Hair Hair Hair - Another question

Resting

Sounds like a great plan Carol. Go for it.

Rocket

Hi Carol,

I discovered that I had bc a week before my son's wedding.  It was traumatic to say the least.  I had chin-length, straight auburn/light brown hair, and I loved it. I worried myself sick about losing it, but when day 14 arrived (TC) after my first TX, my hair began to fall out.  I tugged on one spot on the side of my head until I had a blad spot.  Then I began to tug on the other side and created another bald spot.  I looked ridiculous standing there in front of the bathroom mirror with two bald spots - one on each side of my head.  I didn't cry, rather I got a pair of scissors and cut sections of hair all over my head to remove the length.  Then I got the clippers that I normally use to cut my DH's hair and buzzed my own head like Demi Moore in GI Jane.  Within a few days, the remaining stubble had fallen out as well.  I am thin, with a very fair complexion.  While on chemo I became even more pale.  I felt like Gollum in Lord of the Rings.  I was very surprised that I didn't cry when I lost my hair.  I expected to, but I cried over other things, like losing my breasts and having none of my fitted clothing look right because I couldn't wear prosthetics until after rads.  I had a major meltdown in my closet one day.

Anyway, I didn't have a game plan either before day 14, but when the day actually arrived I handled it much better than I expected.  I believe that you will too.

Carrol2

I have never clipped anyones hair if that is the right term. I have no clippers to buzz cut my hair. Should I buy them? My husband does not wear his hair buzzed cause his head would sunburn he is very fair. 

i feel so pale now too but that is what makeup is for. 

Jenmarie9

Carol,

I had no plan either. My hairdresser offered to come to my house to shave it when I was ready. I was never ready. My husband urged me to call, but I couldn't. When it started falling out, I was devastated. It was truly harder for me to lose my hair. Cancer took both breasts, but it was WAY harder to lose the hair. It put me in a dark place for about a week. I had my Mom cut it short b/c the amount of hair falling out was depressing. I never shaved it and it didn't all fall out. I wanted to keep the little bit that I had. I looked like a baby bird

Now I am 1 week out of my last chemo and I am thrilled to say its already growing back. I have a 5 o'clock shadow covering my head. It will be hard for you, but you will get through it and it will come back. It's all temporary. We are here for you.

Rocket

It might be a good idea to have them on hand.  If you do decide to use them, put one of the plastic guide combs that come with it on before you use it on your head.  It will be easier on your scalp.  I didn't find it difficult to use them on myself.  They work quite well.  I have a Wahl hair trimmer set.  I started with the longer plastic guides and worked my way shorter each time.

gingersfavorite1

Koryn,  that is one of the most beautiful videos I have ever seen!!!!!    I have taken photo's throughout my journey but never thought of running them into a video - that is totally awesome and I'm going to have to make one!   I can just imagine the family gathering 'round to watch (and cry) and celebrate together - on the other side of this mountain.

Thank you so much for sharing that w/us! 

Resting

Koryn - gingersfavorite1 says it well. Beautiful video! Thx for sharing it.

TreadSoftly

Koryn - I echo the above posts - beautiful clips!  Thanks for sharing!

arnie2two

Koryn....I watched both videos... In the valley of the shadow brought many tears and memories to my eyes...  sometimes I felt I was so alone, but knew better because He tells us He will never leave or forsake us.  Thank you for sharing....

juli0212

ECT:  My hair grew back in slowly (no wigs for me, but a Harley bandana worked!), I'd say a good 6 months after end of chemo, it grew back in with the very soft curly-curls.  I have to say, losing my hair did not bother me at all, I was glad to get it shaved off once it started falling out (I'll admit it was a bit scary when that happened 16 days into chemo in the shower though I expected it, as chemo nurses were spot-on when it would happen).  I loved the bandanas (it was during winter, or I'd have gone bald--with the hot flashes, I hated anything around my head/neck).   Remember too, chemo changes our cell structures, so everyone experiences the hair regrowth very differently.

ALL my best to everyone, you've all helped me, lots of good info!   ~juli

CHRISCPA

To all those struggling with the hair issue I would like to share advice I got before I lost mine.  I have a friend who lost her hair years ago to alopecia who was able to share about hair loss.  Her advice was to buy a wig before you loose your hair.  It is easier for a stylist to match color and style.  Once you start loosing it just cut if off.  She shared that not only will it be traumatic for us it will be traumatic for those around us.  The hair ends up everywhere.  In the bed, bathroom, kitchen etc.  She told me it would be hard for my DH to watch me go thru this and she was right.  Fortunately my hairdresser is a long time friend and when I called and said it was falling out (15 days post tx1), we met at her shop during off hours.  She buzzed it and we talked constantly to keep both of us from crying, I think it was as hard on her as me as she has done my hair for more than 20 years. Even with buzzing early I still had hair everywhere and what a pain to clean up. 

 I do wear my wig as I work in a professional capacity and don't want the conversation to be about why the scarves and hats and the whole BC with everyone who comes through the door.  Most people I am in contact with have no idea I am even wearing a wig.  One of my associates told me she thought my hair (wig) was growing.

My biggest fear of chemo was the loss of my hair.  I have 2 daughters getting married this month and the first words out of my mouth when the onco said chemo was "but I have 2 daughters getting married"  Her response is don't worry we will give you a RX for a wig.  Obviously she is not the mother of marriage age daughters.  I am now looking forward to the weddings in the next 2 weeks and don't have to worry about my hair.  I can shampoo and style it the night before and be ready to go.

Just remember we are strong women and we can get thru this.

juli0212

Chris:  I hear ya on not wanting to be the focus of attention with the bald head/scarves, etc.  Good for you on the wig and your upbeat attitude.  My bf could not have cared less when I lost my hair, and my hairdresser also got me in as soon as I called her to buzz it off, kept it upbeat and the other customers told me I had a 'great-shaped-head'...lol...that really did help...and, heck, NO HAIR anyWHERE was GREAT...can't beat NO shaving~!      Agreed, we are all strong women, and it's actually easier on us than it is the people around us.  Congrats to you and your daughters' upcoming weddings~!   (My daughter also married 2 years ago this month, by then my hair was totally curly and getting long, I didn't do it up, and I don't wear makeup--hard with hot flashes anyway).  DRESS up and totally ENJOY!!!   ~juli

Anonymous

My hair showed obvious thinning from about day 12.  The bulk came out in the shower, caught and tangled with what didn't come out.  There was no choice but to shave at that point - was Superbowl Sunday.  I did all except my bangs (or what was left of them) & did that ever look funny just by itself wore a bandana and had bangs but then they too were too thin and had to go.  

Now I'm learning how to handle thick, extremely curly, 2" hair.  Still wearing a wig until I can come up with a care combination that will work for me. 

ozzyfish

Chemo ended November 30/2009 and still have no eyebrows to speak of, and the Tamoxifen is keeping it thin and bald in a few places.  I was accustomed to having very thick, long hair and I guess I am still morning this loss.  I no that sounds pathetic, things could always be worse!

MBJ

Hi everyone!  Gone on vacation and it's good to be back!

Ozzyfish:  Great name!  It is so not pathetic to mourn the loss of your hair.  Losing my hair and eyebrows and eyelashes--much worse then losing my breast!  It is the time when you realize you are sick and it's difficult to hide.  I wore wigs and painted on tons of eye makeup and liner to hide it but at the end of the day I felt like I was looking like Gollem and 20 years older then when I started and I was quite devastated by it.  The hair usually does come back and if it doesn't there are many things you can do to help assist it's coming back.  It does take time and my hair resembles something other then hair and it's almost impossible to get a brush or comb through it and I am counting the days until it's long enough to straighten.

New Hair Products:  Garnier Fructis Style Sleek & Shine Blow Dry Perfector at home frizz free treatment that lasts up to 7 shampoos.  It's a three step process very similar to the Japanese system developed by L'Oreal.  Bonus:  It can have a cumulative relaxing effect.  I am going to try this one!  Pantene Pro-V Medium-Thick Hair Solutions Frizzy to Smooth Shampoo:  Also, Sally's Beauty Supply has a Frizz Free Straightening Shampoo--Every little bit helps!  I might try the Pantene, and the Sally's does make the hair smoother.  Remington Style Therapy Frizz Therapy Flatiron:  The plates on this flatiron have a porous ceramic coating that emits a silicone based conditioner (enough to last 4 years).  During tests, one session dimished frizz 65 percent more than a traditional flat iron and lasted up to 15 hours!  Yes!!!  L'Oreal Professional INOA Color:  This is an oil based coloring system that opens the hair cuticle less then previous types of water based dyes and does less damage and it is milder with superiour results.  This is ammonia free and uses a different product called MEA (monothenolamine) which only opens the hair cuticle a smidgen instead of lifting the whole cuticle, and it's combined with oil and is gentler to both the hair and scalp and the color is completely oderless and resistant to fading!

I should start a blog on beauty products for chemo hair!!! LOL!

shiramg

just shaved my head and using a little satire to get over it.  check out my "i don't have hair, and i don't care" song on my blog:

http://birthdaycancer.blogspot.com/

gingersfavorite1

love it!   Rock the baldness  

Carrol2

shiramg I f@#king love that song!!!!!

Firni

ozzyfish,  sorry to hear about your brows and hair.  I'm 18 months PFC and I'm dealing with the same thing.  It's not right.

stlcardsfan

i took 10,000 mcg daily for about 2 months. I started 1 week after my last chemo - very eager to get my hair back. I have heard others take 5000 mcg daily.

MBJ

Biotin:  I take 5000 mcg 2 x a day plus a scoop of something called Green Magma in a shake or with juice once a day.  It's great for bones, skin and hair.  Too bad it can't straighten my hair and make it pretty again.

Sugar77

MBJ - I haven't found the Marc Anthony straightener cream yet but I did find a product at Sally's that I really, really like.  It's called Ion Lustering Cream and anyone with the chemo curls might want to try it.  It helps condition and define the curl but it not stiff or sticky.  It's the best cream I've ever used on my hair ever.  Here's a link:

http://www.sallybeauty.com/lusterizing-cream/SBS-302270,default,pd.html

MBJ

Sugar:  Thanks!  You could try on line for the Marc Anthony Creme.  I also posted a whole bunch of new products above.

Anonymous

I took Biotin after chemo and my hair was full and thick. I stopped taking it and my hair thinned out. I  just started taking it agin.

Sugar77

MBJ - I was just grocery shopping and found the Marc Anthony cream at the supermarket so I'll try it tomorrow.  I will continue to use my Lustering Cream from Sally's too.

Resting

Have any of your doctors said it's ok to take the Biotin?

And what was the shampoo you used? Something with a vit.oil in it?

Sorry to ask again, guess it's the chemo fog. I thot I wrote it down - can't find it now.

Anonymous

Took Biotin, 5000mcg, before, during and after chemo - has always been a supplement I have taken.  Ect - Both my Oncologist and Dietician approved Biotin as a supplement during chemo.

MBJ - Thank you for all the wonderful info on products.  

My hair is still coming in but sooooooo slow.  I never, ever wore my hair short and this is quite an adjustment - I do not like my appearance with short hair!!  The first wig I bought almost a year ago was called 'Heidi' and it has been my favorite but it is nearly worn out with bangs that have been fried by oven (twice!).  Have decided would be to my advantage to get another 'Heidi' because at the rate my hair is coming in, it will be a while before I will go wigless in public.  

ozzyfish

Thanks MBJ for the additonal products to try.  I use Nioxin, as refered by my hairdresser, but I think she was just looking to make a sale because it really doesnt work that well!  I will try the other products and see what happens thanks!

MBJ

ozzyfish: I have used the Nioxin for a couple of years, as I had hair thinning prior to chemo hair loss.  It does work but it takes some time.  I totally notice the difference in thickness and texture before and after.I think it helps mostly for you to keep the hair that you have rather then grow in hair.  You need Minoxydl and Biotin for that.

Lilylou:  Know that you are not alone!  I purchase 4 wigs in the last year and sincve it's cold today I am almost tempted to go back to wearing one! 

ladym13

Hi MBJ...

Thanks for all of your advice and knowledge, I love coming to this thread, it's my favourite.

I also use the Nioxin, shampoo, conditioner and follicle booster, however I have always used it even before treatment and I truly believe that it makes a world of difference.

I finished Chemo on June 30th and I now have almost an inch of hair, it's growing really even and just as it was before, I SOO can't wait to be able to style it a little.

Quick question and sorry if it's been answered already, I want to start taking the Biotin, but I just started tamoxafin, is there any problems with taking the Biotin when I'm on the Tamox?

Also MBJ- did you notice that the biotin helps with weightloss? I heard that somewhere..just curious.

Hope everyone had a great weekend

Mo