If you keep your hair short, in six to 12 months most of your chemo curls will be gone and you'll be free to try new styles with your short hair. For those who opt for longer styles, chemo curls may last several years, or until you cut off the growth that occurred just after chemo.

How long do chemo curls last?

Chemo-related hair loss is typically temporary

If you experience hair loss as a side effect, it will probably start to grow back within three to six weeks of finishing treatment. To help your hair grow back strong, treat it gently. In the early stages of hair growth, avoid coloring or bleaching it.

What causes curly hair after chemo?

Chemo curls may occur because of how chemotherapy affects the body. All cells go through many different processes as they grow. Chemotherapy drugs damage cells when they divide to form new cells. Cancer cells divide more frequently than regular cells do, which means that chemotherapy is more likely to target them.