Beating cancer is a life-changing victory, but for many survivors, the end of treatment is not the end of the journey.
One of the most visible and emotional reminders of what they have endured is often hair loss after chemotherapy or radiation. Regaining health is one thing; regaining confidence, identity, and self-image is another.
Now, a new partnership between Alvi Armani South Africa and the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) is helping survivors take that next step through medically guided hair restoration after cancer, treatments designed to support both physical and emotional recovery.
HAIR RESTORATION AFTER CANCER HEALS
The initiative gives survivors complimentary consultations and personalised hair restoration treatment plans to address post-cancer hair loss. These solutions are more than aesthetic. They are part of holistic healing and emotional recovery.
“Hair loss is one of the most emotional effects of cancer therapy,” says Dr Kashmal Kalan, medical director at Alvi Armani South Africa. “It’s not just about appearance; it’s about identity. Helping patients restore their hair often helps them reconnect with who they were before the illness.”
Each treatment is tailored to a patient’s stage of recovery and medical history. Options include follicular unit extraction (FUE), a minimally invasive hair transplant procedure that transplants individual hair follicles, often enhanced with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or exosome therapy to promote scalp health and stimulate natural growth.
Safety comes first. Alvi Armani works closely with each patient’s oncologist and typically begins the process six to twelve months after chemotherapy or radiation, ensuring the body is ready to heal effectively.
RESTORING CONFIDENCE, NOT JUST HAIR
For CANSA, the initiative represents a broader understanding of survivorship, one that recognises the emotional side of recovery.
“Supporting survivors’ emotional well-being, including helping them feel confident in their appearance, is a vital part of healing. This partnership with Alvi Armani makes safe, professional hair restoration accessible to those who need it most,” says Makoma Raolane, CANSA’s national sustainability manager.
That emotional toll of hair loss is something many South Africans recognise. Former Pasella and 7de Laan star Crystal-Donna Roberts once described losing her hair during treatment as more traumatic than her surgery, highlighting just how deeply self-image and recovery are intertwined.
Although hair restoration after cancer is increasingly common overseas, it is still an under-discussed topic in South Africa. Many survivors do not realise safe, medically guided options exist, or assume restoration is purely cosmetic. This programme challenges that perception, reinforcing that emotional recovery matters just as much as physical recovery.
A NEW BEGINNING
For survivors, the return of hair is a quiet victory, a sign that life and confidence are growing back. However, prevention and early detection are equally important in saving lives. You can learn more about the importance of regular cancer screening in South Africa.
Those interested in exploring post-cancer hair restoration can contact Alvi Armani South Africa, referencing their affiliation with CANSA, to book a complimentary consultation and assessment.
