Hair Hair Hair - Another question
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Keepongoing--you look great! Love those curls. Did you notice the curls as soon as it started growing back or did they come later? I was hoping for some curls but I don't think I'm going to have any. Maybe slight wave but no curls. At least I'm not bald anymore.
Oasis--On Friday I will be 24 weeks pfc. I don't even think my bangs are even an inch long. That was the last of the hair to come back. The back is the longest--about 2 inches, but some of that is hair I did not lose during chemo. There was a line of hair across the back of my head just above the hairline in my neck that did not come out and believe it or not it actually started growing again after chemo was done so that part is longer than the rest. I quit wearing the wig at the end of May. I just couldn't stand it anymore. I get a lot of funny stares too, I avoid anyone I know in the store and yesterday the medical assistant at my MO office didn't even recognize me but at least I'm comfortable now.
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Oasis2016
I go to a female barber. I believe barbers deal better with hair changes such as what we go thru.
Coach Vicky
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it was straight until about 3 months after chemo then started to get a wave and curl.
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Great news KB870!
I think barbers probably deal with cutting hair that has bald spots, slow growth and so forth more than the average beautician would. Mine gave me cut lines and such when I would get buzzed.
Coach Vicky
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I am 13 weeks post chemo. I still have very little hair. Is this normal? I had taxotere for my treatment, so I'm worried.
Thanks,
Cathy
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docmama, - you are terrific in that video! No one would suspect that was not a regular task for you! Also, you and your daughter are adorable!
keepongoing, - great curls! Your hair is nice and thick, too!
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CathyD- I also had texotere and worried about my hair growth. I felt like my hair was growing slower than other peoples, but each week it is getting thicker and I have better coverage now. I cannot see my scalp through the hair. It is still very, very short, kind of like a mans clipper cut. I am at 15 weeks post chemo so I am not very far ahead of you and my family says that it grows and fills in more each week. It will come.
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Cathy: I also had Taxotere. My hair didn't start to grow until 8 weeks PFC. It's growing sloooowly, but it's growing!
I take pictures of my head every 4 weeks. When I compare the pictures, I can really see that it's actually growing. I'm surprised at how much it grows in each 4 week period, even though I feel as though it's not growing.
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Mine did not start to grow until about 10 weeks post Taxotere which worried me too. it hasn't grown very fast and is not as thick as it used to be, but it's there and I have been without a wig since January.
~Heidi
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I'm approaching 7 months from last TCHP treatment (Dec 15). Very slow results compared to most here, but at least it's been improving a little week by week.
Trying to stay hopeful in time it will get to something that's presentable in public, even though I keep pushing back the date when I think that will happen. First I was aiming for spring, and then had to reset my expectations to Memorial Day. Then reluctantly re-calibrated to July. Now I'm not expecting much for another couple of months at best. Which sucks as I won't be able to ditch the wig for summer and it's keeping me from doing certain travel / outdoor things I'd otherwise want to do this summer or (I hope not) into the fall season & holidays.
Have given thought occasionally to calling my stylist, but feels like it would be a waste of her time and embarrassing for me until I have enought for decent coverage and to give her something to work with.
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Well, I have been crying on here lately about my hair being too thin on the sides still and thicker on the top. I am 15 weeks today post chemo. I went and had my hair cleaned up, as the hairdresser said, at the back and around the ears. It was just overgrown wispy hair at the back of the neck, which we all have even before chemo. The hairdresser guy, who I think owned the place, I don't usually go to this place for my hair, but it was close to home and all I needed was it done at the back. Took like 2 minutes, if that. I told the hairdresser, I don't usually have my hair this short, as I sat down, after taking off my ball cap. He said why did you cut it so short then, and I said I didn't, this is just the result of chemo. He was very nice, said it will grow back, and when I left he said no charge, which was really nice. It now looks neater and looks like I had it styled, cut like this, and not just hair that has just grown back. When I say styled, I mean like a man's haircut, when they go to the barbers. I am still putting Rogaine on it at night, and then showering in the morning with Nioxin 1 system. This way my hair isn't frizzy during the day.
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misslil ...I think you'd be surprised at what your stylist might be able to do. Getting the wild frizzies trimmed away really helped me.
Coach Vicky
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I sorry you've been crying and this is rough.
What a kind stylist you found! You must have touched his heart. I think there are lots of nice people who encounter a cancer patient and just want to help.
Coach Vicky
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KB870 ... I hope you called the owner / manager and reported that woman! How awful.
Glad you found a new barber!
Coach Vicky
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Docmama you did a great job!
Myraknits-holy cow, your hair has grown sooo much since the last time I saw a pic.
Seq24- your hair is def getting there...BC is a testament of our patience for sure!
I take biotin every day 10k mcg I certainly think it helps out.
I love all of the pics posted beautiful 💕
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The last couple of days have been interesting hair days for me. The day before yesterday, I was at the art studio and there is no air conditioning and the temps were 107! I left around 5 PM and just looked like a deranged poodle! Yesterday I actually used a 3/4" curling iron to give my hair some body. Someone at the studio actually asked if it was my own hair and commented how thick it is. (She's been on vacation for 2 1/2 weeks. Frequently we think our hair isn't improving, growing getting thicker when we're looking at it day after day. I still recommend taking regular pictures (just for your own sake) and then go back and see the changes. I'm now 8 1/2 months PFC. Still not at all happy with the speed of growth, but the hair has definitely grown. I'm only about 3-4 weeks going 100% without my wig.
Do whatever it is that makes you feel good about yourself and makes you feel comfortable. It's hard enough dealing with all the other crap with bc, and I resented people who said "Why are you still wearing that wig?" Our appearance is very personal, and I support doing whatever makes YOU feel good. I tried Rogaine, but also quit after a few weeks. Have used Nioxin since I finished chemo and still use it. Also use the Nioxin Night Density and take Biotin. We're all different, and our hair grows at equally different rates. Hang in everyone. We're all here to support each other! Here's a comparison: The first pic is 6 weeks PFC, the second was yesterday.
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Impressive change! And you are right. We don't seem to notice the change as much on ourselves.
~heidi
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www.irestorelaser.com.
. I just ordered this and should have it next week. I'm hopeful but realistic, I know it works I just don't know if it will work for me. I will keep you updated. Fingers crossed!0 -
misslil ...I think you'd be surprised at what your stylist might be able to do. Getting the wild frizzies trimmed away really helped me.
Coach Vicky
thanks Vicky for comment. It's weird but the frizzies, fluff, and random long pieces are my main consolation until it really starts to fill in more respectably.
While the pieces that have been growing are an inch plus on top, overall it is way too sparse to wear in public on the top and down partway in the back past the crown area. The only hairstyle I can think that might be managed would be either an inverted mohawk, or maybe like that boss on Dilbert (?) with the spikes on either side of his bald top lol.
yeah, this guy --> https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/fb/Pointy-Haired_Boss.jpg
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Thanks!
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I started using the Nioxen this past weekend (shampoo, conditioner, scalp treatment) after reading some of these posts. My hair definitely looks fuller to me so I am happy with that that. If it helps it grow a little more, then that's even better. :-) Thus far I am using it daily as prior to the use of Nioxen my hair would go extremely flat the next day if it was not washed. i think I will see this weekend how it looks after not washing it for a day.
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I'm almost 5 months and 2 weeks PFC, at the back of my head, there's a patch which is quite thin and I can still feel stubbles. They are there for a long time i think. I wonder will they grow longer. Anyone still having stubbles 5 months out?
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anyone take biotin post chemo? If so, which brand/type?
I am 3 weeks PFC and I am not sure if I am having hair growth.
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Michela, yes, I started right after chemo once my MO said it was OK. Am still taking it. I just use a Nature brand that tastes really good as you dissolve it on your tongue. I just get them at the drugstore.
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DaraB - what does the package look like? I've been unsure of what or which to take. My MO said no multivitamin but biotin is fine.
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Somewhere I read on here, someone saying that colouring your hair prevents proper hair growth? Does anyone have any input on this. I'm finding it hard waiting for the hair to grow. 4 months out and it is really short and still thin on the sides. It is not growing anywhere as quick as before chemo. I am so sick of this. I was thinking of getting my regular hair stylist to properly colour what I do have there. I just don't want it stunting my growth any more than it already is.
I already have bottle coloured it twice, once at about 4-6 weeks post with dark brown and about 3 weeks ago, with a lighter blonde, that didn't turn blonde at all. I think I did notice my hair not growing as fast as before the first colouring. Or I am making too much of that? Not sure.
And yes, I am taking biotin post chemo. And I can't say whether or not it is helping. I'm sure it isn't hurting it though.
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Drained--I've had my colored my hair twice since I finished chemo at the end of January. I will have my 3rd appt next week. My MO told me at 7 weeks that I could color whenever I wanted but to have it done professionally. I did not notice that it slowed the growth, nor did it grow faster. It's so frustrating with the speed that hair grows. Never fast enough. We don't realize how much we appreciate our hair until we don't have it. Good luck to you. Post some photos of your hair if you feel comfortable. We all love to see everyone's progress.
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MeToo - I read about those caps, let us know if it works. I love looking at the hair pictures, its a great to know that 'Yes! your hair will grow' . In the beginning I checked my head every time I passed a mirror, I was paranoid because I had Taxotere, but it is growing and I am still getting Herceptin and wondering if that slows down the growth at all. Most of the time I stay positive because it is growing even if it is slow.
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Hello, HapB. Many of us use Nioxin System 2 to encourage growth. I have also heard that Black Castor Oil helps as well. People of all ages have found success with these products. Are you taking Biotin? Many of us also use that to encourage healthy hair and to deal with brittle nails. I take 5000 mcg of biotin each day, and it has really helped to keep things from being brittle. Since you haven't lost all of your hair to chemo, Biotin might be the best place for you to start.
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I used Moroccan Oil in my hair before cancer. It made my hair shiny, but it was not wet or greasy to the touch. To be fair, my hair was always rather dry so the oil just soaked right in. I'm currently waiting for my hair to grow out and am using coconut oil instead. If you've got coconut oil in your pantry, try it tomorrow. It does a better job of being absorbed by skin and hair than olive oil.
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