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  • otter
    otter Member Posts: 6,099
    edited April 2009

    My mom is in her early 80's and her hair is really, really thin.  It has been that way for at least 15 years, IIRC.  I think it's a combination of the effects of very low estrogen, and maybe hereditary baldness/hair thinning.

    Based on her timeline, I should have had at least 10 more years before the thinning started.  I figure after the double-whammy of Taxotere/Cytoxan and Arimidex, I'm lucky I have hair.  It is thinner (sorry, Artsee), but it's not that noticeable with a short cut.

    This would be causing me a lot more anguish if I was a lot younger.  Also, the post-chemo waviness is helping to provide body, which my hair never had pre-chemo.  If or when that waviness disappears, I might feel differently about things.

    otter 

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  • crazy4carrots
    crazy4carrots Member Posts: 5,324
    edited April 2009

    I agree that the lack of estrogen due to the AI's is causing the thinning of hair -- perhaps in combination with the fact that we've had to grow a new head of hair following chemo.  My onc says to "give it more time" and the crown should fill in.  Hmmmm, it's been 9 months already!  And there is no male pattern baldness in my family, so I can't blame heredity.

    I'm with Otter -- the short, wavy curls do help, except when WET!

    Linda

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  • Springtime
    Springtime Member Posts: 5,355
    edited April 2009

    Back from the beach and I have been TOPLESS (head, lol) for a couple of weeks now! Went to church easter Sunday for the first time in 7-8 months and got lots of compliments on my "pixie" cut. ha!

    I need to get a trim! It's all fuzzed out around my ears and the back seems to be curlier than the front. What's with that?

    Spring.....

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  • caligrlof68
    caligrlof68 Member Posts: 323
    edited April 2009

    The beach?? Oh, aren't you a lucky gal!! I'll bet your 'pixie' cut is very cute. My cul-de-sac(baldness in the front of my head) is finally filling in. Seems like maybe in a few weeks my silly scalp might be hidden.

    Stacy 

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  • Springtime
    Springtime Member Posts: 5,355
    edited April 2009

    Yes and by golly, I think my bangs are starting. please come in, Bangs!!!

    Spring.

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  • kimbly
    kimbly Member Posts: 398
    edited April 2009

    I had haircut #4 today.  Finally my hair is over my ears! I had her just bring the back up a bit and clean up the sides somewhat.  She still has not had to cut my bangs.  I have to say that finally I have normal length bangs and I am thinking 2 more months and perhaps they will be long enough to trim as well.  I am particularily happy with the cut I got today.. feels more like a style without that mullet look in back.  Spring... I am with you btw COME ON  BANGS!!!!

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  • Jane_M
    Jane_M Member Posts: 1,549
    edited April 2009

    What is the deal with the facial fuzz?  Do I have to get my whole face waxed now?

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  • apple
    apple Member Posts: 7,799
    edited April 2009

    i used my husband's electric razor and it came right off and never came back  Jane M

    some people use a creme dipilatory

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  • Jane_M
    Jane_M Member Posts: 1,549
    edited April 2009

    Apple, Shaving it didn't cause stubble or anything?

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  • crazy4carrots
    crazy4carrots Member Posts: 5,324
    edited April 2009

    No stubble!  Shave it once and it might come back slowly (mine did) but I just shaved it off again.  It's very very fine, light-coloured hair; just seems to grow a bit longer on the face than it should, following chemo.

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  • Springtime
    Springtime Member Posts: 5,355
    edited April 2009

    I have the facial fuzz too, what the hay??

    Kimbly, how far out from your last chemo are you? I need a haircut / trim so bad. I need to suck it up and get it done!!! 

    I tried light brown henna this last time. Came out way too "brown" (I am used to being blond) but I shampood it with strong shampoo for a few days and now it is a nicer color. I am having fun with the henna's btw!!!!! I figure now is the time to explore when hair is so sort!!! lol!!

    Springie.

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  • rayhope
    rayhope Member Posts: 228
    edited April 2009

    Springtime:  Where did you buy the henna?  I though I remembered one of your prior posts that said statebeautysupply.com.  I went to that site and didn't see it there (just a list of other sites).  I just finished chemo a couple of weeks ago and have a very light fuzz.  I'm really anxious to start experimenting.  How soon is too soon? 

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  • Springtime
    Springtime Member Posts: 5,355
    edited April 2009

    ray, henna's have no chemicals. I was told to wait 6 months for heavy duty chemicals.

    http://www.allstatebeauty.com/

    Here is the page with hennas. I found using the shampoo and condidtioner is important to keeping the color longer....

    This is the page with Henna products.  I found teh "powder" to be gross and messy to use. I would recommend the cream color, not that much more and easier to use. Just a thought!

    http://www.allstatebeauty.com/search.aspx?manufacturer=319

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  • cinrae123
    cinrae123 Member Posts: 419
    edited April 2009

    spring?  I have a question,,,,,,,,,,,,what brand of the henna did u get?  I went to that website and they have a couple different brands.  I have been coloring my hair for quite some time now,,,,,,like for yearssssssssssss........and Ive just used like Revlon.  I colored my hair when it started coming in probaby when it was like 1/2 inch long.  But have been considering using the henna.  Are the colors listed pretty right on for how it actually turns out?

    Thanx for the info.  Going to the dermatologist about the thin hair issue.  Will let those of you who are interested know when I get back.

    Have a good day

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  • Hood1980
    Hood1980 Member Posts: 537
    edited April 2009

    Hi Ladies,  Hope you don't mind me jumping in here.  I'm a long time reader on this thread.  I am six months post chemo now with a little over 2 inches of wavy hair that I am going tonight to get trimmed and colored/highlighted.  I am so excited, especially when I realized it will be my 1 year anniversary of my bc diagnosis this week.  A mini makeover is what we all need!  Take care, Joyce

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  • susan13
    susan13 Member Posts: 732
    edited April 2009

    I want hair, my own.

    I want to ditch my wig, today!

    When when when .......

    Patience is a virtue , I do not have.

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  • mumito
    mumito Member Posts: 4,562
    edited April 2009

    Susan I disagree any of us who have been through treatment has aquired the virtue of patience.

    As for hairgrowth why is it soo #####in slow to grow. Its also been 6 months for me but I still do not have enough to style  or shape.  Its stickingout all over trying to make up its mind to be curlly or not.I look like some freak in a punk band.

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  • Lainey64
    Lainey64 Member Posts: 740
    edited April 2009

    I am going on 5 wks since my last chemo and my hair is growing fairly fast.  This morning my boyfriend told me I looked like a baby chick.  Last week he said I looked like a character from a Dr. Suess book.  I am so damn funny looking right now that all I can do is laugh.  I have soft white fuzz everywhere mixed with straight dark hairs.  On the crown of my head is a small patch of rough stubble.  What could this be?  It's different from the rest of my head.  I am wondering if I need to shave this off so the soft fuzzy stuff can grow in there.  Any and all advice would be soooo appreciated! :)

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  • susan13
    susan13 Member Posts: 732
    edited April 2009

    I look more like Jack Nicholson in the Shining then a baby chic:-)  Once I get up the nerve I'll post what I have on my head!

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  • Lainey64
    Lainey64 Member Posts: 740
    edited April 2009

    I'm not sure a camera would capture my "hairs" yet. 

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  • crazy4carrots
    crazy4carrots Member Posts: 5,324
    edited April 2009

    Hi Lainey:

    The soft white fuzzy stuff will probably fall out as the new stuff starts coming in.  Sounds like that "stubble" on the top of your head is the first area to make an appearance!  Don't shave it!

    And yes, the fuzzy stuff DOES look pretty funny!  Thank goodness it's short-livedTongue out

    Cheers, Linda

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  • Lainey64
    Lainey64 Member Posts: 740
    edited April 2009
    Thank you Linda!  I'm not shaving anything, not even my legs! Smile
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  • Springtime
    Springtime Member Posts: 5,355
    edited April 2009

    Hi Cindy! I use the Henna called: Surya Henna and it has worked well in terms of being close to the color you think. I find much better "staying power" using their shampoo - which is less "toxic" to color somehow.

    Joyce, Woooo! Let us know how it turns out. I am taking off 2 days of work around my BC "anniversary" to reflect. I't s live changing muthu!!!

    Susan, it grows. it is slow. I was 4 months out when I ditched the wig for a ball cap, and another few weeks to ditch the ball cap. I am now FREE. wooo. But maybe you are less concerned and will ditch it sooner! I thought I would wait 6 months and that didn't happen! lol.

    Lainy, don't know about the rough stubble. Could it be "cradle cap" lol. My mom said I was born with that but it came off....

    Spring..

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  • goldie0827
    goldie0827 Member Posts: 6,595
    edited April 2009

    Spring - You look SIMPLY MAAAAAHVOLOUS!

    Lori

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  • LorenaB
    LorenaB Member Posts: 937
    edited April 2009

    Lainey, I had a lot of dark stubble mixed in with the fine white hair.  I don't know if the white peach fuzz fell out, I think the hairs themselves just changed color, because when it was an inch or two long it looked like the tips of my hair had been frosted.

    Spring, you look great!  I have to get a better picture for my avatar -- actually it would be fun to post what I look like all day and what my crazy hair looks like when I take out the clips and combs.

    Is there anyone else who hasn't had a trim?  I think it would still be hard for me to see my hair lying on the floor of a salon, losing it was so traumatic....

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  • crazy4carrots
    crazy4carrots Member Posts: 5,324
    edited April 2009

    Spring, aren't you glad you tossed that wig?? Whew, what a relief -- and you look so "with it" and adorable.  Now, when I see women with hair as short as mine, I want to hug them! 

    Lorena, my hair grew much faster at the back and sides than on the top, so I just had to have it all evened out.  Sounds like yours evened out naturally!  And you're right -- when I did have the trim, I was so amazed to see so much hair on the floor, and thought "Eek, what have I done?"  But it looked so much better.

    But, WHY AREN"T MY BANGS GROWING?????

    Linda

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  • Jane_M
    Jane_M Member Posts: 1,549
    edited April 2009

    Spring, Yours turned out to be a little on the lighter side, right.  I just went to the web site and it's hard to tell what the colors are.  I'm thinking I might be a mahogany, but I'll probably wait until I have a little more hair.

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  • otter
    otter Member Posts: 6,099
    edited April 2009

    I wondered what would happen with those fine, white (colorless, really) hairs when the real hair grew in.  Mine ended up like LorenaB's:  the fine hairs became the ends (tips) of the normal hairs.  For awhile, it did look frosted.  After the normal hairs got longer, the fine ends made everything look frizzy.  I decided it was time for a trim!

    otter 

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  • Eliza2009
    Eliza2009 Member Posts: 31
    edited April 2009

    when did your hair start falling out? I just started chemo last week. Can I just buy scarves a local stores, or need to order special size? I have a wig but don't think I'll want to wear it all the time.

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  • NancyD
    NancyD Member Posts: 3,562
    edited April 2009

    Lauren, I haven't had a trim, either. My hair is about 3-1/2" long and curly, so overall, it looks shorter. I haven't used a flatiron on it yet because I can't get to the back area...I'd need someone to do that for me...I can reach it but I can't see it.

    The curly do looks cute, so I'm not anxious about it, but I can see how it might get very bushy. I'm not sure what to do about that other than try and flatten it down when it dries instead of fluffing it up (which is what I've been doing).

    I'm not inclined to blowdry it out, either. I did that for so many years, and the current freedom is great. As long as it looks good, I won't try and go back to old habits.

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