Hair Hair Hair - Another question

KristinFro

Thanks, momine and KSteve!

An update on the Buffs and this horrible heat we're having here in Chicago. I've had errands to run the last few days, so I've had to go out in the middle of the day when it's the hottest. Unlike with bandanas, my head didn't feel so overwhelmingly hot with the Buff (I've ripped bandanas off as soon as I've gotten into my car because my head was sweating so badly). After a few stores, I actually didn't even realize I still had it on! So, that's a bonus. Keeps your head warm in the cooler temperatures (like the theater the other night) and cooler in the warmer temperatures. I'm sold! (BTW I have ZERO connection to the Buff company, I just happen to like this product and thought other chemo sisters might like it as well )

Hope everyone has a great 4th! 

AEM47

 http://www.flickr.com/photos/80700201@N04/sets/72157630421208832/detail/

I think this link works - I'm trying to orgainize these cronologically?  Look at that mop I had before chemo...lol - losing that  was very painfull  I'm going to try to keep this updated.  It is amazing what has come in over the last 2 weeks.

Elizabeth1889

AEM47, You are beautiful with or without hair. Thanks for the pictures.

schatzi14

AEM...as I have said before...you are a gorgeous brunette! You have a much nicer hairline than I do...looks like you did that on purpose!  LOL

kjiberty

AEM:  You look amazing--both with and without hair.

Kristin:  Thanks for the heads up. I ventured out for the first time since last Friday's shot to the grocery store with my DH.  As soon as I got home, I ripped that wig off.  I am going to Chi-town this weekend and was dreading the whole wig thing, but per your advise, I will wear my buffs (I have 4) and just wear the wig out to dinner and y future daughter-in-law's wedding shower on Sunday.  I am dreading the heat and Michigan Ave. I don't know how much energy I will have anyway since I will be 9 days PFC 

Tweetyb422

AEM487,



Great pics, you look great. Very cute wig...I have 2 I don't like and am looking for a new one...is that one synthetic or human hair? What brand?



Thanks

Gemmie

AEM, I like that wig too. I sent you a PM. Please check.

Ella_117

AEM....I love your wig too. The hairline looks so natural, I can't seem to find one that doesn't look fake at the top. Where did you find yours...I'd love to find one that looks that natural!



Your hair growth is inspiring for 8 weeks...thanks for sharing it is very encouraging!

onvacation

AEM - agree with all the posts above!  Beautiful!

shore1

I seem to be experiencing the "Don King Effect." How long does it take for hair to start growing down instead of up? Also, can someone recommend a good conditioner that wont cause build-up that will slow growth?

auntienance

Shore, I've been using Biosilk hair thickening formula and I like it very much. Has done much to tame the hamster hair. I wash it everyday.

jenlee

AEM, wow,I,finished chemo a week after you and you've got about ten times more hair. Are you taking any special supplements or using specific products? Would love to accelerate the little stubbles on my head.



Finally seeing progresses in my lashes. I only check about ten times a day:) Just a few eyebrows starting to come through.

kjiberty

Jenlee:  are you using any lash enhancing products?  I bought smartlash, but just finished chemo last week and am afraid to start using it until after I talk to my MO.  I just want to get going on the process.  Thinking about using falsies for a wedding shower this weekend.  Never tried them.

AEM47

Ella - the wig is a Lace front monofilement top.   It has a thin plastic lace front so when it blows around, there is no hairline from the wig...it looks very natural.  There is no one that knew it was a wig untill I told them...even when they were almost on top of me..like the rad techs and cardiologist.  The monofiliment top allows you to part it any way you want. I also could put it up on the sides and pin the bangs back, like it was real hair - The one in the picture was made by Estetica (sp) and it's the Monika wig.  It's synthetic.  I trimmed the bangs on it.I bought it in the color you see and also in a more light brown.  Originally I got a raquel welch..same lace front and top, but it was longer.  Once I knew what my head size was and that I wanted the lace front, etc.  I went on line and shopped for the "bargains"  some shops will sell that same wig anywhere from 100 - 200.  That wig cost 99.00 and I got the brown one for 129.00.  However, I paid shipping on the 99.00's and didn't pay shipping on the 129.  The raquel welch one was 260.00 and I got that directly thru dana farber - but that was the one insurance paid for.  It's amazing how the wig shops on line will help you out on colors, etc.  Just email them and ask away.  If you have a color in mind and you don't see it listed, or it's a different make wig, you can tell them what color you currently have and who makes it and they will tell you which color to order in whatever brand you're interested in. 

AEM47

Jenlee - I'm taking biotin, since it's water soluable, I am taking it 2x's a day (5mcg) I'm also taking B150's.  I'm also using rogaine - but I'm only using it once a day now, opposed to twice - once the hair is in, it's hard to get the rogaine to the scalp.  - I also use Nioxin - system 1.

Momine

Shore, I bought a tub of "hair mask" the other day that you leave on washed hair for fiteen minutes then rinse out (without using more shampoo). It really helped. I told a (Greek) neighbor and she said she used to do the same thing with olive oil, although you would need shampoo to get olive oil out. One of the ingredients in my mask was actually olive oil.



So, it seems the main problem is that the hair is very dry. See if you can get some sort of mask or oil treatment or else just olive oil

Myleftboob

AEM

That is a great wig, so natural!  Once I saw your pre surgery photo and that great head of hair I can see why it's growing so fast nevermind the regimen you've adopted.  You are so lovely and suit everything!

I'm taking the same amount of Biotin but was reluctant to use Rogain because I read somewhere that once you start you can't stop.  Perhaps its bunk I don't know.  I know that I'm due to be slow because of Herceptin but what I have going on seems to be laying flat now.  Time will tell. 

I also found that I was having a couple of breakout issues on my scalp.  I'm convinced its due to the heat and wearing the nylon buff and wig.  I picked up some baby shampoo to see if it helps and of course only wearing the wig when necessary.

shore1

Momine & Auntienance - thanks for the product suggestions. I have been using olive oil since chemo ended. I just bought "living proof" anti frizz system. Will let you all know if it helps tame my upward growing fluffy mess.

MizMarie

I've seen several presentations of Wen products on QVC, and I'm really tempted to give them a try - has anyone here used them?

slak

MLB - I had the same concern about Rogaine, but I figured that it isn't likely that your follicles get addicted to Rogaine, its more likely that your follicles will revert to their 'normal' state without it.  In other words, if you were going to go naturally bald there, you would go back to being that way once you stop the Rogaine.  That isn't the case for us, since we aren't naturally bald...we're chemically bald!  So I decided not to worry about stopping the Rogaine once all the hair is in and growing.  I also read the study showing that Rogaine decreased the 'bald' state by 50 days in the 22 people tested.  This to me is a significant decrease in the time of being bald and worth using it, but everyone's concerns are different!

Myleftboob

slak

That makes perfect sense. Hmm since I'm no longer technically bald will it make a difference now?

onvacation

Mizmarie -I have used Wen for several years and love it!  I still "wash" my hair with it!

slak

MLB - In the trial they used the rogaine during chemo and for 4 months after chemo ended.  The only caveat in the trial is that the treatment group was, on average, slightly younger than the control group.  This happened because the participants were randomized.  Anyway, it is unclear how rogaine works.  One thought is it affects the blood vessels in the scalp, where it may help bring more nutrients to the follicle.  I will probably continue to use it for at least the four months PFC.  Also, both my Mom's and Dad's hair is very thin so I figure I'm fighting some genetics there.

Gemmie

    Got the final deep buzz today to take care of all the hair patchiness left over from the few places where it hadn't fallen out. Although I am now basically bald, my DH says it definitely looks better. And none of those pesky little half inch hairs falling all over the place. So though it wasn't a "shave", it was as close to as I could get. Hairdresser recommended not shaving, just real close buzz. Am happier with it now.

    I also think i've discovered a birthmark that I never knew I had! Small dark area on left side of my head I never knew was there! Too funny. A learning experience.

  Here's to a happy and healthy weekend to all.

jpmomof3

funny on the birthmark!  I found a stork bite- red patch about 2-3 inches across- just about my former hairline at the nape of my neck.  I asked my mom about it and she didnt remember it but there it was.  plus two small scars that my mom wouldnt fess up to either. 

Gemmie, I did the same thing as you buzzed it as short as the clippers would go.  The fallout wasnt so bad with that. 

Best wishes!

onvacation

JP- I found the same red thing on the nape of my neck, isn't a rash so it must be a birthmark - my mother didn't remember me having it - i said was I born bald, and she said no, so maybe it just never showed before!

jenlee

kjiberty, I used a lash and brow gel (called Brian Joseph's) that was supposed to PREVENT them from falling out during chemo. It didn't work, though it might have been a miracle if any hair did survive 8 cycles of TAC. I have all kinds of "stuff" though, elastilash, etc. and will be using it.

onvacation

I used brian joseph's also - didn't help the lashes, but seems to be helping the brow!  I just started using latisse for my lashes now that my treatment is done, hope it works!

schatzi14

It's amazing the things you find on your bare scalp! Things you would likely have never known you had. I was just grateful my head was not a bad shape and smooth...I had imagined much worse.

LuvRVing

My grown up kids told me I had a "nice" bald head...lol!  After that, I wasn't so worried about going "au naturel" and ripped off the wig any time I was too hot.