I Had Chemo and My Hair Came Back Curly! 

"A very expensive perm" just made me spit soda all over my dash

Hank got that tenured professor look with his new hair

Hank actually retired, this is just the 3rd Green Brother

Chemo curls, yes - but the opposite is also true. I learned this from a cancer patient. If your hair started out curly and you lose it from chemo, it will grow back straight. I am a licensed braider in the state of Florida. I was doing braids on a little girl from England (I lived in a very touristy area). Her Aunt had brought her to my shop for her braids. To this very day, she has the thickest hair I have ever worked on. I kept remarking how amazingly thick her hair was. I was really in awe of it. After making several comments, with tears in her eyes, her Aunt said that was the best thing this girl could ever hear. She had cancer and had done chemo and had lost all of her hair. Her Aunt shaved her head and kept it clean shaven until her nieces hair grew back. This head full of braids was her celebration of beating cancer and growing back such healthy hair. The little girl sat there smiling from ear to ear the entire time. This was over 20 years ago and I will always remember them. 💜

My mother has had bright green eyes ever since she had chemotherapy. She has had blue eyes her whole life. I'm the one that pointed out to her how green they are now. It's fascinating.

I’m African American and my aunt is a breast cancer survivor. After chemotherapy, her hair became a much looser texture and was nearly straight. We were so glad her hair grew back at all, we didn’t even think much of it!

My best friend in HS had to get low dose chemo for a benign brain tumor near the back-base of the skull, too close to anything vital to risk surgery. One of her biggest anxieties was her hair growing back different bc it was such a large part of her identity. Thankfully the only difference if any is some added waviness she enjoys, but i remember us having many tearful conversations over it bc there was so LITTLE for her to look up in terms of research to ease those fears. With how many cancer/chemo patients are out there, I'm shocked there hasn't been more research done!

As a former hairdresser, I have definitely noticed change of texture in clients who had chemo. I have been told by clients that a pregnancy or menopause have changed hair texture aswell, maybe theres a correlation to make? Super informative and interesting video!

Hank lost his iconic haircut, and gained some stylish curls. Hank: 2 Cancer: 0

I had breast cancer in 1999. It was a particularly nasty fast-growing sort, and unusually susceptible to chemo. I chose the most cytotoxic chemo, because it had the best odds of survival. Too many people loved me to let vanity call the shots. I lost every hair I owned for 6 months. I learned that the hairs in your nose keeps the snot from running out the front and that I needed to walk bent over so I wouldn't ruin my shoes. Originally straight flaxen blonde, when my hair grew back, it was red and curly like Little Orphan Annie! I have a theory on how/why it happened... In cosmetology school I learned that whether a hair is straight or curly has everything to do with the shape of the shaft of the hair follicle. A cylindrical shaft exudes straight hair. Wavy hair comes from a kidney shaped shaft. Flat hair shafts produce curly hair. While hair is actively in its growth cycle, no matter how close one shaves, the stubble remains in the shaft retaining its shape. As the hair continues to grow, it's business as usual. Chemo interrupts the growth entirely, allowing all of the empty follicle shafts to collapse and flatten. Later, as the new fine hairs are replaced, they curl along the flattened shafts. Over the course of several years, my own hair tamed into softer looser curls and waves as my medium textured hair proved dominant over follicle shaft structure. AGAIN, this is my best guess explanation. However, my theory is further supported by the tendency for long-term habitual hat wearers to have a strip of curlier hair where their hat band usually sits. Most likely due to the prolonged pressure from the hat band flattening out the shafts of follicles as they are in the resting phase in the "in-between" of the natural 5-7 year individual hair lifecycle. That would also explain the tiny patches of wild curly hair directly above the ears where frames sit for the bespectacled. Also, hair tends to become curlier on the side the elderly, infirm, or otherwise bed-ridden favor for sleep. With that in mind, if one is plagued by asymmetrical waviness It might just be a matter of sleeping on one's other side for a few years, to alter it.

"I think it's better, but it's much more work!" Truer words have never been said

I love that Hank didn’t pull away from being a science guy throughout this - even if he did it privately and away from the world. It is so important to remember who you are and what you love to do when you’re facing your own mortality! I am complex chronically ill which means mortality is staring me straight in the face but I have never stopped painting. I think our passions really keep us alive ❤

I love that Hank's approach has been "how can I use my experience of having cancer as an education opportunity?" Truly the best of us

the chasing down of a reference line and finding it to come from some random source that no person has read for the last 30-40 years, is so real.

It's such a relief to see you doing so well. I was genuinely so sad hearing about the diagnosis because I grew up on this channel. I had a really rough childhood, and my siblings and I basically had zero education before getting out of it. This helped me so much in catching up, and I doubt I'd be the man I am today without it. Thank you for everything Sincerely, the 12 year old kid who had to play catch-up and made it to 24 just fine

Hi Hank - nursing student and future researcher here! From what I've heard from medstudents and researchers within oncology, which is about (exactly)four people so take this with a grain of salt, the problem with a reaserch project targeting this angle is that it has a very low chance of getting accepted to get funding. This means there are two options: either fund it out of pocket or cooperate with a pharmaceutical company, making the research occur from a possibly unethical angle. Neither of these options are good for peer-reviewing or even getting the article accepted making the entire research "all for nothing". Plus - there are other research projects within cancer treatment that needs "prioritization"(not my words). It's a very interesting angle though and if people indeed decide to opt out of chemo due to the fear of the hair changing - one can try to get support and funding for a project from that angle. However, the risk of getting denied funds seems to be the main reason why those researchers don't plan on getting into this. One could possibly do a few qualitative studies about this fear in order to increase the chances though... I'll keep this in mind!

I have Chemo Curls!! I'm a 20 year cancer survivor, and I've had it 9 times, 4 different kinds of chemo! My hair is STILL 80's style curly; I was born with blonde straight hair and now it's brown and big bushy Bob Ross curls!! I recommend a good curl definer so it doesn't get poofy, and be mindful that Curly Hair is THIRSTY! Lots of moisturizers--And I'm SO GLAD to see you looking well!

OMG, my wife not long ago went through 12 months of ray and chemo cancer treatment. Prior to chemo, her hair was very thick and absolutely dead straight. We couldn’t believe how curly she was after chemo was finished and her hair grew back. Now, after a few cuts (she normally keeps it very short) it’s give back to normal straight. Never thought it was a common chemo side effect.

@00:12 I actually think he looks younger now than in that photo from before the cancer. His face is fuller and the dark curls give him a more youthful appearance.

I have much respect and admiration for you. You are part of my childhood and seeing you now still educating me even through your illness is inspiring.

I'm not sure if you'll see this, but my husband was just diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma yesterday. I'm admittedly terrified because cancer is a very scary word. But honestly seeing your struggle and what you went through, and came back on the other side helps. So I want to say thank you for putting this all out there, and not shying away from the truth of it all good, bad and humorous.

"maybe, a very expensive perm!" - Hank, I love your attitude, man. I'm glad you're still here.

So glad you are back and healthy. I love your bubbly personality. I used your videos for my Psychology class. You made learning fun. God bless you.❤

Congrats on being back as excited and energetic as always. 😊

My mother had chemo too some 12 years ago, lost all her hair. It didn't grow back curly, but the chemo healed a 30-years old scar she had by her collar bone. Also, congratulations Hank, you are a hero!

I went to high school with a guy who had leukemia. He had chemo three different times and said his hair grew in different every time. It had gone back to straight when I knew him but previously had been curly. They really should study this as it might teach us something about how cellular regeneration works.

My grandfather developed alopecia in his 40s, so I only ever knew him bald. Before he passed at 82, he came down with leukemia and had to go on chemo and steroids. He actually ended up growing hair! Mostly facial hair, but a little bit of whispy hair all over. Honestly, at his age and after 40 years of being hairless, he thoroughly enjoyed it. This was around the time I had my own awkward first teenage goatee and there's a picture of the two of us with our patchy facial hair somewhere out there that I've been bugging my family to find.

I really appreciate how you keep these things honest and mention that “we need more studies”, to hopefully prompt such. I’m glad you see you’re doing well. And your approach to using even your own experiences to fuel questions and answers in science - is very refreshing. Thanks, as always!

So you not only managed to maintain your sanity, sense of humor, work, life, but you're actually using your experience and it's effect as additional subject of interest for a SciShow. Respect

While I'm relieved that Hank is a cancer survivor, I have to admit, I think I'm even more relieved that Hank is DEFINITELY still Hank - he hasn't let this change him, he's unbeaten, he appears to have come sailing through this the same man as he was when he went into it - I admire and appreciate him!

Hank, I'm so glad that you made a video about this topic. Its been a question in the back of my mind since your remission and its a subject worthy of more research! It may not be the most important question to science, but any knowledge we can get about cancer treatments and their effects is invaluable to patients and their families so they can make informed decisions.

i laughed so many times. thanks for exploring this topic hank! i'm so happy you're doing well!

Hank, my mom just got diagnosed with breast cancer and watching you throughout your journey has helped me immensely. Thank you for continuing to post and be here for us. We love you.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer a few months before you announced your diagnosis, so learning more about cancer thru you throwing yourself into research has been sort of comforting! My hair came back curly as well, and I have a cool white streak now instead of just a few greys 😂

Thanks for sharing Hank. You helped my interest in science when I was at highschool. I'm 27 now and just started a degree in biomedical science. Thanks for always being here ❤

Hank , you never cease to impress me with your every video.

I love that Hank uses his personal experience to help highlight things, and it's super interesting that an apparently well-known phenomenon is unstudied

I love how Hank always seems unconditionally positive. Every day he is gracious and therefore everyday he is at peace and happy. A true role model

Thank you so much to answer this question!! I asked this question in a comment of one of your recent videos where we could see your hair became curly. As I didn't know where to properly address this question to you, i asked it in the comment section. I am soo glad you answered it (even if it was not for my comment), I witnessed so many of my friends with curly hair after chemo.

I"m so glad to see you make this video with your new hair! Welcome to the curly club

I am glad you’re okay Hank. The world would not be the same without you and I’m glad you have an analytical, scientific approach to how cancer has affected your cells and your body. We love you ❤

MOST USEFUL VIDEO I HAVE WATCHED IN YEARS!!!!! I am a husband with a wife that had NON- Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Your videos are laser focused for me and am loving every second of them. We are about 18 months out from diagnosis, 7 or 8 months out from final chemo trip. As you noted, hair loss was a big thing for my wife. Whe had quite nice very long black, (typical Asian hair) and in her mid 40's. She had a very high level of grey hair prior to chemo. After chemo, a week or two, if I remember right, it all started falling out. So we got the trimmers and buzzed it off. No need to delay the length of suffering watching clumps fall out. It grew back for her, although it does seem quite a bit slower that what was normal before. But now, her hair is the natural almost pure black as in her youth, and she is loving it. For me, the smile on her face is the bonus I was hoping for, as we suffered the mental stress together. Cannot thank you enough for the abundance of help you served up with a smile mostly, and encouragement. So, I watch your channel daily for updates. Again, Thank you.

I'm just glad he made it through. Much love for the channel.

You have always been a constant in my life, i love these videos and i am so happy you continued to make content even through chemo because you loved your job so much

In Portugal, the reverse happened. A singer had a great curly hair. After chemo, it came back straight. Marco Paulo is his name.

I also panicked when told I would need chemo ... I had hip length, very full hair that was part of my identity, and I was completely freaked about losing it. The oncologist barely reassured me, but her nurse and PA both said the chance of hair loss on this specific chemo was very low. And they were right - I didn't lose any hair due to chemo. However, the stress of dealing with cancer, radiation, surgery, and recovery caused three bouts of major teleogenic alopecia (stress induced hair loss). I probably lost 2/3 my hair ... fortunately it stopped before I developed any bald patches. And the hair is growing back, in the same color and texture as my older hair. And the cancer is "stable", so I'm a lot less stressed.

This guy is the reason I watch RU-vid. Thank you brother. Your a world treasure

I was so happy to know and see you that you made it. You and the show keep me from doing dangerous things doing a a hard time of my life. I wish I could done something for you. You have shown me new and interesting things!

I’m not a scientist but I am a hairstylist and the vast majority of my clients are over 60. The “chemo curls” are definitely prevalent as well as change in color that you mentioned. Another thing I personally have noticed is patches of hair that become permanently coily in people who have fairly straight hair following a major operation; specifically ones where they are under general anesthesia for extended periods. We need to get some studies going.

I lost my hair to chemo last year and now its growing back the same texture as before (except for my body hair, which is growing back very thin and fine) but looking in the mirror is like looking at a stranger. Short hair just isnt who i am. It will take years for it to grow back to its former length, so yes, this subject still touches me deeply. Thanks for looking into it 😊

Glad to see you doing well! ❤

I’m so happy to see you are recovering so well.

As someone with curly hair, hearing Hank say it's a lot more work made me laugh. Yes, Hank, welcome to the club, happy to have you here, haha. Also hope we can learn more about this, because it sounds super interesting!

I do gotta say, you looking good with the chemo curls

HANK my good friend just went chemotherapy for a common cancer, and your videos of your thoughts/feelings through this process have been so helpful for him AND for me to understand some of what he’s going through! thank you!!

Oh my god, I had no idea you were going through any health issues til just now!! I'm so glad you're here and still kickin' ass and teaching us scientific names! My mom's hair got pretty curly after she went through chemo, too.

My mom who is currently going through her 3rd time with cancer. Always loses her hair and her natural hair before was super curly and course, she’s of African descent. Every time that it grows back it comes back curly but not as course almost like baby soft curls. This video definitely got my attention. Also, nice curls Hank. Work’ em!

As an overcomer of lower esophageal cancer (2011-12) myself, I wanted to applaud, thank and admire you for your selflessness and generosity in the way you have been sharing your cancer ordeal with the world. This had undoubtedly helped numerous people in numbers and ways you will never know, but can be assured have occurred. I wish you well, and a full recovery. Thank you, be well, and -- keep smelling the roses!

Congrats on the recovery

Oooohhh, hans curly hair! There were some comments about hanks curly hair in the episode about future telescope designs. Good to see you well hank.

I found out I had stage 2 Hodgkin’s lymphoma several months before you announced you also had it. It was so crazy and weirdly comforting to know of someone who also was going through treatment of this more rare cancer and hearing about your journey helped make me feel less alone. My hair is now also growing back curly and I’ve been asking other people with curly hair how I’m supposed to take care of it! I’m glad we both beat it, together….. sort of ❤

Love that you're looking at this phenomenon and calling for more research, Hank. I'm wondering about that estrogen angle you mentioned. I had very short hair for about 10 years, but I grew it out during the pandemic. It came in way more curly than my hair ever was in the past. The only physically significant thing that happened to me during that time was....menopause.

Praying on your success!

The psychological impacts of side effects like hair loss can't be understated, especially for women - and it's not just head hair that can be impacted. My mother was far less concerned about being bald (which could be covered up by hats & wigs) as she was about losing her eyebrows... they were already quite light & fine, and as someone who rarely wore make-up, she had no desire to draw them on. Her hair thinned out quite significantly during her 2nd round on the chemo & radiotherapy train, but when she had the most aggressive chemo the first time round she only lost (of all things) - _body hair._ We joked about her "beach-ready" legs and how she could throw away her shavers & wax, but what was most noticeable was how much faster she felt the cold... the hair on your arms, neck, etc does provide a thin barrier to heat loss (even for women) and she went from routinely wearing short-sleeved tops to always wearing long sleeves because her arms would feel cold even in a warm room. There are so many little quirks of the human body that go unnoticed until they stop working properly.

My grandmother died January 7th of this year from stage 4 breast cancer, just a day after my birthday. Thank you for helping promote cancer research and I am glad you are well.

Glad you're still with us!

So happy to see you so happy Hank! Welcome to the curly hair crew!!

We love you, Hank! Glad to see you are doing better ❤

I had a patient once, who was on a mood stabiliser/anti-epileptic medication, but her hair began to fall out. We stopped it, while she had only lost, a 5cm/2" circle, and that circle grew back totally curly, in an otherwise straight head of hair. It amused her more than anything else.

I love your curly hair!! How cool, didnt know about the phenomenon of chemo curls

OMG, I'm so glad you're ok! I love your hair ❤

I could cry. I have literally been quite saddened with the news of your diagnosis. I'm most relived at looking at your hair. may you forever stay healthy sir

I did notice your hair came back curly! I was curious, but too polite to say anything haha. It's wild that there isn't any research on this. Can't wait to see how you rock your new set of locks, though!

Welcome to the curly club, Hank! Happy to see you’re doing well and you look healthy 😊

Great video, Hank!

Before chemo as a kid I had straight hair. It came back wavy!

The wife and I were saddened when we learned about your illness. You are our favorite presenter on SciShow. We are glad you are back, curly hair and all. It rocks...

Glad you're OK, man. You look good. Stay healthy.

Saw this a month late, but boy would I love to see Hank start making curl care routines 😍

Great stuff, thank you for this. My grandfather's hair thinned and turned grey then white through his 60s and 70s... in 2008, when he was 80 and fighting cancer, chemotherapy first took his hair, then it came back... thick and dark brown! Keep doing science things, it makes us all better over time

The Green Brothers are such a gift.

He looks wayyy different yall😯 seriously best of all things to you man and godspeed recovery 🙏

Missed this video, I think those curls look great on you Hank!

Hank looks strong and healthy

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS! I had dead straight hair all my life until chemo. I had the nasty stuff (doxorubicin, aka the red devil) and lost all my hair, including the hairs inside my nose. (My nose ran constantly until they finally grew back.) And when my hair grew in, I had spiralling Shirley Temple curls. Like you, none of my doctors could tell me why. Women's hair often changes during menopause and my cancer was estrogen positive so I was put into early menopause so some of them blamed that. Others talked about follicular changes after chemo. But no one had a definitive reason why and no one seemed terribly concerned about what it meant to me personally. And curly hair is really hard work! My chemo was 3.5 years ago and while the curls have loosened, my hair is still absolutely curly, so I think the curls are here to stay for me.

I’ve been asking you to cover this since you started chemo because I’m a chemo curls girly (even 8 years later)! I can’t believe I missed that it came out a week ago. Thank you for the explanation even though it’s not complete due to lack of research.

Thank you for loving your job I appreciate u

I work at a cancer center and we have a machine that is supposed to help prevent hair loss. The pt wears the inside cap part and then the machine is hooked up to it and circulates cold water through the cap, making your head cold. The idea is that the cold makes the blood flow constrict and the chemo can't get too close to the follicles, saving your hair. It's not 100% guaranteed, but the company says even if you do lose your hair, it's supposed to grow back faster. It's a really great option for those who would potentially deny treatment due to hair loss, and it does work, at least for some people. No idea of the stats or actual research, but I have seen women who use it and don't lose their hair from treatments that do cause loss of hair, like taxol carbo.

I work in research as a nurse, directly administering treatments for clinical trials. I wrote my (undergrad) dissertation on women's experiences of chemotherapy-induced alopecia and really enjoyed learning about it. It's arguably the side-effect that has had the least dramatic change from chemotherapy's introduction in the 1970s, given the development in things like anti-nausea and anti-diarrhowa drugs, etc. Although there is scalp-cooling, it can't be used in all cases (e.g. haematological cancers) and for all chemotherapy drugs (if it has a long half-life or long infusion time). It's interesting to learn that we dont really know much about WHY it happens though! That's crazy!!!! Thanks for posting ☺️

Glad u re back

So glad you're back!!!!

Yep, heard of it, my ex's sister had chemo and she "went curly" (to use a medical term) and almost a decade later it still hasn't fully returned to straight. They say you either get a superpower or curly hair, looks like you're not going to be getting that call from Marvel.

*looking at old photograph of self* “Look at him, so young and free and unconcerned with mortality!” That is definitely, as the kids would say, a Mood™️

Hey man. Thanks for sharing. I’ve always liked your show. I hope the cancer never comes back.

I think it looks great. Keep bringing the great sci shows!

My hubby developed alopecia when his mother died when he was a child of 10. He then went on to have testicular cancer at 40 and he did indeed have chemo curls! Once his hair grew back. When he saw your bald picture he said Ahh, brothers in arms hey! Very interesting and I love your perky presenting style :)

"Because its just cool to know things." My man always has some awesome quotable moments! P.S. i think you rock those curls by the way!

Thank you for looking into this Hank! I noticed that your hair had been growing back curly and wondered if it was the same as what happened to my brother. His hair was straight before cancer but grew back incredibly curly after chemo. He didnt like it. Lol. Thank you for reminding me of him today!

Currently going through chemo at 18 for brain cancer and it is really inspiring to see you doing so well! Really fascinating video too, i wonder how my hair will look when it grows back.

It's a PBS first! Let's invest in this!