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Hair Hair Hair - Another question

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  • Springtime
    Springtime Member Posts: 3,372
    edited April 2009

    X, do what feels right day to day. I went through many phases. scarves, caps, scarves under caps, wigs, back to ball caps, finally topless.

    I think it was just me getting used to whatever it was. If you feel okay about it, I've noticed nobody else is really noticing!!! lol

    Spring.

  • unique
    unique Member Posts: 209
    edited April 2009

    Spring, your hair looks sensational! You look adorable!

    I feel adorable myself with the short-short do, very young and so forth.

    It went thru an awkward phase last week (seemed all back hair for some reason) and I beat it into submission with hair gel but today I did nothing and took a new avatar pic of it. Just seemed to fall into place, stick out in all the right places, etc.,etc.

    I probably will take it to my hair stylist to get it shaped soon. It is still exactly the way it grew out of my head still.

  • Springtime
    Springtime Member Posts: 3,372
    edited April 2009

    Hi "hair" ladies! Hi Unique!

    I went to a very inexpensive Hair cutting place today, "Great clips" to get a trim. I'd been wanting to do this for a while (I am 5+ months past last chemo) but was so chicken! Hate to let one millimeter of it go! But it was so bushy around my ears.

    Anyway, the same fellow who gave me a pixie cut the day my hair started falling out from chemo gave me my new "shaped up" cut! He remembered me, remembered my husband and daughter were there, etc. 

    It was sort of like full circle. 8 months ago my hair was falling out, and today the same guy tidied it up for me.

    Life is funny like that. It is still sort, but dang it, it's my hair!!!

    Spring. 

    :)

  • DesertRider
    DesertRider Member Posts: 37
    edited April 2009

    Hi everyone,

    Spring, it was 8 months ago for me as well- and I had long think blond hair. Now where did all this gray come from? But, wow, is it easy to care for and I love getting up and going (even to rads) without doing anything to the hair!

    I guess I'll get that trim, too

    Gail 

  • patsfan
    patsfan Member Posts: 13
    edited April 2009

    Probably a dumb question-- When the hair is completely gone do you still use shampoo? I was thinking just a rub with a washcloth when in the shower???  Any advice?

    Gayle

  • Springtime
    Springtime Member Posts: 3,372
    edited April 2009

    Gayle, I used shampoo anyway. Old habbits? But you can also stick your head under a sink! It is so liberating, still is, with this ultra short hair... I agree Desert Rider!

  • GramE
    GramE Member Posts: 2,234
    edited April 2009

    Pat, I used baby shampoo when I was bald, much milder than regular soap.  Slightly more than a pin head amount.   And I got my first hair cut in 10 months - trimmed the sides and back - and the tips off the top.  It is coming back slowly, but thick like before and the back is very very wavy.   

  • ktym
    ktym Member Posts: 673
    edited April 2009

    Pat, smiled when I saw your shampoo questions, because the first time she saw me bald my young niece looked at my head for a few minutes, and asked the same questions.  I thought it was a very insightful question.  I used the same cleanser that I used on my face.  I figured the skin needs would be similar and I knew it worked well for me there. 

  • LorenaB
    LorenaB Member Posts: 91
    edited April 2009

    Hmm, it's hard to remember what I did -- I guess I've almost blocked out the memory LOL. I think I used a bit of shampoo and also a bit of conditioner to keep my scalp from getting dry. 

    Still no trim for me.  I saw my hairdresser on Saturday when I went in for a much-needed brow wax.  (Which hurt but in a good way, as I've said before, it means the little hairs want to stay in there, and that is a good thing!) My hairdresser agrees that considering how thick and curly my hair is, it makes sense to let it grow so that the curls will start to loosen up a bit. BTW, it was always extremely thick but I never had such tight curls before.

  • LMDuncan
    LMDuncan Member Posts: 61
    edited April 2009

    I didn't use shampoo until I had a little hair back, but I did use conditioner.  I figures it might keep the scalp soft???

    Lori

  • Lainey64
    Lainey64 Member Posts: 127
    edited April 2009

    When my head was completely bald I used Lavender baby shampoo just to keep my scalp soft and moisturized.  I never had any problems with dryness.  Now I used Nioxin shampoo and scalp treatment on my new hairs and fuzzies. 

  • lisalisa
    lisalisa Member Posts: 77
    edited April 2009

    Lainey, how long did you wait after your last chemo treatment to start the Nioxin.  I'm 7 days out from my last T/C, and trying to figure out if I need to wait or can use the Nioxin now?

    thanks!
    lisa

  • susan13
    susan13 Member Posts: 102
    edited April 2009

    Where do you get Nioxin shampoo?

    Ok here's me 5 weeks out.  I hope it starts growing faster cause I did not do well in the heat this weekend and it was just about 78 over here, I cannot wait to ditch my wig!  My sideburns are about 2" long, but I have bald spots on the tops and the back.


  • crazy4carrots
    crazy4carrots Member Posts: 624
    edited April 2009

    I purchased Nioxin about a month after finishing chemo.  Then I read the insert that states it is not to be used for hair loss due to chemotherapy, so I returned it.

    So.....I started taking biotin (5,000 mcg/day).  Whether or not it helped my hair grow, I don't know (yes, it did grow, but quite slowly, and is still thin on top -- Femara, probably).  But, my nails improved quickly and have never been so strong.

    Linda

  • Lainey64
    Lainey64 Member Posts: 127
    edited April 2009

    Lindasa - Wow really?  I think a lot of women here use Nioxin.  This is the first time I've heard that.  My hairdresser recommended it and ordered it for me. 

    Lisalisa - I started using Nioxin right after chemo ended.. almost 6 weeks ago. 

    Susan - My goodness you have a lot of hair!  Were you completely bald during chemo?  If so, your hair is growing like wildfire.  I'll be 6 weeks out this Thursday and mine is nowhere as long as that.  I'm getting very depressed now....

  • crazy4carrots
    crazy4carrots Member Posts: 624
    edited April 2009

    Lainey, the insert didn't say it would be dangerous to use Nioxin, just simply that Nioxin wouldn't help to restore hair lost from chemo.  I live north of the border, so the info on the insert may well be government-mandated.  I know that our Femara inserts state that hair thinning is a possible s/e, but I don't think that is stated on the U.S. inserts.

    Cheers, Linda

  • Lainey64
    Lainey64 Member Posts: 127
    edited April 2009

    I'm going to continue to use mine since I've already used too much to return.  I have hope that something is happening!  Every day I can see more dark hairs.  I think my head is doing good until I see pictures of people at the same stage I am in and then I get really discouraged.  I'm so tired of worrying about my hair!  Or lack of... :)

  • susan13
    susan13 Member Posts: 102
    edited April 2009

    Elaine-I got completely bald on AC, then it started to grow back cause I had a break when I had my surgery.  Then I started Taxotere after surgery and it fell out again, but not 100%. It was still coming out in clumps even 2 weeks ago, I was getting very discouraged.  But I think it's finally staying put!

  • Springtime
    Springtime Member Posts: 3,372
    edited April 2009

    Susan, you have THE MOST hair I've ever seen or heard of for 5 weeks out!!! It looks thin, but very LONG!!  Mine is thick but short. well, it's now curling!! Makes it appear shorter.

    I used Nioxin Hair Folicle stimulator, not sure it worked. Then I wondered if I wanted to put chemicals on my body. So didn't buy another one. But I do have the mouse type stuff...

    Spring.

  • Jane_M
    Jane_M Member Posts: 932
    edited April 2009

    I bought some hair "thickening" shampoo last night at CVS.  My hair needs all the help it can get.  I'm 3 months out from my last chemo and I don't have near as much hair as Susan...and I'm already going topless.

  • mumito
    mumito Member Posts: 2,007
    edited April 2009

    Susan you have more hair than me and I am 5 months out of chemo.I swear my hair just doesn't want to grow. aaarrrggghhh

  • jancie
    jancie Member Posts: 403
    edited April 2009

    QUESTION....

    I went to a health food store and got some Biotin.  It came in 5,000 mg pills.  I thought I read some gals are taking 1,000 mg per day.  Logic tells me that it can't be bad taking 5,000 mg per day if that is what the capsules are.

    HOWEVER.....can I start taking this if I am still on Taxol?  I have three more treatments left.  I never did lose ALL of my hair on A/C and I still have my eyebrows and eyelashes so I was hoping that if I took this, I might be able to keep what hair is left.

  • Lainey64
    Lainey64 Member Posts: 127
    edited April 2009

    Ok I'm feeling a little better now.  I was beginning to wonder if I have the slowest growing hair on the planet. lol  I was applying my follicle booster very carefully this morning and making sure I covered every spot on my head.  Gee whiz.  I played with scarves last night.  I thought I looked "cool" and then my BF came home and told the dog that I looked like a pirate.  Yeah, we are nuts.

  • sewbutton
    sewbutton Member Posts: 9
    edited April 2009

    DeAnn your website is wonderful! Thank you.

  • susan13
    susan13 Member Posts: 102
    edited April 2009

    I think I am just being impatient... again.  I've been without hair since September, and I know many go without it for longer.... you know how it is... plus the weather is getting warmer and my head is sweating and the hot flashes are not making it any easier.  I think once it all fills in I'll go commando.  DeAnn... thanks for sharing your site. I love your hair!

  • Springtime
    Springtime Member Posts: 3,372
    edited April 2009

    Janice, My onc was funny about certain things during chemo, I would ask about the Biotin. I take 1000 mg, but didn't start until after chemo.

    Spring.

  • crazy4carrots
    crazy4carrots Member Posts: 624
    edited April 2009

    Jancie, are you sure your Biotin bottle doesn't say 5,000 mcg? (not mg).  That is a very, very small --- and safe -- amount.  In fact, I think it is only sold here (Canada) in mcg's.

    mcg= micrograms

    mg= milligrams

  • jancie
    jancie Member Posts: 403
    edited April 2009

    Lindasa - this is what happens when I don't have my eyeglasses with me.  The bottle did say 5,000 mcg.  So if that is the case, how many pills do I take to get 1,000 mgs like the other ladies are doing?  I don't do math!  I especially don't do math when I have chemo brain Laughing

    I wish I could start taking it now but based on Spring's comments, I guess I should wait and talk to my oncologist which won't be for another week.

  • crazy4carrots
    crazy4carrots Member Posts: 624
    edited April 2009

    Jancie, there must be a good reason (safety?) why biotin is not sold in milligrams, but only micrograms.   1 mg = 1,000 mcg.  Don't know for sure, obviously, but I can't imagine anyone taking 1,000 mgs.  I'd think 10 mgs would be more like it, which is what I did.

    Best to wait for onc's go-ahead before starting.

    Good luck! Linda

  • mumito
    mumito Member Posts: 2,007
    edited April 2009

    Is biotin safe for us to take? And does it work? Anyone know?