Hair Hair Hair - Another question

MarieK

Hi!

I'm just barely a week PFC (FEC X 6) and I noticed peach fuzz growing all over my head just after my 4th TX.  No hair growing elsewhere - nether regions included (although I never lost it all down there).

My eyelashes fell out just before Christmas (between TX #4 & #5) and are really are not growing back yet.  I use a dark kohl eyeliner around my eyes and no one seems to notice that I dont' have eyelashes until I point it out.

My eyebrows started falling out around the same time as the eyelashes and are pretty much gone now too. Although I do see some dots so I think they are trying to grow back.

For the eyebrows I use a Lancome eyebrow pencil that others have described with the brush end. 

BUT I don't use a dark colour - I opted for a softer colour called Natural Blonde.  The sales girl helped me pick it out.  It seems a bit more "natural" and less drawn on than the dark brown colour I got at the LGFB workshop.

Has anyone been taking photos of their hair re-growth?  I've seen a montage done by someone else and I'm going to try doing that.

Happy Hair Growing Everyone!

Marie

JudyNaomi

Hi Marie, good to hear from you! We look forward to following the progress of your hair growth!

Hugs to all for a good night!

Judy xoxoxox

goldie0827

MarieK - I have pictures like that on my profile. It is a link, because it is a rather large picture. It is fun to do, and when you go back and look, or when you do a new one, that is when you can see the growth. Good luck and have fun with it!

Lori

bobcat

Marie - I use the natural blond too - less harsh.

jewels1981

hi to all.  I am sorry if this is a repeated question but I am exhausted from reading threads.  I posted my question somewhere else and a kind sister told me to post it here.  I had 4 treatments of taxol and lost most of my body hair by the 2nd week.  My last chemo was Oct 26 and Yippee hair is growing back.  My question is has any one noticed peach fuzz on their face?  Mine looks like longgggg sideburns.  I am very embarressed by it.  Is there anything I can do for this or will it go away?  I am using a mild facial exfoliated scrub but not sure what else to do.  Help! Please! My gosh I love all these se!  Thanks Jewels

Lilah

Jewels -- I have a little peach fuzz returning but it's not visible.  So I am doing nothing. I suspect it's hair I had before but never noticed til I lost it (I loved my skin without hair -- so soft!) I now have rough patches where hair is returning on arms and face but all the hair is invisible to the eye and NOT long....

Some have posted about facial hair coming in on this thread.... when you are less tired it's worth scrolling back a few pages (even) to read what was actually said.  If I remember right, some said they shaved it off and it grew back; other said they did same and it did not grow back.  Some also have used depilatories.  Some have also said it goes away... so you might just want to let it be for now and see what happens.  Sorry I can't be more definitive...

Lilah

lottie

Hi Loretta - I'm not sure what would cause facial hair for sure, but chemopause and lack of estrogen are definitely reasons why we might get fuzzier. I'm 3 weeks PFC today and have hair growing back on my legs, and I think, my chin. My head is just plain fuzzy.

JudyNaomi

Jewels hi - I had hair grow back on my face like you. I did shave it off and it came back, but less thick. It is still there now but I try to ignore it.

Hope this helps, have a good day all, Judy xoxox

gillyone

I wonder what one of those egg things might do to fuzz on face? Anyone tried it? I agree with Lilah - it was probably always there before but we never noticed. I also can tell a difference with how mu face feels now - hairless it was very smooth!!

Jane_M

I had my face waxed and the fuzz did not come back.  I have an apt for a perm on Friday - why am I the only one whose hair comes back straight.  I don't want a poodle perm, but I need some body.  I have to use a curling iron every day and, even then, by the end of the day it's flat.

Lowrider54

You guys are going to really hate me...10 years ago with my first go round with bc - my hair was down to my butt and chemo was on the menu.  I already lost a boob and was not thrilled about losing the hair too - so my onc did some research and found a chemo cocktail (I totally forget what) that would give me a 30% chance of not losing all my hair.  I would have to do 8 months instead of 6 and the statistical difference for eradicating (curing) the cancer was 87% to 92% followed by 5 years of Tamoxifin.  I took the option.  I cut my hair to a little below mid back and rolled the dice.  It thinned and needed another trim but never did lose it all.  In about 6 months, hairs started poking straight out on the thinned side and have never regained the same thickness. Anybody else not lose it all? 

Well, now stage IV after 10 years NED and I am hearing the Arimidex may cause hair loss - and you know what - if it goes, it goes - and for sure if and when the time comes for chemo this time - the wig shops are just going to love me!  There is no way I will have an 'option' and certainly no way I won't lose it - or where it thinned before is where I will lose it all and what a 'comb over' I could have!

Lilah

Lowrider -- I can't imagine why you would think we would hate you!  I think it's wonderful that your Onc found a way for you to keep most of your hair the first time and I am REALLY sorry to hear that you are sick again after 10 years NED.  That totally SUCKS.  I have to say I have enjoyed my wig, for what it's worth (I also had long hair, though not as long as yours!)... but am looking forward to having my own hair again. 

Jane -- well all I can say is: I'd enjoy having straight hair!  I always had frizzy/curly/wavy hair before... we shall see what I end up with this time around.  But either way -- straight or curly -- all I want is hair

Lilah

jewels1981

Wow a face wax Jane?  Ok I think I am going to try that.  I admit too that I love having my hair grow back.  It is salt and pepper (hmmm I didn't know I had gray hair!!) but too short to tell if curly.

Lowrider I am so sorry for the reaccurance.  That really does stink.  The one good thing about no hair is it only takes me 20 mins to get ready. shower to the car.  I love that and I know my husband does too!!  Please keep us posted on your treatment.  Do you know what chemo you will have?  Good luck kicking that cancer butt.  Jewels

Lowrider54

Lilah -

I suppose it was a poor choice of words - I did have some interesting experiences tho - my ex thought since I didn't lose my hair, I couldn't have had chemo or bc - I pulled him into the kitchen when he was dropping my son off after a visit - pulled up my shirt and asked if it looked like something I wanted to do to myself...he shut up.

and to you and jewels

Yea, its back in my spine and it sucks but the most amazing things keep happening or I am just paying way more attention the good things now - whichever it is, despite or because of this new part of the journey - I am finding bits of joy in my life that I didn't notice before...my treatment has started with the hormonals since it is only in the bone (so far) with monthly infusions of a bone strenghtening Aredia so Arimidex/Aredia combo.  See where it goes...

And thanks!  Best to all of you in kicking this disease right on out the door!

precioustime

Lottie-  Thanks for your input.  I definitely know that I did not have this much hair on my face prior to Chemo.  I did have my eyebrows waxed a couple of weeks ago and have not seen much regrowth-- Maybe I'll wait a month or two and if facial hair gets out of control-- I'll just wax my face!  LOL 

It's been 3 months post Chemo and the hair on my head seems to be thickening-- It almost looks the length of JudyNaomi's profile pic and starting to look more and more like myself again!!!  So far I have only lost my eyelashes and eyebrows once

gillyone

Precious - what chemo did you have? It looks like we finished around the same time. I have 1/4 inch of hair max. When did it start growing?

JudyNaomi

Lowrider - so sorry to hear that you are having a recurrence and wishing you all the best to get through this (((((((((HUGS)))))))))))) to you!!!

Hugs to all for a good evening,  Judy xoxox

susu1976

Lilah:  I'm with you!  All I want is hair--any way, shape, or form is good.  Saw a t-shirt that said, "Any day with hair is a good hair day." 

Lowrider:  Sorry to hear about your recurrence...that stinks.  Sounds like your docs have a good plan for you, however, and that's great.

Today I am 5 months PFC and I still have only about 1 inch of hair on top and sides, a little longer in the back, which is curly.  My hair was curly before though, too, so no surprise there.  I've colored it twice since Thanksgiving and the color makes it look thicker, but I'm still waiting for a real growth spurt.  Looking in the mirror every morning and not seeing progress is getting a little depressing.  Boo.  My curling iron, hot rollers, and blow dryer are gathering dust--just sitting in a drawer and mocking me.

  :-(

precioustime

Gillyone- I completed 6 TAC treatments 10/30/09.  My hair started growing back a couple of weeks post chemo.  There would be nights I would go to sleep and when I would wake up even my husband would comment on the difference!!  Before Chemo-- I wore my hair very short and I guess that is why I say now that I'm looking more and more like myself  I currently have to shave my legs every night because of the growth and as you know I am even getting more hair on my face and let's not even talk about the hair under my arms that has grown out because of not being able to shave due to lymph node removal!!!  I am in hopes that radiation will take care of that hair under my arms..... I start my 1st treatment this evening

Loretta

JudyNaomi

Good luck for your first treatment Loretta!

When my hair started to come back, it grew like crazy on my legs, but after I shaved it, it has hardly come back at all. Same with under my arms. On my head it is growing in thick and quite fast, so I guess that it just takes a while for everything to regulate again.

Take care all, Judy xoxox

Lilah

Susu -- great t-shirt!

BC is a test of one's patience when it comes to hair.

Lilah

lottie

I haven't thought much about underarm hair since I haven't had any for months ... I had one lymph node removed with my mastectomy. When underarm hair comes back should I avoid shaving? Does it increase chances for lymphedema?

susu1976

Lottie:  I had 23 nodes removed on my right side.  I was told to use an electric razor on that side because I have very little feeling (they had to cut a nerve to get all the nodes) and they were afraid I might cut myself with a regular razor and not know it.  No, I don't think shaving increases the chance for lymphedema--UNLESS you get a cut and it gets infected.  Be careful, and go electric.

lottie

Thanks susu1976, will do. Once the hair re-appears that is!

Lottie

susu1976

Enjoy the smoothness as long as you can!

MAGOB

Hello Everyone - Your posts are helpful.   I'd like to jump in and ask a few questions.  Last chemo was 4 months ago.  Used to have long think dark hair.  Now it is sooooo thick and curly. Maybe about 3/4" long. Really curly in the back, like a duck's bottom.  It's growing in different directions and cannot be brushed into submission.  It looks OK if I wear a bandanna for a few hours to smooth it down.  Do any of you know of some hair products that will calm a crazy doo down???!!!

susu1976

I bought a frizz control cream by Suave Professionals (?) (orange tube) that works well on either wet hair or dry hair.  Mine is doing the same thing--sticking out over my ears and won't lay down flat on top unless I put some goo on it.  Mine is also thick and curly in back.  I tried using mousse on my wet hair, but it was too much--just looked greasy or something.  Spray gel wasn't enough to control it either.  You may have to experiment a bit.  Good luck!

MAGOB

Thanks susu.  

bobcat

magob - I use a product called Dirt Texturizing Paste by Jonathan.  I order it from drugstore.com - it's costly but really does the trick and gives me control.

gillyone

precious so different from me. I had DD AC x4 and DD taxol x4. It was at least 8 weeks PFC before I saw any growth.