I had long, thick, 4C curls before going bald during chemo – my careful haircare routine helped grow it back by 80%
A BEAUTY queen has revealed the haircare routine she used to regrow her tresses after losing her 4C curls.
Ngozi Onwuchekwa, 46, struggled with her self-esteem when treatment for a rare form of cancer left her bald.
Onwuchekwa, who was born in Nigeria but lives in London, England, has become an advocate for Sarcoma UK, following her battle with the deadly disease, Rhabdomyosarcoma.
Speaking to The U.S. Sun, she revealed the impact that cancer had on her mental health and how she regrew 80% of her hair.
BREAKING POINT
Onwuchekwa said she had “long, thick, 4C afro curls” before she began chemotherapy, after spending around 10 years growing it to shoulder length.
“Deep conditioning was not just a routine for me, it was a lifeline for my hair,” she said.
“Regular deep conditioning treatments kept it moisturized, nourished, healthy, and shiny.
“The moisture helped prevent tangling and breakage, which is essential for retaining length and growing my hair.”
She confessed that her self-esteem “took a hit” when she became bald, sparking a battle with anxiety and depression.
“I wanted to feel like myself again and questioned whether my hair would ever grow back,” she said.
“I relied on hats, scarves, headties, and wigs to cover my head.
“For many women, our hair is intertwined with our identity, so in the beginning, my hair loss was extremely distressing.”
HAIR GROWTH HEROES
Onwuchekwa said “significant” hair regrowth occurred within six months of following a dedicated haircare routine.
“When I went into remission, I drank at least two liters of water daily,” she said.
“I incorporated vitamin supplements such as vitamin D, C, B12, B2, iron, zinc, and omega-6 fatty acids into my routine, which made a noticeable difference in stimulating hair regrowth.
“Regular and gentle scalp massages also helped improve circulation.”
She has continued to drink at least two liters of water a day and revealed her nutrition has also changed.
“My diet includes sunflower seeds, salmon, Greek yogurt, blackberries, collagen, peptides, bone broth, and lentils,” she said.
Onwuchekwa revealed within 12 months her hair was long enough to wear in a small bun.
After being in remission for two years, my hair has shown signs of recovery, growing back to about 80% of its original thickness.
Ngozi Onwuchekwa
However, her tresses had a different look and feel from how they were before she underwent chemotherapy.
She said her locks have “lost some of their thickness,” and are lighter and weaker.
“As new growth became more noticeable, I realized the importance of being cautious and restrained about rushing into protective hairstyles such as cornrows, braids, weaves or chemically relaxing my hair,” she said.
“Doing these too early could have led to severe hair breakages.”
DAILY HABITS
Onwuchekwa consulted with a dermatologist before starting to reintroduce cornrows, braids, and wigs, in her haircare routine.
“After being in remission for two years, my hair has shown signs of recovery, growing back to about 80% of its original thickness,” she said.
“It’s still not as strong or as long as it used to be. I wear a silk bonnet or scarf every night to protect it.
“Plus, rather than using relaxers, which could potentially damage fragile strands, I prioritize regular head massages to stimulate growth, take hair growth vitamins, eat the right foods to nourish growth, and wash my hair with sulfate-free shampoo.”
She said sulfate-free shampoos help 4C afro hair retain moisture and remove buildup without stripping hair of its natural oils.
She’s also mindful not to overwash her locks.
LIFE LESSONS
Onwuchekwa won the Mrs. Exceptional Lady Universe crown at the 2023 Mrs Universe pageant in Miami.
“The experience of losing my hair and being bald for almost two years has taught me so much,” she said.
“As a cancer patient and survivor, I’ve had to overcome many insecurities.
“Although hair is a big part of our identity for many women, I’ve realized that it’s not the only thing that defines me.
“This experience has helped me discover a new inner strength and understand that my outward appearance doesn’t determine my worth.
“I’ve come to recognize that true beauty and strength come from within, not from external attributes.
“It’s not that I no longer care about my appearance, but I now know that whether I have hair or not, life goes on, and it can still be beautiful.
“There’s just so much to be grateful for.”