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Hair Hair Hair - Another question

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  • Carrol2
    Carrol2 Posts: 1,477
    edited February 2012

    ok i thought it would be fun to ask what shampoo everyone like both pre-efen chemo and post efen chemo. I jsut got fructis pure and clean and it has no parabens or silicone. seems like a safer thing to use these days than most shampoos out there but not sure what it will do for my hair. I blow dry it every day so want to keep from getting too dry.

    any ideas? 

  • mccrimmon324
    mccrimmon324 Posts: 794
    edited February 2012

    Carrol - prior to chemo I was using salon products.  While not my favorite brand my husband had purchased Nexxus for color treated hair as a stocking stuffer for christmas.  Just opened the bottles when diagnosed.  When I lost my hair during chemo I started using Nioxin, another gift from a friend.  I'm still using it, surprised at how much it lasts when you don't have any hair or just really short hair.  I plan on using permanent hair color again in March and I'll switch back to the Nexxus then.  The Nioxin will then go to my hubby. 

  • mizmarie
    mizmarie Posts: 137
    edited February 2012

    I also was using Nexxus for color treated hair.  I was so happy when I had enough hair to justify using it again.  My hairstylist said I could use a small amount of conditioner and just leave it in to keep the skin moisturized.  It seems to work - I don't have any dandruff flakes....

  • eileenohio
    eileenohio Posts: 268
    edited February 2012

    My hairdresser told me to use Johnson's baby shampoo and the to condition my scalp with my regular conditioner then rinse it off. She said the conditioner will help the scalp from getting to dry.

  • Carrol2
    Carrol2 Posts: 1,477
    edited February 2012

    does nexxus have parabens in it? are any of you concerned about that?

  • mizmarie
    mizmarie Posts: 137
    edited February 2012

    Carrol, I didn't see any listed on the ingredient list.

  • bethcw
    bethcw Posts: 11
    edited February 2012
    I've been using Organix coconut milk shampoo and conditioner.  I also found a store called Lush when I was on vacation recently.  I like that they hand make their stuff and use organic and natural ingredients.  I bought a solid bar shampoo that is called Trichomania that I really like.  Lush has a website - http://www.lushusa.com/shop  which is nice since they don't have a store close to where I live.
  • Ossa
    Ossa Posts: 685
    edited February 2012

    Sooo, just as I getting excited about my hair filling in fast (finally) I loose two toe nail.. really..... Last Taxol was Oct 18 and four nails (two on each foot) looked ugly.. Yesterday I lost one on each foot.. First my hair then eyelashes/ brows  then boob and now nails.. ugh.. Yellwhat next??

    I did have frozen gloves during Taxol, but not frozen slippers.. Any of you ladies getting Taxol.. The frozen gloves are worth it

  • MamaV
    MamaV Posts: 373
    edited February 2012

    Ossa I lost two toenails and had a few fingernails lift pretty bad from taxol too. Toe nails fell off 21/2 months after last tx.

  • superfoob
    superfoob Posts: 121
    edited February 2012

    I used Natures Gate Aloe Vera Shampoo while bald/stubbly. I still use it since I didn't use the whole bottle yet but I just bought Aveda Thickening Shampoo and Conditioner for fine hair. I like the way it smells and it doesn't have "bad" ingredients. It was a treat/prize to myself.

    I am 4 months PFC and am sporting a sweet faux hawk.



    I received Taxol/Carboplatin and during each infusion, I kept my fingers in bags of frozen peas (easier to get fingers into) and frozen gel packs wrapped around my toes (held in place with hair bands). It was super friggin cold...almost too much to bear...but my fingernails and toenails survived with no ickiness at all. I highly suggest it for anyone doing Taxol.

  • Elizabeth1889
    Elizabeth1889 Posts: 509
    edited February 2012

    Before chemo, I used Pantene Flat to Volume shampoo for fine hair.  After chemo, lack of volume is definitely not a problem and I use Jason Natural Biotin shampoo.

  • Frankenboobs
    Frankenboobs Posts: 20
    edited February 2012

    thanks, kk & carrol! :)

    i was advised not to use shampoo at all when i had no hair/stubble. my hairdresser suggested i use just a very mild conditioner. she gave me 3 sample bottles of some salon stuff and they lasted all the way through. at night i slept with a scarf thingy on because i used virgin olive oil treatments on it at night. a very thin, light layer of it, and then rinsed it off in the morning. i have very dry hair to begin with, not a lot of natural oils so my scalp is prone to dryness anyway.

    robo, stubble counts as hair! lol

  • Kitchenella
    Kitchenella Posts: 88
    edited February 2012

    MOMof 2 I'm about on the same schedule as you.  My last little bit of stubble is being stubborn.  I used a lint roller on my head a couple of days in a rown and alot came out but the rest is still there.  I used a mild lotion in my head for the first time after abusing it with the lint roller and I'm much more comfortable.  It seemed to aleviate the prickly sore stubble effect.

    Peggy 

  • sunflower71
    sunflower71 Posts: 53
    edited February 2012

    Here are some pics of my hair 10 months PFC.  I recently had it cut for shape.  It was growing out not down. and needed some professional help.  I finished Herceptin on Thanksgiving, in the last month my hair seems to be growing very fast.  This pic was taken 2 weeks ago, since then it has grown enough that my cute cut has turned back into what I call the "Christopher Walken".  It's not curly, just wavy and thick.  For those that have made it to past the ears, did you just suck it up and go through an awkward phase?  My hairdresser advised me to keep the back and sides short until the top catches up.  I am so inpatient at this point, part of me wants to stop cutting !

  • MamaV
    MamaV Posts: 373
    edited February 2012

    Sun - you look so pretty!  I am 7 months PFC and have 2 1/2 inches in the front (including above and around my ears) and 2 3/4 inches in the back.  I know I should probably cut it to shape it up, but I will NOT cut it.  I just use a really great gel called "Got to Be Glued" and slick it back and tuck it all behind my ears.  So far it's working, but I'm afraid it'll start to look like a mullet soon.  Don't know what I will do then, but I am NOT cutting it ever again LOL!

  • claireinaz
    claireinaz Posts: 714
    edited February 2012

    Sunflower, I think your hair looks great. I officially have hair envy now!

    Frankenboobs, thanks for the reassurance.  I feel pretty down at times and on top of it, now having nightmares about dying two nights in a row! One was about listening to people speak at my own funeral. I thought I could sleep to get away from the nightmare of all this and now I can't even escape that way.

    But hubby took a photo of my head on Wed and it looks like my hair is growing back! White/dark, soft and downy, but definitely a shadow of something on the sides and it feels different..plus I can't pull any of it out!  

    So I'm encouraged today even with the downer of the nightmares.

    Claire

  • BelaT
    BelaT Posts: 44
    edited February 2012

    To LuvRVing,

    does it take that long to get hair back :(((((( OMG

    Bela 

  • BelaT
    BelaT Posts: 44
    edited February 2012

    To LuvRVing,

    does it take that long to get hair back :(((((( OMG

    Bela 

  • lago
    lago Posts: 11,653
    edited February 2012

    I have been using Alterna Hemp shampoo (color treated) since the late 90's. It has no crap in it (and I didn't even realize it).

    I also used mop c-system hydrating conditioner for years as well. It too seems to be all natural paraben free.

    http://beautyology.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/alterna-hemp-with-organics-repair-shampoo-300ml.jpghttp://origin.kaboodle.com/hi/img/c/0/0/175/7/AAAADOam-FwAAAAAAXV2IQ.jpg?v=1312901462000

    BelaT hair growth time is different for everyone. Some folks take longer some take less. It will feel long no matter what but it does come back. My hair always grew fast but I do think since I was on Herceptin that slowed it a bit. My hair dresser noticed once I was off the Herceptin my hair really was getting long. Other's have seen this but this timeline will give you some idea of how fast mine grew. dates are in the lower left corner. My last chemo was 1.18.2011: linky

    BTW you gals look fabulous.

  • kennylynne
    kennylynne Posts: 75
    edited February 2012

    Your hair is gorgeous sunflower!!!!

    I have a question??? Should I not be using Nioxin after I color my hair? I dyed it blonde and am still using the nioxin..... thought I read somewhere on this thread that I shouldn't be???? Thanks all

  • LuvRVing
    LuvRVing Posts: 2,409
    edited February 2012

    BelaT -what Lago said...  everyone is different.  Mine grows fast, always has since I was a baby.  I am 4 1/2 months PFC and my hair is about as long as many ladies who are more than 6 months PFC.  I do nothing special except I've been taking a prenatal vitamin since my red cells tanked during chemo.  I think it's just the genes.

    Sunflower - very nice style!

    My intention is to trim around my neckline but let the top grow so that I get some weight up there.  I aways had shorter style with longer layers on top.  At my age, I don't need hair long enough for a ponytail, so I'll get to my pre-chemo style before many of you who had longer manes.

  • mccrimmon324
    mccrimmon324 Posts: 794
    edited February 2012

    Kennylynne,

    I'm using Nioxin now but will switch to a shampoo/conditioner for color-treated when I have it done professionally next month.  You can continue to use Nioxin if you want.  I'm a natural red-head and will get a red color of some sort, probably gonna go with a funkier red and a funky cut for now.  It will be my first cut PFC.  Red hair color is notorious for washing out quicker so I'm only switching in hopes to keep my color looking fresh for as long as possible. 

    I've done my hair twice with semi-permanant color and have used nioxin the whole time and don't think it has really stripped the color out of my hair but I paid $8.00 a box and did it myself.  I'll be paying more at the salon so just gonna switch since I'll be putting out more $$. 

  • BelaT
    BelaT Posts: 44
    edited February 2012

    To Lago and LuvRving,

    Thanks for the reply. I have always had gorgeous long black hair to my hips. Runs in my family. My graany,mom,me,sisters,aunt,and nieces and my own daughter. For me hair thing is so depressing. I am trying to ignore but .. can't look in the morror.

    Mine grows fast too , i mean it did, hopefully it will grow quick here. have not shaved yet. have like what 100 hair left  

  • lumpynme
    lumpynme Posts: 497
    edited February 2012

    sunflower--it is darling!!!!! thx for the photos!

  • momine
    momine Posts: 2,845
    edited February 2012

    Sunflower, you look beautiful and it definitely doesn't look like chemo hair anymore.

  • cathyjoan
    cathyjoan Posts: 11
    edited February 2012

    Hi Ladies,

     I have a Nioxin kit that contains: Cleanser, Scalp Therapy and Scalp Treatment.  My hair stylist says it makes your hair grow back faster and thicker.

     I never used them and would be happy to sell them to someone in need.  I think I paid $40 for the kit, but am open to other offers.  I can ship it to you.

     Please send me a PM if you are interested! 

    Cathy 

  • Elizabeth1889
    Elizabeth1889 Posts: 509
    edited February 2012

    sunflower, Your hair looks great.  The style really suits your face.

  • sunflower71
    sunflower71 Posts: 53
    edited February 2012

    Thank you so much ladies!  Like many of you, I am just trying to make the best of it.  It is hard to get used to, I had long hair for years.  I will say, my hairdresser did help it out a lot.  It was a borderline mullet for awhile.  I have been getting better at styling it. I use Davines No. 4 Glossing Putty and Sumo Wax to get it to behave.

     I use Renpure Argan Oil shampoo and conditioner.  I only wash twice a week.  My PFC hair is much drier so I try to treat it gently.  I also give myself a coconut oil deep condition once per week.  It has helped bring back some softness and shine.  I love coconut oil!  I take biotin, although not as often as I should. 

    Not to scare anyone, but my eyebrows are still pretty sparse.  In that pic they are penciled in.  I also use latisse now.  A few months ago I got the dreaded 2nd cycle of eyelash loss.  Not as bad as the first time, but enough that my eyelashes were few and far between.  Latisse has worked great, my eyelashes are getting longer and thicker every week. Man, was I pissed when they started to fall out 7 months PFC.   

  • lago
    lago Posts: 11,653
    edited February 2012

    sunflower  my onc said this can go on for a while. I know some ladies it's been 2 years. I'm 1 year pfc and my eyebrows and lashes are thinner than before. Lashes aren't too bad but the eyebrows aren't great. I fill them in. I'm hoping it isn't from Anastrozole but last Apil my onc said it was still SE from chemo. I'll be seeing my NP this year in April so I'll ask her again.

    But with a little Anastastia brow duo my brows look fabulous.

  • JulieLynn
    JulieLynn Posts: 86
    edited February 2012

    I've seen on the commercials for latisse that it may cause a change in the color of your eye...has anyone had any SEs with it?