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Hair Hair Hair - Another question

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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Member Posts: 942
    edited July 2013

    When mine got like that I buzzed it with my husbands beard trimmers. I figured it couldn't hurt to get rid of what was left of chemo stubble.



    Paula

  • spookiesmom
    spookiesmom Member Posts: 8,178
    edited July 2013

    I was soooooo happy to have hair I left it alone. I hated my wig and hat. And the small amount helps prevent sunburn.



    Now there seems to be more coming in under the wispy stuff, and it's falling out

  • insideoutgraphics
    insideoutgraphics Member Posts: 1
    edited July 2013

    I'm new here.And though Chemo ended just over a year ago,and my hair has grown back,the color is a mousey brown,actually it looked almost black when it first began to fall out during chemo.It was strange,being as I've had blonde natural hair all my life.Yes it darkened as I became older,but I was still blonde.And I did add highlights.



    Then chemo ended,chemo curls grew in almost black,to now the mousey brown.I tried a small area of Loreal,and it did nothing.I even resorted to cheap Sun In.Still nothing.

    I only had a few grey hairs prior to chemo,and that seems to be the same in post chemo hair,so grey isn't the issue as much as my hair refuses to be dyed or lightened. Very strange and frustrating.

    Anyone else have a similar problem?

    Thanks,

  • Lmimp64
    Lmimp64 Member Posts: 88
    edited July 2013

    I finished in April and my new hair is soooo dark! I added some red highlights to it before, but most was my natural color - light brown. This new dark almost black hair is totally new!

  • NickyJ
    NickyJ Member Posts: 372
    edited July 2013

    I'm the same. I finished chemo in march and my new hair is much, much darker than my original blond. It's growing in nicely though, I use Phytocyane shampoo, recommended by my pharmacist. Don't know how much it helped, but my hair is growing in evenly all over. I had it colored because the dark hair just didn't look right. It didn't take very well the first time, but my hairdresser did it a second time and it worked fine. Just waiting for it to grow a bit longer now!!!

    Nicky

  • WaveWhisperer
    WaveWhisperer Member Posts: 557
    edited July 2013

    Insideout, my problem was different -- hair grew in all gray -- but I couldn't get it to take color w anything I used at home. Suggest you go to a professional colorist/stylist. Mine worked with me until I got back to my old blonde with highlights. It made me geel SO much better!!!!

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    edited July 2013

    I too got very grey after chemo. Went to my professional from the start and found the grey challenging to cover… and still do. Since I wear my hair so short now my stylist cuts my hair first so we can be sure the side burns take the color. We also changed product and color. Much less red now. Red is always a bear to take. My mom is (was) a read head and complains of the issue often.

  • islandmom
    islandmom Member Posts: 131
    edited July 2013

    Insideout most of us have experienced unexpected results from the first hair coloring.  In my case I had spots of different shades.  I went back to the stylist and she colored again.  It looked fine after that.  

    For anyone getting their first hair color it is best to go to a professional, so they can fix it if it does not look good.  After that you should be fine. 

  • Speedy4
    Speedy4 Member Posts: 44
    edited July 2013

    I just finished 6xTCH last week and want to try nioxin to help my hair growth. There are so many to choose from. Any suggestions?

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    edited July 2013

    Speedy4 I went straight for for the women's Minoxidil (generic Walgreen's brand). If you want to use nioxin I would go to a store that sells it so they can explain the process and what you may need. Then go to Marshals or TJMaxx and get it on discount

  • Speedy4
    Speedy4 Member Posts: 44
    edited July 2013

    Thanks, lago!

  • melody46
    melody46 Member Posts: 77
    edited July 2013

    I am using the 3 step nioxin with a 2 on it (for thinning hair) I am 13 weeks out and have a half inch of hair.  I got it on amazon for $20

  • DiZZyMom
    DiZZyMom Member Posts: 96
    edited July 2013

    Hey ladies, I have a couple questions about hair color. I never colored my hair before BC. Well one time, but I hated it. I am 9 weeks PFC and have close to a half ince of dark looking hair. I can't really tell what color it is. For those of you that colored your hair very soon after it came in, is there benefit other than aesthetics to doing that? I also read some of you coloring it very frequently after that. Again, just to keep up with roots? Or is there another reason to color that often? I try to stay as chemical free as possible and avoid the harsh chemicals in hair dye. But if this hair comes in grey, I will definitely be open to coloring it. I can't afford professional hair color every three weeks. So from somebody new to hair re-growth and very ignorant on hair color in general, thanks for sharing your experience and wisdom!

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    edited July 2013

    DiZZyMom I cut and color my hair every 2 weeks because my hair is dark brown but I have a lot more grey since chemo. Many women do highlights and low lights so when the grey comes in it's not as noticeable. Before chemo I would go to the hair dresser every 6 weeks but just touch up the part at week 3. Now that my hair is short my hair dresser charges much less. He doesn't dry my hair so that's $30 right there I don't have to pay.

  • DiZZyMom
    DiZZyMom Member Posts: 96
    edited July 2013

    Thanks Lago. I said earlier in this experience that I didn't care what color my hair came back so long as it came back. But I'm just not ready to go grey! I've had enough of looking like an old man.

  • jayjayc
    jayjayc Member Posts: 31
    edited July 2013

    Fellow Warriors...

    I'm SOOOOOO excited.... on the way back from lunch I rubbed my hand through my new hair (been doing that alot because it's so soft and feels funny).... and then when I looked in a mirror IT NEEDED TO BE COMBED!!!!!!!  OMG it's been almost 4 months PFC and I needed to comb my hair....

    Only you guys will understand how significant that is.....

  • NickyJ
    NickyJ Member Posts: 372
    edited July 2013

    A golden moment, to be sure!!! Here's to plenty of combing, brushing and styling. One things for sure - never again will we moan about bad hair days!!!!

    Nicky

  • iamnancy
    iamnancy Member Posts: 641
    edited July 2013

    jayjayc - exciting!! I try to brush my hair but its too soon..but I love to feel it..I don't know if I'll remember how to style my hair .. LOL

    NickyJ - I hope you are right about not complaining about bad hair days

  • spookiesmom
    spookiesmom Member Posts: 8,178
    edited July 2013

    I was so excited the day a breeze ruffled my hair!



    But then it got chemo curls. And a mind of its own. Now it insists on sticking out in every direction. It's about 3" but I'm ready to buzz it and start over.



    Guess there's no happy medium. At least I don't have to worry about sunburn.

  • Starynights
    Starynights Member Posts: 64
    edited July 2013

    Im almost 3 months out and only have about 1/2 inch fine covering with a few really sparse spots. Did anyone go coverless? Im so tired of the hot wig and scarf in this Florida weather.

  • adagio
    adagio Member Posts: 713
    edited July 2013

    starynights - I had my last chemo on March 1st  so that's about 5 months ago and I have about three quarters of an inch on the sides and about 1 inch at the back. It is quite slow, but I don't feel hairless any more. Once my hair was a quarter to half an inch, I used some hair product in it which made it seem longer and I just made the decision to not wear any more headcovers - it was so liberating!! The biggest shock for me is that my hair has come in snow white - that is taking some time to get used to. Be brave and just do it - it will seem really weird at first but you will quickly get used to it. And my daughter helped me put it in perspective - she said "Mom, don't worry about your hair - everyone is so caught up in how their own hair looks, that they won't even notice yours!"

  • dltnhm
    dltnhm Member Posts: 420
    edited July 2013

    Starynights-

    I never wore a wig. Rarely wore hats. Slather on the sunscreen and go for it. Go for it!!



    I so need to update my avatar. That was last fall.

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    edited July 2013

    Starynights I went topless at 13 weeks. Decided to keep my hair short. You can see in the photos when my hair is dyed. I had my dyed my the day after I went topless. linky

    I only wore my wig 2 times. I wore scarves. Wig was too hot and I did chemo fall/winter in Chicago!

  • spookiesmom
    spookiesmom Member Posts: 8,178
    edited July 2013

    Stars yep I went topless. I'm farther south than you, just waaaaaay too hot for head covers.

  • melody46
    melody46 Member Posts: 77
    edited July 2013

    13 weeks out from chemo no more wig but wearing baseball hats

  • iamnancy
    iamnancy Member Posts: 641
    edited July 2013

    my hair isn't quite 1/2 inch - so soft - if it stays that texture, I'll never be able to fix it.. I am glad to see it growing back but was hoping for the curls so many talk about -so far I do not even see a wave..still wearing a wig and scarf..only go topless at home.

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,422
    edited July 2013

    I still have tx#6 ahead and then a year of Herceptin & Perjeta so I can only dream of hair growth.  But agree with Lago.  It's hot as the blazes in Houston and I've only worn my wig twice in 4 months.  I wear nothing at home, but love "Buffs" when I go out.

  • Pattysmiles
    Pattysmiles Member Posts: 147
    edited July 2013

    MinusTwo, I LOVE my Buffs too!

    I had a cousin send me some headbands, I was thinking, what am I supposed to do with them! I decided to wear one under my buff when I went to the gym...it was awesome, it collected the sweat ! I have also worn them under my buff when I am just running errands on hot days and even though it is an added layer it seems to feel cooler.

    Here is their link http://yogitoes.com/tools-accessories/hband-headbands.

  • encyclias
    encyclias Member Posts: 61
    edited July 2013

    I've been meaning to post this website.  The lady who created it is Rosa from Madrid, Spain.  She contracted breast cancer while doing post-grad work in the UK.  What she had done was have photos taken every week as her hair grew back.  She is now cancer free by a few years and living the good life again. 

    So here it is.  You'll have to go down all the way to the bottom of the webpage to the beginning  and start with her first photos.  Her commentary is also very interesting as she moves forward, week by week.  I referred to Rosa's webpage frequently while waiting for my hair to grow back.

    http://hairgrowthafterchemo.wordpress.com/

    Carol

  • GraceB64
    GraceB64 Member Posts: 1
    edited July 2013

    I have been told 2 different stories about hair regrowth.... one was that it comes in thicker and curlier after chemo (my dream come true as I have fine hair).  The other one is that after a while it goes back to the texture it was before it fell out.  For those of you a few years out from chemo, which one is it?

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