Hair Hair Hair - Another question
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Kristinfro; I'm with you. So tired of people telling me my hair is so great I should leave it.
The divine; photobucket story0 -
Juneaubugg and Kristinfro... Thank you for the timeline photos. I am 13 days post AC#1 and wondering what its going to be like when it all comes out. I started with bra strap length hair and cut it short a few days after xmas. Then a week ago I got a pixie cut. Now, my DH has his clippers ready for when I say enough and takes it down to a #2. What a huge help for you two to post those pics.
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KristinFro I love your hair both long and short.
I hit a hair milestone yesterday-- I shopped for hair products! Woo-hoo! I looked for the got2bglued gel folks have mentioned here. I found my hair is really too short to use it yet, but it will be waiting. I'd say I have about an inch of the grayish fluff now, and only a couple thin spots left at the crown. As long as the eyebrows are painted on I'm fine with going hatless in public My neck is always cold though so I wear scarves.
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skigirl72; hang in there. I did he exact same thing. Bra strap length hair. Whatever you do, if you wait for it to come out like I did in the tub, don't look before you shave it. My DH got the clippers and started shaving when he found me crying in the tub when what little I had left following my buzz cut, came out in clumps. I am so grateful I don'thave that image stuck in my head. Of patches of hair just gone. As you can guess by the photo, it was pretty emotional for me, as I am sure it is for all of us.
Hang in there sister, it'll be back. Just focus on the oral hygine and water right now. Most important things. I go thrush after my 3rd tx becuase I slacked on rinsing with baking soda, salt and warm water afer every meal. I was just so fed up with it. boy did I pay for it.
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Thank you for the pictures you all look really good with the long hair and short hair. I think people say how cute you look because you do look cute and we are all being so much more hypercritical of ourselves than other people are.
An old friend of mine just give me a picture from when we were both 24 and in graduate school, my hair was several inches past my shoulder and thick and beautiful and his hair was also several inches past his shoulders and in a ponytail. I said "I don't think my hair is ever going to look like that again", and he who is now half bald said " I don't think mine is ever going to look like that again either"!
I had a trim six weeks ago and colored and now I'm going back next week to have it colored again.. I know my hair stylist is going to want to trim it again to make it look cute at this length but I'm going to resist and just let it grow for another couple months. I know I'm going to have to go through awkward phases where it doesn't look good, but, I'm going to just try to go for length right now. I'm 22 weeks PFC and plan to go without a wig after next week.
My leg hair seems to be growing faster than my hair on my head, armpits slowed down, probably due to radiation. Eyelashes and eyebrows shedding although I do see some tiny new growth right behind them so hopefully it won't be too long without them.0 -
I'm heading into my third of six treatments in a minute and was just super energized by your photos. Thank you so much for posting! My last chemo is March 21. I would live to think I could lose the wig and scarves during the summer. You all give me hope! You look great!!!
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Thanks, everyone
) Skigirl72, I cut it to my chin when I started chemo. A couple weeks later, it started coming out in clumps in the shower -- but I still couldn't bring myself to buzz it off. It took me two weeks of it falling out before I did. I was starting to *look* sick, and I didn't want that. So I stood in the bathroom with the clippers for 2 HOURS, just staring in the mirror. That first pass with the clippers was one of the hardest things I've ever done -- but I DID IT. And I felt MUCH better afterward. 2 days later, with the help of my daughter, I shaved the remaining stubble (it hurt to sleep, felt like needles poking my scalp). The middle picture above was taken right after that. Go at your own pace, do what feels right for you, and know that it does come back (and yes, I hated people telling me that at the time, but it's so true).FriendGwen, I went without scarves and hats very early on. My last chemo was June 4th, and I went topless around 8-10 wks. It was the middle of summer and just soooo hot. I couldn't stand to wear anything on my head. I'd get stares from time to time when I went out, but I'd just stare right back with a "What?" look on my face. If people had a problem with me having very little hair, that was THEIR problem, not mine. Again, just do what feels right for you.
Hugs, ladies!
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You are so brave. I could not bring myself to do it. It all went into a knot 2 weeks to the day of the first treatment and I started trying to cut the knot out. I ended up looking moth-eaten.. but I just trimmed the rest of it to like 2".. and let it fall as it came... A lot of night I even slept in the wig so when I went into the bathroom and passed the mirror I didn't say "oh yeah, you're sick....".... Between the hair and eyebrows and eyelashes I felt like an alien... I applaud you sister.............
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Kristin: I went topless about the same, at 8 weeks. Couldn't handle hats anymore with the hot flashes. I never really wore my wig at all. I tried for one week back at work and just couldn't do it. I felt like an imposter.
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Thank you, mermaid! Once I shaved all the hair off, I really didn't mind being bald when I was at home or around friends and family. We went to a wedding 2 weeks after my last treatment. It was an outdoor wedding, and it was about 95 that day. I arrived in a scarf, but it came off about 5 mintues later. I just couldn't wear it. Not one person at that wedding looked at me funny. Sure, I knew most of them (it was a small gathering), but the support I got is something I'll never forget. Also, I'm a writer (under a pen name), and I have a facebook page where I was very open about what was going on and posted bald pictures often. The support there was incredible as well. Like I said, you have to do what's right for you. Nothing in this is right or wrong.
juneaubugg, I'm with you. I had a gorgeous wig and probably wore it a half dozen times -- mostly whenever we out to dinner. I was way more comfortable in a pretty scarf or a bandana. To me, wearing those just spoke more to what I was going through. But I'm a huge sharer (sometimes to my husband's chagrin lol).
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Hi everyone,
I am 3 weeks out from chemo now. Felt pretty rough with the SE but am feeling better today. Saw my Onc on Tuesday. She said I am looking good. She said I should feel better in the next couple of months. And there is no reason not to believe I am NED. I have not really celebrated.
My hair is growing. It's white and grey. I had a trim on Dec.31st and a pedicure. Not much hair to trim but I wanted the fuzzy duck fuzz off my neck. I am very bald in the front but feel prickles. The Onc said it will come in. I was tempted to color it but will wait a bit longer.
I lost my brows all the way on Taxol, and eyelashes too. Not much happening with either. I have been reading posts all the way to page 80 in this topic. Seems it can happen several times. No biggie to me at this point. lol
Have a good evening.
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Hi everyone, I was going to start a new thread, but thought I'd consolidate and try my luck over here.
I did TC x 4. I am one slow recoverer! My hair didn't start for 4 months, and it's now 2 years and 3 months since PFC and I got my period back. To give some background.
I am so happy to be alive, but my self esteem is not doing great. May hair is generally fine, and I am starting to look like myself before treatment started. But, I have pretty shocking receding hairline on the sides of my temples. I have a theory, that TC attacks "soft" hairs. I always had a pronounced hairline with those deep areas, now there's not even soft hair filling it in. My eyebrows are exactly half what they used to be, and my eyelashes look like an 80 year old.
I would love to hear anything that people have had success with. I'm so upset I'm thinking wild thoughts, like plugs. I know I could try Rogaine, but I've heard it's not great for cancer survivors with all the additives.
Thoughts??
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LtotheK, sorry you're feeling so down about this. My only thoughts are to up your B vitamin intake, take maximum biotin your doctor says is ok, and maybe see if hairdresser can put extensions on the longer parts of your hair to camouflage the thin areas. Im almost 1 year pfc, and tried other things like nioxin, olive oil massage, and Brian Joseph lash/ brow gel, all of which I do think helped, but im sure my MO would disagree with me. I wonder if consulting with a dermatologist and/or endocrinologist and maybe a nutritionist would be worthwhile for you. Sorry I don't have any better advice! I really hope you can find some help with this.
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LtotheK I had that same receding before cancer. My mom had it just one her sides but I like you also have some in front too. After chemo some of it did grow a back but it started to recede a bit more but not as bad as before… but I have been using women's Minoxidil since chemo ended. I was using it before chemo as well. I only use it once a day so I'm sure I would have less receding if I used it 2X as directed but right now it's not bad at all. It can take 3-6 months for it to return.
I do think it's from the lack of estrogen. I don't know how old your are but mine started when I was around 44. I think my mom started at her temples in her late 30's. I was having regular periods till chemo (granted getting shorter). Last period 2 week before chemo. I'm also on Anastrozole.
I have another friend that got thinning from Anastrozole. She started women's Minoxidil and it's working for her.
I would ask your onc if she feels this is an issue for you to use. My onc has no issues with it.
Also taking biotin
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I'm ten months pfc and my hair is about four inches long now. I have been finally able to use my straightener for about a month, which made my hair look longer. But my hair is so obnoxiously thick that now I'm looking like one of the Bay City Rollers. My bf said I need to start wearing plaid. Smart ass. Anyways, I've only had one trim of less than a quarter inch, as I just can't bear to lose any hair. But now I'm wondering if I should be at least brave enough to have it thinned out a bit to make it more manageable. Have any of you done this? If so, how was the outcome?
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lago...I researched Minoxidil and it is the same as Rogaine. It also said that as soon as you stop taking it, the hair loss returns. It that not true?
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schatzi14 Yes it is the same thing. The only time I stopped was when I started chemo. I mean my hair was going to fall out anyway so why waste money. I buy the Walgreens brand on sale. Also since I only do it once a day it last 2x as long. But yes if you stop it will start to shed again. Remember what they said to you about breast cancer when you were first diagnosed. "It's treatable" meaning it's not curable. Well my receding hairline is treatable but not curable and unlike breast cancer where many of are cured (we just don't know it) this hair loss thing for those of us that have it isn't unless it's caused by a drug or thyroid problem, etc.
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herstrong, I know EXACTLY where you are coming from. I'm 14 months PFC and have 6 to 7 inches. I had long thick hair before and right now I'm probably at the worst inbetween stage ever. At 10 months, I used gel and hairspray to sort of slick back all the thickness. I wore it behind my ears. When that inbetween stage passed, I was actually loving my hair for a month or so :-). I never had a stylist before and always used Cost Cutter type places. My cut was so easy that no one could mess it up. Now, I am in need of someone who really knows their stuff. Not sure what I'm going to do. I haven't had a trim or style yet.
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lago...what you say makes complete sense. To be honest, I am pretty sure before BC, I was starting to get some thinning anyway. Jeeze OLD AGE SUX!
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Waiting for hair to grow back is frustrating. A suggestion I'm just gonna throw out is try to distract yourself by concentrating on other kinds of feminine fun. For some reason, these days I'm interested in checking out new moisturizers, make-up and soaps. I plan to go get my face 'done' at a cosmetics counter soon and purchase light foundation, eyeliner, eyebrow pencil and powder. I just bought new moisturizer (haven't used any in months) and some Crest whitestrips. I got a prescription for the Latisse a couple months ago, and bought a new eyelash curler and mascara.
Another thing to look at is jewelry. When my hair was super short, I would spend lots of time looking at earrings. I didn't buy many, but the ones I did get were ones I thought looked especially nice on me. You might like necklaces, bracelets, rings and even fashion scarves to give yourself a boost.
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I know many have mentioned taking biotin (I don't) but I don't know if anyone uses biotin shampoo. This one is a best seller at Amazon, so I thought I'd mention it, altho I haven't used it.
Amazon.com: Avalon Organics: Biotin B Complex Thickening Shampoo, 14 oz: Health & Personal Care
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And then there's this, another best seller at Amazon:
Amazon.com: DS Laboratories Revita Hair Growth Stimulating Shampoo, 180 ml Bottle: Beauty
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Rockym, I look at this thread every day, as I'm sure many of us do. I just went from totally hating the way I look to just hating the way I look at the 9 month mark. I guess I should try to cheer myself up with the fact that I'll have so many different looks as my hair grows back down to where my boobs used to be. I was devastated to lose the quarter inch I did in October. What do you think about thinning it a bit? Or maybe when it gets a little longer it might lay down a little better. And gals, I'm so sorry about complaining about thick hair when you are struggling with thin hair. That must be very difficult. Hugs.
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Herstrong
I think a lot of this super thickness is due to the fact that it's incredibly layered, each hair practically is at a different level of growth. Perhaps if you trim the bottom and got more hair at the same length you would it would be less thick. thinning it seems like it would temporarily help, but, it is going to end up having it layered even more. I am not a hair stylist- I just noticed with my hair,some grew in seven months ago and some is just starting now.
I'm sure a good hairstylist could help you if you can handle losing more length.0 -
herstrong, everyone here is going though different stages. Yes, some are waiting for the first few hairs while others are wondering when to color etc. I think our situation is just another one that everyone will have to deal with sooner or later. I'm sure there are many who have already been where we are, but may not be reading about hair anymore.
I thought about having it thinned a bit, but Nkb is probably right in that it is layered hair growing out. Mine is also straight coming from the scalp for the first 4 inches and then underneath and at the bottom I have loose curls. The curls were great at first since it gave my hair body and a style, but now there are two hairstyles going on. Perhaps just trimming some of the curl off would help. I wish I had a good stylist. This isn't a job for Super Cuts :-).0 -
herstrong.....I have the same problem as you regarding the thickness. I had super thick hair before chemo and now it's coming back thick and curly. I have a hard time controlling it and have to use gel to define the curl a bit or it looks like a bad Elvis wig. My husband told me one morning that if it was red, I'd look like Ronald McDonald....lol. It's not long enough to use headbands or clips yet. I don't want to get it cut because I'm trying to grow it longer. I am afraid to get it thinned out, too.
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Since chemo, I've had my daughter help me apply a color a couple times now. I've always gone to the same stylist since I was 13, and that was the first time I've ever done color at home. It turned out a bit on the red side and I've highlighted my hair blond ever since it started darkening up when I was about 30. My avatar is my pre-chemo hair. I just went to her couple days ago and she got my hair back to the color it was before chemo, but just a tad darker. She wanted to clean up the ends in the back, but I just couldn't let her. She said if I give it another month or two, it should be long enough that it will lay down better. I tried applying the bed head stuff after washing it this morning and just letting it air dry, and I'm having a better hair day today. Even the bf said it looks better. Something to the effect that "Yeah. It was f'ed up yesterday." He's such a dork, lol!
Thanks, dude! Anyways, I think I probably shouldn't try the thinning. Thanks!0 -
Herstrong and Rockym - I am right there with you! While I had thick, coarse, curly hair before chemo, it was a nice loopy curl that other ladies have to pay a lot of money to get. Unfortunately, it grew back insanely thick and frizzy. It is also much finer in texture - like sheep's wool. I kept waiting and hoping it would settle down, and could not bring myself to have it cut. Finally, last month - I was one year PFC - I had to face the fact that my hair was not getting longer, just bigger, so I mustered the courage to call for an appointment. I told the stylist that I didn't want to take any length off, but I did want to take out some of the bulk. She trimmed it ever so slightly, but boy did she go to town with the thinning shears, and when she was done, there was a pile of hair on the floor similar to what there was when I had it buzzed at the beginning of chemo. Only this time I still had plenty left on my head! A huge improvement, but it didn't really help with the frizz issue. Last week, I went in for a Brazilian keratin treatment, and all I can say is that I wish I'd done it sooner. My hair still has a slight wave, but is about 90% less frizzy, and much easier to manage. Expensive, but worth every penny!
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schatzi14 I stopped complaining about aging now that I thought I might be facing the alternative. Hell I', a great looking 48 YO… and I'm not even 48
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Thank you everyone, completely forgot about the biotin, and I'm going to ask my oncologist if it's okay to use Rogaine (generic). There are so many risk factors, but the fact is, everyone who drinks red wine and uses Rogaine doesn't get BC. So I'm in that two-years out stage where I'm starting to go a little easier on myself. I drink red wine. It is a joy in my life and travels, and I just can't see not doing it. Being nice looking is also a real joy, and so if Rogaine can help, I may try it. Lago, you and I have met a couple of times in Chicago! Had dinner together ; ) C'est moi....xoxo
You look amazing, and any advice you have about "interventions" I might do to look younger/better are appreciated. I'm thinking about having a lower eyelid lift at some point, I show all my tiredness there. Don't know any good surgeons or laser people in Chi, or have any idea what the cost is...a bit off topic, but in range...
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