Come join others currently navigating treatment in our weekly Zoom Meetup! Register here: Tuesdays, 1pm ET.
Take our poll: Caregivers, what do you find most difficult about caregiving?
Weigh in: What are the best and worst gifts for people with breast cancer?

Hair Hair Hair - Another question

1…848849851853854…864

Comments

  • cbk
    cbk Member Posts: 323
    edited July 2018

    Mudd what I meant to convey is yes!! It poked thru my wigs and I started dying my hair, and still wear wigs 2 months later- 71/2 months Post Chemo.


    I actually have great respect for those that have such confidence to sport bald and incomplete lids. When chemo took my hair, I retreated.

    I’m just starting to go out and sport my curly chemo lid!! In public protected forums.

  • lovepugs77
    lovepugs77 Member Posts: 108
    edited July 2018

    I finished chemo Aug 24 and ditched the wig in early November when it looked like I had a buzz cut.


  • mudd
    mudd Member Posts: 27
    edited July 2018

    Thanks so much for your responses. My hair is much shorter than yours and curlier but that might be because of the length. I'm jealous of all that hair!! The sides are starting to stick out the wig a little and although my wigs have bangs I have to be careful at the hairline because that's also starting to show I'm afraid to color it yet . I think if it were straighter I could get away with the black and white dalmatian look but right now it just looks like a dirty cotton ball so I guess I have to try wearing a wig cap underneath but that doesn't help the sides. I guess after what we've all been through its time to focus on the minutia. I'm thankful to have any hair plus letrozole supposedly causes hair thinning.

  • cbk
    cbk Member Posts: 323
    edited August 2018

    Mudd

    Are you wearing a stocking wig cap?? That will definitely work to capture any crazy chemo curls poking out under wig. I had same problem with bangs. I wear wig bangs.

    Yes we are soooo grateful to have hair!! So grateful. I wish you no thinning on Femora!! Not everyone experiences it.

    Best!!

  • mudd
    mudd Member Posts: 27
    edited August 2018

    Thanks for your response. Its too hot to wear the stocking wig cap under the wig and that still doesn't help with the sides. Think sheep poodle mix texture hair! My next obsession is what to do about my license renewal photo - wig or not?? I guess its easier to distract ourselves after all we've been through worrying about our crazy hair rather than the myriad of fears that are still lurking in the background.

  • debal
    debal Member Posts: 600
    edited August 2018

    Mudd, license pic? That's a tough one.!! You guys will laugh at me. Last chemo was June 2 and I ditched the scarves 2 days ago. Only wore my wig about 4 times. Its 90 degrees and humid. I'm over it. I'll post a pic soon once I take the time to fix my missing eyebrow. We are all different. I'm sure once it grows out but I dont yet have a style that will put me in a pickle. Thankful my head is covered with hair.. hope everyone is feeling well!

  • cbk
    cbk Member Posts: 323
    edited August 2018

    Mudd- stocking fishnet cap? Are you sure? Believe me, wig or not to is my ?


  • LibbyLouWho18
    LibbyLouWho18 Member Posts: 37
    edited August 2018

    Anyone willing to try this look?????

    Found online and it made me giggle.

    Happyimage

  • ingerp
    ingerp Member Posts: 1,515
    edited August 2018

    My MIL's hair always looked a little leopard-like to me, although not that severe! She just did a home frosting thing (and always has really short hair) that made it looked a little spotted. She's very artistic and cool looking! Mudd--FWIW, I happened to need a new work ID a few weeks ago and there I am in a ball cap for the next three years--oh well. . .

  • Wink22
    Wink22 Member Posts: 23
    edited August 2018

    Hi everyone:)

    I am 2 weeks PFC today, and there is nothing at all happening with my hair. Hoping so hard for nice even regrowth soon, I bought a wig but have only worn it twice, just felt hot, itchy and unnatural to me. It has been winter here in Australia, so just wearing beanies/hats.

    Anyone else just finished chemo?

    Wink xx

  • iz1999
    iz1999 Member Posts: 21
    edited August 2018

    I need advice, finished chemo August 2016, 30 rounds radiation December 2016, my hair grew back so thin and slow, and a few weeks ago my scalp has been so itchy and now my hair is falling when I shampoo my hair I see so much hair on my hand and drain, anyone with a similar experience? Can it be the effect of taxol

  • Mquara
    Mquara Member Posts: 56
    edited August 2018

    Wink22 - Congratulations on being PFC. 2 weeks is too early for anything to be happening with your hair. It takes a few weeks for things to jump start. For me my last chemo was the last week of May (Last year) and about 4.5 weeks later I started seeing sprouts. It was so exciting!

    iz1999 - Are you on any hormone therapy of any kind? That can cause hair thinning. What kind of shampoo are you using? Is it sulphate and paraben free?

  • moth
    moth Member Posts: 3,293
    edited August 2018

    Wink, I finished chemo on July 19. I was doing 12 weekly Taxols at the end and my hair started growing back while I was still getting Taxol. Now almost 3 weeks pfc I have about 0 mm soft fuzz on my head. Eyebrows and eyelashes are just barely starting though.

  • debal
    debal Member Posts: 600
    edited August 2018

    Libby, my hair is about the length in the leopard pic and very dark. Very tempting to try that look. Lol. Ingerp, I get it. I look quite a bit different from my ID badge at work. Everyone is different on the hair growth. With my 4 rounds of TC my hair slowly grew through treatment. I take biotin every other day or so. I will also post a pic of the vitamin I got at Walmart. Just check with your Dr. Its growing in pretty fast. Still missing the middle section of my left eyebrow lol. Crazy. Take care everyone

  • debal
    debal Member Posts: 600
    edited August 2018

    image

  • iz1999
    iz1999 Member Posts: 21
    edited August 2018

    hello Mquara, no hormone therapy or any kind of medication, I use baby shampo

  • misslil
    misslil Member Posts: 229
    edited August 2018

    iz9999, sorry to hear that. I think there are a lot more of us who have lack of results or serious struggles with hair regrowth than are usually visible here. I'm about 19 mos from finishing TCHP, and my hair has never recovered well enough to be seen in public.

    Best wishes.

  • Wink22
    Wink22 Member Posts: 23
    edited August 2018

    Thanks ladies:) I will try to hold off on any expectations of growth for a few more weeks at least!. Mquara, can’t wait to see those sprouts that you mentioned..so much emotional meaning attached to hair growing back. I just want to look like my old self again. We are going on a family holiday next week to Queensland, which is nice and warm at this time of year. Will be good for body and soul.

    iz1999, have you had your thyroid checked? A friend of mine had issues with hair thinning and was found to have thyroid problems that she then could take medication for. Hoping for an answer for you

  • sunnyjay
    sunnyjay Member Posts: 143
    edited August 2018

    Hello all! It's been a while since I posted on this thread and I tjought I'd share my experience. I am about 10 months PFC. During chemo I started shampooing with Nioxin 3, and my hair grew steadily. Once I finished the bottle I didn't buy another, and just started using a sulfate- and paraben- free shampoo. But the growth has slowed down so I'm considering using Nioxin again. Or maybe trying biotin.

    I wore wigs mostly until month 8 PFC and desperately went to a stylist to help with styling tips. She trimmed the length and layered the back to give my hair some shape. The top was still short and since I wanted to grow my hair out my stylist didn't want to touch it. I had this done on the first day of summer, so I told everyone it was my new summer look. ;)

    Very few people know that I went through chemo. I only wore scarves as a casual look on the weekends or when working out. So this new hairstyle was a dramatic change to my everyday look. I wasn't super excited about it but I was so ready to ditch the wigs for summer. I feel like I am always having a bad hair day because I am not good at manipulating the chemo curls. I have watched youtube videos about styling short hair but mine looks nothing like theirs.

    My hair pre-diagnosis was straight, shoulder length or longer, and thick. Now, it's growing in thicker than I expected but is so wavy. I don't know how to style curly hair. I use gel like crazy just to give it a sleek or wet look amd spray the roots at the top to give it some height. When I don't try to style it my hair is all over the place and I feel like Ronald McDonald! Hahaha

    Even though I have this love/hate relationship with my hair, I am just happy it is finally growing in. As much as I want my old hair back, I will probably try a pixier cut since my hair is already short. I have an appointment next week so I'll let you know what I decide to do.

    Iz1999 - My hair falls out a lot... Not the handfuls I was getting during chemo but hairs would fall out during shampooing or just running my fingers through my hair. Pre-diagnosis my hair was prone to falling out when brushing and shampooing, but I can't tell if it's more or less now since my hair is much shorter. I am taking Tamoxifen so that may be why. Hope you find out what's causing yours.

    Before I go, here's me 2 weeks ago... he day after my 47th birthday!

    image

  • Wink22
    Wink22 Member Posts: 23
    edited August 2018

    You look great, sunnyjay!! Happy Birthday:)

  • rambros
    rambros Member Posts: 17
    edited August 2018

    Iz1999 - I had/am having a similar experience. As soon as I hit the 2 year post chemo mark I started noticing that I'd lose some hairs every time I comb my hair. 😢 I barely remember losing a single strand up until that point. I haven't been able to verify it, but part of me wondersif this is just hair on your head getting back on a grow/shed cycle (like your eyebrows do after chemo)? I'm now over 3 years out and I think I shed less than I did a year ago (wishful thinking)?

  • sunnyjay
    sunnyjay Member Posts: 143
    edited August 2018

    Mudd - Have you tried a wig band? I used this under wigs and scarves. I liked it better than the stocking cap because you can put it at the edge of the hairline above the ears and put the wig right over it and hide the growth. I got mine on amazon in dark brown to match the wig color. Just search for "wig grip" and the one I got was from GEX.

  • debal
    debal Member Posts: 600
    edited August 2018

    sunnyjay, thank you for your post and you look beautiful!! I used nioxin thru chemo and I'm 9 weeks PFC and still using. I was wondering what to do when the bottle ran out. I may just continue. Plan to make a quick appt with my hair stylist just to chat at the end of the month. I started biotin a week after I stopped chemo and hair is growing at a good pace for now. So is the hair on my legs unfortunately. Hope you had a great birthday!

  • Lupsters
    Lupsters Member Posts: 1
    edited August 2018

    hello everyone i hope you all are doing well

    This is my first time here i myself dont have cancer but my aunt does she had her boob and part of her underarm cut away she is having chemo and loosing her hair she is really having a bad time dealing with everything as im sure you all have gone thrue this i want to help her alittle by helping her cope with her hair loss but i dont know where to begin can anybody please let me know of a good website to buy a good human hair wig for her i dont know what i need for her so may options , wig caps and clips and glue. And no glue please any advice helps thank you and i will keep all of you in my prayrs thank you

  • hapi2bee
    hapi2bee Member Posts: 7
    edited August 2018

    Sunnyjay, first, you look wonderful.

    Before I had chemo my hair was getting gray, was very thick and straight as a stick. Post chemo it was wavy, thin and more gray. That only lasted for a short while - it was back to more gray, straight but quite thin.

    The biggest mistake I made was having my stylist color it too soon, I guess it would be OK if you like purple, blue and magenta. Poor lady cried. I was never fond of my hair so losing it was great for me, never had a bad hair day without it. I did look like Uncle Fester from the Adams Family TV show with no eyebrows.

  • misslil
    misslil Member Posts: 229
    edited August 2018

    Lupsters, you may want to call a local cancer center and see what they can recommend locally. There may be a nearby program with knowledgeable personnel who can help. There is also a program called Look Good, Feel Better that may be of interest, and is free. http://lookgoodfeelbetter.org/

  • Paintersdream
    Paintersdream Member Posts: 5
    edited August 2018

    Thank you for your post. Your hair looks fantastic. I have advanced ILC stage 3 with 15 lymph nodes positive for cancer. Scary news to have to take on. I start my chemo on August 30. AC every two weeks for 4 cycles and then taxol for 12 weeks more (weekly). I was told I would definitely lose my hair. I am now shopping online for wigs. I went to a cancer wig shop--they only had synthetic wigs and only a few styles but they all looked so fake to me. I sat out in the parking lot and had a good cry.

    I'm so thankful for all those who tell their stories on this site. It gives me strength to get through this. God Bless and keep you well.

  • Paintersdream
    Paintersdream Member Posts: 5
    edited August 2018

    Thank you for sharing. It gives me hope as I start chemo on 8/30 for 20 weeks, then radiation, then hormone therapy. It feels endless but I am strong and with Jesus I will get through this!

  • Paintersdream
    Paintersdream Member Posts: 5
    edited August 2018

    I have lived with curly hair all my life. Embrace your curls. You can calm the curls down by using Brazilian Blow Out products. I love the Brazilian Blowout Smoothing Serum it is my favorite. If you have enough hair on top, only straighten with your blow dryer the top bangs. Do this using a found brush. Do your bang area after you have let you curls naturally dry. Right after showering do not towel dry your hair. Keeping the hair very wet use the Brazilian Blowout serum mixed with any good quality curling cream (I like Curving Curl Taming Cream by L'Oreal). Do this while your hair is very wet. Very wet hair drags the curls down making them gentler curls. Crunch your curls in place by raking and shaking them with your fingers, and once they are where you want them DO NOT TOUCH THEM.

    image

    Let your curls Air Dry or use a hairdryer diffuser. Then only straighten with your hair dryer and round brush the top front inch of your bangs. Place the round brush like a big roller at the top of your head going up to the back. Finger blend them back and shake your curls out with your fingers.

    There are many You Tube videos you can watch. The biggest mistake people make with curly hair is not allowing the curls to set and dry. Do not comb or brush the curls out--if you do they get wild big bushy hair.

    Hope this helps. I start chemo on 8/30 for 8 weeks of AC and then 12 weeks of Taxol. I am very nervous about losing my hair but I would be more upset at dying of cancer because I love my family far too much and I do not believe God is done with me yet here on this side.

  • sunnyjay
    sunnyjay Member Posts: 143
    edited August 2018

    DebAL, thanks so much! I went to see a stylist at 6 months PFC just to get styling tips. My hair was still really short to do any kind of trimming, but she encouraged me to go without a wig. I still wasn't comfortable without the wig so I walked out of there without the wig, but was so self-conscious the rest of the day that I wore my wig the very next day and for the next 2 months. I still have hair that falls out whenever I just touch my hair so I considered using biotin to strengthen the roots and follicles to reduce the amount of hair falling out. I don't if I heard this from someone or just making it up. LOL

    hapi2bee, Thanks for the compliment! I am still not used to my short hair even though it's been a couple of months now without the wig. I have a bit of gray also, but I'm going to wait until it grows out more before I color it. My hair looks thick, but strands keep falling out, so I'm thinking it will thin out like yours did.

    Lupsters and Paintersdream, if you don't have or like the wigs the cancer center has, find a regular wig store in your area. I was fortunate that a wig shop recently closed and donated a bunch of wigs to the cancer center in my area so I had a bunch to choose from. Pre-chemo, my hair was naturally straight with layers so it seemed to be a common style with the synthetic wigs. I tried a human hair wig, and I didn't like the way it sat on my head. I bought one online at Godiva's Secret Wigs, and it had a nice feel to it and it was very light. They seem to have sales all the time, so you might want to check them out.

    Paintersdream, thanks for the tips on managing the curls. I don't have much patience with air drying, but I will try your method. I have the wild bushy hair right now. It might seem endless when you're starting treatment. I started chemo a year and 1 month ago, and had radiation following. Time has flown and it seems like a distant memory now. The only thing left for me (other than tamoxifen for the next 5 years) is reconstruction which will happen at the end of this year or early next year. So keep the faith, and you'll get through this!


Categories

Join Us on Zoom: Upcoming virtual meetups. Read more...
Give your account some personality! Add a profile photo.