Hair Hair Hair - Another question
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My understanding about hair regrowth after chemo is that for the majority of people the hair does come back curly - I always had curly hair so this was no big deal to me - however, that after about a couple of years the hair starts to regrow as it did before chemo.
I know that when mine first grew back in it was way curlier than my hair had been prior to chemo. I am now 17 months post TC and my hair is pretty much back to what it was pre chemo. So for those of you who are disliking the curls hang in there.
I didn't colour my hair until about 7 months post chemo mainly because I had read that post chemo hair is very fragile so I hung in with the grey longer than I normally would.
For those struggling with your curls my suggestion is to find yourself a hairdresser who is a curl expert. Do not be fooled by hairdressers who claim they know how to cut curly hair...trust me...most don't! There is a website called www,naturallycurly.com and on this site is a section called Salon Reviews that I would recommend checking out. From experience, learned the hard way, I believe the best way to cut curly hair is cut it when it is dry not wet. Also a hair stylist who knows curly hair will also be able to suggest the best products to use for your type of hair and curl. My 2 cents...
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I am so glad I found this thread. I was wondering what this blond fuzz was. I did 4 rounds of AC and 4 rounds of Taxol fininshing on July 8th. Withing 2 weeks of finishing the Taxol I starting notcing my hair filing in as I shaved my head when it got really thin and what was leftover never fell out. It's mostly growing on top and the back right now. I had frizzy curly hair before so I guess it looks like it might be the same growing back by everyone responses. the eyelashes and eyebrows I noticed thinning out but around my 6th round of chemo. I have maybe one or 2 eyelashes left and about half my eyebrows which I fill out with pencil. I started wearing fake eyelashes. It took a while to get used to putting them on correctly but getting the hang of it. I can't wait for the hair to grow back. we have had such a hot summer here so far, wearing the wig has been really hot.
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Thanks PurpleMe, I will do as you suggest and check salons. Everyone keeps saying my very short curly hair looks cute. I'm 50, and I don't want to look "cute". Now if they commented that my hair looked gorgeous, or made me look artistic or some other wonderful comment that would make me feel attractive again - especially after going through a bi-lat mastectomy and losing my hair, eyelashes and eyebrows, I might appreciate it more. Ah well, I'm a survivor, and I'm truly grateful for that. Happy hair growing everyone.
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rocket: The short hair doesn't make me feel cute, it just makes me feel old and ugly but I am so over the wig, that I am trying to deal with it. I have stopped wearing the wig for two weeks now but I have to say, I felt much more attractive with it on, especially when I go out. I have been playing with headbands, but my favorite ones both brok after two wearings! I am now using a long, black ribbon tied in a bow--kinda feel like an infant that needs a bow so that people now I am a girl! LOL!0
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MBJ: I, too, am so over the wig for about 3 weeks now. I'm 17 week PFC, and have just over an inch of very wavy, tightly curled hair with LOTS of gray. I wore the headbands for a while, but now I'm just going out with my head bare. I feel self-conscious - but very liberated!!! However, I have to share my experience at work yesterday. My hair was not a source of my embarrassment. I am a court clerk and dashed to the restroom before a hearing was to begin. I came back into the courtroom, and checked the air-conditioning before going to my desk. One of the attorneys came over and whispered to me: "You might want to check the back of your skirt!!!" Low and behold, part of my full summer skirt was caught in my underpants!!! Oh dear -- I must say that this was much more humiliating that going to work with very little hair!! So ladies -- please remember to check your skirts after bathroom breaks, ok??? Today some people still are smiling at me!!
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LOL emegram! Great story!
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Hello Hairy Ladies! And I mean that in the most loving way!
Today I went to visit my hairdresser and she "styled" my hair. This is my 3rd trim since hitting the 1 inch length. My first 2 trims were in April and May and were mostly around the ear and neck hair tidying up.
When I went in this morning my hair was about 3 inches long (I'm just over 6 months PFC) and she trimmed and shaped up the sides, flared out the bottom back and trimmed just the teensiest bit off the top.
These photos were taken outside in sun so the top looks very white but really my hair is very salt and pepper - darker at the back than at the front & sides.
I spoke to my hairdresser about colouring my hair and she was very reluctant.
I'm not ready to colour it yet but wanted to hear some suggestions. She said that if I got bored with this "look" she could put in some darker streaks - kind of the opposite of what people usually get! She said that maintenance wouldn't be too bad since it wouldn't be as noticeable when the gray started growing in again.
I'm getting used to being a gray haired lady. It took some time to get used to but I've made shift in my wardrobe - more brights, blues and purples - and I feel a lot more confident.
I hope you are all having a great day!
Marie
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Marie, your hair looks fabulous!!!
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Hi Ladies,
I'm getting ready to take a much needed mini vacation to the mountains of NC with my DH. I'm so excited as I'm going swimming for the first time since my dx. At least I have enough hair now to swim without worrying about a swim cap. I bought a Land's End mastectomy suit and two swim forms that resemble jellyfish. Gosh I hope I don't have any embarrassing moments with that.
MBJ - I know how you feel about having the really short hair and feeling prettier in the wig. I too am so over the wig though. It's hot here and I just can't bring myself to wear it any longer. You look fabulous by the way. Your avatar is a great picture and you look like you have a bombshell figure.
Emegram - LOL that story about your skirt is hysterical. I can just imagine it. Thanks for the chuckle. I'm 15 wks PFC so just a little behind you. Did your hair come back thicker?
Marie - your pics give me hope. Your hair is incredibly thick and lovely. I can't wait until mine gets that long. I'll be happy when it gets to be over an inch! I just can't figure out what to do with this crazy hair on the sides of my head. It wants to curl out in all directions. Yours looks great!
You ladies have helped me so much to feel more confident. I never thought I'd be able to go without the wig until my hair got to be at least 3 inches long. Well, I have just under an inch of hair and I'm going without the wig after all. Thanks for all of your support. I'll let you know how the vacation turns out.
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Marie - Your hair looks awesome. How long was it before? I know (from coloring my own hair) that it does feel good to have the beautiful color, etc. but gray/silver hair can be beautiful too! You wear it well, so if you decide to keep the gray for awhile I think it will be just fine. ;-)
Hugs, Charley
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PurpleMe:
I had my eyebrows tattooed on about 8 years ago. I was in my later 60s and I dyed my hair dark brown-black at the time, so I was busy plucking out the really coarse white eyebrow hairs, plus the outer halves of the brows were disappearing. I loved it! Then a few years ago I stopped dyeing and went steel gray. The very dark brows looked nice with it.
While I was hairless this winter and spring, I usually wore a knit beret-type hat to keep my head warm, and there were these very dark brows and the peek of a hairless head. Now that there's about 1 inch+ of whiter hair in front (last chemo March 22), the dark brows are pretty interesting. It has faded with time, so they're not jet-black looking, but darker than I would have gone if I had thought ahead to the "gray" years. But...tattooing was one of the best things I've done--go for it!
Judy
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Judy, is it possible to have an mri if you have tattooed your makeup?
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Hrf - thanks for the compiment on my hair!
Rocket enjoy swimming with your "jellyfish". Don't worry about mishaps - it builds character - I've had a couple of foob flops (once in the Walmart toy aisle!) and I'm not fazed by it anymore. Dropping the foob was not as bad as being caught by the postman on my front doorstep while having my friend feel how real my new prosthetic is!
And don't worry about what others think of your hair. I took my wig off early with only about 1/2 inch of hair (if that). I wore it with confidence reminding myself that weeks before I had none. My family was very supportive but now they tell me it was really really really short at the time.
Charley my hair has always been long and in recent years shoulder length with lots of body. My natural colour is dark brunetter but when the gray roots were getting out of control (skunk line) I started colouring it lighter brown. My hairdresser - who I've been seeing for at least 8 years - tells me that it is coming in thicker and curlier than pre-chemo.
It's very strange because it feels like thick pile carpet to me but it's MY hair and I'm not complaing!
Judy my hairdresser has her eyebrows tattooed on too as well as her lips and eyeliner. It looks awesome. She had her real eyebrows electolosysed (sp?) off and had the tattooed ones put on a bit higher for a more youthful look (cheaper than a facelift I guess!). I don't think I'm brave enough to do that myself.
Night ladies!
Marie
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Sherri:
Sherri you hair and your eyebrows look wonderful and I think that I can see eye lashes there too.
Well ladies, I will be 6 months post chemo as of August 2nd. However I shaved my hair off on April 9th as it was just coming in as fuzz, so started growing my hair over again. So I am therefore 15 weeks into growing my hair and it is coming in curly at the back and wavy at the sides and top.
My hair is more salt/pepper at the back and grayish white at the sides and top. I was going to go for highlights. However different ladies that I have encountered and spoken with in my own community tells me to leave my hair color as it, and not to even dye it and including the hairstylist and people in my building where I live too. Everybody loves my hair color and I am starting to get use to the color too. At one time before I was dx with cancer I would not be caught with gray hair lol But heck I turned '50' recently so I do not mind so much now...
My eyebrows towards the beginning of the brow needs to be shaped (too much brow hair - all unaligned) and the rest of brow hair is coming in sparse). So gonna find a salon that is good at shaping brows vie waxing (familiar with one who has lost brow hair from chemo).
Oh.. btw, going to the GT next Sunday the 8th August - Sherri or other ladies if you are going.
Charmaine
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Sherri:
Btw, love your brows, you do an excellent job with them. I use a eyebrow pencil now that is a powder pencil and the best that I can (as have problems with my sight so a bit blurry).
Would I be intruding if I asked if you could send me a larger picture of the above of you so I can see how you do your brows, perhaps I could learn.
Send to charmainejensen@sympatico.ca
Thank you so much Sherri.
Charmaine
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hrf:
When I had my breast MRI I asked about cosmetic tattooes in general and the technician said it was no problem. Now, if it was a head MRI I'd get the definitive answer from an expert.
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Judy, thanks. I will check with an expert first.
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Marie: Your hair looks fabulous.
Several women have told me I have a very distinctive sterling grey and I should keep it, but I'm just not ready for it, wish I were. Yesterday, I took the plunge and had my hair stylist dye and cut my hair, 3 months PFC and about 1 1/2 inches long. I'm not really happy with the colour, kind of a dark honey/light brown - I actually wanted to go really blonde, but I kinda got talked in to this. Arrrghhh! Oh well, DH likes it (or says he does) and I have to admit I feel better without the gray. When it gets longer, maybe I'll try a few highlights.
I must say the stylist did a good job trimming around the ears and back, and took out some of the wave - it actually looks like a deliberate style now!
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JudyM - thanks for the feedback on the eyebrows. It really helps to hear from someone who has had it done. The lady that I am considering going to uses organic pigments for her cosmetic tattoos. It will be nice to have eyebrows that I don't have to "put on"every day.
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MarieK - you look wonderful in the photos, I love the look!
Emegram - very funny story, LOL!
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Well, ladies, I went wig free for two whole weeks then broke down and got an inexpensive, though real hair wig in another color. So difficult to wear this curly mop. Can't do a thing with it. Hope everyone has a great week!
Purpleme: I say go for it--I was going to do the same if my brows didn't come in all the way. They still aren't completely right, but I am crossing my fingers. Now if I could just get my hair to grow faster!
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Goldie! This brings tears to my eyes. I've been following your hair story for a long time now. I'm maybe 4 months behind you, and a lot discouraged with these curls. You look amazing. Best of luck to you and lots of healthy wishes.
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Ivorymom/Meg - you look beautiful bald! What a lovely smile.
I am 17 weeks PFC and my hair is about an inch long. It came in pretty evenly from the get-go, no patches
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Dear Ivorymom;
I'm going to use a line from one of the other girls on the forum because it says it all about my hair growth pattern....male pattern baldness!!! It's actually kind of funny. I have dark hair 1/4" long all around my head and then the top has sporatic growth that is both white and dark.
I just completely my 7 of 12 Taxol treatments and my hair is growing pretty well. I actually had to trim some really stray longer hairs already but I can't forsee going outside any time soon with nothing on my head. I'd scare someone for sure.
Have a great day! Heather
PS. My onc did a CA-15-3 blood test today and my number is 14.6. Does anyone out there know much about this test?
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I had my last taxotere infusion two years ago followed by 33 rads - my hair has not grown back in like it was at all - I have major bald spots at the part and in the back - hair is straight and used to be curly - I was on Femara for over a year and then Arrimidex for six months - had to go off both because of severe se's - anyone else out there with some tips on how to grow in the filler hair - I had tons of fine hair - not anymore.
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hmh23: Cancer Antigen 15-3 is a tumor marker test. Normal Range: 0 - 36 Units/ml, so yours is fine at 14.6. My last result on this test was 15 Units/ml. That was in May, a month after I completed rads.
CA 15-3 is a protein that is a normal product of your breast tissue, and it does not cause breast cancer. If a cancerous tumor (cells growing out of control) is present in your breast, though, your levels of CA 15-3 may increase as the number of cancer cells increase. Tumor cells will shed copies of the CA 15-3 protein, which can be measured by this blood test
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Sandy, i'm right there with you. i'm 16 months PFC and while my hair is growing, it is straight, fine and I have bald spots on the left side and half way up the back of my head. I don't think there is anything that is going to make this hair come back. The fact that you are 8 months ahead of me with you final Taxotere is discouraging to say the least. I know there is a thread here about taxotere and hair not coming back, but I got so depressed by it, I stopped going to that thread. I was hoping it wouldn't be me, but I think it is.
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Sandy & Firni .. I'm the same. Hair has not grown back the way it was. I'm a year out of tx.
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I'm thinking there isn't much for us skimpy haired girls to do. I am going to get a referral to an endocrinologist. I know my thyroid is on the edge of low. Maybe if I can get that raised up, some hair will grow. Or at least I can get rid of the "chemo muscle fatigue". Really thought I'd be over that by now too. Have any of you with scant hair return had your thyroid checked?
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Hello Ladies.
I have maybe a stupid question but too embarrassed to ask anyone else. I am gearing up to my exchange surgery in September and I am about 7 weeks PFC so not lot of real hair on my head. I am feeling self conscious about going into surgery without a scarf or wig on my head. I would be mortified to wake up with a fuzzy black and gray head. Did anyone wear their scarf or wig during their exchage/surgery?? DO they allow you to wear it??
Diane
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