What is Radiotherapy?
Radiotherapy, or radiation treatment, is a form of cancer treatment that works by directing high-energy rays at the site of a tumour, in order to destroy the cancer cells.
Unlike chemotherapy, radiotherapy is localised and will only cause hair loss in the part of your body that is being treated. For example, if your head is treated with radiotherapy, then your scalp hair, eyebrows or beard may fall out, depending on where the ray is targeted. Whereas in the case of breast cancer, if the lymph nodes in your armpit are treated, then your armpit hair may fall out.
Will My Hair Grow Back after Radiotherapy?
Sometimes, hair that is lost due to radiotherapy can grow back. This depends on how many treatments you have, the part of your body being treated, and the dose you receive. It is best to ask your doctor or radiotherapist what to expect in terms of hair fall.
Unfortunately though, radiation can sometimes permanently destroy hair follicles at the treatment site. If this happens, your hair will not grow back.
In these cases, hair transplants can be a successful option to consider. At Philip Kingsley we do not offer hair transplants, but our Trichologists are extremely knowledgeable on the most up-to-date solutions in the field. We are happy to advise our Clients, talk through techniques, and recommend the best hair transplant surgeons.
