What's Up With My Hair??

Hello everyone, I just signed up to this discussion board today. I am 2 years out from chemotherapy which I received only 11/36 treatment due to severe side effects. One of the side effects was that my hair started growing 3 months after the chemo but very, very slowly. At this time,July 2010, it is about 3inches and thin at the top, finer and less thick than before. I have read the previous post and will try Carol's daughter. I have been using Jamaican hair conditioner and sulfur eight, but it still is growing very slow. My oncologist had told me that I would know how I was healing by how my hair was growing. I believe him because I did not began feeling myself until November 2009 and I am still striving to reach me! The chemo led to my getting fibromyalgia which has been my struggle. I am going to dye my hair platinum and would like to put waves in it. So, I am going to try Carol's products first and then try the dye. I need something to refresh my appearance and to make me feel alive. Thanks for your advice.....Agape! 

Hi everyone,

I haven't gotten the castor oil yet, but I used some Redken Deep Conditioner and Roots of Nature Shea Butter GreenTea Reconstructing Deep Treatment and my hair is starting to grow in a bit,I now have a small afro going on.  I'm going to get som castor oil though.  I will let you know my results.

Hey Ladies,

I'm new to this post.  My hair right now is very fine and curly.  I do love it.  I hope it stays this way FOREVA, but the odds are against that.   I am trying to fine a product at local retailers that work well. Everything I have tried seem a bit heavy.

Been off the site for a while. I was actually hoping for more of a response re: the Jamaican Black Castor Oil post, but that's alright. I do like this product and will continue to use it. A little bit goes a long way; I apply it to my scalp 2-3 times a week at night; massaging it in. Sometimes I mix it with my conditioner or even my 'Hair Fertilizer' by ORS. I haven't measured my progress but I do see some growth although the top isn't coming in as quickly as the sides and back. I'd like to be able to press it someday and wear it in some sort of style. For now I'm still rockin' this afro.

Hi Twylight! ( Love that name!)

I tried the Miss Jessie's products but they were a bit too expensive for me. I'd like to try the Quick Curls creme though just to see if my hair would respond to it. When I wake up in the morning my hair is DRY despite the products I use the previous day to keep it moist.

Here's my regimen:

I wash my hair every other day with Kinky Curly organic shampoo.

I'll condition my hair with either Ovation's Creme Rinse or Shea Moisture's Organic Raw Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque. Sometimes I'll mix the Jamaican Black Castor Oil in my conditioner; a nickel size amount if not a little more. Then I rinse.

If I plan to go out; I put the Kinky Curly Custard on my wet hair afterwards. It take about 20-30 minutes for it to soak in; and it does leave a nice curl definition as it dries. I tried using the Kinky Curly Leave-In, but I found my hair responds better without it. I also spritz my hair with Jane Carter's Revitalizing Leave In Conditioner/Solution. I don't use anything else with this combo.

If I don't go out, then I'll apply the Jamaican Black Castor Oil to my scalp and massage it in after I shampoo. I don't use the Kurly Custard with the JBCO because the combo. leaves my hair sticky. Sometimes I'll mix JBCO with the ORS Hair Fertilizer or Carrot Oil. I also use Ovation's Cell Therapy on occasion. I've tried tying my hair up at night with a satin scarf, but it's usually gone by morning due to the night sweats/hot flashes. I can't keep it on my head but I do use my satin pillowcase.

I've also tried the Shea Butter Products that "Target" carries but my hair just seems to soak it up like a sponge and turn frizzy afterward. I've tried Carol's Daughter's products too but like you; the products seem too heavy. Though I did like "Margeurite's Magic."

I've had growth; but it just seems so shapeless. I wish I had more growth on the top of my scalp and can't help but wonder if the Tamoxifen is inhibiting growth in that area.

Hi Twylight!

 Yeah, I think "Marguerite's Magic" is a wonderful product. Unfortunately I never stuck with it long enough. Might go back to it just for the moisture and that wonderful scent it leaves in your hair. I think the Jamaican Black Castor Oil is retaining what hair I have left on my head, although it's a wonderful thickness, my hair no longer has any curl definition. Now the Kurly Custard doesn't seem to be working for me anymore. I'm 10 months post chemo and my hair measures about 2 inches on the top and approximately 3 inches on the side. There are still some visible areas on my temples. I've got more hair in my kitchen area than anything.

From what I've read other women are dealing with this same issue after having gone through chemo. and now taking the Tamoxifen. I just feel as if enough of my femininity has been taken away from me because of this disease. First my left breast and now my hair. I'm not looking for length, but would feel so much better if my hair could retain some of the curl I had in the beginning after I completed chemo. I just started taking hair vitamins but haven't been consistent. I've got to make myself take it everyday. I need to get back on that MSM bandwagon again. When I took it years ago, my roots stayed very soft.

I can't just give up though. Gotta keep looking until I find the solution.

Hello Scoobydoo!

I feel your pain. I went into a salon to have my hair shaped up, due to the shapeless fro that I was rocking and the girl scalped me. I'm starting again at square one. I'm currently taking hair vitamins along with using a Jamaican Black Castor Oil and Cayenne Pepper mix to my scalp. Apply that 2-3 x week. I make sure any shampoo or conditioner I use doesn't carry SLS in it; so I try to use organic products on wash night. I either tie my hair up at night with a silk or satin scarf and sleep on a satin pillowcase. I style with EcoStyler/Olive Oil gel.

I'm not endorsing any particular hair vitamins because I checked with my doctor first before taking them. So if you choose to go that route, I suggest you do the same. My hair vitamins have biotin, MSM, B-complex in it. These are suppose to promote growth. I'm not necessarily looking for length anymore but would love for my texture to be more cooperative.

Hope this helps you with your journey.