Come join others currently navigating treatment in our weekly Zoom Meetup! Register here: Tuesdays, 1pm ET.
Take our poll: Caregivers, what do you find most difficult about caregiving?
Weigh in: What are the best and worst gifts for people with breast cancer?

Hair Hair Hair - Another question

1…114115117119120…864

Comments

  • Lilah
    Lilah Member Posts: 2,631
    edited October 2009

    Hi All -- can't remember if I have posted here before or not (have been lurking for a few days anyway)... I finished 4xAC DD and started Taxol/Herceptin almost two weeks ago (will have 3 more Taxol DD and Herceptin until end of next summer)... lost most of the hair on my head (and I had had it buzz cut just before it fell out so what's there is very short).  I had thin hair but long and looked thicker than it was.  So two things: one -- my underarms, which were completely hair free due to AC -- now appear to be growing hair!  Is that possible?!  I didn't expect to see any hair growth until after Nov 9 (my last taxol) -- but there is definitely stubble there.  Re: Nioxin... because my hair was thin my hair dresser had sold me some last year and I never used it... am wondering whether it's okay to use it now?  Marybe you said you used it "the whole time" so I'm assuming all through chemo?  I can't tell if hair is growing on my head yet (don't think so) but am wondeirng what the Nioxin can do?

    Thanks!

    Lilah

  • chelev
    chelev Member Posts: 417
    edited October 2009

    Lilah - congrats on finishing chemo.  You are almost there!  I would say if you are starting to have a little growth, go ahead and start using the follicle booster (is that the Nioxin product you have?).  I started using it immediately after my last chemo up until I had almost a full head of hair (went through 2 bottles of it), and I also used it on my eyebrows.  I think it helped a little, especially at first to get things started.  What it is supposed to do is help the follicles get growing, and helps your scalp maintain a good condition. 

  • nancypat
    nancypat Member Posts: 239
    edited October 2009

    Spewed my coke on the screen when I read the "hummus" comment chevlev.  My ex is Arabic and no, I'm not getting evil.  I was already there!  I wonder how the concoction would work if one ate it?  Seriously, it is not kind to take advantage of our weakness where our hair is concerned.  Losing mine brought me to my knees and I had already lost a breast. 

    This woman must be barking trying to peddle her wares here.  If she was truly altruistic she would give the recipe away.  I dare say she won't be back after that blistering.  If you haven't walked the walk, you can't talk the talk!

  • soaplady1950
    soaplady1950 Member Posts: 55
    edited October 2009

    hey everyone, haven't been on in awhile just thought i would share something i saw on Dr Oz yesterday he said that nettle tea and horsetail extract help to grow hair quicker and also stronger nails. also kale is good for this problem  I have been taking biotin and my hair is growing like mad i finished chemo jan23 and i keep my hair cut short have for years it is now back to normal length and i have had it cut 4 times   first to get rid of sloppy neck line, second to get rid of white fuzz third and fourth normal hair cuts.  my hair used to take 8-10 weeks betwwen cuts now it is 4 weeks and it needs it.  i love my post chemo hair it is curly and that  makes short hair so easy just wash and go.  if you have curls don't fight it enjoy it.  the only problem i have is getting my nails back to normal they are stronger than before thanks to biotin but they have these awful ridges very promenent i thought the biotin would help but it hasn't yet anyone else with this problem                          sharon

  • LittleRed
    LittleRed Member Posts: 50
    edited October 2009

    Dear chelev:

    Re:  "Don't run too fast - you don't want whatever is hanging on to fall out.  :)  Eyelash humor, folks."

    LOL!!!!    They're still hanging in there - both of them...tried the powder - not too bad...thank you. 

    FYI - I checked this morning and I have mini 'lash sprouts' ... yeah!

    Brows are still going AWOL with no sign of replacement, but my peach fuzz is really coming in and rapidly being joined by real hair!  Seems like there was a real difference in the last week (week 5). 

  • hrf
    hrf Member Posts: 706
    edited October 2009

    I'm 4 months PFC .... still only have peach fuzz and it doesn't cover my scalp. I take lots of biotin every day. If I add kale will that help?

  • soaplady1950
    soaplady1950 Member Posts: 55
    edited October 2009

    hrf    dr oz said kale is suppose to be good for hair and nails          sharon

  • JudyNaomi
    JudyNaomi Member Posts: 209
    edited October 2009

    Hi all, I hope you are all doing ok today.

    I have a question - I am almost 11 weeks out of chemo. My hair is coming in slowly, but I have also found that I have facial hair! On the sides of my cheeks mainly. Did anyone else experience this? If so, do you have any suggestions on how to deal with it? Is it related to menopause? I went into early menopuase when I was 37 years old. Now I am 40.

    Any info would be really appreciated.

    Thanks, Judy x

  • Rachel_BC
    Rachel_BC Member Posts: 679
    edited October 2009

    Judy- I don't know what it's from, but I'm a hairy type so I have experience with facial hair.  If you can get away with bleaching it, use Jolen bleach.  After a while the bleach doesn't cut it- I had great results with laser hair removal :)

  • Nodapearl
    Nodapearl Member Posts: 151
    edited October 2009

    I had the facial hair. I guess you are supposed to wait, and it eventually falls out. I couldn't stand it, and it didn't seem to be leaving, so I used an epilator. So far, so good. It hasn't come back.

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    edited October 2009

    Lilah, Nioxin is a shampoo and there is a conditioner that goes with it....I used both of them.  I can't see where it would cause any harm. The other one Revive was also a shampoo and after using it there was a spray you could use that was supposed to stimulate the hair folicles. Both of these products I got from a hair salon.  I am growing hair pretty rapidly, but do not know if it is becasue I used these products or the fact I had very thick hair to begin with. 

    Re facial hair, Nodapearl.....the onco I saw at MD Anderson was telling me about a male hormonal treatment that is sometimes used for BC and said the drawback was excess hair growth....not only facial, but sometimes on your chest and he said he talls patients just to shave it off.  That shaving does not make hair more coarse or plentiful. 

  • Rachel_BC
    Rachel_BC Member Posts: 679
    edited October 2009

    Shaving is also what you have to do if you do end up going for laser surgery. :)   Again, mine is not from chemo.

  • hrf
    hrf Member Posts: 706
    edited October 2009

    I've been adding kale to my salad every day. I hope it will help. At this point I'm not worried about short hair, I just want enough to cover my scalp and I'm 4 months PFC

  • JudyNaomi
    JudyNaomi Member Posts: 209
    edited October 2009

    Thanks everyone for your quick replies!

    Judy x

  • Nodapearl
    Nodapearl Member Posts: 151
    edited October 2009

    Hrf - 20 weeks seemed to be the magic number for me. That's when it seemed to be hair. Short, but good, full coverage.

  • anniebford
    anniebford Member Posts: 13
    edited October 2009

    I finished chemo late Dec and I still can't go without something to cover the back part of my head. It's sooo thin! It looks like a bad comb over across the back. I have been using Nioxin- shampoo, conditioner, folicle booster, and scalp treatment- but it still looks bad. I am not convinced the Nioxin helped but I keep using it anyway. My chemo was TAC for 6 rounds. Have any of you had trouble getting your hair to grow back like this? What did you do? Any suggestions appreciated. 

  • hrf
    hrf Member Posts: 706
    edited October 2009

    Nodapearl thanks for the encouragement......a few more weeks is ok if I know it will happen

    Now, anniebford, what can we do to support you? My onc said everyone's hair does grow back but sometimes drugs like Arimidex do slow it down. Are you taking anything that might be doing that? Are you taking Biotin?

  • nowheregirl
    nowheregirl Member Posts: 55
    edited October 2009

                  

    Hi everyone,

    I was dx'd with stage IIb IDC (3.5cm tumor and 1 positive lymph node) on 7th July of 2005. I did 2 different chemo's (12 x weekly Taxol & 4 EC every 4 weeks) before surgery, had a lumpectomy followed by yet another 12 x weekly Taxol and 30 x rads. Been on Tamoxifen and the Lupron shot since February 2006. I shaved my head a day before I started chemo because I didn't think I would be happy looking at my hair falling out. Now it's been 3 years and 2 months since I completed chemo and my hair is 8 inches past shoulders. Just thought I would share my journey hoping it might give you some hope.

                      

    2 months before dx (I am on the left)

                         

    Last day of chemo

                    

    7 months post chemo

                       

    14 months post chemo

                    

    Now 3 years and 2 months post chemo

                     

    Rest assured that every one of you will be where I am soon. Laughing

                  

    Hugs,

    Fumi

  • hrf
    hrf Member Posts: 706
    edited October 2009
    Hey, Fumi.....thanks for the encouragement and the great photos
  • chelev
    chelev Member Posts: 417
    edited October 2009

    Okay, I must be the only one - I SHAVED my facial hair - couldn't stand it one day and took a razor to it, probably not the smartest thing, but it never came back.  I think it's when the hair follicles are programmed to start working again, all of the hair comes back.

    Anniebford - I'll add my 2 cents here as well - have you tried women's rogaine yet on the bald or thin spots?  My dermatologist told me it was okay after so many months, to use it on the bald spot on top of my head and it helped.  The hair grew in clear or gray, so it needed color, but it did help - I did this for about 2 months.  And, biotin really helps too - if we could just get it to kick into gear better for Helen!!!!

    Now that my hair is growing out from the 2 trims I had last month, I am redeveloping my "Kramer" hair - actually, if I blow it dry I can get the curl / volume down a little, but over the weekend, I was fooling around and puffed it all up and had an Italian man's curly afro thing going on.  I looked like old photos of my uncles!!  It is growing, which is good, and I'm resisting the urge to get it trimmed again . . . MUST NOT GO NEAR SCISSORS - this is my problem, when I know it needs a trim, even if I am desparate to grow it long, I always get it trimmed. 

    Timtam - thanks for sharing those photos!!  Dang, you at 7 months post is incredible how much hair you regrew!!  Were you taking anything to assist? 

  • Mom_of_boys
    Mom_of_boys Member Posts: 101
    edited October 2009
    Fumi... Love the pictures!!!  Thank you for sharing...
  • LittleRed
    LittleRed Member Posts: 50
    edited October 2009

    TimTam:

    Thank you - you look amazing.  My hair used to be that long.

    I love the CROWN!!  

    My last day of chemo, my best friend - my "chemo-sabe" -  (she took me to all but one chemo treatment, and missed that only because she had an infection and had to stay away) she brought in crowns and we had a party at the infusion center - my nurses were doing the wave...CROWNS:  Every warrior princess should have one!

  • Rachel_BC
    Rachel_BC Member Posts: 679
    edited October 2009

    Tim Tam- I am going today to be with a friend for her last chemo, and i was wondering what I could bring... just so happens I have a crown.  She said she's just going to sleep and I am pretty sure her mom  is going to be there, and last time they carried her out because she was so wiped out.

    You think the crown would be good here? 

  • Rachel_BC
    Rachel_BC Member Posts: 679
    edited October 2009

    btw - today's NY Post has a section about the popular nips and tucks, and they said that Latisse on the eyebrows was the new fad for women who over plucked and want thick brows like Brooke Shields...

  • chelev
    chelev Member Posts: 417
    edited October 2009

    Hmmmm . . . I may need to get me some of that stuff.  I overplucked for years (don't anymore) and when the brows started growing back in, I thought, cool, I can have fuller brows again.  Nope!!!  Grew in exactly where they were the first time!

  • Rachel_BC
    Rachel_BC Member Posts: 679
    edited October 2009

    Here's the article, also some news about breast implants...

    http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/fashion/zip_tuck_bb9rHYMhQmFs1CCmadIp7I 

    Hmmm, might be that link will not work after a week, so I will post here, and I am interested in a bunch of this stuff... especially the non-surgical as I am on Tamoxifen, and there's all that jazz about blood clots and surgery:

    BROWS 
    Procedure: Latisse
    Cost: $120 for a two-month supply
    Done by: Dr. Bob Bernstein, 110 E. 55th St., 212-826-2400
    Latisse transforms over-plucked, spindly arches into thick, sexy brows worthy of Brooke Shields. “It stimulates the anagen phase of hair follicles, which thickens and prolongs the hair’s growth,” Bernstein explains. “We would use it on the scalp, but because of the amount we would need, it would be extremely expensive.“BREASTS 
    Procedure: Augmentation with “gummy bear” implants
    Cost: $8,000-$9,000
    Done by: Dr. Nina Naidu, 160 E. 72nd St., 212-452-1230
    The latest “gummy bears” are more like natural breast tissue than past generations of implants; Naidu says they feel a lot like Jell-o. And because they are not as liquid there is less chance of leakage. “After the FDA re-approved silicone gel implants in 2006, [more] women are undergoing primary breast augmentation with silicone gel implants or exchanging saline implants for silicone,” she says. Currently in clinical trials, gummies are ideal for women who have lost breast tissue after childbirth as well as those who want to enhance their décolletage.CHEST 
    Procedure: Microdermabrasion, laser and glycolic peel
    Cost: $600
    Done by: Dr. David Colbert, 119 Fifth Ave., 212-533-8888

    Colbert has devised a triad of treatments to restore skin that appears mottled and uneven after a summer of sun exposure. He gives patients micro-dermabrasion, 12 minutes of a Cutera laser — he swears “it feels like warm raindrops on the skin” — and a glycolic peel. The result is soft, smooth skin devoid of dark brown spots. “We’ve had a lot of celebrities come in to get their faces done, and they forget the chest,“ says Colbert. “It’s important to keep things uniform.” 

    THIGHS 
    Procedure: Scorz; Cost: $750
    Done by: Dr. Neil Sadick, 911 Park Ave., 212-772-7242

    To treat tenacious cellulite, Scorz uses sound waves to improve dimpled skin. “Cellulite is fat which makes its way into the dermis instead of staying in the subcutaneous layer,” explains Sadick. “The fat cells are also oriented in such a way to allow the fat to pouch out. Sonic waves produce heat, which softens them like silly putty and pushes them back where they belong.” While there is still no miracle cure, patients report significant improvement. 

     FEET 

    Procedure: Acid peel; Cost: $100
    Done by: Dr. Suzanne Levine, 885 Park Ave., 212-535-0229
    Never mind vigorously scraping away at calluses. Levine uses a 70-percent medical grade acid peel to eviscerate them. “Your feet will tingle, but you will have no pain and it gets rid of all those cracks you have from wearing mules,“ she swears. After the peel, she zaps unattractive spider veins with the EPAT ultrasound machine and injects fat-busting phosphatidylcholine around the ankles.NOSE 
    Procedure: Open rhinoplasty
    Cost:     $4,000-$5,000
    Done by: Dr. Bob Cattani, 159 E. 74th St., 212-772-0505
    “Rhinoplasty is a surgery of millimeters, not centimeters,“ says Cattani. Traditionally, a small incision is made between the nostrils to allow access to cartilage and bone. Cattani’s open rhinoplasty lifts the skin to offer the surgeon a full view. The scar is minimal and, to perfect details, he injects Juviderm and Restylane.THEETH 
    Procedure: Laminates and “Gumoflage“
    Cost: $1,800 per tooth for thin veneers, $2,200 per tooth for super-strong veneers and $1,500-$2,500 for gumoflage
    Done by: Dr. Lana Rozenberg, 45 W. 54th St., 212-265-7724; Dr. Steven Butensky, 16 E. 52nd St., 212-486-6622
    New thinner laminates not only create a more natural look than traditional porcelain veneers, they don’t require shaving your teeth down to nubs. Previously, thin veneers didn't work for those with deep stains, but new color blockers can be painted on natural teeth. “Even teeth severely stained by coffee and wine can now look white and pearly,” says Rozenberg, who tends to the mouths of Scarlett Johansson and Kim Cattrall.
    Butensky, who brightens the smiles of Molly Sims and Tinsley Mortimer, uses a new stronger laminate. “The material holds up better, especially for people who are grinders,“ he explains. Rozenberg also now has a procedure she refers to as “gumoflage,“ which corrects a smile that shows too much gum by lowering the lip slightly, without bone grafting as in the past.JOWLS 
    Procedure:     Aculift
    Cost: $3,500 to $5,000
    Done by: Dr. Jon Turk, 800-A Fifth Ave., 212-421-4845
    Previously, droopy jowls were firmed with a classic facelift — cutting and tightening skin and muscles. Now, Aculift, a thin laser fiber, removes fat from the area and tightens skin. “It’s less traumatic and safer than liposuction, with a much shorter downtime, “ says Turk. “I suggest people consider this at the early signs of aging, in your 40s.”ARMS 
    Procedure: Short-scar arm lift
    Cost: $10,000-$15,000
    Done by: Dr. Larry Reed, 45 E. 85th St., 212-772-8300
    The fix for loose, jiggly arms used to come with a huge scar from the chest to the elbow. Reed has introduced a short-scar arm lift with a smaller incision that’s tucked under the armpit. It not only tightens the skin, it gets rid of the fat pocket on the side of the chest and fullness in back of the arm. Bonus: it eliminates hair and some sweat glands in the armpit! Drawback: recovery takes longer — you can’t raise your elbows above the shoulders for three weeks.
  • lisalisa
    lisalisa Member Posts: 77
    edited October 2009

    I haven't been on this thread for a while but wanted to say that I swear by Biotin!  I buy it at whole foods and my hair is growing VERY fast!  My last chemo was April 17th.  I have a very full head of thick hair and even bangs!

    My hair is wavier and darker than it used to be....but it's HAIR!!!!

    I'll try to take a photo and post it this week.

  • JudyNaomi
    JudyNaomi Member Posts: 209
    edited October 2009

    TimTam, thanks for the photos and encouragement!

    Ok, Chelev, I am going to shave and see what happens : )

    Hugs to all, Judy x

  • Jane_M
    Jane_M Member Posts: 932
    edited October 2009

    I had my facial hair waxed off and it never came back.

  • texasrose
    texasrose Member Posts: 14
    edited October 2009

    I had facial hair before chemo. One of the joys of menopause! I've always gotten it waxed. I noticed the other day that it was back. I just finished Taxol last week and have had some hair growth while on that. I think I need to call my hairdresser just to get my jawline waxed again! Sure don't need my brows done as I barely have any.

    Now that I am done with chemo, I am taking Biotin- 5000 mcg a day (I think). How much should I be taking? Thanks!

    Mary

Categories

Join Us on Zoom: Upcoming virtual meetups. Read more...
Give your account some personality! Add a profile photo.