Hair Hair Hair - Another question

Dublin4

OK...For those of you who have shaved your head how did you care for it?  Shampoo, lotion, wig caps, irritation of your head?  
Any and all words of wisdom would be appreciated!!!!!

Many thanks in advance!

MaryNY

Dublin4: I didn't shave my head completely, but used an electric trimmer to cut it pretty short. They advised us not to shave our heads at the Look Good Feel Better class. I think the reasons were twofold, psychologically it would be hard to take and possibility that still growing hairs would become trapped in the hair follicles causing irritation. Once my hair started to fall out, on Day 16 of chemo, it came out very quickly. It would just sort of rub off my head in the shower.

I see you've made the plunge and already shaved. That's a giant step (in my book anyway). I was crying even as I trimmed mine. I think we all find the hair loss very traumatic, but once it's gone it's kind of liberating. It certainly saves time in the morning.

As for scalp care, I just used a couple of drops of Johnsons Baby Shampoo when showering. I think some people might used lotion but the couple of times I tried that it just felt sticky. I didn't have any irritation but always went wigless and hatless around the house. Still do. 

Dublin4

Thanks....It is not shaved like to the bone....but stubble....It was just coming out in handfuls, getting patchy a little...it feels so good to have it off and not falling off...if that makes sense.

I go to the look good feel great in May.  It feels pretty good.  I used Cetaphil (I know I spelled that wrong) lotion and it felt great.  Very soothing.

Thanks again 

MaryNY

I think you will really enjoy the Look Good program. I went before I even started chemo and it really gave me a boost to see so many women who looked good in their wigs. When I walked in first, I didn't realize anyone was wearing a wig. I was having a really hard time coming to terms with the fact that I was going to lose my hair, but that class really helped. Plus they gave everyone a large bag of cosmetics and skincare products to take home.

Are you originally from Dublin 4? I figure you live in the US as you mentioned Kohls.

Dublin4

I am Irish as my Dad's parents came from Ireland and  I married and very Irish man but live in the midwest.  I tried to get into the look good program this month but all the dates filled up...that is just so sad to me.  So many of us!

So you are done with Chemo correct?  How do you feel?  How is the hair doing now? 

Any words of wisdom?  tomorrow will be #2 and I will be half way done...YEA!

MaryNY

Ah, I thought you were a Dub. Did you try calling the number for LGFB? They might fit you in if you do that rather then register online. Also is there are a few different locations locally, some may be better then others. I went to two -- the first one was excellent, great volunteers, lovely presentations. Then I went to a second one just to get a wig. That one was very low key and poorly attended. I didn't wait for the makeup demo as I'd already availed of that. The first location also had a follow-up class "Spa Night and Eyebrow Clinic." At this one they demonstrated and gave out eyebrow kits. I went through most of chemo with eyebrows intact. Then they fell out suddenly two weeks before the end of chemo, so the kit came in very handy.

Yes, I finished chemo on Feb 1. I did find chemo very rough. The bad taste in my mouth continued for a while and the fatigue. The fatigue got worse during rads, which I finished last week. My hair started to sprout even before I finished chemo. I posted a couple of photos last week. They are be a couple of pages back on this thread (p 163). I had been coloring my hair for years so no idea how much white/gray I had. Initially my hair came in all white. Now there are some dark hairs peeping through. My hair is very fine and it's about 1" long now but lies flat against my head so at a glance, I think I still look bald. I'm a bit shy still about going wigless or hatless yet.

Good luck tomorrow. Great that you will be halfway then. So you should be finished by the end of May?

ruthbru

I am just scrolling around tonight & thought I'd share something that just happened today. Background on me: I am a couple years out of chemo & my hair did come back nicely. But this last month my hair grew like a WEED, so much so when I went in for a haircut tonight, my hairdresser said, "Have you changed your diet? Your hair has grown amazingly fast this month?!!!!" Well, I have done something differently: I've started eating 2 ounces of at least 70% cocoa dark chocolate every day because it is suppose to be good for you; lower your blood pressure, cholestreol etc. That's the only thing I've done differently! So, I have no scientific evidence at all, but if anyone wants to try it and see if their hair grows faster......how cool would that be if it works!!  Ruth

ccbaby

I am going to buy some dark chocolate right now!! You never know....  Thanks Ruth!

MaryNY

Thanks Ruth ... another excuse to load up on chocolate.

Dublin4

Mary, LOVE the hair...I did not realize that was you...way to rock the sunglasses.  You look wonderful!

Also, dark chocolate it is....thanks to all.....off this morning for #2 and yes I will be done at the end of MAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ruthbru

Gosh, wouldn't it be wonderful if chocolate worked?! I could win the Nobel Peace Prize or something !!

JudyNaomi

Dublin4, hope this morning went ok for you!

Have a good weekend all!

Judy x

lovetosail

Hi Everyone,

I'm 2 weeks PFC - I had TCH x6.  My hair started coming back alittle around tx #5.  I have about a 1/4 inch of sparse fine downy hair, and can feel some stubble of what I hope is more substantive hair below it.  I cut some of the longer downy stuff and looked at it under a magnifying glass - it is kind of striped - alternating white and brown (my natural color is brown) - freaky!  Since it grew back before chemo ended I'm wondering if the white stripes are marking the last 2 infusions?  Anyway, I'm looking forward to getting real hair, but realize it will be some time before I got hatless!

I'm definitely trying the chocolate therapy - couldn't hurt!  I have mx and immediate recon with DIEP on 12 May and need to put on weight anyway!

Those of you that have shared pictures - your hair looks terrific!  I can't wait 'till I'm at your stage!

Luah

Chocolate has a lot of iron in it  (probably why we have those menstrual cravings) so maybe it's good for hair too. I'm game!

susan13

Hi Ladies,

Wow... It has been a really long time since I've been here.  I am 13 months PFC, with a head full of hair.  Came in curly, used to be pin straight prior to chemo and I'm lovin it!  For those just ending treatment, it comes back very quickly!

April 16, 2010

Keep the faith.

Sue A.

MaryNY

Susan, you have a great head of hair. Have you had any trims? How long was it before you went wigless?

MarieK

Hi All!

I am happy to report that I am full time topless now! 

I have had a lot of positive feedback on my hair and lots of questions.  The postal clerk (at our local pharmacy) asked me WHY I cut my hair so short and he's a guy!  I told him for something different.  He told me it looks good on me but my other hair looked good too.  So basically he thinks I look good! LOL!

The barrista's at my local Starbucks always compliment me on my hair when I come in for my latte.

Another store clerk told me she wished she could go this short - I did admit to her that I felt it was a bit too short but she told me she loved it.

I think the difference is that I have full eyebrows (and then some) and full eyelashes (and then some) and I'm back to wearing my bra and prothesis.  So I don't look like a cancer patient anymore but someone who is trying out a very short haircut for the summer!

I say "and then some" regarding my eyebrows and eyelashes because I've been using the Rapid Lash product and I have to say that both are much fuller than pre-chemo.

I'll have to try the dark chocolate tip - might not help my figure but if it makes hair grow I can diet later!

Happy Hair Growing to you All and enjoy your weekend!

Marie

Dublin4

So happy for marie and sue!!!!  There is light at the end of the tunnel.....Thanks for sharing

one-L

sue, your hair looks great.   I am ready for that much hair.

My hair is doing great, I am 16 weeks PFC.  Boy does time fly when you are having a good time.  My hair has filled in nicely and is about 1 inch long.  I have tons of hair, so my scalp is well covered.  I have only gotten good feedback on my short do.  It is so easy to take care of, I may have a problem letting it grow.  The owner of the restaurant were we had dinner, asked me if I got a hair cut, he had only seen me in my wigs, and I just said no, not recently.  I didn't say anything else and he just went on.  I would normally tell all, but I just didn't want to tonight.

 MarieK, it does feel good to go topless doesn't it.  I feel so liberated and did not think I would be able to go without this soon.  Glad things are going well for you.

Ladies have a really great weekend.

Juannelle

Sugar77

Juannelle - nice to hear from you.  I'm glad to hear your new 'do is so liberating.  Did you find it just kind of took off once the scalp filled in?  I'm seeing more and more coverage by the day but still have a few spots that are a little more sparse at the crown.  It's starting to get thicker by the day, though.

Sherri 

one-L

Sherri, yes it did seem to just take off over night.  I didn't have any bare spots, once it starting filling in, it was all over.  Now the top was a little slower coming in than the sides, but only by about a week or two.  My hair feels so different than before chemo.  My hair was very thick, I mean each hair was thick and course, and I had tons of hair, it was frizzy, but not curly or wavy.  I couldn't let it air dry or there was no control.  Now it is soft and wary.  I am hoping for curls, but I don't want to be greedy.  I am ready to get it out a little longer to see what it will really be like.

You will see lots of changes in the next couple of weeks.  It will be there before you know it.

Juannelle

hrf

The hair on my crown is still very, very thin and the scalp shows through .... and I'm 10 months post chemo ..... I think I have to accept that my hair will never come back.

LeggyJ

I'm 17 months post chemo. and probably a little older than most of you(54), and have been struggling with really thin hair on the crown of my head.  My only thought was to keep it short and cut off the chemo. However, after my last haircut, which was really short, but a very good cut, seemed to help.  Then I found Nioxin in my beauty supply store, and started using Rogain on my crown. This may have also helped, when I thought it was too late!!!  Yesterday I looked in the mirror, and WOW, I've got some hair.  This is the 3rd. month of Rogain use, and about one month of Nioxin.  Plus, I have gone longer in-between haircut, instead on every 6 weeks, I waited 11 weeks.  I think the real key is a really good haircut, but all the rest of it including Biotin, are helping me feel better, anyway. The other day a co-worker, who is a really beautiful girl, came up to me and ruffled my hair, and said "Hey look at all that hair!!" Feeling good is looking good, in any book. 

hrf

I've been using the Minoxidil (generic Rogaine) for about 2 months and am in the "shed" phase still. I never thought of using Nioxin at the same time. I still haven't gone for a haircut because the growth is soooo slow. I've been using Biotin for months now and have to say that there was absolutely no growth at all until I started the Biotin so I do think it helps. I haven't tried Nioxin but maybe I should use it as well. I'm very depressed about the current look.

susan13

Mary,

It was exactly 3 months post chemo when I went wigless.  Check out my blog, you'll see the pics of my hair growth.  I used a "biotin" shampoo, it's a vitamin shampoo, not sure if it helped , but it sure didn't hurt.

Best,

Sue

enjoylife

I am sorry to report that someone said it came in very fast that is not always true I stopped hercpten and chemo about a year half ago herceptain one year ago and I still dont have enough hair on top to go naked without hats  its imbarrasing and I have done it all, Nioxion shampoo, specail vit. from GNC, prenatal vits, vit B, vit D you name it rogaine other shampoos I am not trying Wein from QVC to keep the hair healthy that is coming in its slower than mollases and I had Taxotore and the doctors all know what to say I have never seen it before so if your hair doesnt come in your not alone. I am going shopping for a top piece next week my first son is getting married and I will not ruin his pictures with a hat or wig...

hrf

My son is also getting married in June. I just don't know what I'm going to do because I also don't want to wear a wig or a hat.

one-L

I am so sorry some of you are not getting hair growth.  I can not put myself in your place to know how you feel, since my hair is coming in great.  I can honestly say I don't know what I would do if I were in your shoes.  But I am sure that I would be as unhappy as you are.

Best of luck to all.

Juannelle 

charmainejensenvoisine

hrf: Well it appears that many are using Biotin, and it works for some.  I just purchased a bottle of it a few days ago.  What dosage are you taking per day?

Thanks... Charmaine

hrf

Each capsule is 5,000 mg ...... I was taking 2 in the morning and 2 at night but now am taking only 1 in the morning and 1 at night. I don't think it's making any difference at this stage but I do think it helped to get some hair growth started.