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  • lisaj514
    lisaj514 Member Posts: 289
    edited June 2015

    14 months PFC and I love when I need a haircut! Every 5-6 wks now as im keeping it short...and gray! A big difference than pre BC but that's ok. Liking this new look so for those of you coming in gray, it's not that bad. Learn to use styling tools lol. I never did before and just always left it curly but now it looks better styled straighter in front. For those if you with new curls the trick is lots of conditioner a good curly hair gel and let it dry naturally if you want a curly look, dont touch it, don't comb or brush it or it will get frizzy. Also use products, conditioner and gel for curly hair. Mine are soft curls when I don't use a curling iron. mine came in white gray that looks cool most of the time. I was so hair obsessed and my hair took 6-7 wks to start really growing and then it was so slow so patience is needed. Here's before bc, then today right from hair dresser with it straighter and then curly, air dry fingering it only

    image

    image

    You all look beautiful, short hair, long hair, "wigged" hair, brown,gray,curly, straight hair and also bald bold and beautiful! It's so great when it starts coming in and the wig or scarves or hats can come off. Short hair looks awesome. It shows whatever great features you have eyes, smile, skin, cheekbones even cute ears and you can show off great earrings now! Be strong, be confident!

  • Charlotte57
    Charlotte57 Member Posts: 6
    edited June 2015

    lisaj514: Love your hair! The shorter hair & color really make your eyes "pop"! Thanks for sharing

  • trvler
    trvler Member Posts: 931
    edited June 2015

    I agree with Charlotte! You look great!

    I don't have enough gray hair for it to look good like that. Just around my temples and on top.

  • pennsygal
    pennsygal Member Posts: 264
    edited June 2015

    Your curls are perfect! Gorgeous!!

  • Nomatterwhat
    Nomatterwhat Member Posts: 210
    edited June 2015

    Lisa, I love those tight curls and the gray is my kinda color!!!!!!  You look great!!!!


     

  • Sjacobs146
    Sjacobs146 Member Posts: 155
    edited June 2015

    Trvler, I am taking Biotin. Not sure how much good it's doing...

  • JenPaw
    JenPaw Member Posts: 3
    edited June 2015

    I finished chemo on May 5th. My hair started coming back after AC but during Taxol. It's grey and white! It used to be brown. It's still very short but I want to color it. It's still very thin and patchy on top, but I thought I could wear a wide headband over the top and let the back show. It's summer and getting too hot for the scarves I wear. Anyway, I've read that some women have had their hair turn orange because of the chemicals in the post chemo hair. If I use a semi permanent dye, will this be the case? Can anyone tell me what to use since I'm only 1 1/2 months out from chemo? Also, does herceptin interfere with hair

  • trvler
    trvler Member Posts: 931
    edited June 2015

    How many mcg's of biotin do you ladies take?

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,359
    edited June 2015

    Tryler - I take 5000 mcg Biotin per day. Interesting that a friend who has never had cancer was just told by her dermatologist to take Biotin for her nails.

    JenPaw - yes, as a rule Herceptin slows the hair growth. Someone else will likely chime in about the color since I've decided not to mess w/mine until one year after all treatment.

  • PMR53
    PMR53 Member Posts: 185
    edited June 2015

    JenPaw

    I am 13 weeks PFC. I colored with Color Preference Demi color from Sally's beauty supply. Super easy and it turned our great. No Greys just brown all over. No ammonia and washes out after 28 washes.i take 10000 mg biotin a day.

    PMR53

  • JenPaw
    JenPaw Member Posts: 3
    edited June 2015

    PMR53 Ok I tried it! My hair was once a medium dark brown, but after chemo it came back grey and white. I tried the one from Sally's and it worked out well. I'm only 42 and I just couldn't deal with how much this aged me. I know most people wait longer to color.

    Anyone else have their hair come in really thin just on top? It's like I have male pattern baldness and it is really patchy. Last chemo was only 6 weeks ago, although my hair started coming back after AC but I was still doing Taxol. I guess I shouldn't expect too much yet??

    image

  • MJS1266
    MJS1266 Member Posts: 159
    edited June 2015

    JenPaw,

    It looks like you have a lot of hair for 6 weeks PFC and a good length. I am 15 weeks PFC and still don't have the length but it has filled in on top. I'm sure yours will fill in more on the top over the next few weeks. Mine came back opposite the way I lost it. I lost the hair on top first and it came back last. I am giving myself another two weeks before I go to the hair dresser and have it colored and shaped a bit especially around the ears. Good Luck, MJ

  • Chloesmom
    Chloesmom Member Posts: 626
    edited June 2015

    image

    image

    I'm 9 weeks out. The top was the last to fall out. Had shiny sides and stubble on top for the first 6 weeks of chemo. Now the sides came in first and the top following. The darker hairs are taking longer then the white ones

  • Chloesmom
    Chloesmom Member Posts: 626
    edited June 2015

    This was my buzz getting ready for the chemo the beginning of Feb. Hoping to look like that soon! image

  • PMR53
    PMR53 Member Posts: 185
    edited June 2015

    JenPaw

    Good job!! It looks great. Was that medium golden Brown? I really like the color. I think you are doing well for 6 weeks PFC. I am 13 weeks and I think you have more. I am doing Herceptin every 3 weeks though. Taking Biotin too

    ChloesMom- thanks for posting those pictures!! so glad your getting some growth!! I was so traumatized by the fall out I can't remember what part fell out first. Mine is growing in thick but not long.

    What a process. I miss my hair

  • JenPaw
    JenPaw Member Posts: 3
    edited June 2015

    Chloesmom I'm glad, and sorry, that I'm not the only one with sparse hair on top. Hopefully we'll both have it coming in better on top soon!

    PMR53 I started Herceptin and Perjeta in February. I've been off since May 5th for my surgery. I start them both up again on Tuesday and will be getting them every 3 weeks for a year. I guess I just need to accept that I may have very thin hair until all of that is over. Do you feel the biotin helps? Maybe I should try it

  • Chloesmom
    Chloesmom Member Posts: 626
    edited June 2015

    I am taking it but not sure if it helps. The scalp show through the white hair more and makes it look thinner still! Just the same I've given up on hiding it and if it isn't sunny out I'm going out au natural. Otherwise wear a ball cap to protect my scalp from the sun.

  • PMR53
    PMR53 Member Posts: 185
    edited June 2015

    JenPaw,

    I think Biotin does help. I take 2 a morning. I buy it from Costco.

    PMR53

  • PMR53
    PMR53 Member Posts: 185
    edited June 2015

    JenPaw,

    I think Biotin does help. I take 2 a morning. I buy it from Costco.

    PMR53

  • anothernycgirl
    anothernycgirl Member Posts: 821
    edited June 2015

    Has anyone found that their hair thinned after surgery/anesthesia?

    I thought that my hair was slow but filling in, but I think it 'retreated' after my last procedure a month ago.

    Your photos have been so encouraging, but I am 9 months pfc and still have very thin hair on top. Scared The back is thicker and darker, but top is thin, short and grey. I havent colored it back to my usual brown because the scalp will show through even more then.

    Do I just buy minoxidal? Or go to dermatologist?

    I am already taking biotin, although I was off of it for a couple of weeks because of surgery.

    Suggestions?

    Thanks!


  • pennsygal
    pennsygal Member Posts: 264
    edited June 2015

    AnotherNYCGirl - my dermatologist once told me that anesthesia can cause hair loss, and that it will come back. Maybe give yours a call? I'm not sure if they treat it.

  • anothernycgirl
    anothernycgirl Member Posts: 821
    edited June 2015

    Thanks Penny and BB!

  • trvler
    trvler Member Posts: 931
    edited June 2015

    Were you taking Rogaine DURING or after chemo?

  • darumama
    darumama Member Posts: 11
    edited June 2015

    AnotherNYCgal: Years ago I saw a dermatologist who specializes in hair loss. I was severely anemic. He had me on men's minoxidil 2x per day, biotin, and L-Lysine (I'm afraid I don't remember what that's supped to do). I also had to take iron pills. After chemo I would imagine red blood counts could still be recovering. This might impact your hair. And has already been mentioned, anesthesia can impact hair as well. My hair came in dark and curly, and looked a little weird for about a year, but eventually looked normal again.

    Now that I'm dealing with a bald head and not just thinning hair, I'm not sure I want to hop on the minoxidil bandwagon just yet. It only promises hair growth while you use it. I used it for 8 years before I had my dx. I'm kind of curious what my hair can do without help. Men's minoxidil also has a lot of warnings for women on it. My dermatologist told me not to read them unless I wanted to scare myself. However, in light of the fact I've had some drugs that are pretty toxic to the heart and will soon be on ovarian suppression, I'm not as cavalier as I used to be. You might want to visit the dermatologist and have them do some blood work before you start.

    Don't know what part of NYC you're in, but I travelled from Eastern LI to see my doc, Dr. Daly in Garden City.

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    edited June 2015

    Trvler I was/am using Minoxidil before and after chemo… but not during. At one point my oncologist asked me if I was still using it. I said "why, it would be just a waste of money. My hair is going to fall out anyway." She said she was going to tell me that.

    Loopy

  • anothernycgirl
    anothernycgirl Member Posts: 821
    edited June 2015

    Thank you, Daru! I appreciate the information!

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    edited June 2015

    Check with your MD and pharmacist about L-Lysine. It can increase your Calcium absorption. If you are taking a supplement this is not a good idea. I know it can be used to prevent and treat cold sores. I have tried it but when I do take it I don't take my calcium supplement.

  • CassieCat
    CassieCat Member Posts: 863
    edited June 2015

    I'm 6 months PFC and my hair is still not growing very fast, but it's definitely growing. It's got a bit of a wave to it, so I ordered a narrow flat iron and am hoping that will help it seem a little longer. It's very thick and still not really lying down flat on top! Very dark brown too, with about the same amount of gray as before chemo. I've got 3 more Herceptins left and am hoping the hair growth will ramp up once that's done!

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    edited June 2015

    Cassie Herceptin does slow hair growth. My texture and shine started to come back after about a year but my hair does grow fast. If you have growth then you're OK. You are just taking a bit more time.

  • windgirl
    windgirl Member Posts: 208
    edited July 2015

    mini flat iron is my best friend! I got a mini curling one too but use more the flat. Watching a bunch of ladies on YouTube and how to do Halle berry hair tutorials here's what I do now:

    After washing hair I generously put foaming wrapping lotion and comb it down (making my part) with a fine tooth comb. This makes the hair slick and straight. Then I put a mesh wrap and dry it (just leave to air dry if I have time) when u take the wrap off the hair will be much straighter and will not have any u volume and nothing will be sticking up. Then I go over it with the mini flat iron and shape it the way I want . Because the hair is already straight u just have to go over it with the flat iron once to give more shape like fluff up the front. If u prefer u can leave it like that. I do use a heat spray to protect the hair before ironing (which I never used to do before but this is chemo hair). The next steps I put some texturizing balm and hairspray only because I live in the very humid Miami weather. The foam wrap part is the real key thing and a life saver. I use proclaim foam wrapping lotion. This keeps it good for 3 days, I just touch up with flat iron, and then wash and do the routine again third day. If u are interested YouTube it, there are a lot of videos or I can post a link. It's easy and makes a huge difference at least for my unruly frizzy hair in humid weather :)

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