Hair Hair Hair - Another question

westiemom

Michelle my scalp itched like crazy when I started losing my hair. This is normal. As far as scalp care, I used a shampoo by Keune, called So Pure in addition to the shampoo, I also used their scalp elixir, has essential oils and this really helped with the itching. I know others who have used baby shampoo.

dawney

charlotte - All I used was Johnson's baby shampoo.  My hair started going back within a few weeks of my last treatment.  I am now at 14 weeks PFC and am going 'topless'  I started using Nioxin a few weeks, not sure if it is working or not.

lrr4993

Eyebrow tip for those who need it.  There is a mascara (can't think of the brand right now . . . one of the big ones . . . revlon, maybelline, etc.) that has a little spiked ball for an applicator rather than the usual brush.  I never liked it much for my lashes but for some reason was compelled to try it on my brows a few weeks ago.  They were just starting to grow in after thinning a lot.  It really makes my brows look thicker and fuller.  The spiked ball keeps the mascara from getting on your skin and clumping in the brow.  I wish I had tried it when they fell out, instead of the powder.  My brows are now back to normal, but I am still using it just because it looks good.

Anonymous

Thanks, ladies.  I think it's medium brown from Loreal.

kittycat

Oh shoot!  I should have looked for the Marc Anthony Straight at Walgreen's tonight.  I was sure that it came from Sally Beauty because I know MBJ mentioned shopping there!  Oh well.  I will go back tomorrow. 

I have very short bangs now.  I can't wait for my hair to be closer to looking like a bob. 

kittycat

Adnerb, I love your hair pics.  It looks great!!!

Carrol2

I never shaved my hair. I had all these long pieces that never fell out around my hiarline. Now 12 weeks PFC they all kind of broke off as the new hair is growing in. Now i have all these longer fuzzy hair sticking up above the new the growth. I am hoping that at week 16 I can go to the salon and have them cut that away so it's not all firzzy. Then I will be left with kind of a salt and pepper crew cut. I have been taking pics of the progress but don't want to post that online where anyone can see. Too busy now but next week I will make a photohbucket account so i can share.

westiemom

Carol same with me. I didn't shave my head. Once the hair started to fall out I went to Supercuts and had it cut above my shoulders, made it easier for me to cope with shorter hair as it fell out; but the hair around my hairline stayed too. Once my new hair started growing in I cut it.

MBJ you totally inspired me! I started Nioxin and I really like it. I'm using the System 3 because my hair has color in it, in addition I bought the follicle booster (pricey) it does thicken up my hair nicely. I also bought the Nioxin vitamins, has good stuff in it. I'm pleased with the hair purchase, makes the expense worth it.

I'm going to see a menopause and osteoporosis physician next week. I'm feeling lethargic and just blah, although I have the utmost respect for my oncologist, I need to see what options are out there for me since my oophrectomy in addition to the arimidex and calcium. Want to be sure there isn't anything impacting my hairgrowth, lack of weight loss (ugh!), etc.

MBJ

westiemom:  I hope the hair products work for you and I am glad you are seeing a dr. Research the hell out of any drugs they want to put you on, though.  So many side effects above and beyond the hair loss we are already dealing with.

MarieK

What can I use on my gray hair to make it softer and less coarse? 

Any other gray haired ladies out there using something they like?

I've been using Frizz Ease Weatherworks for a while now and although it is helping with the frizz (it rains a lot here on the West Coast)  I've now added Frizz Ease Secret Weapon Finishing Cream.

I remember from my "dying" days that hair colour will dry out your hair and even though I'm considering it I don't want my already dry hair to become even drier.

In the meantime I'd like to be able to work with what I have until I make that decision.

MBJ

I love Paul Mitchel Straight hair serum.  I put on my topical 183 solution & rogaine and serum, wait 10 minutes then add my hair gels and style.  Keeps it smooth and shiny.

MarieK

MBJ will you please attach a bigger photo of your hair for me in a post?

I think we are about the same length and I'm considering going darker like you but it's hard to see your hair in your avatar photo.

Thanks!

DiDel

Hi all! Hope everyone is having a good week. I am heading out today for my first hair CUT and color (second coloring) I was looking at pics from January and I can't believe how fast my hair is growing now. THe hair on the crown of my head is sloooooowly growing in but the rest of it is doing well...dry and course like Marie said but you can only tell if you touch it. I use Moroccan Oil and no sulfate products to shampoo and condition.

Have a great afternoon....thankfully my week is getting a little better. Climbing out of that hole.

Diane

MBJ

MBJ

Marie & Didel:  If your hair is really coarse, you can do a hair mask or a deep conditioning treatment that you leave on for 10-30 minutes before dying your hair.  This should help some.

MarieK

Thanks so much MBJ for posting a bigger photo!!!  Your hair is much longer than mine. 

Thanks for suggestion of treatment before colouring. I have seen the deep conditioners/masks in the store but never thought I needed one. 

DiDel

Thanks I was just thinking I should do one soon. My hair dresser also recommended this stuf called "Its a 10!" its a spray in keratin treatment you put on before drying your hair. I am going to Sally's this weekend.

Ok so someone told me today that I look thinner with short hair....hmmmmmm??? Really? One of those insults and compliments all in one! LOL

Diane

DiDel

MBJ I just love your hair! My hair is sooooo short on top I hate it! Yours has grown in nicely. I think I have to go back to BIOTIN

MBJ

Didel:  Thank you!!  I do soooo much to keep my hair.  I am very vain, lol!

Marie:  Are you sure my hair is longer?  The flat iron adds inches to mine, otherwise it looks short if I just let it do it's thing.

cc4npg

Oh boy, oh boy!  I just have to post this.  I'm not quite 5 weeks pfc and I do have lots of tiny white hair everywhere on my head now that appears to be growing.  BUT, this morning as I was microscopically looking in all different types of light, I saw a bunch... a BUNCH... of teeny tiny dark dots of hair starting to emerge all over!  I feel like a kid on Christmas!  So, will the white just start to darken up?  There isn't as much dark dots on the top of my head, but most of that was white before chemo anyway. 

Blindsided

I'm now 8 1/2 weeks PFC and most of my hair is about the length it was after getting buzzed nov 14.  The only thing is, it is now mostly white, and abnormally soft, but at least I no longer look like Mr Clean.   I am constantly comparing myself to the bald men I see around, why do they look so much better than me with the same length hair? 

MBJ

cc4npg:  Yay, you are starting to grow real hair after the chemo hair.  I had lots of grey and white in the beginning but after 3 or so months, it was mostly black again but of course with all that extra grey, sigh

MarieK

MBJ - your hair is so cute and sexy - I think it is longer than mine but maybe the flat iron and the darker hair give the appearance of length?

cc4npg - my hair came in very white at first (chemo hair) but then it started to get darker and darker.  It's almost a steel colour now with areas that are darker (like at the nape of neck) and lighter (around my face).

MarieK

I got a hair "trim" last week and this is me now at almost 14 months PFC.

elaineg

Marie beautiful! It looks very thick and the color is lovely. I can't wait to be able to post some pics like that

LtotheK

Marie,that is a gorgeous head of hair.

Gang, I'm just curious about others.  I am 6.5 months PFC and have a very lovely covering on soft,curly (wasn't before) Mia Farrow.  My issue is, at 6.5 months, I feel like I should have at least 2 inches.  I don't!  I barely have 1.  And my eyebrows are still thin as all getout.  Other experiences?

MBJ

LtotheK:  Know that curlier hair looks soooo much shorter then straight!!!

Marie:  Thank you!  My hair is a work in progress!  My stylist said in another month or so my fron should be as long as it was in November 2009 just prior to chemo.  My hair is shorter then yours when I let it curl, so yes, the flat iron does give the appearance of length.  Sally's sells a new flat iron that applies Moroccan oil on your hair at the same time as flattening it.  If you are ever wanting to try it, since grey, chemo hair is much coarser then natural hair, this might be something to consider. 

MBJ

For those of you who have had problems growing back your hair without much success: Prior to BC I was diagnosed with adrenal exhaustion which included lots of hair loss.  I suspect many of us were suffering from this prior to or after chemo.  For a very long time I thought it was because of the disruption of my thyroid. After reading all of the wonderful information on this site I wanted to pass this on to you.   I highly recommend this site:  www.Dr.Lam.com.  He will answer your questions for free and he also has an 800 number for more difficult cases and the initial over the phone consult is also free.

Dominika

marieK You look absolutely stunning!!

Here is my hair growing update.

Last time shaved- November 10, no trimming so far, no colour but i'm planning to get them  cut in May , hopefuly there will be more to cut !

Maureen813

Ladies, you look sooo gorgeous, I am soooo jealous.  I look like a little old gray-haired man and it's depressing. I have a stripe of dark gray running ear-to-ear and white peach fuzz on top.  My last chemo is tomorrow.  I was a hair salon fanatic prior to bc, actually cried at Xmas time when I drove by my salon and saw all the women getting their hair cut. 

M