Hair extensions after chemo?

fd1

When I was diagnosed last year, I ended up postponing my wedding as I needed to start chemotherapy before the date it was planned.  We have rescheduled it for June 1.

I have been debating going to see Jon Richards at his salon for hair extensions so that I can really feel like myself at the wedding.  He is one of the few people that can do it on very short hair.  I currently have about two inches of hair and will likely have about three at the end of May when I would see him.

Has anybody out there done this at his salon or elsewhere?  What were your experiences?

I spoke to the girl that was featured in the news article about his salon and she was very happy with the results.

HWAC

Please visit hairwithacause.com they specialize in working with cancer hair recovery. If you have any specific questions please feel feel to reach me directly at boraj2011@gmail.com My name is Deborah.

rozem

i had hair extensions put in after chemo, i had about 2-3 inches of hair.  It was the tape kind, well one fell out and left me with a small bald spot.  Be clear with the hairdresser on the fact that your hair may be weak after chemo, maybe request the tiny clip on type that doesnt pull or tug the hair

Bridget1023

I would highly recommend Jon Richards. I finished chemo in feb of 2012. In June, with 1 inch of hair,Jon Richards put a full head of extensions on. It was amazing. I wore them until November and it made my life so much happier! He is an awesome person as well as an expert at hair extensions for chemo patients! I would do it!!

loriestelle

I'm in Alexandria, VA. Finished chemo in July and have about an inch and a half of thick hair. I had long, shiny brown hair before all of this. Now I just can't stand the way I look. People close to me think I should go through the "process". Did your extensions just blend right in so they weren't noticeable? Did they damage or break any new hair? I would literally get on a plane to Jon Richards as I can't find anyone in my area who has the experience with chemo patients.

Tina1

I went to several salons and asked about hair extensions. They all told me my hair would need to be at least 4-5 inches to get extensions. I finally found one who can do it with really short hair. Mine was 1-2 inches. I love my extensions. I have a full head of hair that is past my shoulders. It is really gentle and does not harm my new hair. The salon is called Plush and it is in Bear Delaware. The stylist is named Kitten. She is wonderful and I got my confidence as I look like I did before I got sick.

fd1

A little update:  I didn't end up getting the extensions at Jon Richards salon, mainly for the reason that you can only have them curly and my now husband hates curly hair.  In December my hair was three inches long and I got a local salon to put in Great Lengths extensions.  I still have them and love them.  It really helped me feel normal again. 

lindacam

I want to do this, do u have a pic?  Tape in or weave?

windgirl

Hi ladies,

When you have to have the extensions removed, how much length did you lose from your own hair during the process? Thanks.

Nancy2581

hi Windgirl - I had extensions before chemo (sniff I miss them) and took them out right before I started chemo. I did not lose any of my own hair. These were tape in extensions.

Racy

Nancy, I'm very curious: how did you avoid losing your hair?

windgirl

hi Nancy, thanks, are you done with chemo? you plan on getting them again?

Blessings2011

I just saw this Daisy Fuentes infomercial on TV yesterday... hair extensions that use an invisible stretchy headband instead of all those little squashed clips.... and the price is only $39.95!

https://www.secretextensions.com/secext/30.0000/index.dtm?otsrid=14789d2a-7651-45d0-b7c9-845681a587e1

windgirl

Blessings - nice idea!

KimberlyLG

I AM NINE MONTHS CLEAR FROM CHEMO AND SEVEN MONTHS CLEAR FROM RADIATION. I HAVE ONLY 2 INCHES OF HAIR GROWTH AND I WANT TO GET EXTENTIONS BUT MY HAIR IS SUPER SOFT. MY TEXTURE USE TO BE CORSE BUT NO MORE. IS IT A GOOD IDEA FOR ME TO GET BRAIDS?

MeToo14

Don't do it. I did the same thing and it was a terrible mistake. I was promised by the person doing it that it would look great. IT DID NOT! My hair was too short and it did not look natural and there was no question that I had extensions. It also destroyed my hair. It left it very frizzy and I lost a lot of hair because of. I took them out after three days, I instantly new it was a mistake. I know for myself that my hair was not ready for it. You're hair needs babying still. I know you badly want your long hair back, I was/am the same way. I feel you will not be happy with how it looks and you will most likely damage your hair. Good luck!

Moderators

KimberlyLG, welcome to Breastcancer.org. You raise a good question, and thank you MeToo14 for chiming in on your experience. We're sorry you went through this.

HWAC

KimberelyLG, I have been working exclusively with post chemo hair at hairwithacause, clients travel to us from all over the US and we also do in home servicing as well. What I can tell you is Hair Extensions after Chemo DOES NOT damage your re-growing hair and these extensions can be applied to as little as 1 inch of new growth. Our Hair Recovery Treatment Center is located in Los Angeles and we work exclusively with Pink Lotus, Cedar-Sinai Medical Center and UCLA Cancer Division, and recently have partnered with a Dermatologist who works exclusively with Cancer Skin and Hair Recovery. We are reputable here in California and not only do we "just" apply extensions to this new fragile re-growing hair we customize individual treatments plans to help strengthen the hair while monitoring the new growth throughout your time wearing the extensions each session is documented. We offer a 360 doctor supervised hair recovery program with proven results. Be aware of people who just apply extensions with no medial background or aftercare to offer ( unfortunately metoo14 has experience the latter). For more information or if you have any additional questions please visit us at hairwithacause or email us at info at hair with a cause dot com

HWAC

MEtoo14...where are you in CA?...we can help you, I feel SO BADLY about your experience, how are you doing now with your hair? Please let me know if we can help in any way hairwithacause

deborah

HWAC

Hello Blessing, I was curious about Daisy new product line, it appears you have some experience with the band, personally, I thought it was a new item she is marketing, please let me know if you have had personal experience, I wanted to order one for my client. hairwithacause

Deborah

PaulinaC

My hair is about 2 inches long (shorter on sides), last chemo in January, 2017. My hair is very thick and has come back frizzy/curly. It is unruly no matter what I do to it. My hair looks like a pom pom. It has been shaped by my hairstylist. She only has so much to work with. I am still on Herceptin & Perjeta through December, 2017.

I live in Massachusetts. I wish I could fly out to CA to have it done. I would love to have extensions. I would feel soooooooooooooooo much better about myself. It's not vanity. My hair was ALWAYS 'my thing', since a child.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!!!!

Moderators

Hi PaulinaC-

Welcome to BCO! Have you checked out our Recommend Your Resources forum? We have members from all over, and they share some great resources they've found there. There's also a thread on hair recommendations: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/26

The Mods

HWAC

Hello Pauline,

We provide in home services, I will be in Connecticut Tuesday and Wednesday October 24/25th. I will be working on a client who also started with 2" of regrowth. I have a few clients in Mass so traveling there is not a problem. Please reach out to me for more detailed information. You CAN have your hair back this is why we exist. hairwithacause

Deborah

AGlimomom

Deborah,

I just reached out to you on hairwithacause.com

I am looking to do hair extensions. I have 2-6 inches of growth with the shortest on the sides.

I live in the Chicago area.

Thank you for your help.