Chemotherapy can drastically impact hair growth.
One writer discusses how coloring her hair after cancer treatment helped her regain confidence.
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But if you look closer, the subject of these countless photos is my hair.
You might think Im a stylists dreamconstantly chopping and coloring, with cool memories to accompany each change.
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trichologist and brand president of Philip Kingsley in New York.
trichologist and brand president of Philip Kingsley in New York.
People automatically put me in the cancer warriorcategory, but dealing with a diagnosis and starting treatment was anythingbuteasy.
My body experienced blood clots and cancer-induced asthma, to name a few.
It wasquitesurreal after twelve emergency room visits, one collapsed lung, and seeing a slew of specialists.
Medically speaking, Iwas clearedto rejoin society, but mentally and physically, I was still in shambles.
My bald head and eyebrows were the most obvious signs I was still healing.
People automatically put me in the cancer warriorcategory, but dealing with a diagnosis and starting treatment was anythingbuteasy.
For many people, its not uncommon for hair to come back curlier, unpigmented, or slightly lighter.
However, everyones scalp and hair will be more fragile at first following chemotherapy,says Kingsley.
That meant letting my hair grow untouched for up to eight months before taking the plunge.
trichologist and brand president of Philip Kingsley in New York.
Cavalacante also warns against dyes containing bleach and peroxide to avoid unnecessary breakage.
To everyone else around me, this was just another day at the salon.
None of this matters, though, if your scalp isnt completely healthy.
To everyone else around me, this was just another day at the salon.
I was deciding between aglazeand a balayage service.
Glazes are generally non-ammonia and dont deeply penetrate the hair.
It was much more significant.
Nothing about my new hairstyle says former chemo patient.The experience of it all lies within my memories.
My hair may not be what it once was, nor am I.
Going through treatment and all the complications left me very anxious.
Many survivors report feeling symptoms they had pre-diagnosed andfearingtheir cancer would come back.
Its my reminder when I look in the mirror that Im in recovery and that everything will be okay.
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