Good Things About Hair Loss

MountainMia

I'm a firm believer that the stories we tell ourselves are the ones we believe most, so I try to tell myself constructive stories rather than negative ones. These stories can help me frame my memories more happily. For example, before a high school class reunion last year, I decided that in high school I wasn't very outgoing (a trait that is perfectly okay!), rather than that I wasn't very popular, which sounds like people didn't like me. It made going to my reunion easier and more fun.

Framing bad things in a positive way makes them easier to accept. I've told my adult children, don't worry, chemo is your friend! While I'm not looking forward to it, it's going to do really important things for me, and for our whole family.

I'll start chemo next Friday. The possible side effects are concerning from a physical standpoint, but one side effect is also troubling from the emotional one: hair loss. Hair loss gives a visible indicator of what we're going through, and makes us look less typical in our society. It also reminds US, each time we look in the mirror until it's fully regrown, of the cancer adventure, including all the pain and loss and difficulty.

(EDITED TO ADD, my actual first chemo was 2 weeks later than anticipated, so my hair loss is also 2 weeks behind. As of 6/1, I still have all my hair and expect it will come out in about a week.)

As I get ready for chemo, I'm working on reframing hair loss, so it doesn't sound so bad. First, it's a basic physical indication that chemo is working in our bodies, killing fast-growing cells. That's GOOD, not bad! But let's look for some other good things about hair loss.

Good things about hair loss:

1) I won't find stray hairs on my shirts and sweaters.

2) The dust mites will have less to eat, so my allergies might be better.

3) The sink drain won't clog as quickly.

4) The bathroom floor will stay cleaner.

5) I won't need to carry a comb or brush in my purse.

6) I won't mess up my hair while trying on clothes at the store.

7) Dressing and undressing for radiation will be quicker.

8) I'll look more like my son (in the military) and my infant grandson.

9) Shampoo and other hair products will last longer.

10) Windy days won't mess up my hair.

Join in with your own additions to the list in comments.

ElaineTherese

Completely lost my leg hair during chemo, and it never grew back! No more shaving the legs!

stayingpositive2019

Yep. Showers are quick as is getting ready in the morning. No need to shave legs or armpits. Also no pesky chin hairs to pluck. Lol!

NancyHB

An extra half hour sleep in the morning without having to do my hair!

And months without bikini-area razor burn.

DebAL

I was was always ready first when going out with my husband

MCBaker

Simple and easy to get rid of every last bit of dandruff!

MountainMia

Lower water bills, lower hot water usage, smaller environmental footprint...

Less time in hot water is better for our skin.

I'll stay cooler when I exercise.

I won't get headaches from having my hair pulled back in a ponytail.

My spending for haircuts will go down.

CBK

mountain

I wish you the utmost easeful transition to chemo.

I hate clutter. No hair, less clutter in the shower and cabinets with hair products!!🤗

The thing is before you know it, you have hair products and clutter again.

Sending love and strength! ❤️

DogMomRunner

I have really curly hair. Maybe it will grow back in straight and I won't look like a wild animal slept on my head during the night when I get up

ElaineTherese

Actually, DogMomRunner, it may grow back even crazier! Many of us experienced "chemo curls" after chemo. After having stick-straight hair all my life, I actually enjoyed my post-chemo curls.

DogMomRunner

Oh No! My hair really can't get much crazier. Maybe I'll have to keep shaving it down

PrincessOfMeh

New styles to try -- chemo turbans, hats, scarves -- and if you're buying multiple wigs (I did), you can try out those new looks too. Oh, and don't forget jewelry. If I wore long dangly earrings, they always got caught/tangled in my hair and now I can rock whatever earrings I want.

ipenelope

mountainmia~ I love your outlook!! and you list of positives!!

Cowgirl13

after my hair grew back I got to see my natural hair color which I hadn't seen in over 50 years. My hair was always blond (due to chemicals) and I decided not to color it anymore. Saved me Lots of money from not getting it highlighted. Received many compliments on my natural hair color. It was a great chance to wear a short hairstyle which I would never had dared to do. Also found I had a nicely shaped head. It's just amazing what we can get through and come out the other side

pingpong1953

My hair was thick and wavy before chemo and grew back fine and straight. There's hope for you!

MountainMia

bumping to spread the positive, and to remind myself that this hair loss a small blip, not a mountain.

moth

I quite enjoyed my bald head! On my best days I think I looked fierce. At the very least, according to my family I looked like a wise monk (or Yoda). Either way, it apparently added gravitas to anything I said.
We are more than our hair, we are more than our appearance & yet this culture tries to erase that at every moment.

My addition to your list of good things about hair loss:

This is a great time to explore feminism, gender critical theory, ageism, sexism, patriarchy. It's a time to affirm "THIS IS what a woman looks like" & "I am beautiful because I AM"

MountainMia

moth, thanks for that. THIS IS .... YES.

MountainMia

I've been trying on caps and scarves. I feel like a little girl trying on mom's clothes, wondering what she'll look like when she grows up.

MountainMia

My hair always annoys me in the summer because I'm only comfortable with it pulled back. I don't like it draped on my neck if it's not.

This summer I won't need to worry about that.

DogMomRunner

I'm the same way MoutainMia. I wear mine chin length or longer and pull it back in a ponytail most of the time. I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I don't think I am a cute or sophisticated scarf type and I usually hate hats. I am looking at wigs, mostly for work, but don't want to wear that all the time

MountainMia

DogMomRunner, I expect at home I'll be bare-headed most of the time. I'm retired, so don't have that issue to deal with, but if it were me, I'd probably choose 2 or 3 scarves and just rotate thru them. Nobody cares that your hair is the same color or style every day, so they shouldn't care if your scarf is, either. ;-)