Hair Hair Hair - Another question

MarieK

Nancy are you sure he wasn't staring because you looked smoking hot in your new haircut and colour?

in_cognito

Nancy, I agree with MarieK - I bet he was staring because you look beautiful!

Carrol2

Nancy yes I am taking 5000 mcg of biotin. I still fell bald though because you can still see my scalp through my hair. it's like when an infant is born.

MBJ

Carol2:  I hear that our hair grows back similar to when we were babies!  I don't now if this is fact, but if you were bald as a baby, you may have the same issues with chemo grow out.  That said, I didn't get full coverage until mine was about and inch or so long--before that I had tons of scalp which is why I resisted dying it.

 Dying Hair:  If you try to dye your hair too soon after chemo, it might not take!  So I wouldn't spend alot of money at a salon until you have a couple trims and give it time for healthier hair to grow in.  Maybe using a natural henna (careful not to use one's that have color added) or a temporary, non toxic dye would be more practical at this point.  Aveda is great, but expensive and a waste of money on new chemo hair.

I had my first real hair cut yesterday meaning it's the first time I didn't feel as if I only had chemo hair.  It still sticks out like I have weird cowlicks, but my stylist was able to get a cut that looked like the way I used to wear it.  She said when I come back in a few weeks, my front should finally have the length I had when I started chemo in November of 2009.  I have worn it for years in an edgy bob with pieced out bangs and this is the first time I feel like I no longer have a bush for hair!

John Frieda 3 Day Straight:  I bought and tried out this product and it does leave my hair straight the next day, but when I try and add my gels to get the right texture, it doesn't work as well.  I would recommend this product for those of you with long hair who are still dealing with chemo frizz.  It requires the use of a flat iron and a blow out to get the best results.

Happy Hair Day!!!

Paula1231

Hello Ladies,

I am three weeks post chemotherapy and I would like to join, as today I found three fuzzy hairs on the right side of my scalp.  They are firmly anchored to the scalp so I am sure I am getting my hair back!!

I was in despair, as my last lashes on my right eye fell off this weekend, and I was terrified I would have the bald SE forever.  I am going to start taking biotin this weekend and hope my hair comes back altogether.  Please say a prayer, that my baldness is only temorary.

MBJ

Paula:  Most of us do get our hair back, it just takes time!  Hugs!!!

MBJ

I can't remember if I posted this or just thought about posting this, but I just read on a dr's site that Inositol helps with hair growth!

MBJ

I have fought the battle with hair loss for 5 years now.  Mine was initially due to adrenal exhaustion, something I was diagnosed with shortly before my BC diagnosis.  I had tremendous sleep issues plus hair loss and still do.  I am hoping that by sharing my experience, this will help others.

I was finally and accurately diagnosed with Adrenal Exhaustion 5 months prior to BC and still continue to have problems with it almost 2 years later.  I am wondering how many of us have adrenal fatige due to chemo and this is the most helpful and informative site I have found on the issue.  He gives pointers on supplements, eating to get a good night's sleep and to address the adrenal issues and hair loss:  www.DrLam.com.   I am having success doing this only the last two nights and I wanted to share these with you!
Mary

Anonymous

After reading a lot of information online (here and other places) I am convinced that going through general anesthesia really slows down your hair growth.

I grew hair after chemo and had short, fuzzy hair but with full coverage.  My last infusion was Feb. 8, 2010.  Then I had to have my exchange surgery on 8/5/10, though the surgery was not that long, about 1 and 1/2 hours.  Following that I had to have emergency revision on 9/30/10, another 1 and 1/2 hours of surgery.  My most recent surgery was less than a month ago and I was under for 3 and 1/2 hours.  I am not looking forward to more hair loss.  I'm tired of my Jack Nicholson hairdo!!! (Heeere's Johnny!) LOL!

The good news is that the longer you stay away from general anesthesia, the more likely it seems that you will grow thicker, more dense hair.

Brenda

krista613

Paula, I know how you feel. I was very worried about my hair growth after taking taxotere, but I am almost 8 weeks after chemo and I can tell it's going to all come back now. I can still see my scalp and it's kinda sparse but thickening up. I am also taking biotin and stimulair. It seems to be helping because another lady I know that had same chemos as me but finished ten days earlier and I had a ton more growth than she did.  I also just lost my eyelashes on the bottom and am pretty irked about that, but what can you do?

kittycat

I got my hair done a couple weeks ago. I can already see growth of gray roots. Even though I spent good money to get it done, I'm wearing my wigs. I went camping for 5 days and went topless. It was nice and my friends and family were very supportive and complementary. My inlaws didn't recognize me though. LOL! My hair is super thick and curly. I don't mind the thickness, but I still look poofy. I bought that John Frieda spray. It does not work on short chemo hair.



MBJ, where do you get that Marc Anthony Straight stuff?



I'm getting a hyst/ooph in April. I hope my hair doesn't thin or atop growing from the anesthesia or lack of hormones. Although I'm still in chemopause since June and that didnt affect my hair. Let's hope!!!

MBJ

Kittycat:  I bought Marc Anthony Straight at my local Rite Aid.  Feels great to go topless doesn't it?  My roots come in really quickly, too.  I guess it's a good thing because it means you have healthy hair coming in fast!!!

MarieK

Kittycat - my hair is coming in thick and curly too.  My hairdresser thinned it out quite a bit and now it's not so puffy.

I can't really say if it's thicker than pre-chemo or not - I always wore it long and I guess thick long hair is easier to manage than thick short hair!

I'm going to look for the Marc Anthony Straight and try it out - thanks MBJ!

Paula1231

I hear you Krista..nothing can be done.  Just hope those lashes come back fast.  I really look scary now. Even the eyeliner looks wretched.

peggyp

Can someone please tell me if continuing the Herceptin after the chemo inhibits the hair from growing back as quickly as it might otherwise?

Thanks,

Peggy 

Jenmarie9

Peggy,

I am on Herceptin. Finished chemo in October 2010. My hair is growing quickly. I had my first haircut & color last week. I don't think Herceptin slows hair growth. Not in my case anyway.

Hope this helps

Jennifer

MBJ

Marie:  Your hair may be too long for the Marc Anthony Straight.  I only liked it to piece out my bangs and hair when I didn't have any length to keep it manageable and straight and it worked great for finger styling.  When my hair got long enough to blow dry, then I switched to Paul Mitchell Straight Serum before adding my regular hair gel and I still need the flat iron to get it to look shiny and to really get it straight.  It's a bit of work but I don't have any hair when it curls up!  I still use the March Anthony on my bangs after I dry it but it was too drying with the blow dryer.  I hope this helps and I haven't confused you!

IowaSue45

Hi ladies,  just wanted to remind everyone that they do have temp.30 day color and daily colors that aren't as harsh as perm. color.

Also new shampoo my sister says makes her hair grow faster, she said it makes her hair need a trim in 3 weeks instead of 6 wks. google it  Biotin B complex shampoo.

Can someone tell me how to paste my pic. on here.

I have used nioxin for a year or 2 cause I have naturally thin hair, it is probably time for me to try something new.

Another tip for straighting is try a blow brush, I have the one from walmart by con air and it comes with 2 size brushes and it works great, it did for me prior chemo any how.

I should have kept up on my cosmetology licenses I would have even better tips. I'm am surprised that is something they didn't teach much on was hair loss from chemo.

Sugar77

I've recently started using John Frieda Frizz Ease styling products (leave in conditioner and mousse) and am having good results.  I also now use a little bit of Luster Creme from Sally's for finishing and sectioning at the end.  I was using the Luster Creme as my only styling product when my hair was shorter but now I've added the Frizz Ease stuff to my hair lineup.

Anonymous

This was how I looked when I was in the hospital for my lat flap:

Today I decided to get a haircut.  I'm going back to work tomorrow, don't feel like it, but I have to!

 

No more mullet! Yay!

westiemom

IowaSue, the reviews and ingredients in this shampoo are great! I just started Nioxin, gonna give it a shot, my hair is super thick every where but the front part of my scalp...ugh! Thanks for the shampoo tip!!

westiemom

Brenda your hair is growing great! I know you mentioned in a earlier post that your hair was looking thin, I truly believe that meds from surgery do impact our hair. I had 5 surgeries, 4 prior to chemo and I noticed my hair thinned out. But your hair looks beautiful and full!!  

Anonymous

westiemom,

It's not full.  It's an illusion.  My stylist cut it so it has an illusion of fullness.  I used to have thick, wavy hair, very much like my avatar.

Thanks!

Brenda 

sunflower71

Hi Ladies,

I have lurked on this thread since I started chemo and want to tell you all how much hope you have given me.  Losing my hair has sucked!  I have my last round March 17th and look forward to comparing notes!  My hair started to "grow" back after round 4, it is sparse and sticks straight up.  My eyebrows are getting thinner, what do you all suggest?  The sephora kit or a pencil? 

saralmom

Sunflower - when my eyebrows were just starting to thin out, I used a pencil to fill them in.  But as they got thinner, I had better luck with the sephora kit.  The stencils take some practice, but I used that kit every day for weeks and got pretty good at it.

nikola

Brenda, your hair looks full. Nice color.

Carrol2

Brenda your hair looks great!

How long since your final chemo? Love the color too is that natural? I am 12 weeks PFC. Still can't go topless but hair is coming in. I am upset though it's very grey. Kind of salt and pepper. I had been hilighting my hair blonde for years so I don't know how grey I was but doesn't seem like this much. Guess I will be covering that with brunette at first when it gets longer, to be gentle with it.

charlottesmama

Hi all. Had my head buzzed yesterday. It was coming out in clumps, so I decided to just do it. I'm pretty bald in places already.

My scalp itches a lot. Is that normal? I took a Benedryl to elp with that. Any suggestions on scalp care once the hair is gone?

My last tx is March 21. Can I expect my hair to start growing back in July? My hair grows super fast. I'm keeping it short once it grows back.

Cheers,

Michelle 

tnbcRuth

Congrats!  We all had to do it at some point, so welcome to the club.  It grows back  Its just hair and all that :):)

MBJ

Brenda:  Your hair looks great!!!!

Sunflower:  I hate the pencils as I have oily skin and the pencil just looks shiny and fake.  I would opt for the stencils and Clinique sells a great $15 brow powder that comes with a great angled brush.  It looks natural and it doesn't come off as easily as other powders I have used.