Who dyes their hair?

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Mom3
Mom3 Member Posts: 170
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

In need of a change, something just for me. I've been wanting to dye my hair but not sure if it's ok. One of my sisters said is okay, the other said I shouldn't. Sigh. Not sure what to do so I decided to go to the mattresses.....(love that line from "You've Got Mail")

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  • Texas357
    Texas357 Member Posts: 1,552
    edited November 2010

    I dye my hair. Chemo made it much drier and the Femara makes it thinner, but splurging on color makes me feel better about myself. That's worth a lot!

    I was concerned about hair dye chemicals until I considered this: During the time I was doing chemo and radiation -- and was totally bald -- I developed the beginnings of ILC and IDC in my remaining breast. Obviously whatever my body was reacting to, it wasn't hair coloring!

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  • victoriasecret
    victoriasecret Member Posts: 333
    edited November 2010

    I dyed mine as soon as I could ...as I had dyed it since I was at laest 30 at 50 I knew it was no longer brown...everyone loved my sheik grey new look...I thought it aged me ...so it had to go !!ml C

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  • Scooter-12
    Scooter-12 Member Posts: 33,398
    edited August 2013

    Hi Mom3...I highlight my hair and was told to wait at least 6 months after chemo, I waited 9 months.  Take care.

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  • Claire_in_Seattle
    Claire_in_Seattle Member Posts: 4,570
    edited November 2010

    I got rid of the "pelt of deceased rodent" on my head the moment I could, and before going out in public without my wig.  Some things should not be shared.

    Just added a shot of color this AM.  So much better when bright and glossy.  Hair color improves the texture as well as the obvious benefit of getting rid of unwanted grey.

    I didn't bother to ask "when".  Just did it as soon as I saw what was coming in.

    Sherri.....had no idea what my "normal color" is and don't intend to.  One of the things I have been ignorant about for ages now.  Loving modern hair color technology!!!!

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  • carol1949
    carol1949 Member Posts: 562
    edited November 2010

    Mom,.  Certainly it is food for thought.  You don't mention what your normal hair color is.  Perhaps you might like highlights or a method of off scalp coloring.  Minardi in NY does a lot of off scalp color which is ultimately the better option if you have concerns.  Hair color does have carcinogens, and the darker colors have higher concentratons than the lighter colors.  However when they do these tests, many times they inject rats w/ concentrations so high that it would be equivalent to actually drinking the haircolor in high amounts!

    I colored mine initially, but having had black hair most of my life, as I age, I find that the platinum streaks are actually more attractive and highlight my complexion.... so am enjoying the freedom.

    There are lots of choices. 

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  • Bugs
    Bugs Member Posts: 1,719
    edited November 2010

    *me me me me me* I'm with Claire...the minute my hair was grown out enough to get some color on there,  I did it.  The first time I colored my hair my stylist used a "stain" that was not as permanent as the other color.  Felt like a whole new woman after that.

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  • JudyO
    JudyO Member Posts: 225
    edited November 2010

    The other oncs at my clinic tell the girls not to dye their hair but my onc who is rather handsome and young said I would never take that away from any woman...I have a wife and mother, and I know that is something I would never tell them not to do. Quality of life is important too...my hair came back mostly grey...bring on the color....it made me feel alive again...and not so worn down.

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  • Fearless_One
    Fearless_One Member Posts: 3,300
    edited November 2010

    I just started coloring 9 months now after chemo.   Chemo gave me some grey.   I use a semi permanent color in light brown and it looks soooo natural and no greys.

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  • SpunkyGirl
    SpunkyGirl Member Posts: 1,568
    edited November 2010

    I was turning 40 when this journey began, and I was already coloring and highlighting my hair.  It wasn't until after it started coming back in that I got a good look at what "natural" was-NEVER again.  I love going to the store and perusing the haircolor aisle.  I just did it today as a matter of fact.  I color my own, and go to my stylist to add highlights.  Honestly, I've only met a few women that look better au natural than they do with color.  I know a couple of women that I wish would color their hair because they'd look 10 years younger, but I also realize that might not be their thing.  Good luck!

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  • littletower
    littletower Member Posts: 333
    edited November 2010

    Go organic! I had to color my hair...it came in muddy, dull, dark, blah. Went to a local salon that uses organic color. Came out great and I'm ready for me. I'm thinking maybe red:)

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  • SusieMTN
    SusieMTN Member Posts: 795
    edited November 2010

    LOL What a funny "lot" we are! LOL.  "pelt of deceased rodent"  LOL

    I raise my hand too! 

    I was not entirely sure what my color or lack of would be.  The hair without color came in almost blue white and the dark came in almost BLACK.  I am REALLY sure that is NOT my normal color!  Laughing

    So it took men 20 to 30 years my senior flirting with me that convinced me to COLOR my hair.  When it is all white I will leave it that way but.......until then COLOR!  My Onc said do what makes you HAPPY,  you deserve it!   

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  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 6,416
    edited November 2010

    Colorist here........... Paul Mitchell

     I color for fun... no grey here yet....

    Oncologist gave me the 100% AOK.

    HAVE FUN!

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  • riley702
    riley702 Member Posts: 1,600
    edited November 2010

    I have a different question about coloring. When my hair came back in after chemo, it was a lovely dark blueish-grey, with silver frosting. I loved it! But now it's fading to a mousier looking auburn mixed with blah grey. Can you actually dye it grey with silver frosting? I can imagine there's not much demand for that...

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited November 2010

    I think they have some nice dye for the grey/silvery look. When looking for a wig, I tried on a red haired wig which I fell in love with. I didn't buy it because my object at the time was to look 'normal'. But after my hair grew back, I went red. Have fun with your hair; dye it, frost it, try wild styles. Why not? You've earned it!!!!!!

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  • riley702
    riley702 Member Posts: 1,600
    edited November 2010

    I want to! But I've not seen anything in the stores to dye hair grey; just lots of stuff to keep the grey away! So before going into a salon and asking a dumb question, I just wondered if anyone knew whether you could get it dyed grey.

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  • nowords
    nowords Member Posts: 423
    edited August 2013

    My hairdresser has volunteered at hospitals doing Cancer patients hair. I waited 6 months to get mine dyed...she said you can do it whenever you want though. The salon where she works has several hairdressers who all dye post chemo hair as soon as there is enough to dye if the client wants. I have gone every 4 weeks since December 09 and have had no problems. My tight grey curls made me feel like the "Church Lady" from Saturday Night Live....My last chemo was June 09 and with several cuts over the past few months, almost all of the frizzy curls are gone...actually starting to recognize myself in the mirror again...No cancer in my family but me...my great Aunts dyed their hair into their 90's...my  Mom dyed hers until this year and she is 80...no cancer....

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  • everyminute
    everyminute Member Posts: 1,805
    edited November 2010

    I have been doing highlights since I had an inch of hair.  I live my life with intent and realize there is a degree of risk in most things we do.  I cut out risk where I can (I dont drink or smoke or eat meat) but try not to worry about it where I cant or dont want to (hair :-) and hope to God that it balances out.

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  • lindee629
    lindee629 Member Posts: 61
    edited November 2010

    I colored mine as soon as I had enough hair on top to color. I've been gray for a while, and after chemo I had that weird colorless thing going on so that even with hair coming in, I still looked bald.  I actually painted my head with a paint brush lol to color it the first time--and I looked so much better. I figured since I was adding color (I picked a mahogany brown) instead of stripping color (like blonde), whats the worst that can happen, it falls out? Been there, done that.

    The day I colored my hair was the first day I went "topless" (no wig or scarf) and I've been topless ever since. Now I have the post-chemo curl going on, but I'm not complaining--at least its HAIR!!  

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  • carol1949
    carol1949 Member Posts: 562
    edited November 2010

    riley,  It depends on what you are considering gray!  There are ash blonde colors that have a drab look due to the base of the color and many times people think they look gray.  You might also consider having your hair highlighted and then toned with a platinum type toner.  I also am a stylist/colorist.  Just go to a nice salon in your area and ask for a consultation.  That is the best approach.  Most people don't charge for a consultation and if you have pictures... bring them.  A picture is worth a thousand words!

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  • riley702
    riley702 Member Posts: 1,600
    edited November 2010

    Thanks, Carol! The grey I want is a dark, blueish grey. Slate grey, or the color of a Russian Blue Cat. Frosted with silver. Is this doable?

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited November 2010

    Sounds beautiful!

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  • caaclark
    caaclark Member Posts: 936
    edited November 2010

    I colored mine as soon as my hair guy said it was ok.  It made my hair look intentional and edgy compared to cancery.

    I still color it now.  I am not gray but need highlights to help me look younger.

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  • Survivor07
    Survivor07 Member Posts: 71
    edited November 2010

    Me too! The nimute my hair was long enough to "rub" coloring on, it was red!!

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  • carol1949
    carol1949 Member Posts: 562
    edited November 2010

    riley!   I am not sure if it is doable for "your" hair... since I can't see it!  That is why I advised you to go to a stylist for a consultation!  One of my favorite experiences is years ago when i spent at least 30 minutes in a consult w/ a young girl who wanted to be blonde.  I showed her pictures, hair swatches... you name it!  All of a sudden she showed me a black and white photo of a blone and said, "I like that color!"    I rest my case!   lololol  There certainly are slate type colors available, whether they would be advisable for your hair and your complexion are a whole different story!

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  • Fearless_One
    Fearless_One Member Posts: 3,300
    edited November 2010

    Is it okay for me to use permanent color a few months out of chemo?  Been using a semi-permanent, but fades too quickly.....

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  • Claire_in_Seattle
    Claire_in_Seattle Member Posts: 4,570
    edited November 2010

    I use Feria.  I just did it, and you can the results in my photo.  Permanent is so much easier that I would never go back to semi-permanent again.  I still remember leaving a trail of hair color everywhere.  Forget that.

    I went back to Feria as soon as a few microns of hair emerged.  Looked so much better when one color.  BTW - I mixed up the stuff in a plastic so I could get more than one coloring out of a bottle.  As very little hair, I had to redo about every two weeks.  Texture and scalp are just fine.

    I am amazed that you waited this long.  That "pelt of deceased rodent" just had to go.  I wasn't waiting. - Claire

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  • msmpatty
    msmpatty Member Posts: 818
    edited November 2010

    Mine came in silvery white (shock!) and I colored it as soon as there was enough of it to dye.  It takes some diligence to keep it pretty however because the initial growth doesn't hold the dye very well.  My hairdresser thinks the first hair doesn't have the internal structure it needs to accept and hold the dye.  But it's getting better all the time!

    Patty

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  • riley702
    riley702 Member Posts: 1,600
    edited November 2010

    Don't mind me, carol, I'm slow sometimes...

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  • Fearless_One
    Fearless_One Member Posts: 3,300
    edited November 2010

    Claire, maybe I will try Feria, too.   I have been using a Loreal semi permanent and am happy with the results, but I just can't be bothered to re-touch all the time, and it's like $10.00 a box.   

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  • Claire_in_Seattle
    Claire_in_Seattle Member Posts: 4,570
    edited November 2010

    Hi again,

    Try splitting the box.  I mix up in a plastic cup.  A bit messy to store, but I keep the mess contained in the plastic grocery bag.  Then I toss the whole mess at the end of the bottle.  I use the cap of the applicator bottle as a stirrer.  I dye my eyebrows with a Q-tip while I am at it.

    I think Feria has the best depth of color.  I tried Natural Match a couple of years ago when they were out of the Feria color I use, and no match.  A savvy friend of mine agrees. - Claire

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