Hair Hair Hair - Another question
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bikenyc... lookin good...
I lost most of my brows about halfway thru chemo but never lost my lashes... I was using brian joseph lash gel... so I guess it worked.. I also used it on my brows, but did not work for those... but I was on vacation in St John when I lost my brows and I wonder if getting wet all day may have played a role.
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I lost every single eyelash and brow as well,,I had probably about 4 of each and lost them all a few weeks post chemo..I had complete brows back about 7 weeks PFC, and when they came back they came back all at once..one day I had a dark skin discoloration and then a couple dsys later full on brows..thicker than before chemo..lashes took longer but were more gradual for me
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Bikenyc - you look great with short hair..you really have the face to pull that off
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I did not lose my eyebrows and eyelashes until 8 weeks PFC. They grew back completely normal about two weeks later.
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Lol supersally and bdavis!
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Hello everyone...the Brian joseph products did not work my eyeylashes and eyebrows fell out two months after dose dense chemo...went to a good wig from the cancer catalotg...also one year out and still using wig becauase your hair grows in so curly I could not do anything with dying or straighting... my hair dresser advised to cut off and try again... just letting you know theTruth, Cath
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jackifp,
It took about six to eight months for it to start to show curl I think. I don't honestly remeber, but it was when my hair was about two inches long. Now its just touches my shoulders and its been growing out since the end of May 2010.
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Carol1948
I am 9 1/2 weeks pfc and I have no new hair. I kept about 10% of my hair and never buzzed it so what I had was 3 or 4 inches long amidst a lot of bald spots. My rad tech convinced me to buzz it last week and it does look better than the old chemo hair. He told me that would stimulate it to grow but then he is bald on top so not sure he knows what he's talking about. I keep hoping for fuzz or anything but nothing yet. I take Biotin and a multi vitamin but so far it hasn't seemed to help.
I guess if something doesn't happen soon I will need to look into buying a wig. I don't think I can keep wearing a ball cap much longer and the family didn't like how scarves or other hats looked on me.
On a happier note I have my last rad boost in 10 hours. Now if I could just get a hair or two .....
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NanaSusie I have read about a few women on this forum that did take an usually long time for their hair to start growing back and one local gal too. 9.5 weeks isn't as long as it feels. Once it starts though it will really take off.0
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NanaSusie, there is a woman who has a series on youtube videos. A wonderful woman from Canada. She is known as "Chem-Ho" (she is a comedian). Her hair took over two monthes PFC to come back. But it did come back! So try to hang in there!
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Thanks everyone for your comments about the brows.
It's funny -- I never really paid that close attention to mine till they were almost gone. Now I seem obsessed! Argh!
Cheers!
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The first time around I lost my eyelashes and eyebrows 2 weeks after my last TAC chemo. My hair started growing back 2 months after my last treatment.
Has anyone used Revital Hair, Lash or Brow??0 -
totally understand martha! I was constantly looking for signs of life in the magnified mirror. Watch for like a 5 oclock shadow and then all of a sudden ... yay!
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Yesterday, when I was in the beauty shop getting a mani, one of the other customers said that massaging primrose oil into the hair would stimulate it's growth. Anybody tried it or heard it?
I am now 10 wks. PFC and I have good coverage, but it is still very short and that salt and pepper stuff. Still wearing the wig to work, etc. but I wear just a ball cap more often. I do admire those who go gray, but it just isn't me (yet). I got so many compliments on my wig color, that it will be my coloring guide, when the time comes.
Tomorrow I am going to get my eyebrows threaded, as they are thick, and need some shaping. Anybody have experience with this?
Jane
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I took the plunge today and colored mine brown and for the moment it's darker. At least it's not gray/white anymore. I'm 10 weeks PFC. Got pretty good coverage in my opinion. But still rather short. My eyelashes are coming back I can put some mascara on them now without making a mess and my brows are back I haven't had to paint them on this week.
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Hey Nanasusie -
I had to laugh at your comment about the rad tech suggesting you shave your head in hopes that it will encourage growth of hair but the guy was bald.
Anyway, I like you never did shave my head during Chemo since I still had enough hair left to show as side burns and the back of my head under a baseball cap. There might be something to what he said. Mine is growing but ever so slowly and I am at 10 weeks PFC. Have faith and it will start growing like crazy.
Has anyone tried Nioxin or the primrose oil like Sweetcorn asked about?0 -
I am 10 weeks and I have been using the Nioxin. I have good coverage, but I cant tell you if it is from the Nioxin or not.
We just have to be patient, I guess, but me like all of you am ready to have my hair back. Thinking of coloring my salt n pepper today.
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ksmatthews--What are you going to use to color it? thanks, jane
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ks mathews -
What Nioxin porducts? Is your hair thin in any areas or the whole head is covered? thanks0 -
What is Nioxin? And when you are talking about dying your white hair are you talking about the peach fuzz stuff?
I am so tired of wearing a head cover!
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Nioxin has methylparaben in it. Read a very scary study about methylparabens and breast cancer - the methylparaben inhibits Tamoxifen and prevents it from working. It also makes healthy breast cells more likely to turn cancerous, if I remember correctly. Very scary stuff. Not worth it. I'm using growth stuff by Jason and John Masters.
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Thanks for the heads up sweetbean. Do you think the Masters stuff works? I have never heard of it.
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My hair is growing in nicely. It's a bit slow because I am doing Herceptin, but it's still coming in. I'm also taking Tamoxifen, which does not appear to be adversely affecting my hair (yay!) I also think women who do surgery after chemo experience slower hair growth (I have a theory!) But now it seems to be growing - I had full coverage at about 5 months PFC - a little later than some people, but still - yay for hair!
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sweetbean - I was using Nioxin as well...till I read your post re the tamoxifen. I am now using Alba organics. Geez, if it's not one thing it's another!
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My Dr told me it was completely safe to use Nioxin. You cannot believe everything you read on the internet.
Anyways, I didn't color today, but still might over the weekend. I am going to do a md. brown since that was my color before chemo. Not sure what I am going to use yet. Just something I find at WalMart. I have a good covering, but I am still not ready to go topless.
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Ladies. I love all the pics and advice you have shared. I've been reading along in anticipation of finishing chemo. In 4 days time I will be PFC
Keep the pics coming. I intend to keep reading along and hope to have some hair to share later this year.0 -
KiwiMum I love you name! My family almost moved to New Zealand back in the early 70's. My dad hated the president.0
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Kiwimum - woohoo on 4 days PFC, my countdown is 5 days! We can have a hair growing race!
Michelle
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I haven't used any hair growth products, had surgery after chemo and my hair is growing and thick.. picture posted back a page or two...... I also didn't re-shave my hair after chemo... just let it go till 10 weeks PFC and got a trim...and a color (professional)
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My last chemo was June 13. I had enough hair throughout the 12 weekly doses to get by and toward the end wore a baseball cap and never lost eyelashes or eyebrows. Two weeks after chemo up to four weeks, I started shedding hair again and lost my eyebrows and lashes. They were already growing in however and grew in literally in a week (at least the eyebrows). Eyelashes were also quick and seem thicker.
Hair is another story. It is 13 weeks, and I have a covering, but that is about it. Top is about an inch but really not filled in well in spots, or so light it doesn't look filled in. Back and sides seem thicker, but are laying very flat to my head. I tried to spike it all with no luck.
Then, I had the brilliant idea I would try a semi-permanent color rinse that washes out in 6-10 washes. Bought a blonde color and promptly turned the top of my head yellow. My husband gets a good laugh out of it. And it is taking much longer than 6-10 washes to go away! I'll be waiting until the end of October for my hair dresser now!
I am also on Herceptin and thought that might slow things down, but I had hoped I would have a couple inches and be able to go without the wig. Hate the thought I might be wearing for another year! I'm not done with Herceptin until next March.
I take biotin, multi, and b12 to help with hair growth. I've also tried Nioxin shampoo and scalp treatment. Not sure I think it does much. Ran across some kind of Hemp creme at the dollar store today that you put on your head and it is supposed to help your hair grow. Forgot to check for methylparabens...I am sure they will probably be there. Smells great!
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