Hair Hair Hair - Another question

auntienance

I know people had success with the lint roller, but it didn't work that well for me.

Rockym

shore and kjiberty, I also do the poll thing, but I'm more like... did she go through chemo too?  I often wonder why anyone my age would have my hairstyle unless they were in the same predicament.  The thing is, many ladies do choose my hairstyle.  It's just that I DIDN'T CHOOSE IT.  I also have tons of guilt for being envious of anyone with long hair regardless of their age (especially my own little girl).  Then I wonder if by the time I'm 50 (I'm 47 now) will I still want my longer locks or would I just be too old for my previous hairstyle.

ana,  I'm using the same Clairol product I used before BC. It is a #2 and washes out in 28 washes.  A little more gentle than permanent color.  It looks the same color as before, but I do have to color every 3-4 weeks now with short hair compared to 6 weeks with my long hair.  I'm sure some of this is because I have to wash my hair every day from using product.  When my hair was long, I only washed 2 or 3 times a week and never used product on my hair.  My cut was enough to have a style.  This short hair is A LOT of work.  Maybe that is part of what gets me down too.  Having to style and use product each day is just another reminder of this whole experience.

Dianarose

Hi everyone- I am new at this hair loss crap. I am getting CMF chemo and was told my hair most likely wouldn't fall out and it was rare. Well I am rare. Lucky me. I got a wig and the dam double sided tape to keep it on is making my skin red and really sore. Any suggestions? My hair dresser got me the whole nioxin kit to start prio to chemo and told me to still use it to clean the chemo from the pours. He also got me a bottle of Nioxin supplement tablets to start taking after chemo. That won't be until mid October though. I took losing my hair worse than losing my boobs. No one can tell I have a wig on except the people who know me, so I guess that's a good thing. I still have about 20% of my hair left and can't bring myself to shave it. I am sick of drawing on my eyebrows. I end up wiping them or scratching them off by the end of the day. It's all a crazy roller coaster ride we are on.

LuvRVing

Anafoefana - I used a shampoo-in color as soon as I had a half inch of hair.  There is no real need to wait.  Just use the 28 shampoo stuff at first, and leave it on about twice as long as you would normally because this new hair is rather resistant to taking color. 

I had my DH buzz my hair the night it started really falling out.  Then I cleaned up every morning and night with a lint roller.  I had read that shaving was a bad idea, that it might cause infections. 

Dianarose - you might try a different brand of double-sided tape.  Is yours made specifically to work with your wig?  Mine was, and I never had a problem.  But I can see how it could cause some irritation as I had problems with tape after my first lumpectomy.

I am washing my hair every other day and just rinsing it on the off day.  I use just a bit of mousse and I'm happy with the chemo curls so I find it all pretty easy.  I spend lots of time in the water (we live on a lake) so the curls are actually easier to deal with.  Most of the time I don't even bother to dry it.  Luckily, I don't have any frizz.

Gemmie

To shave or not to shave --that is the question. I got the boy buzz last week thinking I could deal with the fallout from there. WRONG! It's driving me crazy. I just took a shower and spent way too long cleaning up the little hairs everywhere. And it's yukky falling all over me.

How many of you shaved it off? Did that make it itch more or burn more or whatever more? Is it OK to shave it and be done with it? Help! Can't take another shower like that one.

Looking for advice from the gals who've been there done that.

steve-billiemae

Hi Everyone,

 I'm not sure why, but when we were in the hospital  and the hairloss became quite obvious and clearly unavoidable; I went to the nursing station and requested a pair of scizzors to cut Billiemaes hair. What a joke...one would think on the cancer floor you would be able to produce something a little larger then the pair they found me in a stitches kit, but I worked with what they gave me! Man they were small!!! We agreed it only made sence that so long as you can pull it out in clumps, then it needs to be cut! To me it was an honor and a privlage to be trusted to cut her hair for her, and eventually shave her head for her! I'm not sure, but maybe it was her ability to take care of me hand and foot; threw not one but two broken arms the last time requiring surgery that made it such a no brainer! I mean really, she had to do EVERYTHING FOR ME; even yes...wipe me! Seems like being supportive in her time of need is pale in comparison!!! And now I'd be lying if I didn't say that SHE IS EVERY BIT AS BEAUTIFUL TODAY WITHOUT HAIR AS SHE EVER WAS WITH HAIR!!!  She is a warrior and a hero, all she had to do was refuse treatment and let it take it's course, leaving me to pick up the pieces! But instead she is fighting this with everything shes got! The way I see it...I'M THE LUCKIEST MAN IN THE WORLD!!! I LOVE YOU BILLIEMAE!!! :-) So I ask ALL of the other heros here to keep fighting, don't let yourself get discouraged by the hairloss! Your beauty has never been defined by the hair on your head, your eye lashes, eyebrows or boobs! It's so much more then that... and of course they will grow back or can be replaced!!! As a contractor, when I look to buy or work on a house; not once have I ever said " I'd really like it but it has no shutters!" A solid foundation has always been more important to me!!!

  And oh my...this is sizing up to be the bumpiest rollercoaster ride on the planet. As a child I used to wish that the ride would never end...but if memory serves they always did!!! And this to shall pass, we will only be stronger when it's only a memory (Billiemae)!

 Stay Strong and Please Stay In Touch,

Steve & Billiemae 

steve-billiemae

Gemmie: GET YOUR GI JANE ON GIRL!!! SPORT IT WELL!!! I couldn't take the fallout either. The only se so far is a sweatty head...no itching!!!

Go Girl,

Billiemae 

dragonfly1

Shore1 I had the relaxer put in my hair 2 weeks ago and I'm 13 months pfc. My hair is about 3 inches long now but has been trimmed 3 times. I wish I had known about the relaxer sooner. It has made my hair more manageable and it looks more like my pre-chemo hair so I'm much happier with it.

shore1

Gemmie - I had my head shaved in a salon where I had already chosen 2 wigs. I had it shaves between AC 1 and 2 because I just couldn't stand the thought of seeing it fall out in clumps.



Dragonfly -- thanks for the tip. I will ask about how soon a relaxer will give me good results. I think its still too short. 13 months seems so far away.

missy_111

Can anyone recommend a good online site for natural/organic makeup?

57lala

Gemmie,

In my opinion for sure shave. It wasn't so prickly. Felt sooooo much better. Has anyone heard of someone's hair falling out using a relaxer? I am only four months since last chemo but just can't stand the sheep look.

Ossa

anafoe... nice to "see" you again,, I started colouring my hair when it was 1/2 inch long.. You can get premixed ready to use colour with no peroxide at Sally's it is easy to use and comes out great 

Momine

Hair recap:

1 month PFC:

4.5 months PFC:

6 months:

New haircut a few days ago, 6.5 months out:

LuvRVing

Momine - tres chic!!!

schatzi14

Momine...lookin great...we are almost neck and neck...am almost ready for a professional cut!

schatzi14

Gemmie...I buzzed it but didn't shave it. Was afraid it would be too prickly. I wore a shower cap to keep it from clogging the drain and at first I took it by handfuls out of my scalp but then was afraid I would damage the roots so I just let it come out on its own. It's back all over and healthy now. Still pretty short but getting thicker each day.

kjiberty

Momine:  You look beautiful!

Steve:  You are what my family calls "a keeper".  What love you and billemae have for each other!  I have a keeper as well.  I am so lucky.   

Just looking at the few feather whisps of white standing straight up on my head.  

I don't use wig tape.  My wig fits on great and has velcro in the back to adjust it.  As soon as I figured ot how to wear it, it isn't too bad, except when it's hot.  I haven't worn it since Wednsday, but really haven't left the house except to do chemo and get the Neulasta shot the next day. 

jpmomof3

Good morning ladies!  I am just happy that I dont have to go to the big girl chair for the first time in 20 weeks.  I am PFC 1 week now.  will update my avatar.  I like the low light photo, makes it look like I have more hair HAHA!  Momine, you look awesome! Thanks for the pics!  Always encouraging to see those of you that have gotten through this and are recovering so beautifully!

I never shaved but did buzz my hair with hair clippers without any guard, just stubble left behind.  the fallout didnt bother me too much with that.

 Have a great day!

kjiberty

Jpmomof3:  LIke the new pic.  Congrats on being one week PFC  I am right there with ya!  Can't wait for this hair to grow!

auntienance

momine, I have hair envy! Your top is so thick. I'm 6 1/2 months out too, but you have so much more than me. You look great!

allurbaddayswillend

Gemmie, I'm in the same boat: I buzzed it down the other day but so much is still falling out and it's itchy and getting in my computer keyboard and everything else. It's almost as bad as my husky mutt shedding her winter coat! SO I put a scarf on my head a few minutes ago and it actually feels a bit better to have that little bit of pressure on my head plus it'll contain the bits of hair until I go outside, take it off and shake it out. I like Billiemae and other's advice, I will probably ask my husband to help me shave it tonight or tomorrow. You in?

Carrol2

Janet very well said. I agree 100%. It only gets better as time goes by. I love my new hair. it's thicker and way easier to style now. I also colored my hair from a dark brown to a light blonde for years and now I am all natural and I like it. I was not sure how much grey I had, and it's not a huge amount, bit it's pretty, like silver hilites. I still may go blonde again some day for now I relaly like it.

Momine

Thanks everyone, and if it helps someone keep the faith, then I am happy

Anonymous

Hi,

 I have just started to regrow my hair and have noticed these small white hard balls.  They might be hair "bulbs" that have been hardened and are nto growing any more.  I'm just not sure.  Has anyone had these develop?

VVH 

jpmomof3

VVH, I havent had that particular problem but from what you describe that sounds like milia.  I see it all the time on infants.  it is the glands around the hair follicle that blocked up.  If thats what it is it is best not to do anything.  it usually just goes away.  it is probably just a sign that things are starting to be active again on your scalp.  avoid things that block up the hair follicles like waxy shampoo or conditioners.  baby shampoo would be best to clean the scalp.  but seeing your doc or a dermatologist can verify all that!

allurbaddayswillend

VVH, Have you tried the scalpicin yet? If that's not helping, there are other products that have more salicylic acid in them or lactic acid (in 12% concentrations like AmLactin) that can help loosen up surface cells that might be blocking follicles or pores. If you go up in concentration or try the amlactin, always be careful to test a little (1 sq cm)  patch somewhere and wait a day or two so you don't irritate your whole scalp. and as jpmom says, seeing a dermatologist could be good as s/he could prescribe something most appropriate for you and your skin. (I already have my dermatology appt scheduled for next January, should be post-radiation and all. I expect I will need some help.)

auntienance, now that you mention it, I too have a good dent on the top right side of my head and some ridges in the back. It will be fine if I looked like a Star Trek alien or something but if it's just weird, I may not be so enthusiastic about the dome look. we shall see...

Ossa

Momine.. nice.. You look great

Steve: wow, could not help get emotional reading your post,, what a sweet man you are Billemae you got a keeper there for sure

FLislander

My hair follicles on my arms were bumpy when the hair started to come in and my dr said it was dead cellular matter blocking the ducts, to use exfoliator I found these little face scrubber gentle pad and lightly rubbed arms and used hypoallergenic lotion

dragonfly1

It only took me a year to figure out how to create this timeline I've had my hair cut 3 times so far as well as highlights and more recently the "relaxer". I'm letting the sides grow but keeping the back short so I can eventually get it cut at an angle where the front is longer than the back if that makes sense-I'm trying to get back to the Victoria Beckham cut I had at one time:

Momine

Dragonfly, the relaxer really did a nice job. Looking good!