Hina Khan shares picture of her ‘last standing eyelash’ as she nears end of chemo cycle; calls it a ‘brave, lone warrior’

Why do patients lose hair during chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy affects fast-growing cells, including hair, eyebrows, and eyelashes. Dr Atul Narayankar, consultant medical oncologist at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road, said that like hair loss, weakness, fatigue, and nausea, losing eyelashes is a side effect of chemotherapy. “Chemotherapy is a powerful tool in the fight against cancer but can take a toll on one’s eyelashes. This happens as chemo targets the cells in the body — cancerous as well as healthy ones. Eyelashes are particularly vulnerable to these changes due to their growth cycle and shedding,” noted Dr Narayankar.

He added that while it’s important to “embrace” the changes, one can also “regrow eyelashes” post-treatment. “Meanwhile, makeup and eyelash serums can help. It is better to seek the help of an expert instead of trying any products on your own,” said Dr Narayankar.

Revisiting Hina Khan’s fight with cancer

The Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai actor has been actively documenting her battle against cancer and some of the ill effects of the treatment. Not long ago, she opened up about experiencing neuropathic pain which makes it difficult for her to stand for more than a few minutes.

“This event was a commitment made months before the side effects of my treatment presented itself. I’ll be honest, initially, I wanted to refund and cancel this deal because this event required me to stand for 1 and half hours on the stage, and I was extremely nervous and not sure if I would be able to pull it off. But somehow God gave me so much strength and I managed to make up my mind because I didn’t want the organisers to face issues because of my health and limitations,” shared Khan, 37.

Previously, she also shared details of undergoing chemotherapy. “Everything hurts, lekin smile nahi jaani chahiye.. Haina? So many problems, can’t even eat properly without feeling pain. But that’s no reason to be negative. I choose to smile and encourage myself. I tell myself that all this will be over and we will get through this (InshaAllah) One Smile at a Time,” she wrote.

 

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Khan, who has been highly vocal about her condition, also shared why she made a wig of her hair.

“The moment I was diagnosed, I knew I’d lose my hair, I chose to cut it off on my own terms while it was still healthy, long and vibrant. I decided to make a wig of my OWN hair that would bring me comfort during this challenging time. And I must say It was an empowering decision, and I’m so proud of it,” shared Khan.

You know, It feels like somehow I am reunited with my lost hair when I wear it. It feels good, it feels cozy and it feels like home. “It’s just a phase, I knew I would have to go through and decided preemptively to Normalise it first for myself and now that I have been using it, I thought it would be a good story to share with all of you.(sic)”