Hair Hair Hair - Another question

mysunshine48

Minustwo, I just read about Arimidex. And, I see pictures on here of women and their hair growth while I hsve peach fuzz and nothing on the back right side. Most of what I learn is on this site. I am just concerned. With all we go through, it would be nice to get my hair back

ninjamary

Lisa - I think we are hair twins. My hair looks like your 4 month PFC. I'm 1+ months PFC. My radiation nurses are shocked at how much hair I have (I feel like I should have much more) I never thought my hair was this gray (like you I colored it) For the time being it's going to stay gray. I get so many compliments on my look. Supposedly I look very chic and younger. I think it's just because I look so different from every suburban mom in the area. I'm actually enjoying looking different from everyone else.

CatsRus

Lisaj, thanks for posting. I am 7 weeks PFC and, in another week, should look similar to your 8 week photo. Maybe I'll have slightly less hair but the growth pattern and colour look the same. Glad you like it the colour, I hope I like it too when it grows more, it's freaking me out a bit at the moment, even though it is what I expected. I really don't want to go back to colouring it. I've been putting a concoction I read about somewhere on my head... equal parts coconut oil, vitamin e oil and castor oil. Not sure if it's doing anything but at least I feel like I'm doing something. I'll start taking photos next week.

MySunshine, I'm on Letrzole (generic Femara) and I've read that slows hair growth and causes thinning, so we'll see. I just want my hair back and will be happy to have a short style.

anotherNYCGirl

You all look wonderful, - even so soon pfc!!

My hair is still too thin on top, almost a year pfc. I think that several long surgeries and anesthesia rounds attributed to that. It is frustrating to still look this way.

My onc suggested minoxidal shampoo, but my dermatologist said that doesnt work, and to try regular minoxidal. I am hoping that some of you can share your experience if you've used it?

Thanks!!

MinusTwo

Mysunshine - Sorry, I didn't mean to sound harsh. I certainly agree, all we want is to have some signs of returning to "normal" again. Hopefully some others who have used Arimidex for awhile will post.

lago

My hair was fine on Anastrozole (Arimidex) and grew in just fine. Eyebrows got thinner though.

mysunshine48

Minus two, No worries! While I would like my hair back, I am happy to have Cancer away and need to remember the important thing is to be healthy!

Lisaj514

ninja, exactly! I got lots of compliments early on because it was different I think and this very white hair on a young(ish!) person is unusual. Looks chic and edgy I'm sure. I always wore cool earrings with my scarves and when hair was so short. Made me feel better. Now that it's longer I don't get compliments anymore.... Hmmm

I also used coconut oil and castor oil. Don't know if it did anything at be it did) but also felt like I was doing something.

Allydp

Hi ladies! I'm 1 year PFC and thought I'd share my latest hair shot. I haven't cut a single strand except a few buzz downs in the very beginning to get rid of the initial white fuzz, and of course a few trims in the back to prevent a mullet. Although I've recently let that part grow out a bit in order to fake more of a stacked bob. My trick to creating that stacked look is I spray hairspray on a round brush and roll the mullet portion up and out into the longer hair, throw in some backcombing, and voila!

I finally added a few highlights, but even the small amount caused some damage. I'm bummed because I used to be light blonde and don't think I'll get back there. It's wavier, which I don't mind. It also seemed to be thicker for the first 6 months or so, but it's thinned out. I think the light weight and short hair strands were creating an illusion of thickness. Now that it's longer and heavier, my part is wider. My hair was thinning before chemo though, so basically it's grown back exactly the same. I have Hashimoto's, an autoimmune thyroid disease unrelated to cancer or chemo, which is the likely cause. I use a product called Toppix and dry shampoo to disguise the wide part. Regardless, it's awesome to finally have some length again and be past the pixie.

And on the subject of facial hair, I had to shave my face for a few months post chemo. All is back to normal now. No more fuzz.

ThinkingPositive

Allydp...love your hair. Hope mine grows in that nice. So far its all curls.

anotherNYCGirl

Ally - you look adorable!

live_deliciously

ally. Very nice. Thanks for sharing

Trvler

Ally, I was going to say the same thing. Adorable!

Lisaj514

ally, so cute!

And mommom, forgot to say...you look stunning!

CassieCat

I'm coming up on three weeks since my final Herceptin-only infusion. I'm really hoping that the rate of growth picks up!

lexie2002

Hi IamNancy,

Your hair looks really nice. Mine grew back too but I was wondering since your taking Arimidex have you experienced hair loss from that. I've been on it 2 yrs this coming March and in the last few months my hair is really thinning. I am so scared I will be bald again. Not too many people comment on this problem and I was just wondering since you've been on the drug awhile what you could tell me.

Thanks

Lexie

Chloesmom

Minoxidal. Does it really work? Since starting the AIs I think the top is thinning. Wondering if I should get some. Is it better to start it befor it becomes so obvious you need it? There are less hairs per sq in on the top than the sides now. advice?

ninjamary

Chloemom - I'm using minoxidal (since August) and I haven't seen a remarkable difference. Hair is not growing well on the top of my scalp towards the sides. They say it takes 4 months for you to notice a difference. I'm barely a month out. I'm also using it on my eyebrows and they continue to fall out. I think I have three eyebrow strands left. I'm going to keep using it as I already have the bottle. I wish I had started using it once my hair had started growing back though, then I would be on month #2.

CatsRus

I'm nearly 8 weeks PFC and my eyelashes have decided to fall out! Bottom ones have gone completely, top ones are few and far between. The hair on my head is coming in slowly. It's definitely more peach fuzz like than hair, but it is growing and getting thicker.
And there was me thinking I'd done well keeping my eyelashes.....sigh...

lexie2002

Hi, I had my hair grow back curly but thick. Now you can definitely see my scalp. It's from the AI. It is so depressing. I hate to stop Arimidex because of my new hair loss, but I'm seriously thinking about it!

Allydp

Thanks so much everyone for the sweet compliments!

mysunshine48

Two months PFT and I have very little hair! Peach fuzz, but it does not seem like it is growing! Am I being too impatient?

lago

you have hair…that's a start. Some people are slower than others. Peach fuzz is a good sign.

Jennie93

Quick question - to those who have gotten haircuts since it grew back - if you cut off the chemo curls will they come back? Or does it go back to the way it was before chemo (straight, in my case)?

MinusTwo

Jennie - I think everyone is different. But in my case, when I cut off the chemo curls I got my standard straight to wavy hair - just a little thinner.

Chloesmom

my hairdresser says if you were straight it's usually straight within a year, but there are exceptions. A friend of mine is still curly 3 years later. She had soft waves before chemo. I had soft waves too and now look like I just took curlers out of my hair so wonder what will be later on. Not really concerned. Just want to have hair since I'm taking an AI

lexie2002

Cholesmom I had asked you a question before about hair thinning on AI ,maybe you didn't see it..... Mine has really started thinning. I've been on Arimidex almost 2 years. Have you decided to try anything??

Chloesmom

I asked hairdresser and she didn't seem concerned as where it is white she said it's easier to see the scalp. I'm going to wait till I see MO next month and see what she thinks. Am taking hair skin nails supplement for now. How about you?to me it's definitely thinner at the hairline

mysunshine48

Is Biotin absolutely safe to take.......does not have estrogen properties? Anyone really know?

lago

If you are truly worried Biotin from the Vitamin Shoppe has no soy in the capsules: linky