Oct 24, 2015 08:13AM - edited Oct 24, 2015 08:14AM by MissBee123

Hello Holly and welcome!

I had a head shaving party, too, and it was quite fun! I waited until mine began to fall out, however, I think there are benefits and drawbacks to both.

Most people lose their hair pretty consistently between days 14-16. By then, in general (if you're having treatment every 3 weeks), you are feeling pretty good. If that's not your regimen and you're on weekly treatments, you might feel differently. The drawback to waiting is that your hair will begin to fall out pretty quickly and it may be hard to plan a party last-minute. For me, day 14 my hair was intact and strong. Day 15 I woke up and when I ran a brush through my hair all of it came out. My parents were due to arrive in town for my next chemo and head shaving party two days later. I ended up pinning my hair in a little bun and then threw a scarf on. For the next two days I didn't touch my hair so that it would last, but it was ready to jump off my head by the time the party arrived.

The drawback to doing it beforehand is you may be one of the people who doesn't lose their hair. Some women only experience mild thinning and it might be sad to cut your hair off for no reason. If your hair doesn't fall out, then you will find the stubble growing back pretty quickly. The upside to doing it before chemo, of course, is that it allows you to be in control. For me, I was fine with losing my hair, but many women find it deeply upsetting. If you feel attached to your hair and know you might have this type of reaction, doing it earlier may help.

Either way, having a party is a blast. My mom even made t-shirts for everyone at the party, which was really fun. I had a friend video it for me. If you'd like to watch it, it's here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQwMLNn8k-k

(I never want to feel self-promoting on this site, please only watch if it would be helpful, no pressure!)

Good luck!

Oct 24, 2015 08:19AM marion55 wrote:

i am waiting to start my chemo and will waiy to see what happens with my hair xx i was told by my partner to go bald xx

Oct 24, 2015 08:32AM rainnyc wrote:

HollyElise, I got a short cut, then went to the place where they sold me my wig when it really started to fall out and had them take the rest of it off. (But I'm a serious introvert and would not have done a party!)

Something my wig guy told me, which I'm passing along because I think it's important, is this: Please don't shave your head down to the skin. If you're having chemo, your white blood cell counts will be dropping, and you'll be more vulnerable to infection from tiny skin nicks. They clipped mine very, very short, nearly to the skin but not all the way down. I also found that in the first couple of weeks of chemo, I had small skin infections--like acne but all over, including on my scalp. You don't want to aggravate those.

I'm sorry you have to be here, and I hope the chemo mojo kills those nasty cancer cells! Good luck!

Oct 24, 2015 08:50AM 208sandy wrote:

Yes, don't "shave" your head - buzzing it is what is required and hairdressers know how to do it - the reason for taking your hair off before chemo is that in some cases it hurts falling out (a friend of mine was in tears it hurt her so much) so get a short cut first and then get it buzzed closer to day 14 - mine fell out on day 17. I certainly didn't have a party but I also didn't take anyone to dr. appointments or chemo or anything - I feel stronger when I am alone for some reason. Don't have children so can't comment on that but the party might be a help to them (and you) - best wishes to you - things are going to be o.k.

Oct 24, 2015 09:03AM sbeddows123 wrote:

I did a short pixie cut to start then about 3 weeks into chemo cut it very short.....grade 2 say......after that it was getting patchy and bugged me so I went grade 1. I still actually have stubble and have just 2 more treatments to go so I am wondering if I will ever be bald all the way (I am 90% bald dont get me wrong :) ) I have a very very young daughter who really hasn't een affected by my crazy hair changes....I say do whatever is going to be easiest for you. Sometimes it's nice to take control.of the hair situation rather than just let it do its thing :)