Hair Hair Hair - Another question
Comments
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Hey Bev,
I colored mine at around 12 weeks PFC (light brown) which used to be my normal color, and it curled tighter I'm sorry to say. I'd rather have color than gray so I had to accept the tighter, frizzier curls. UGH!
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Bev - Mine didn't change one way or the other when I put color on a couple weeks ago.
Took some self pics today after I got out of the shower but have to figure out how to load them here. They really are funny. I have had full bangs since I was 22 (now almost 59) and just seeing myself without bangs takes some getting used to
Glad I put the color on as the stark white was just too wierd.0 -
Rocket: That's impressive! Good for you. I hope I recover from my exchange just as quickly.
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Emegram: I have yet to color my hair, just bleach, and it did help relax the curl slightly in front but not at all in the back. Crazy, curly, kinky hair.
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Has anyone out there been on Abraxane? I was moved to it after experiencing neuropathy on Taxol. I've read that you lose your hair with Abraxane treatments and I am upset that I'm going to lose the hair that's finally growing in.
Would love to hear your story?
Heather
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My oncologist also said "hair always grows back" but that is simply not true. The doc are either in denial or don't have the facts.
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Nancy, I asked my onc the same question about hair not growing back and she stated that she had seen only one patient whose hair didn't grow back.
As for my hair, it has come in thicker with the unruly curl. My bigger concern right now are my eyelashes and eyebrows. They grew back quickly after falling out two weeks after chemo ended. They came in thick and I was thrilled. Recently however, in the last two weeks, they have started to thin significantly again, especially the eyelashes. Anyone else have that problem? I don't want to use Latisse because I have very light gray eyes and don't want them to turn brown.
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HI Ladies,
I am sure this is here somewhere, but don't have the time to scroll through. I am 12 weeks post chemo and want to color my hair. I want to use something more gentle to color my hair. Any suggestions. thanks in advance.
V
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Nancy & hrf: About 5% of those receiving Taxotere have no regrowth of hair. I believe that this is because the chemo stays in the body for up to two years, long after it has done it's job. That's why it's important to take supplements like MSM, Biotin, Multi B's, Vit D3, Vit E, Vit A, Magnesium, Selenium and so much more. Much of my information comes from a site called LifeExtensions.com. They are a wealth of information and if hair regrowth is a problem you, I bet that you can find some help on there.
VMarie: As far as dying the hair goes, I think they recommend not dying it for 6 months, however, if you can afford to go to and can find an Aveda salon nearby, their products are all natural but you have to pay them to dye your hair. Another solution is ot go to your local health food store (Whole Foods is one) and they carry natural dyes--just don't use anything with henna as this is very poisonous. I opted to bleach my grey hair until I can go back to my old dyes. good luck!
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MBJ, thanks for the website. I will check it out. I have been taking many of the supplements you mention
Nancy, during chemo I didn't use any supplements as my onc didn't want me to take anything that might interfere with the chemo. However, she told me my hair would grow back so I never thought about it.
I do have hair on my head. But it is very thin, fine and weak. My scalp shows through and I put powder on to try to cover it. As someone who always had gorgeous thick, thick and strong hair I am finding this loss of hair overwhelming. I don't look like myself anymore.
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Hi Everyone -
Eyebrows - Well, exactly 6 months from my first Chemo I had something in my eye and you know how you pull you lashes down over the bottom lid to get out something in your eye? Well, I did that and guess what, my eyelashes all came out at one time on my fingers!! I was foolish enough to think that the loss of brows and lashes had passed me by. They grew back in really fast though and thicker but like Rocket, I'm now noticing thinning. Was wondering about Latisse?? Rocket - does it actually change the color of your eyes? I've heard you can have a dark coloring on the lid, sort of like eyeliner, but I didn't know it would change your eye color.
Biotin is an excellent supplement for hair, nails, & skin. It is a B vitamin and I made sure it was ok to take with Chemo & both my Onc & Nutritionalist say it is a good idea.
Nails: 5 1/2 months after my first Chemo, my fingernails started showing a brown color from about midway on the bed out to the tips. Had to have been the growth when I was getting treatments. A couple weeks after I noticed the brown, nails started lifting off the nail bed in those areas. I cut them way back so I wouldn't catch them on anything. That was a few weeks ago. Now they are somewhat crumbly at the edges as the last of the lifted parts grow out. There is a really good strengthening polish that I have used for years and know it works - Sally Hansen's 'Tuflon' - you add a coat each day for 10 days then remove and start again.
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My lashes come and go. They are not thick or long, but they grow back for a while and then fall out again. 3 times now in 16 months since last chemo.
I do take pre natal vitamins for my hair. Once in a while when I can splurge, I get some hair vitamins called Ultra Hair Plus. They are a bit out of my budget. Otherwise, my hair is pretty much like hrf has. Blech. It seems like it will start filling in a little and then I can feel the hair rain down on my shoulders and back after I wash it. Then it's thinner than before it started to fill in. I expect by Christmas time I'll be back in a wig.
MBJ, thanks for the website.I take quite a few of those supplements but may be there is something there I haven't looked at.
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Hmmm. The site says it's under construction. No access.
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My hair took a while to fill out. It started out growing in certain areas and bald in others. I had one spot in the front that refused to grow. I began to think I'd have a permanent bald spot there. About two weeks later, I noticed a few hairs filling in. Then all of a sudden my hair began to thicken. Now it's these wild, uncontrollable curls that freak me out. Everyone keeps saying, "You should be grateful you have hair." Well I am grateful, but if we traded places they'd be singing a different tune. It's difficult because our bodies go through so much in such a relatively short period of time and we are expected to adjust on everyone else's timetable. Well I for one am going to give myself permission to grieve over what I've lost. I am grateful to have hair and to be alive, but I also need to grieve these dramatic changes. I'm doing my best to figure out how to manage this hair and loss of breasts. I pray God gives me the strength to do it with grace.
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I have noticed that the white wooly mamouth fur all over my face, forehead & neck is starting to thin out a little! YAY!!
Jenn
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jenn1975 - Glad to hear that your fuzz is going away. I hope I'm right behind you. I've resisted the urge to shave it and tried to ignore it. I really don't like the furry look for myself.
My hair seems to be coming in dark and straight (last chemo 6/4) and I've gotten brows and lashes back about a week or 10 days after they fell out completely 6 weeks after chemo ended. My eyelashes are shorter than they were so hopefully, they'll continue to grow.
rocket - I agree with you that the appearance changes are so difficult over and above what we already have to endure. I hated it when I complained about the hair loss and people glibly replied "it will grow back". I wanted to blast them with "easy for you to say sitting there with a full head of hair" or "sure, when's the last time you were completely bald, and had no eyelashes or eyebrows." I just wanted someone to say "you're right, it's no fun, it stinks, it's insulting, etc"
Thanks for listening! Gina
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Rocket- I know that I must be crazy, but I have learned to love not having boobs. The idea that I have 5 different size prosthetics is wonderful so I can pick and choose. Also I love going without. I run around my house shirtless all the time. My husband thinks I'm crazy but he loves me anyway.
Jenn
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Lilylou - my nails sound just like yours - ick. I ended chemo (TCHx6) on 1 April. I hear that it can take up to a year for the nails to look normal. I'm taking Biotin, but might try this nail polish you recommend - thanks!0
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Rocket I too was leary of using Latisse and I have brown eyes!
I used Rapid Lash instead and my lashes and eyebrows came in thick and long. Actually they are better than pre-chemo!
I found that the Rapid Lash staggered the growth cycle of my lashes and eyebrows so after the initial grow in I have not lost then again (at least not all of them).
I'm 7 months PFC today!
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I use a prescription drop for Glaucoma that has the side effect of making lashes longer. I'm hoping it might help me to keep a few lashes during chemo.
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Congratulations Marie on 7 months PFC! Where did you purchase Rapid Lash? I need to get some and quick! My eyelashes are short and quite sparse on the bottom. At my oncology appointment today I heard it again, "You look so cute!" my oncologist exclaimed. I told her I'm turning 50 on Monday and I don't want to look cute at age 50. I want to look gorgeous, fabulous, anything but cute - well I guess ugly would be worse, but I doubt she'd call me that and get away with it. LOL
LilyLou, one of the potential side effects of Latisse is change of eye color in those with light colored eyes. It can be permanent. I would be too scared to try anything that has the potential to change my eye color. Chemo was toxic enough for me. :-)
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Rocket - Have to agree, if Latisse is strong enough to change eye color ...yikes! I too will be on the hunt for Rapid Lash.
LadyinBama - Your profile picture is adorable!
Face fuzz - now that you guys are talking about it, I am seeing it!! I am real fair so have to be in just the right light to see it. Have noticed that the hair on my arms stands straight up!!
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Rocket - Have to agree, if Latisse is strong enough to change eye color ...yikes! I too will be on the hunt for Rapid Lash.
LadyinBama - Your profile picture is adorable!
Face fuzz - now that you guys are talking about it, I am seeing it!! I am real fair so have to be in just the right light to see it. Have noticed that the hair on my arms stands straight up!!
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LilyLou: Thanks. These are my 10 month old puppies, brother & sister. They keep me hopping!
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Hello Ladies! All I wanna know is why the hair on my head can't grow as fast and as thick as the hair on my legs! I seriously could shave my legs every hour! UGH!
Anyhow, regarding Latisse, my PS did NOT recommend it (despite his office being littered with Latisse advertisements) he said it's expensive, he didn't like the side effects AND once you stop using it you lashes go back to the way they were before you started using it. He also said it would take a full year for lashes to be back to where they were post chemo so to just be patient.
I had the best lashes
!! Oh well, next summer hopefully I will have great hair everywhere I want it. Have a good night everyone!!
Diane
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Nancy91355, I am working with a dermatologist and am using minoxidil. I don't think it's helping much but she wants me to keep trying for a few more months. I have been to see someone for a custom hair option -- like extensions or a small piece but he told me none of that would work for me and that the only thing he would recommend is a wig (which I don't want). He said they have a laser treatment that MIGHT help a little but it is very expensive and time demanding ... and no guarantee that it would work. I don't know anyone who has tried laser for hair growth. If I knew it worked I might try to find some money to try it but I don't want to throw away time and money for nothing. No hair has regrown on my arms or legs either - so it is not just a matter of male pattern baldness ... it is my whole body.
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hrf: When I had a hair loss problem years ago, my dr recommended the men's strength for a few months. At the time, I never tried it as my hair came back in pretty quickly. After chemo, though, I took his advice. I didn't have much luck with the lower strength.
New Hair Straightening Creme! I just found and purchased a new product my Marc Anthony called Straight works from my local Rite Aide Store, and I love it. Instantly straightens my hair and I was able to eliminate the other products because this does it all: straightens, styles, holds the shape I give it and it doesn't move! Love, love, love this product!
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Thanks MBJ for the info on Straight Works - has gone on my Get List however it won't do me much good until I get a little more length at the crown. Seems the outer edges are growing quite a bit faster than the middle AND I have these cowlicks (?? not sure how that is spelled) everywhere making the hair go in all directions but the right one.
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LilyLou: I have been cursed with cowlicks my entire life, it's just that now they are kinky! As long as I don't use shampoo and only wash with conditioner plus use this straightening creme, it seems to get the job done easily, except for the back--it's still a it out of control LOL!
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I'm a big fan of Rapid Lash it helped me a lot with eyelash growth. I get mine from Ebay. As for the curly hair mine is now around 4" and it is still growing upwards. Every day is a bad hair day but with some rosemary oil to tame the frizz and a headband it looks not too bad. I am getting the Brazilian Blow Dry on the 21st September, it's supposed to be 79% organic am hoping I can get my hair into some style after that and I've just ordered some mini hair straighteners online.
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