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  • momine
    momine Posts: 2,845
    edited January 2012

    LOL, robo, I am right along with you, 22 days out and really pining for some hair at this point.

  • FLwarrior
    FLwarrior Posts: 614
    edited January 2012

    bhd1, I  wore my wig in surgery, they just put the scrub hat over the wig the same way they would over someones hair.  There was no problem with it.  I was surprised, but very pleased. 

  • Baileybump
    Baileybump Posts: 8
    edited January 2012

    Question for those of you who have some stubble left (I'm one week passed treatment #2), does your head hurt?  I wear my wig to work and usually take it off as soon as I get home.  The top of my head HURTS and is so sensitive.  It almost feels burnt or scalded.  A survivor friend of mine said when it all falls out, it should feel better.  I can't believe I'm actually going to say this, but now I can't WAIT for a totally bald head! Tongue out

  • Joanne58
    Joanne58 Posts: 317
    edited January 2012
    Bailey--I'm sorry your poor head hurts, dang it!  It's pretty normal, though.  My head hurt, too, when my hair fell out.  It got better--less sensitive--when it all came out (still had some stubble), but when my  hair started growing back, my scalp became very tender again and stayed that way until just recently.  I'm 1 yr. past my last chemo.  You'll be OK and get through this phase. Congrats on making it past your 2nd tx!
  • momine
    momine Posts: 2,845
    edited January 2012

    Baileybump, yes, unfortunately it hurts and aches and itches as it falls out. I also have to warn you that it doesn't necessarily ALL fall out, so I had the joy of the itching etc after each treatment. As there was less and less hair, it did slowly itch less, but it is not very pleasant. That is another reason why I never started wearing my wig.

    Mine did finally fall out completely after 4 FEC treatments. Then I had a 7-week chemo break for my surgery, and when I went back to the chemo I had a nice stubble back. That then fell out gradually over the course of 4 taxotere treatments, but never fell out completely.

  • achpurple
    achpurple Posts: 245
    edited January 2012

    My head was so sensitive as my hair started to fall out.  I could even feel when each hair moved on my head - could barely stand laying on my pillow at night, etc.  The day we shaved it off, hubby had to be extra careful of the clippers rubbing against my scalp.  It did get much better once I did that though.  I was finished with chemo in April, 2011 and even every once in a while now it will get sensitive for a few days.  Not as bad as before it fell out, but enough to worry when I wash it that it has decided to leave me again!

  • momine
    momine Posts: 2,845
    edited January 2012

    By the way, when the hair was coming out and ebing itchy and annoying, I would take a dry wash cloth and rub my head over the bath tub. It made a lot of hair come out and reduced the irritation some.

    In happier news, I see eyebrow hairs! Yeah! 

  • LuvRVing
    LuvRVing Posts: 2,409
    edited January 2012

    Another way to get rid of loose hair is a lint roller - the ones that have a roll of "masking" tape.  It worked like a charm to capture the loose hair.  When I was shedding, I used it every morning after my shower.

    The good news is my hair is long enough that I can use a small brush on it...the bad news is that it sticks straight up after I wash it...lol.  I'm using some curl control cream to tame it.  It's heading in a very, very curly direction!!!

  • bak94
    bak94 Posts: 652
    edited January 2012

    I still have a bald spot front and center. I think I am about 10 or 11 weeks out (need to recount). My hair stands straight up and is still very see through, or thin.

  • Wendyspet
    Wendyspet Posts: 103
    edited January 2012

    I had a spot that was slow to grow--right front and center.  The back of my head by my neck is making up for it!  I am 15 weeks out and looking in the mirror every day for some kind of bangs--anything, please...  This seems like it is taking forever.  arrgh.

    My "hair" is straight, and gray and white.  No curls for me.

  • cdairth
    cdairth Posts: 63
    edited January 2012

    Wendyspet, your hair sounds exactly like mine, 16 weeks out. I've decided not to pay attention to my hair for at least one week. Doubt if I can do it though.



    C

  • ladym13
    ladym13 Posts: 107
    edited January 2012

    Kathy,

    Thanks...I have been getting my hair done at the salon since about 3-4 inches long. My stylist always blowdrys my hair stretching it and then finishes with the flat iron. I get it done once or twice a week and it lasts me, I find it VERY hard to do myself because it's SO thick and curly.

    I also STILL use nioxin, I have used it before I was diagnosed, used it throughout treatment (even cleaned my bald head with it) and I still use it now, I swear by it, I LOVE nioxin and the way it makes my hair look.

  • shore1
    shore1 Posts: 591
    edited January 2012

    Hi Ladym, which type of nioxin do you use? Im looking on line & see a few different varieties. Thanks.

  • Baileybump
    Baileybump Posts: 8
    edited January 2012

    Thank you for the input, ladies!  Do you think I should start using Nioxin now, or when I'm finished with my treatments?

  • ladym13
    ladym13 Posts: 107
    edited January 2012

    Shore1- I use the one for regular hair now, but when I was bald and when it was growing back I used the thinning formula one.

    Baileybump- use it now and through treatment, I also used the scalp treatment on my head the whole time I was bald....it stimulates the scalp

  • mkw1
    mkw1 Posts: 102
    edited January 2012

    Ladies: Does anyone know when is it safe to color the hair after chemo?

    I understand that Loving Care hair coloring has been discontinued. Do you know of anything else that one can use  four months after last chemo treatment? 

  • racy
    racy Posts: 976
    edited January 2012

    Quick question: does anyone have any experience with in salon chemical hair straightening!?

  • racy
    racy Posts: 976
    edited January 2012

    Quick question: does anyone have any experience with in salon chemical hair straightening!?

  • pumela115
    pumela115 Posts: 48
    edited January 2012

    Racy, I chemically relaxed my hair for years before BC. Ask away!



    Pam

  • Kazzie61
    Kazzie61 Posts: 418
    edited January 2012

    Racy...I chemically straightened my hair pre cancer & while I was very happy with it at first as time went on I felt like my hair had been ' cooked', it was very dry & not healthy looking! It's the same chemicals used for a perm. Personally I wouldn't do it again but everyone is different & maybe my hair just wasn't suited to the procedure..

    Karen

  • racy
    racy Posts: 976
    edited January 2012

    Thanks ladies. As you may know, I have hair extensions but some of the chemo curls are poking through from underneath and ruining the effect. I am only looking at taming the curls until they settle down. I don't have the patience or skill to work on them every day at home.



    I will see my hairdresser tomorrow. If it costs hundreds I won't do it.

  • shelley2011
    shelley2011 Posts: 31
    edited January 2012

    mkw1, the chemo nurses told me it was safe to color 6 wks pfc!  Like I had anything to color at that point!

    I am also using Nioxin plus I am taking Biotin every day.  Hair is returning but still doesn't completely cover my scalp.  I have a mole just into hairline right above right forehead so my goal is that as soon as that is hidden by hair I will go topless.  I try to not fixate on it, but have created a habit of running the palm of my hand over my entire head because it feels good, and because I can guage the growth that way.

    On the upside, I will be SHAVING MY LEGS in the shower today!

  • LuvRVing
    LuvRVing Posts: 2,409
    edited January 2012

    Mkw1 - I'm 14 weeks PFC and I have colored my hair 3 times!  I was lucky enough to have a bit of hair at 3 weeks but it was white, so I did it at 4 weeks, 8 weeks and 13 weeks.  I'm using L'Oreal - a product that lasts through 28 shampoos.

  • kennylynne
    kennylynne Posts: 75
    edited January 2012

    Ladym13

    Where do you get Nioxin??? See you are from Ontario so was wondering where you find it, I have never heard about it until I had BC. Thanks

  • lago
    lago Posts: 11,653
    edited January 2012

    mkw1 my onc told me I could color my hair  when ever I wanted.
    Final chemo tx was 1.18.2011
    Went topless 1st time 4.19.2011
    Had hair colored (professionally) 4.20.2011

    My hair was dark brown with some gray. It came in black with a lot more gray especially on the sides. I looked terrible with that color hair so I dyed it ASAP.

  • shore1
    shore1 Posts: 591
    edited January 2012

    Im comparing ingredients in nioxin & Phyto shampoo. Does anyone think the parabens in nioxin are anything to be concerned about? Im starting to notice parabens in practically everything! The Phyto, on the other hand, has no parabens but has soy in it. I know eating soy is bad, but could it do any harm as a shampoo ingredient? Thanks for any thoughts/experience with this.

  • lago
    lago Posts: 11,653
    edited January 2012

    Soy is not bad. They really don't know what the deal is with soy. Processed soy I have read is bad but everything processed is crap so that's no surprise. I'm not saying change your diet to be high in soy but the amounts in most foods is small. Even your suppliments have some soy. I would discuss this with your onc.

    Same goes with parabens.  They haven't found any direct  links to breast cancer and parabens. They have low concentrations of them in breast cancer tumors. Also "Parabens have also displayed the ability to slightly mimic estrogen (a hormone known to play a role in the development of breast cancer" I think you really need to see how much you are really are exposed to. In most products its very minimal. Again I would discuss this with your onc.

    Personally I feel car exhaust and 2nd hand smoke are more important to avoid. (I live in a city so that is a bit more challenging than you think. I cross the street or pick up my pace just to not be downstream from a smoker).

  • Kay_G
    Kay_G Posts: 1,914
    edited January 2012

    Lago, I do the same thing with second hand smoke and car fumes. I hold my breath when I am passing a smoker and then take a big breath once I get by. I have been doing that for years.

  • ladym13
    ladym13 Posts: 107
    edited January 2012

    Kennylynne- Most salons carry it, I get mine from my hair stylist, but I think you can also find it at Trade Secrets.

  • reesefoggy
    reesefoggy Posts: 24
    edited January 2012

    I just wear hats and have lots of them!

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