Hair Hair Hair - Another question

MaryNY

On the subject of brows, the Look Good Feel Better team at my local hospital runs a "Spa Night and Eyebrow Clinic." I went last year before I even started chemo. They gave each of us a kit -- Anastasia Brow Ex-press and showed us how to use it. I sailed through chemo without losing my eyebrows and eyelashes and then they fell out a couple of weeks later. I found the brow kit great and much more natural than trying to fill in with pencil. It also comes with stencils which work much better than trying to apply the powder freehand.

Sugar77

Charmaine - I don't find a lot of difference between the two.  The Smashbox one has a wax sealer, which is nice and I lost it somewhere.  I went darker with my hair last summer so I picked up a darker colour at Merle Norman one day.

It will last you a long time. 

Sherri 

Nodapearl

Charmaine - I used the Smashbox, and i loved it!  It really works great.

stlcardsfan

Westiemom - I also had hair regrowth while on chemo. Although it was not healthy hair.

When I was done, and the good stuff started to grow - my sister in law cut off all the long chemo fuzz. I am due for another trim - 6 wks PFC and there is still more fuzz to cut.

I lost about 90% of my hair, head was buzzed to about 1/4 inch, the stubble that was left fell out over the next few days, and I also used duct tape to get rid of it. The ends were dead so it didn't hurt. It may sound weird to duct tape your head - but it worked, and is easier than using the lint roller that I started with. 

jenn1975

My first time around on chemo I finished the end of November 2008 and stopped wearing my wig in March. I just finished Abraxane on May 18th and I still have not 1 single hair on my head, eyebrows or eyelashes. I did however have to shvae my legs yesterday. I guess this time will be different.

one-L

westiemom, yes you can have some hair growth between treatments.  Then when you have a tx, it will fall  out again.  It is sort cycles in and out.  When I had my last  tx, the Onc said that my hair would start to grow in, but it would fall out again and would not start staying in until 6 weeks to 2 months after last  tx and that was pretty accurate.  You will get the chemo fuzz first  and you might want to keep it shaved off, because it is so different than what your hair will really be like.  I didn't shave, I just  couldn't stand the thought of shaving my hair again.  I am now almost 6 months out and have a full head of hair.  I had my last tx on 12/24/09 and was able to go topless around the middle of April.  It  was very short, but it was my hair and I was at ease with it.  Now everyone really likes  my short hair, so I think  I will keep it short, at least through the summer.

Juannelle

Issymom

I am 7 weeks PFC (can't believe it has been that long).  I just started to see growth on my head.  Looks like it is all over my head (yeah) but it is mostly the white/colorless fuzz.  I am just glad to see growth.  I am also feeling eyebrow and eylash growth but not enough to wear mascara, etc...  I have a question. About a week ago, I notice what looked like a bruise on both eyebrows right wear they start above my eyes/nose.  These "bruises" are the same size (about the size of an eraser head) and exactly the same place above both eyes.  I have had people look at it and they can see some new hair.  I am assuming this is kind of like a 5 o clock shadow.  Just odd looking.  Anyone else experience something similar?

lovetosail

Yeah I have a 5 o'clock shadow where my eyebrows are.  My DH got me a magnifying makeup mirror and with than I could see the little hairs - they are coming in on both brows and lashes.  I now look at myself in this mirror dozens of times a day - it gives me hope!

suzieq60

LovestoSail: How are you? Staring in the mirror works for me too.

I started taking an Ultra Silica Complex supplement with 2.5mg of biotin in it 2 weeks ago - couldn't find anything other than 300mcg biotin over here, so this one had so much more I thought I'd try it. I actually think it might be working. The girl in the optometrist said my hair had grown heaps since I saw her back then. My eyebows are coming back now and even my lower lashes look like they might be doing something. I'm now 13 weeks PFC and the hair growth can't happen fast enough as it's now winter over here and getting cold.

Sue

westiemom

Hi all! Thanks for sharing your hair experience with me, I think the fuzz I see makes me feel better just knowing that there will be regrowth at some point . A friend of mine owns a salon and as a gift she gave me a shampoo and elixir by Keune, So Pure, Revitalizing shampoo and scalp elixir, both have essential oils (no alcohol) and is suppose to promote hair growth, she told me if anything, it's gentle on my scalp. I thought I would go with essential oils during chemo treatment, then move on to stronger stuff like nioxin afterwards.  

lovetosail

Hi Suepen!  I'm taking biotin also.  My head hair is coming in pretty well and hopefully the lashes/brows will follow suite.

 It's getting hot here in CA and I'm not sure how much longer I can wear hats!  So I guess cold or hot we want our hair

janny99

I'm kind of on the other end of the hair loss issue, not waiting for regrowth, but wondering when I will lose mine.  I started weekly Taxol and Herceptin tx this past Monday June 7th, weekly x9 tx...then switch to FAC every 3 weeks x3 tx.  Does anyone know when I will start losing my hair? Is it possible that I won't lose my hair?  I am prepared, and now almost wish it would just fall out overnight.  I am afraid of being at work and have images of chunks of hair falling out on my desk.  I kind of joke about it, but then cry in the next breath....why is this so hard???!!!  It is only hair!!!

SKD

Janny 99: I am on day 14 from my first round of FEC and I started losing my hair yesterday. I totally understand about it being "just hair" but its so sad to see it falling out! I think it usually takes between 14-21 days after treatment to start falling out. I guess hair falling out is a way to show that the chemo is working and attacking those cells but it is hard...I have really thick hair (my hairdresser says I have the same amount of hair as 3 people) so I am hoping it takes awhile and wont be too noticeable. 

ALso, I have been using Nioxin but only because the hairdresser where I bought my wig said that Nioxin is good because it cleans the scalp, not just the hair. It is also good for when your hair starts regrowing because it makes it stronger. I like it because it has a refreshing feel to it after I washed my hair and helps with the hair cramps I have been experiencing (feels like my hair is constantly in a really tight pony tail). I am scared to lose it all but I bought a fantastic wig!

buccaneersdj

I'm going to get my picture taken for my new passport and my hair is about 2" long.....great!

Sugar77

My hair is just over 1.5 inches. LOL - I actually measured it last night (...how sad is that?)...

Sherri 

MarieK

Hi All!

Sherri - my hair is about the same length as yours - just over 1 1/2 inches.  I used to think that was a lot of hair but when that is all you have it doesn't go far does it?

Well girls today I did something I haven't done in a long time!

I blow dried!!!

Yes I was wondering if I could straighten my hair out a bit with the blow dryer.  It's really curly and wants to "fluff" up but I'd like it to stay down in a style.

I took my son to the barber the other day - he got a faux hawk which is short on the sides and back and longer and gelled up on top.  The barber took a flat brush and blow dried my son's hair at the end.  It turned out great - full and thick.

So I gave it try this morning...

I really need to practice becuase I ended up looking like Don King with NO TIME to redo it. 

The good thing about hair growing in after chemo is that your friends don't tease you about bad hair days...

Happy hair growing to you all!

Marie

micheleboots

Wow, just found this thread.  I recognize a lot of faces.  I think I will have  a lot of reading to do...

micheleboots

Wow, just found this thread.  I recognize a lot of faces.  I think I will have  a lot of reading to do...

Everett78

still about 1 inch of hair here. It seems to be getting thicker, not longer.  The hair on top is going to the side instead of up.  I have to go without my wig to TKD, I still get stares.  A couple people told me they like my new cut.  LOL....

My son calls me G I Jane.  I'm dying for a normal hairstyle!

only 1 rad after today..woohoo 

Laurie_R

Don't know what the deal is but my hair is doing strange things.  First off I'm 5 wks. out of chemo and now I have speratic hairs that are about 1/2 to 1 inch in length and they are only about 8 or 9 of them on my head the rest is just stubble. It is very funny and buzzar. Has anyone else experianced  this?

Anonymous

Hi All,

I only have about an inch of hair, but am already thinking of hair color.  What would you recommend?  Is there a brand (no ammonia, etc.) that you would suggest?

Sorry I just don't have time to look at the previous pages...

Thanks.

Brenda 

Claire_in_Seattle

Brenda....

Yes, they make brands w/o ammonia, but my experience is that you leave a trail of color.  Having said this, you can usually tell as all the major manufacturers make them (non permanent ones).  There is also stuff at the health foods stores that is made in Spain.  I haven't tried it.

My own take was I would use "root cover" for the first round.  My hair isn't normal anyway, and I don't want to waste a whole bottle on it.  A bit later, I will go get the whole lot shaped and styled.  This may include some color.  Think that is a couple of months off.

I can already see that more "color" will do a much better job of framing my face. - Claire

Sugar77

Brenda - I had mine colored at 12 weeks after chemo at the hairdresser.  He gave me a protein treatment, then I had a demi permanent hair color applied. It was very gentle as it only deposited color. I think it was bt Matrix but I'm not 100% sure.  I like the way it came out.  I now need to get my roots done as it's been five weeks.  I'm going to get it done next week. Good luck!

Sherri 

Deborah51

Hi Sanasia

Hope I spelt your name right - thanks so much for the info on hair and colouring I didnt realise how vain I was as far as my hair is concerned but hate this dark colour but have to admit it is lovely and thick and CURLY !!

Got hairdresser coming soon so will have a chat with her and see what she says !

Marion

I'm 28 weeks PFC and my hair is long enough now that I can finally put it back in a headband. I'm very happy I can finally buy "accessories" for my hair! It's still very curly and still has not come back to the way it used to be: straight.

I have noticed that my hair regrowth on my legs and armpits has been sparse. I don't need to shave very often. Anyone with this "problem" ?

soaplady1950

marion, i am one year and 5 months pfc and i still dont shave the underarm where i had radiation i guess that will never change but the other arm is sparse and so are the legs my hair has lost the curl and gone back to straight but still very very soft hope that helps  i also used 10,000 mg biiotin and made the hair grow faster and the nails also liked it.     sharon

Sugar77

Sharon - when did the curls stop?  If they just gradually get cut off?  I'm nearly 18 weeks past chemo and my hair is about 1.5 inches and is starting to get a wave, especially at the back.  I think it's going to curl and am wondering roughly how long I might get to enjoy some curls.

Sherri 

soaplady1950

    sugar77  i have always kept my hair short so they graduallly got cut off i still have body that i didnt have before but no curl i liked it wish it would have stayed.  started losing it to cuts about   9 months i actually had a perm a month ago to put some back. i have to cut my hair about every 4-5 weeks to keep the lenght i like.   hope that helps if your hair was always straight i am confident that it will return to that     

Nodapearl

I am having the opposite problem.  Too many curls.  I am 13 months PFC and my hair is so curly and thick.  If I try to blow it out, it turns to fuzz.  If I leave it curly, it looks like a bad afro.  I feel like I look like I'm wearing a helmet!!  I had thick, wavy hair prior to chemo, but I could work with it and the curls looked smooth or I could straighten it.  This hair is fuzz no matter what i do.  I am really at a loss at what to do with it.  Any suggestions???  I know I should be happy to be healthy, but of course, I am focusing on my hair.  It sucks to start the day thinking that I look like crap...................

JudyNaomi

Nodapearl - I also have very curly hair now which gets very frizzy. I finished chemo July 27th last year. I use Paul Mitchell styling lotion and it curls up and stays curly without the frizz. I would prefer it to be straight (I used to japanese it before I had BC), but at least with the lotion, it is manageable.

Good luck! Judy x