Coping With Hair Regrowth

There's an increasing amount of advice out there about losing your hair, but if you lose it to a temporary condition, how do you cope when you are trying to grow it back?. Once you've adjusted to being bald, coping with hair regrowth can be difficult and confusing. What should you expect, how should you look after it, and how can you maintain an appearance you're comfortable with as it returns?

Changes in Your Hair

When hair grows back, it rarely looks exactly the same as it did before it disappeared. There can be a good side to this. Often new hair is very soft, like a baby's, and can retain that quality for some time if you look after it. However, you may be less well prepared for other surprises – if you've had Radiotherapy, straight hair may grow back curly, and sometimes the hair will be impossible to comb neatly in any direction.

Most distressingly, hair may not return over as much of the head as it covered previously, and bald patches may be in odd places, making it look stranger than the baldness that commonly develops with age. However, bald patches are often temporary, so be patient and don't panic about it.

Covering Growing Hair

As your hair grows back in, especially if it's uneven, you may feel uncomfortable about other people seeing it. However, wearing a Wig Or Toupee can start to feel itchy and if you use adhesives to secure your hairpiece they may stress the new hair. At this stage it's better to wear a light scarf or a hat that allows plenty of room for the scalp to breathe.

Some people choose to dye their hair as it returns. Because many Hair Dyes also tint the scalp, they can help to give a more even appearance. However it's important to avoid dyes containing bleach, as these will damage the new hair. There are conditioning dyes available that can actually nourish it – ask at your local pharmacy for advice.

Caring for Growing Hair

Because it is delicate, new hair needs extra care. Choose a delicate shampoo, such as those designed for babies, and never wash your hair without conditioning it. Often you will get better results if you limit hair washing to once or twice a week. Wait until it dries naturally before combing or brushing, be careful not to tug it, and avoid blow-drying.

Because growing hair needs a good supply of nutrients to do well, a healthy diet means it will grow back faster and in better condition. Make sure you drink plenty of water and eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Don't forget that while your hair is thin you'll still need to take extra care to protect your scalp from the elements and to guard against sunburn.

Styling Growing Hair

As your hair returns, you'll naturally feel excited. You may be anxious to get back to looking the way you did before, but it's important to be patient if you want to get really good results.

The need to be gentle with new hair limits your styling options. If you had long hair before, you may be keen to look that way again, but you should avoid extensions which can put too much strain on the hair as it grows. Likewise, it's advisable to avoid styles and accessories that pull the hair tightly.

The best styles for new hair are those which require minimal combing and treatment, so that the hair is relaxed and easy to manage. Shorter styles are often a good idea for the first year or two because they give slower growing areas the chance to catch up. They will also tend to look better if not all your hair returns.

Seeing your hair growing back is wonderful. Look after it well and you may well be able to enjoy it for many more years.

Styling Tips

To ensure your hair remains in the best condition once it has grown back, check out some of our articles in the Healthy Hair section of this site, including General Hair Care and Styling to Protect Hair.