Hair Hair Hair - Another question
Comments
-
Juanelle: My eyebrows fell out two weeks before the end of chemo. I really wasn't expecting it at that stage. The good news is they started to grow back in very quickly, probably two weeks later. They are still not completely full so I use the Anastasia eyebrow kit that I got at Look Good Feel Better. That really does a great job of making them look tidy.
Sugar77: I must watch out for Nioxin in TJMaxx. I seem to notice more hair products than usual there at the moment. I know Nioxin is expensive, how much would it be for the three-piece set normally?
I found a product called Fine Solutions by Bain de Terre at TJMaxx. It's a three-pice set of shampoo, scalp treatment and conditioner, the packaging says "starter kit for advanced signes of thinning hair." Has anyone else tried this product? I see it's a discontinued item, wondering why. For the moment, I'm just using Johnson's Baby Shampoo.
0 -
Maura - sorry that people are so insenstive to you at work. Sorrier that the regrowth is sparse. How long has it been since your chemo ended?
Lilah
0 -
Maura-- Yes I agree, not all of us will have the same regrowth. I should just say that from my experience, right. I don't have breasts but am getting hair back..... Keep your chin up and know that we are all in this together.
Loretta
0 -
Maura, some people can be so rude. They just need to be put down and end that gene pool. There has only been one person say something stupid to me about my hair. I went to a company function one night and a guy there, that I don't see very often, came by my table and said "What is with the scarf?" It really didn't bother me, but I just thought it was odd, he didn't know that I was going through chemo, but why would you make a comment at all. Some people need to think before opening their mouth.
My brows are no big deal, because they have always been real light and I have never been one to try to make them show up. Partly because I was never very good at coloring them in. It is my lashes that I am going to miss. They look really funny now, since about half of the lashes on each eye are gone.
Mary, I ordered some Biotin shampoo and conditioner from my med supply and I have been using it. Only have had it a couple of days, so I have not seen any improvement yet. I also go some pills but will wait until I am through radiation before starting them.
Juannelle
0 -
Maura, it's people like that who my daughter would say need a punch in the neck.
0 -
Maura, women can be very competetive, and if they perceive you somehow as a threat --you're single, and that's usually all it takes-- they can become bullies (just like little kids). I'm glad you took the high road and didn't give in to their bully tactics.
0 -
I'm with you, Maura. My hair is thin on top, no eyebrows to speak of, but at this time I have eyelashes. Yesterday, I went to a Dermatologist for a rash, and asked about my hair. He said take all the Biotin you want, but Rogaine for Men is the only think that might work. He said not to waste my money on Nioxin or any other gimmick, and that by now at 13months post treatment, I've got all the hair I'm going to get, unless the rogaine works for me. So Maura, your right....Not everyone is blessed.
0 -
LeggS dont give up I have had my hair grow more int he last 2 months than before so also talk with your doctor about taking Spriotien not sure how to spell it its actually used for my swelling from Lymphdemia but it is made to help with hair loss so I now that 200 mg a day and I might try and take more as my arm is swelling allot lately and if it makes it come in I am all for it hmmm just try and not settle and there is a group of gals if you email me at bostonian3@yahoo.com i connect you with them they are a great bunch some have got no more hair if as much as I do or you and its been 5 years so its a support system plus they are working with trying to get a settlement to get our hair back. We have all taken Taxotore not sure if you did or not.
Take care and email me
Maura
0 -
Hi Bobcat:
About eyebrows, I too lost mine... for the life of me am not very good at drawing the eyebrows on. I have gone to a 'Look Good Feel Better Workshop' at my local Cancer Support Centre and someone drew them on for me in front of a mirror and I watched her intently and still cannot get a hang of it and even have watched tutorials on YouTube .... go figure... grrr
I so hate not having my eyebrows.. you got any tips for me?
Thanks so much. Charmaine
0 -
Charmaine I found something on QVC I cannot draw eyebrows but this is by Laura Geller and its about 21.00 without shipping its about 24 with shipping and its guaranteed for 30 days if you dont like it you send it back its a eyebrow marker stick and it works so easy it fills in and draws I have told several people about it on the site I wish I got a nickel for as many people bought it from them its great and easy and they also have a wax for eye brows if you need more on some days I use both by Diane Young but the stick is the main thing and its so wonderful. Tell me how you make out I think you can find it other places but QVC has the cheapest price and guarantee. Good luck
Maura
0 -
Hello Maura,
this sounds great about the eyebrow stick...
About QVC, I do apologize, however have never heard of this site, hmmm
Charmaine
0 -
Hi Charmaine - I think QVC is in the US only. I saw a kit at Pharma Plus that was a palette of three colours by a company called Ditzy Cosmetics. The kit comes with an angled brush and they also had stencils but they were sold out when I was there. You might want to check out Pharma Plus in Ajax. I saw it in Mississauga but all probably carry it. Here's a link so you can see what I'm talking about.
I hope this helps!
http://www.ditzycosmetics.com/brow.phpSherri
0 -
Charmaine -
QVC is the shopping show on television or at QVC.com. I also bought a brow powder from them and use it with my Lancome pencil. I faintly draw on the brow with the pencil and then feather with the little brush on the other end. Then apply the Bare Essentials loose brow powder on top. Brush again to blend and then finish with the setting gel. Takes a little practice but looks pretty natural and better than NO brows!! When I mention to friends because I want an honest opinion they are surprised that they are not real. So give a couple products a try - one tip, a lighter touch is better than a harsh, darker attempt unless you are have dark hair. I am salt and pepper and have always been fair haired but my skin is medium to tan. Good luck.
0 -
I tried the ditzy when i had brows to fill in from plucking them when I was young and dumb I had a hard time with the stencils and they didnt stay on like the marker I have to use easy and stay on the ditsy girls are a wax and with no brows I think you have to work very carefully with it and it doesnt stay on like the marker but like someone said try several and with QVC they have a website and they are a shopping channel you do get a 30 day money back
Maura
0 -
Hey Maura I just emailed you!!! Thanks.
0 -
I've been using the Nioxin 3 (for colored hair) for 2 weeks now and I definitely see a difference in the thickness of my hair. It has gotten longer, too, but mostly thicker. Yay! I used to be able to see my scalp on the top of my head, and especially at the crown, but now it is all filled in. I'm also taking 5000 mcg of Biotin per day (and have been for 2 months). I bought another bottle of Biotin which will last for 60 days (about $9/bottle). (Just FYI: I finished chemo in late August.) I paid about $35 for the treatment kit of shampoo, conditioner, and scalp treatment. Found them on eBay.
My eyelashes and eyebrows came out 8 weeks PFC. The lashes came back fairly quickly (about 6 weeks) but the eyebrows are still very light. I use a charcoal gray pencil with a LIGHT touch, go over them with a Q-tip to remove some of the color and blend, and then brush them with small brush (like the one Maybelline makes--brush/comb combo). It works pretty well. When I tell people I don't have eyebrows, they can't believe I have drawn them on, so I guess they look pretty natural. Better than nothing, I guess.
0 -
Hi All!
It's been great reading all your hair growth stories - very encouraging and informative!
I am 5 weeks PFC. My hair started growing between my 4th and 5th chemo treatment in mid December.
The first clear/white "chemo hairs" on the top of my head are almost 1 inch long! I'm seeing a lot more dark hairs mixed in with the clear/white hairs now almost like 5 oclock shadow.
I would say that overall my hair is like when I first had it trimmed off - GI Jane style but softer - 1/4 to 1/2 inch long at this point and I'm getting good coverage. My kids inspect me everyday and tell me the top is much fuller than the sides and back. They jokingly call it my mohawk look!
As for hair changes it's hard to tell but I think this hair is much straighter than my pre-chemo hair. After a shower my hair stands straight up like a baby kewpie doll. My hair before chemo was very curly so it will be interesting to see what I end up with.
The colour - I won't kid myself - looks to be mostly white/gray with a little dark and I don't see that changing.
I'm not using/taking anything since my hair seems to be gowing fine and before chemo it always grew very fast (same with my nails). When I used to dye it dark I'd have a skunk line down the middle (roots) in just a few weeks.
As for eyebrows and eyelashes not much to report there - my eyebrows are pretty much gone and no sign of regrowth (it's been about 6 weeks since they started falling out). I use the Lancome pencil (Natural Blonde) to draw them on but will check out the Eyebrow marker someone posted about earlier.
Eyelashes have a bit of regrowth but it's slow (completely fell out just before eyebrows but now I can feel little hairs growing in). So far they seem to be coming in straight out and right side seems longer than left.
That's my update for now! I'll be checking in often to see how everyone else is doing and continue to share my progress.
Happy hair growing to all!
Marie
0 -
Susu - I get the same reaction from people when I tell them that I draw on my eyebrows. They don't notice and can't believe that my eyebrows are not my own.
BUT I guess that's because they have eyebrows and it's not an issue for them.
Since I lost mine I ALWAYS look at other people's eyebrows!
0 -
MarieK--I know what you mean! I'm constantly looking at eyebrows, lashes and hair (in envy). Boobs, not so much because, well, unless someone is wearing a bathing suit, you can't really tell if they have breasts or foobs. And here in Upstate NY we won't be sporting bathing suits for many, many months. BTW: Congratulations to Canada on the gold medal for ice dancing! Being from Vancouver, were you able to attend any of the events? I'm watching it all enthusiastically in the comfort of my living room!
0 -
Seeking some help. I've only had one TC treatment so far (out of 6) and the hair is pretty much all gone. However, I've noticed some slight stubble on the top of my hair. Tomorrow is treatment #2 day.
Does stubble keep growing at the end of one cycle, only to fall off after the next round of treatment? If so, perhaps I should prepare for regular shaving?
Thank you all - this forum has been very helpful.
0 -
faithful - everyone is different - luck and love to you
marie - I know, I constantly look at others brows, lashes, hair and for me, boobs
)0 -
faithulc, I buzzed my hair after the first tx, to traumatic for me to just let it fall out. However, I could see some growth between treatments. The stubble from the buzz cut stayed in until the last tx, I had TC x4. At the end all my hair was gone. Normally my hair is very course, the hair after treatment is very soft and white. I am beginning to see some color and it is beginning to feel different. I am 9 weeks PFC and my hair is probably about 1/2 inch long in the back and sides and 1/4 on the top. It changes almost daily, I can feel more and more hair and now it is beginning to stand out a little. I can not go without a wig or scarf yet, but I don't think it will be too long.
After a couple of treatments you will not have to worry about shaving it again. I got pretty smooth on the sides and back and had very little growth between treatments.
My brows and lashes stayed in until after the last tx and about half the top lashes are gone and all the bottom lashes on my right eye are gone. I understand we can continue to lose them for a while after treatment.
Good luck with your treatments and I hope all goes well for you.
Juannelle
0 -
Hi all, I have just come back from visiting family in the UK. I took my eldest with me and we had such a good time. Lots of compliments on the hair, although it still feels so short to me - I loved my long hair.
Maura - I know it is hard when people make comments, I don't know why they do it - some people just cannot help themselves. You can always come here to vent, we all understand what you are going through.
Hope everyone is doing ok, hugs to all, Judy xoxox
0 -
Hey JudyNaomi - I am off to England on Friday next week to see family. We'll have to compare whereabouts!!!
This is a question for dose dense AC/T people. Others seem to have hair that grows faster. I am 3 and 1/2 months PFC. It took a while for my hair to even start growing, and is still not much more than 1/2 inch loing. But it is thick. I feel like my whole head is well covered. Does this compare to yours? I am not complaining, am pleased with the fact it is growing. But it seems so slow! Thanks.
0 -
Gilly -- I have similar results and did AC/T dose dense (PLUS Herceptin). My hair really didn't start growing until I was 2 months PFC (AFTER my eyebrows and eyelashes fell out and grew back)! At this point I'm verging on 4 months PFC (as of March 9) and have hair all over my head... pretty even (slightly thicker at back of my head, I think) and not terribly thick but getting there. Maybe the Herceptin is slowing me down (I've seen some women post that they think it does -- I don't know). I'm happy to have hair! But still wearing my wig as it is still way too short to be a hair-do
Lilah
0 -
I'm getting my first haircut since i finished chemo last feb09 tomorrow.It's touching my collar and driving me crazy.It came back in very thin,used to be super thick,and is mousey colored brown and grey,straighter than it was before,and has no body whatsoever,i also have a bald spot in the back,something i always hoped i'd never get.But i'm thankful i do have some hair,and more importantly i have LIFE. The rest i can deal with,since i'm retired.
kathi
0 -
Has anyone used a flat iron ?? My hair is about 3 inches long and frizzy. It's not curly, curly but it's not nice looking either. I was thinking about buying a flat iron trying to deal with it and make is flat. I tried to blow dry it flat and it looks silly...... I am grateful to have hair but I would like to try and figure out how to make it look decent.
0 -
Jaimieh - I think you and I are pretty much on the same page for hair growth. Mine came in wavy and a little bit on the curly side but not what they consider chemo curls. I use a medium size roller brush when I blow dry my hair. It doesn't straighten it out all of the way as I hate to use too much heat on my hair but it does make it look great. I asked my hairdresser about using a flat iron and she said "No!, not yet.....there is too much heat in the flat irons and you will damage your hair"
She might have said that to me because (1) I am frosting it every 8 weeks which is pretty much like bleaching it versus coloring it - so more chemicals on the hair and (2) my hair is baby soft and in great shape right now.
I didn't realize how good my hair could look blowing it dry with a roller brush in sections. Maybe you can schedule a hair appointment and ask them to dry/style it this way and see how it comes out. If I lived near you I would be there in a heartbeat to show you how to do it.
It is hard doing the back of my head - I can't see what I am doing at all so I have to stop and get the mirror out and make adjustments on some of the sections but I am getting better at it each time. Right now I am thrilled that I have a cute short haircut. I also use a product made by FX Special Effects - molding wax. I put a little bit on the tips of my fingers and rub it lightly on the top of my hair as you don't want to get a glob of it anywhere, then put a little bit more on my finger tips and go for another section. Then I can start pulling and shaping my hair the way I want to and the great thing about this stuff is that your hair never feels sticky, waxy, pasty, or how it feels if you put hairspray on it. Your hair feels totally natural. I have tried other products and have given them away but this stuff - dang it is good. I got mine at Walgrens for $4 and I am still on the first can (I can't think of a better word) - but long story short, one small container lasts me 3 months or longer.
0 -
thankyou Lilah. In 3 days I too will be 4 months PFC. I wish we all had the hair we want but it is good to see someone else who was DD AC/T and finding hair a little slow to get going.
0 -
Gillyone - I had the same dose dense AC/T treatment. My hair initially grew every so slowly but I had a ton of hair as far as thickness and volume. Never had an issue with bald spots, thinned out areas, etc. It seemed like the first two months all of those many hair follicles were trying to get through the skin that it actually slowed down the growth of the hairs. But once I got to 3 to 4 months PFC I started growing hair at 1/2" rate per month. Prior to that my hair was growing 1/4" per month.
So patience is what it is going to take but know that in the end when you get to be around 7 months PFC your hair is going to look darling! You will have a thick head of hair!
0
