmelux Silk Protein Conditioner - https://bit.ly/35cP8Fs
7. Dr Bronner’s 18-in-1 Hemp Peppermint Pure-Castile Liquid Soap - https://bit.ly/2PDkTRh
8. Dr Bronner’s Citrus Pure Castile Liquid Soap - https://bit.ly/2LKfiYC

You can add the essential oils to the shampoo and or conditioner, add 10 drops to each one. You can mix the essential oils with a carrier oil such as Sweet Almond, Jojoba Oil, Olive Oil, Avocado Oil, Argan Oil, Coconut Oil, Macadamia Oil, Black Seed Oil

STYLERS

You can use a leave-in conditioner that has the following oils listed above in them to help with hair growth and moisturised scalp.

SUGGESTED PRODUCTS & TIPS

You can take supplements such as Biotin to aid with hair, skin, and nails growth and another medication to use is minoxidil. However, if you want to stay away from medication the natural remedy to minoxidil is:

• Aloe Vera
• Rosemary Oil
• Peppermint Oll
• Lavender Oil
• Amla Oil

Hair Skin and NailS

Most hair skin and nails supplements combine a high dose of Biotin with vitamin C, and some will also include zinc, iron, or other vitamins, minerals, and botanical ingredients meant to increase the bioavailability of the main active ingredients.

Green and black tea can also be used, in a hair spray or other treatment for your hair.

Exercise

Cardio for 5-10 minutes a day will help push blood to the body and to your scalp.

Nourish Your Hair From Within

Cancer survivors can adopt a regimen of taking vitamins to help nourish the hair. Vitamins B complex encourages blood flow to the scalp that can stimulate hair growth. Vitamin C can boost the health of the follicles. Biotin is said to help with hair growth and thicker strands of hair, it is a water-soluble B Vitamin that helps the cell to optimise metabolic processes.

Food that includes these vitamins are as follows:

• Dark Leafy Greens – Vitamin A, B2, B3, B6.B9.C.E.K
• Seeds are a good source for 6 of 14 essential vitamins Vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5, B5, B6, and E.
• Citrus Fruit – High in Vitamin C
• Berries – High in Vitamin C

The list is endless, but at least you know what types of food you should look to eat to help nourish your body.

I hope this helps if you have any questions feel free to ask