Chemopause and Facial Hair

mthomp2020

Chemopause and Facial Hair

mthomp2020

At 55, I was already well on the way, but the chemo put me into menopause.  Not really that big a deal.  Plus I'm down to only one hot flash a day.  Except that not only is my hair now coming back, so is my facial hair big time - as in sideburns that are a little darker.  And very fuzzy.  Plus I may be getting a faint mustache!  Along with my very short hair, people are going to start calling me sir soon!

Anywho, any suggestions on how to deal with this?  Waxing or bleaching?  I've never been a beauty parlor kind of gal, but it's looking like I will be very soon.  I know it's not a big deal in the scheme of things, but it is pretty annoying to look in the mirror and see that hair on my face! 

wishiwere

  Sorry, but I posted on this at one time a few months back also.  The facial hair was really fuzzy, like baby hair and did go away soon.  The side-burns were the 1st hair to grow in.  I didn't realize most people have them, b/c normally other hair covers it.  Weird what we find when our hair is gone!   Seriously though.  Give it a little time, as it might just be temporary.  I still have almost no growth on my legs! YEA!!!!!!!!  But the head is growing in well.  Well, if 3/4 inch is well.   Maybe a facial scrub will remove some gently?  I couldn't use them b/c I have problems with fragrances in them, but it might help.  I really think it's just a temporary thing, but maybe others have the problem more permanently will come in and offer advise.

otter

Sorry, but this is not good news for you.  When I was dx'd w/ BC a few months ago at age 55, I was already 4 years into menopause.  I already had a faint mustache, and some of that "baby fuzz" wishiwere mentions.  Those were gifts of natural menopause, I'm afraid.  Even if if disappears during chemo (which doesn't appear to be happening, despite the fact that all the rest of my hair is going, going, gone), I fully expect the facial hair will come back.

Since I have light-colored hair anyway (or had, I should say), the facial hair is not all that visible unless someone gets really close.  And, there is only one person in my life who is allowed to get that close.  Fortunately, he doesn't complain.  

otter 

Anonymous

I'm not sure if you're referring to the soft, downy fuzz that grows over much of your face, but especially along the sides and down to the neck, following hair loss due to chemo. It's common and expected and is much like the fine down that covers newborns and especially neo-nates. It's known as "lanugo" (http://www.answers.com/topic/lanugo?cat=health) and can come and go a few times (like your eyelashes and eyebrows) before your system re-regulates and re-adjusts itself. Many women here have used Nair or some other depilatory and some have had their faces waxed. I just shaved it off a few times until it stopped coming.

Ah, yes, breast cancer....the gift that keeps on giving!

~Marin 

mthomp2020

I figured it was menopause that gave me the gift, rather then the chemo!  I know some women do get fuzzier faces when they're menopausal.  My hair actually was very light, but it's growing in darker now, both on my head and my face.  I have silver along the sides and hairline, but the rest is fairly dark for me.  I've never colored it before, so we'll see if it comes in the same color.  I might have a little more grey now, though. 

I actually yanked a couple of black hairs off my cheek yesterday!  I think I'll have to consult with a salon.  Hubby suggested I start shaving, smart ass that he is!  Funny thing is, I never really lost my leg hair until I was almost done with Taxol.  It hung on through all 6 A/C.  Of course, now it's growing again with a vengeance!  I was getting to like not having to shave my pits, though - that hair did disappear, but it's back now. 

Well, at least I'll finally find out if I like myself with short hair.  I was always too chicken to try it.  I've got about an inch now, so maybe I'll have presentable hair in another couple of months.  It'd be nice to go through summer without a hat or scarf.  I don't do wigs, way to hot/itchy.

AnnieBird55

"so is my facial hair big time - as in sideburns that are a little darker. "

     The answer may be ==> Laser hair removal <==
I am having this done now to the upper lip, armpits, and bikini line. I have always shaved these areas. I noticed a poster at the dermatologist saying "Ask about Laser Hair removal". Well, I did because frankly am tired of shaving (mostly the stubble on the upper lip).

I went yesterday for my 1st treatment. It took 45 minutes. No reddness, no discomfort. You do not have to 'let it grow'. Just shave as normal. I was told that 3-4 treatments will do it (as the hair has different growth cycles) and it will be soft and never have to shave again!

The dermatologist says it works best with those who have dark hair (as using the laser it needs the contrast??).

Funny - I just had my nipple recon done a few months ago and when I was getting the armpit haie removal yesterday, she asked if I wanted the hair on my nipple removed. The skin from my pelvic are, which was used for my nipple recon, had some 1 cm dark hairs and I hadn't even noticed this!!

She said all the teenage girls do this these days ...they do arms ...legs - everywhere. I felt quite clueless and sort of kicked myself for not trying this sooner.

-Anne

Anonymous

Anne....I also had laser hair removal, on the bikini area only, after chemo. I had always shaved to achieve a Brazilian, but losing all of my hair to chemo sort of spoiled me, so I went for the laser. After six treatments (took about a year), the area is mostly hair-free. I wax away the rest and am thrilled to have done it. I'd say if someone (like mthomp2020) is just post-chemo, though, they might want to wait to see what stays and what goes before spending so much on laser.

And mthomp2020....try some hair "product" that allows you to spike your new pixie style. It's fun and will take your mind off of your facial woes!

~Marin

NancyD

I was 56 when diagnosed, and like some others, already in natural menopause. I had some natural thinning of my certain areas (eyebrows, pubic, abdomen) from that even before I started chemo. And one area of new growth along my upper lip. I used to kid with my pubescent son that we should have a moustache growing contest.

I'm still undergoing chemo, so I can't say whether the hair lost in certain areas will return on me, but I suspect that some will and some won't, and it will probably be the stuff I don't want to return that will come back thick and dark.

AnnieBird, I had a dream that I had DIEP recon done, and the area used from my abdomen started growing hair, so my new breasts were hairy. I woke up laughing but it got me thinking about it all. Now, you've kind of had the experience. I hope it was only a few and they came off easily.