getting rid of stubble?

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NatureGrrl
NatureGrrl Member Posts: 1,367
edited June 2014 in Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment

In anticipation of hair loss, I cut my hair short, and when the hair loss started I had it shaved so I wouldn't have to deal with daily clumps... now I have stubble and bald/balding spots.  Very attractive Undecided I am really glad I had it shaved, though.

I'm not a wig person and with the increasing heat, I'm finding scarves a bit warm... but with the splotchy stubble on my head I'm not ready to go commando, either.

I'm too chicken to take a razor blade to my head and am thinking about finding a barber shop where they do this for guys all the time (in other words, someone experienced, to lessen my fears of getting nicked!), and having them shave my head smooth. Has anyone done this, or have you done something else?  I'm just not sure what to do but I really want to abandon all head coverings, without looking mangy!

I can't do anything for the next 12 days or so (chemo tomorrow, so my WBC will plumet for a week or so) but I'm really getting tired of covering my head.

Any help greatly appreciated!!

Carol

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  • nancypat
    nancypat Member Posts: 511
    edited May 2009

    Hi Carol,

    I was going through the same thing as you when my oldest son called (he keeps his head shaved because he lost most of his hair in his late 20's)  and coached me through shaving my own head.  My DS had already buzzed it the week before and it took 5 brand new razors bit I finally got it.  I did it in the bathroom where I had a mirror on the wall to see the back of my head.  IZ told me to wet it and lather it up real well and to re lather when it got dry.  He said to be gentle and shave against the way my hair grew.  I started at the back of my hair line to get the hardest part over first as this was where my hair was thickest.  I shaved up in tiny sections having to clean the razor in hot water every few minutes.  I eventually got to the crown of my head and began the sides still shaving up.  When I finished both sides, I began the front shaving back toward my crown.  It took a while but I was so happy with the results.  I've only had to shave it once since then and it was a lot faster the second time because I had big bald patches by then and the stubble wasn't as thick.  I took an Ativan before I began so as not to get nervous.  Just take your time and be careful not to nick yourself.  Hope this helps. 

    Nancy

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  • 61linda
    61linda Member Posts: 64
    edited May 2009

    I never had to deal with this so I may be way off base but I do cut my husband's hair. He is sparse on top so I use the side burn trimer on his electric razor to get the stubble anywhere it grows. It's easy to do, goes fast with no nicks so you can use it as often as you want to. Good luck.

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  • Marple
    Marple Member Posts: 19,143
    edited May 2009

    Carol,

    When I shaved my hair off I used the closest guard on the electric hair trimmer.  I asked my hairdresser to shave me to the scalp and she suggested against it but for the life of me I can't remember why now.  Maybe it was because of the risk of nicks.  I didn't wear a wig either.......didn't even get one.  I got chemo in the summer.......I guess there are small blessings.  I too went through the mangey stage.......and then it all fell out after the 2nd tx.

    Good luck and gentle hugs.

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  • sahalie
    sahalie Member Posts: 2,147
    edited May 2009

    Carol.

    I had clumps coming out at day 19 of treatment.  I got the shears and did what I could.

    The next morning really early I went to the hair salon and had my head shaved.  The hair dresser wouldn't let me pay.  She was so kind.

    I couldn't wear wigs.  To hot. itchy and claustro for me.  I wore baseball caps from Abacrombie. Nike. Or plain.   I also found some really great fleece hats for when my head got cold.  I always wore these to any appt.  even the dentist. 

    I remember going to a play in San Francisco (yearly thing) wearing my baseball cap and rising above the underlying feeling of all eyes on me which of course they weren't but still.

    After that major deal in the City I was A-OK with going anywhere. 

    I wish you all the best !  

    *  Wasn't the itchy tingly jabs the weirdest sensations when the hair is getting ready to fly the coop er head. *  I found that really strange. 

    Here's to the "bald" and the beauty of it. 

    XOXO

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  • Biker54
    Biker54 Member Posts: 1,310
    edited May 2009

    Carol,

    When my hair started to fall out, I had my husband cut it really short.  A few days later, I took an electric razor and shaved my head.  I kept doing that for the summer, while I was going through chemo.  When it looked like my hair was actually starting to come back, I quit shaving.

    I also went bald and beautiful!  No wigs or scarves for me.  It was very freeing, in a sense.

    Oh yes Sahalie, I remember those weird scalp feelings when the hair started it's departure.  That was really strange!

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  • Panchoandlefty
    Panchoandlefty Member Posts: 181
    edited May 2009

    Yuck. I so remember the baldish velcro stubble!

    Some people have luck using a lint roller (te kind with the masking tape) on their heads to remove the stubble that is stubbornly holding on... I got some out that way, but some just wouldn't give up.

    This is drastic (and comical) but I ended up waxing my head with warm, microwaveable bikini wax. Get the decent stuff at a beauty supply.

    It didn't hurt since the remaining stubble wasn't super attached. It was, however, a huge mess and pretty pathetic to watch. Got the job done, though. My head was very smooth and hats/scarves were much more comfy. 

    I was afraid I would get a rash if I shaved..

    Stephanie 

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  • NatureGrrl
    NatureGrrl Member Posts: 1,367
    edited May 2009

    Thanks to everyone for all the replies and for sharing your experiences!  I have my third A/C today so maybe that will take care of the rest of my hair (I can hope, right?).  The hairdresser shaved me as close as she could (no guard) and it hasn't grown any (although I've got a few hairs on my legs growing -- no fair!).  Still not sure what to do with what I have left but since I have a couple of weeks to decide, I can think about your posts and let it simmer.  And hope the rest falls out!  As hard as that first journey out into public might be as a Baldie, I'm looking forward to the freedom.

    Oh, and yeah, those tingly-tender-wonky feelings before the hair falls out are weird, although right now I welcome them because it means more hair loss and closer to smoothness!  (NEVER thought I'd be wishing for my hair to fall out!)

    Hugs to you all...

    Carol

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