What causes chemotherapy hair loss?

Chemotherapy uses powerful medicines that attack fast-growing cancer cells. The medicines also hurt other fast-growing cells in your body. These include cells in your hair roots.

Chemotherapy may cause hair loss all over your body, not just on your scalp. Sometimes your eyelash, eyebrow, armpit, pubic and other body hair also falls out. Some chemotherapy medicines are more likely than others to cause hair loss. Different doses also can cause anything from a slight thinning to complete hair loss.