Hair Hair Hair - Another question
Comments
-
pink, - I, too, still rely on top piece or wig if I am going some place that my baseball cap can't be worn.
For me, I think the extremely thin regrowth is the result of 10 years of tamoxifin/femara, then chemo, and also many surgical procedures. My onc recently gave me the name of a dermatologist who specializes in hair issues. I hope to make an appt soon. My current dermo only suggested minoxodil, which I am reluctant to try.
I know there are others here who have tried various other approaches, some with successful outcomes!
0 -
I'm 10 months after finishing TCHP, two months after ending Herceptin. Hair is still way too thin and skimpy but continuing snails-pace progress. Hoping I'm seeing it filling in ever so slowly where for ages it's been very sparse on the top and back. Not close to ditching the wig for work or other public/social events. Perhaps in a few months if there is continued filling in.
i've been trying the 2% minoxidil once a day for a month or so, and Biotin since sometime in the summer. Guessing my anemia levels may have contributed to the poor regrowth. The anemia is not gone, but improved into the mild range vs. the severe/moderate level it was at since a year ago.
0 -
I did 4 doses of AC, and 6 of the Taxol. I have 6 remaining. My question is my hair is starting to come back. I have stubble. Not enough to go without a hat yet but I see it. Looks all gray to me. It's very fine kinda like a feather. I read a few times on earlier post in this forum that some ladies shaved off their hair when it became about an inch long. From what I think remember they did that because they said the regrowth comes in very coarse, looks dry and unhealthy. After shaving it comes back better and healthier. Did any of you shave it off when it started coming back? Not sure if this even makes sense to me. Please advise.
0 -
Susie: When my hair started to grow back, the stubble looked white/clear/translucent. At 2 months PFC, I (finally) started to have noticeable growth and the hair grew with my normal black color. It felt very soft, like animal fur. I didn't feel the need to shave it and I don't think shaving would have done me any good. Right now, at 8 months PFC my hair is, at most 2" long. It's not long enough to trim yet. Color wise it's my natural pre-chemo color, which is black with some random white hairs. I do have chemo curls -- I have soft curls at the back and top, and some wave at the sides and bangs. My hair looks healthy. But it isn't as full as it was pre-chemo -- I have scalp show at the top and front but it's not that noticeable.
I never had hair this short before, but with the curls I kind of like it. (I've used to have shoulder length hair). I'll probably continue to wear it short as long as I have the curls.
0 -
Susie2017,
I kept my hair very short and grew my hair three times.
First time was fine and fuzzy.
Second time was very white and curly.
This time (third) it is silver, fairly thick, and many waves.
All my friends (the real ones who do tell the truth) tell this is the best cut and style I have ever had!
Go figure. I must have looked liked crap before BC.
Coach Vicky
0 -
I didn't shave mine off, mine was as you described, fine and feathery when it started growing back. Within another 2 weeks or so I started to see more of my original color and texture hair growing in. Just my experience and my hair grows fast but I've heard about the same from others.
0 -
Hi, everyone. After a few days of shedding my hair really started to go in earnest today. Time for the buzzcut. And to start wearing the wig. I've had it on for 7 hours now and it's just starting to bother me a bit. I hope it will be okay for a full work day tomorrow. So - introducing my new hair:
Hope everyone has a great week coming up!
0 -
Thanks, HapB! I am definitely starving for encouragement right now
Yes, it's human hair (which is freaking me out a little. I've never worn extensions or anything.) The wigmaker did a really good job of blending different colors and having dark roots. It feels nice, too.
That's too bad that you hate your wig. They can be such a big investment. I guess you can't really sell a used wig, can you? I had a little wave of guilt over spending so much on mine, but my friends convinced me it was worth it. I do think it will make me more comfortable than just relying on hats and head wraps.
Have a good week!
0 -
Thanks so much, HapB. I need to hear that right now.
Yes, I went into the wigmaker and she spent a lot of time with me picking the net color, color for the roots, a few of colors for the length. They took a lot of pictures of my hair and my hairline. It took her about a week to create it. I then went in to have it fitted. At that time they worked on getting the hairline right (it's a lace front.) When it was all done I took it to my regular hair stylist to cut while I had it on.
Now that I'm down to just stubble I think I may go back to have them trim a little over my ears - the lace started to get irritating after a few hours.
0 -
Agatha, you look fabulous! Really, I checked out the pictures before I read your post and I thought it was your "before" hair. Glad you are wore it before debuting at work. Be strong! The first time is the hardest. You got this!
0 -
You look great Agatha! I would have never guessed that was not your actual hair:)
0 -
HapB - Yes. The wigmaker is in NYC - called Helena's Wigs on West 31st St. A lot of people think she's the best wigmaker in town. She does a lot of fashion, advertising and celebs. Here's her instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helenawigs/
T-Sue: Thanks for the kind words. I'll let you know how it goes.
0 -
Agatha: absolutely beautiful
0 -
Agatha,
As someone said I too thought it was a before picture. I bought a human hair one for about 800 and it looks nowhere near as natural on me as your one does on you. As you said, the blend of dark into it makes it really realistic and suits your face.
Its fab,you look great in it.
0 -
agathanyc, wow! Lookin good
Ive only just had 1st AC 3 days ago. It's been really good reading all the posts and also appreciating how different everyone's experience and approach is. I have my plan and so hope it works. Aside from being scared of loosing My hair and my identity / dignity with it, my youngest son has his formal school graduation dinner 16 days post 1st tmt. So I'll either be wearing my temporary hair as my hairdresser calls my wig ( arriving in 7 days) or carefully keeping my current do. I'm using using baby shampoo now and will avoid styling tools and will brush very gently. My human hair eyebrows are at a beauty shop and I have false eyelashes ready so the girls will do my makeup on the day. My wedding day is the only day ive done anything but I just know I need this. My sister in law suggested I get a short style wig once regrowth occurs so I can get used to short, has anyone gone that way
0 -
Binniebin
I buzzed my hair and with cold caps managed to save about 60% of my hair.I use Redkin Cera Fill shampoo to get thickness. I order from AmazonAs for the false eyelashes, I tried them. Did not work and pulled some of my real ones. Younique has a lash building mascara. Pricy but works!Today my hair is still short. I get more compliments (from even strangers) on how it looks. I will keep this cut.Best wishes. Please post a picture with your son so we can all see how amazing you will be!
Coach Vicky
0 -
Agatha, - You look amazing!
Binniebin,- You may not need the eyebrows and lashes for a while, - I think many of us kept ours through most of the treatments, but then lost them for a short time. I did do as you mentioned and got a short wig to wear when my hair started to grow in.
Hope everyone here is feeling well and having a good week!
0 -
Hi, question for you guys. I lost my hair during AC. I’ve done 8 Taxol & 3 carboplatin and I have some stubble. I live in FL where it’s still warm and I’m so over caps & wigs.
Has anybody tried essential oils to get growth moving? I read online that both lavender & rosemary are good for promoting hair growth.
TIA
0 -
Hi,
I finished chemo treatment 6 years ago and stopped tamoxifen at least a year ago. My hain never grew back normally, is very thin and bolding on the top. Did anyone have the same problem? did you find any solutions?
0 -
danielaes and Flynn,
This is what I used:
Use a mixture of:
1 cup coconut oil
1 cup jojoba oil
1/2 cup castor oil.
Apply all over the head and thru the hair at night.
Oil source: Amazon: Jojoba Oil Golden Organic 100% Pure 16 Oz by Dr Adorable
Shampoo: Redken Cerafill Retaliate Shampoo For Advanced Thinning Hair 33.8 oz.
Coach Vicky
0 -
thanks, Coach Vicky!
0 -
hello sweetie I agree that when it starts growing back it does grow fast time does vary. But mine also came back so soft n curly like baby hair. It continued to grow but yrs later as I got older I wear it short but sooo stylish. Hang in there take it from a 23yr Survivor Praise God. Hope n family got me thru.ms Phil idc stage2 0/3 nodes Lmast wear prosthesis chemo 3 months before n after got married then rads 7wks n 5yrs on tamoxifen
0 -
thank you Coachvicky. Did you aldo have a growth back problem?For how long did you have to use it? how soon did you see results?
Thank you msphil, how long did it take for your hair to grow back to normal?
0 -
Danielaes,I only lost about 40% of my hair. I started using this when new growth appeared. I started the shampoo while in chemo. My hair is in good condition but it is not the color, texture, or straightness it was before treatment.Coach Vicky0
-
thank you coachVicky, I will try it!
I wonder if there are out there women who their hair came back really thin in general and extremely thin on top and if ever found a way to have some good regrowth
0 -
danielaes
I think it is all a crap shoot. Everyone reacts differently. There is no way to tell.I finally have good eyelashes. Why now? I just don't know.Coach Vicky0 -
I’m 14 weeks PFC, and my hair is coming in fairly well. There are still some thin patches, but I’m hoping they fill in. My biggest problem is how WHITE I am. I guess this is what happens when you’ve colored your hair for the last 15 years. I have a lot of cowlicks, so it’s hard to tell if it’s going to be curly, but I think it will be. I’d say it’s about 1/2” long, maybe.
I’ve always worn my hair short, and the people at the office didn’t realize I was wearing a wig. So now I have to decide whether to go salt and pepper (and it’s more salt) after no gray the last time everyone but family saw me, or color it like I had been, and figure out how to go gray more naturally. I’ve made an appointment for 12/5, and guess I’ll have decided which way to go by then.
0 -
Lrwells
I had no idea how white my hair was! I was shocked.
I lost only 40% of my hair but everything turned white or silver.
I asked my husband to pull my hair thru a frosting cap. I colored what he pulled thru in a soft black. I used a Clairol box. It was a reverse frosting. I like the effect.
Coach Vicky
0 -
My update with pictures:
Bald as a billiard ball me - only 6 weeks PFC
PFC 15 weeks - hair but thin on top
PFC almost 17 weeks - hair STILL very thin on top (2 pics).... hoping there are people out there that can tell me that hair may still thicken on top & on crown even after 17 weeks!
0 -
Thanks HapB... hoping it will start to fill in the sparse places... I am sending you positive vibes re: your regrowth! It's not bad enough that we are fighting cancer - but to sacrifice our hair post treatment is just too hard...
0
