While some of us are born with beautiful curls, others come into their new texture by means of less fortunate paths. For many cancer patients, especially women, the process of losing your hair to chemotherapy can be an upsetting part of the journey. When that new hair starts to grow in, you are excited for things to get back to normal. Imagine the shock many women face when they now have a completely different texture than the hair they lost during treatment! If you are a woman experiencing what are called “chemo curls”, the struggle to find the right care solutions for your new texture can seem overwhelming. When it comes to finding the best products for chemo curls, here are a few suggestions to keep in mind.
Mielle Organics Babassu Conditioning Shampoo
One of the biggest changes when your hair grows back is the difference in moisture needed. Curly hair naturally requires more moisture to stay healthy. While you may have used shampoos with harsh chemicals before, it is best to switch to something gentler and more nourishing for your new texture. This formula is loaded up with all the hydration you need without sulfates. Sulfates strip your natural moisture and can be irritating to the scalp. This product also helps with elasticity, manageability, and overall strength.
Alikay Naturals Honey and Sage Deep Conditioner
Aside from washing and conditioning with a leave-in, your curls will most likely need a weekly deep conditioning treatment to stay healthy. This product penetrates the follicle to supply hair with deep hydration where it needs it most. With natural and organic ingredients like honey, sage, and babassu oil, this deep conditioning treatment keeps hair hydrated, healthy, and adds a bit of gloss.
Oyin Handmade Hair Dew
Speaking of moisture, if you had straight hair, you may not be aware of how much work and time goes into maintaining healthy curls. A leave-in conditioner is an absolute must to keep your curls healthy and happy. This option is one of the best products for chemo curls thanks to the gentle formula and super hydrating properties. It is a leave-in conditioner that is light enough for everyday use without weighing down your curls. It uses castor oil, olive oil, and other natural ingredients to help fight frizz and keep hair hydrated all day.
Alikay Naturals Essential 17 Hair Growth Oil
If you are looking to encourage your hair to grow after treatment, this is one of the best products for chemo curls. It is packed with 17 of nature’s finest ingredients, including elements such as emu oil, tea tree oil, horsetail powder, and more, for a formula that helps stimulate scalp health to ensure proper growth. It is anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial to give your scalp the best chance at generating new growth.
Jessicurl Spiralicious Styling Gel – No Fragrance
Of course, styling your hair will also be different now that you are working with curls. Finding the right styling gel can be the difference between bouncy, defined curls and a crunchy, stiff mess. This product offers the best of frizz control while adding definition to your pattern and helping with hold. While it starts off with a slight crunch, it can be easily scrunched out to reveal soft, touchable strands that hold their shape all day. Best of all, it is fragrance free for those with a sensitivity to excessive perfumes.
Have a story on how you grew your back after chemo? We would love to know in the comments.
