Hair loss

ceci240

Hi Everyone,

I am about to start my first round of chemotherapy (AC) next week and was wondering how long is it before I start losing my hair? I have read that it hair loss starts after about 2 weeks after the first treatment. From what read, some people cut off their hair when it starts falling out as their scape starts to become more sensitive during this time. Can anyone let me know if this is true? I have already accepted the fact that I will lose all my hair and was wondering when was the best time to cut it off myself (since I will be in control) and not let it fall out in patches on its own.

Thanks.

WinningSoFar

I've done Abraxane twice and this is what happened to me:  it took about two weeks or a few days more, then if you ran your hand through your hair, you'd have a handful.  That was the day that I had it all cut off.  That way, I had hair for the longest possible time.  It's a hard day when that happens, but you'll be ok again. 

PoppyK

Ceci, I'm on TC, so my experience may differ from yours. When I was diagnosed, I cut my long hair shorter, just below my shoulders. Before my first infusion, I cut my hair into a short pixie cut. On day 14 after infusion, I started shedding. On day 16, a significant amount of hair was coming out in the shower, on the bathroom floor... everywhere. On day 17 I had my hair buzzed very short. My scalp is very sensitive (4 weeks since first infusion). I still have scattered hairs all over my scalp.

Another thing to consider is when your immune system will be at its lowest point, about a week after infusion. I would try to avoid public places when possible to try to stay healthy.

Wishing you the best!

Poppy

ceci240

Thankd Poppy. I hope you are doing well!

Agent99

hi ceci,

I just finished TCH, when I started chemo I had shoulder length hair.  I cut it short immediately so it wouldn't be such a drastic change when it started coming out.   my hair started falling out day 14 .  2 days later I buzzed it by the pool.  I couldn't stand handfuls coming out all at once.  I have always enjoyed makeup hair and clothes   But going bald was not the worst the about this experience to be honest it was kind of nice in a weird way not having to bother about looks during my chemo   Getting ready is a breeze   And wigs if you like them are like magic in a box!   

windgirl

hi

I had very long hair and it started falling on day 14 and pretty much was gone in a week. I did not cut it short or anything I just let is stay the same length. I don't understand the psychological effect of short hair falling being better than long hair, it's the same amount of hair! 

As I didn't cut my hair I could wear a cap over it even though my top if my head was bald, which bought me time as I was late in buying a wig (I had not anticipated loss over only one week). Finally, i can't imagine how hard it would be to collect the falling hair if u had it buzz cut. If u leave it long u just grab what falls and it will mostly fall when u touch it anyway so u can get rid of those strands easy.

Being bald sucks and is one of the worst side effects in my opinion. I did get a full lace wig and it is very comfortable not hot or itchy and no one can tell. Still can't wait for the day I have some hair so I can stop having to wearing a wig. Good luck to you during your treatment.

ColdInCanada

Hi Ceci,

I cut my hair into a super short pixie cut a couple of weeks before starting chemo. I cried. Bawled my eyes out right in the middle of the hair salon. Made the lady in the chair beside me cry too. And my stylist. HOWEVER, I ended up LOVING the pixie cut. It was SO easy. And getting all that emotion out of the way before chemo took the rest of my hair was really helpful. 

Thirteen days after my first infusion, my hair started coming out in handfuls. And it was pretty gross. I have this "THING" about loose hair. So, I was SO glad it was short hairs falling out and not long strands. I shaved it the next morning - with an electric razor with no guard. My scalp HURT when the hair started coming out, so shaving it was a huge relief. I didn't cry at all. I wasn't even unhappy about it. Just relieved that there weren't any weird birthmarks or scars underneath my hair. lol! Honestly, this was the least traumatic part of the whole chemo experience for me. The really crappy stuff came later, but that's a whole 'nother story. Oh, and I used a lint roller to grab the little hair stubbles that continued to fall out over the next few days. Which amused me. A lot.  

I never bothered with a wig - it was summer and really hot - but I did do hats and scarves to protect my scalp from the sun. 

Good luck with your treatments.

MeToo14

Hi all, I was wondering what is the best shampoo for regrowing hair after chemo.  My last treatment of Cytoxan and Taxotere is next week and I want to start using the shampoo right away.  Thanks!