Chemotherapy and hair coloring: our advice

Chemotherapy is a painful stage, which leaves traces both physically and psychologically. After their last chemo session, many women wish to regain the hair color they used to wear but wonder whether it is reasonable to dye their hair; our experts answer and guide you so that you can reclaim your image as serenely as possible.

The effects of chemotherapy on the hair

Although some chemo protocols cause little or no hair loss, alopecia remains one of the most frequent and visible side effects of this type of medication. Chemotherapy molecules specifically target the elimination of cancer cells, that is to say cells that divide rapidly. Hair, and more generally the cells responsible for hair growth, also fall into this category, and are therefore affected. This is what causes hair loss after chemotherapy.

It should also be noted that chemotherapy treatments tend to severely alter the skin and mucous membranes. This is particularly true for the scalp: it is a fragile area of the body, with very thin skin. If hair falls out, the bare scalp becomes more sensitive to external aggressions: many patients undergoing chemotherapy notice dryness, tingling or even pain in the scalp.

Finally, alopecia can have a very strong psychological impact because it affects the patient’s body image.

Hair coloring and chemotherapy: incompatible?

Oncologists are unanimous on this subject: it is imperative to ban oxidation hair coloring during chemotherapy, as well as for several months after it ends. Synthetic hair dyes are far too aggressive to be used on skin already weakened by chemotherapy treatment. Plant-based hair coloring, which is 100% natural and composed exclusively of plants, flowers, spices and bark, to which only hot water is added, however, is subject to no contraindication. Hairborist pigments are also tested by a toxicology expert on all types of populations, and this expert does not restrict their use.

However, although it is technically possible to color your hair during chemo as long as you use plant-based coloring, we advise you to wait 6 months after the end of your treatment before starting to color your hair again, for three reasons that we detail below.

Why wait before dyeing your hair after chemo?

1. Protect the scalp

As explained above, chemotherapy causes skin dryness. Now, although it is 100% natural and safe, plant-based hair coloring has astringent properties: its application naturally tightens the tissues. On a damaged scalp, this could cause an unpleasant sensation or even be painful.

2. Do not affect regrowth

Hair regrowth is a very important step after chemotherapy. It occurs gradually and the first hairs resemble down, which is perfectly normal. These very fine hairs are, however, extremely fragile, similar to baby hair: to stimulate them and prevent them from being damaged, it is recommended not to handle them too much and to care for them gently, until the hair regains thickness and strength.

3. Obtain an optimal result

Although dyeing hair during chemotherapy is technically possible, there is a risk that the color may not take, or not take properly, for example non-uniformly. The explanation is simple: chemotherapy is a powerful chemical treatment, which the body evacuates through the skin in particular. The scalp and hair are no exception, which means that active molecules are present on the surface of the hair during this elimination process. These are precisely the molecules that can influence the absorption of plant pigments.

For all these reasons, we advise our clients as well as our partner hairdressers not to color hair during chemotherapy or just after it. Although the body needs a lot of time to get rid of all chemo residues, we recommend waiting about 6 months after the end of treatment before resuming hair coloring. After this period, the new hair will have covered the entire scalp and eliminated enough toxins for the plant coloring pigments to adhere to the hair fiber and provide a beautiful color result.

Taking care of your hair during and after chemo

If hair dye and chemotherapy do not necessarily go well together, at least during the treatment and immediately after it, there are, however, some habits to adopt to take care of your scalp and hair during this particular period:

Choose a shampoo that is as gentle and respectful of the balance of the scalp as possible. Many shampoos from supermarkets or even parapharmacies are formulated with cleansing bases that are too harsh, which are not suitable for a person undergoing chemotherapy treatment. Among the Hairborist range, the Sensity shampoo is made for you: organic certified, fragrance-free and essential-oil-free, it cares for sensitive scalps and soothes them instantly.
As soon as the first regrowth appears, nourish and stimulate your scalp in depth thanks to our unique and innovative treatment, to be carried out on dry hair, for optimal penetration of active ingredients. Mix Renovator vegetable oil with a few drops of Kéractif essential oils (to nourish both the scalp and the hair) and/or Calvitien (to improve hair growth). These products are 100% natural and organic certified by Ecogarantie, and they will regenerate your hair from the roots to the ends.
Oxidation coloring is prohibited during chemotherapy. 100% natural plant-based coloring is technically possible but we strongly advise you to wait 6 months after the end of your treatment before starting to color your hair again, in order to protect your scalp and the small down-like regrowth, and to obtain an optimal color result. Until then, a natural and effective hair routine is essential to preserve and accelerate your hair growth.