Should I cut all my hair off? 18 months still frizzy

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Fearless_One
Fearless_One Member Posts: 3,300
edited June 2014 in Life After Breast Cancer

I thought by now my hair would have started coming in like how it was, but it's still curly/frizzy except in very few areas.   I know it sounds silly, but I feel very unattractive with it.  Frown    I guess it's just going to stay like that, right?  I mean, it's been 18 months.  

So if I cut it, maybe that will help?   Or will I then just end up with curly hair that is just shorter?  Is just above my shoulders.

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  • elmcity69
    elmcity69 Member Posts: 998
    edited August 2011

    hmmm. maybe schedule a consult with your hairdresser and ask him/'her. i haven't yet cut my hair; it has come in very curly, and since it was poker straight pre-BC, i have the same questions.

    one of my onc nurses told me that some people lose the "chemo curls", and others don't. i'm publicly hoping i keep mine, but we'll see.

    j

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  • Fearless_One
    Fearless_One Member Posts: 3,300
    edited August 2011

    Yeah, I think I need to resign myself to the fact that it's going to stay like this.   I don't mind soft curls, but mine are kind of frizzy.   And I live  where it's 90% humidity.

    I tried that new Dove shampoo and conditioner for frizzy hair.   It sucks.

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  • sweetbean
    sweetbean Member Posts: 1,931
    edited August 2011

    Fearless,

     Check out DevaCare  - quality hair products for curly hair.  Curly hair has a hard time with drugstore products - curly girls usually have to spring for some high quality stuff to get their hair looking right.  However, you won't need to shampoo as often - curly hair doesn't like to be shampooed every day. 

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  • Fearless_One
    Fearless_One Member Posts: 3,300
    edited August 2011

    Thanks, I will check it out.    Yeah, the shampoo thing bugs me - I feel really gross if I can't wash my hair every day.   But I've been cutting back.   It seems to help a little, but makes me feel dirty.   It's really hot and muggy here.

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  • Wendyspet
    Wendyspet Member Posts: 246
    edited August 2011

    did you see this topic?

    http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/7/topic/773315

    (turning chemo frizz into curls at the bottom of this section)

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  • Fearless_One
    Fearless_One Member Posts: 3,300
    edited August 2011

    No, I had not!   Thanks!   Okay, so the first thing I need is a diffuser.   I guess I can go to Sally Beauty Supply for that...

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  • revkat
    revkat Member Posts: 763
    edited August 2011

    I'll second the Devacurl recommendation. And even if you decide not to use their products, the book "Curly Girl" is full of great tips on taking care of curly hair. It changed my daughter's life. Seriously.

    I use just their conditioner now and since my hair has relaxed into just sort of wavy it really doesn't take a lot, so a large bottle lasts me at least 4 months. My daughter with waist-lenght ringlets does go through it a lot faster than that however. 

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  • K-Lo
    K-Lo Member Posts: 2,743
    edited August 2011

    I second the question:when does it change? Sounds like people have the curls for for up to two years. Mi also wonder if I cut it off at what point is it going to be normal. Like is the problem in the follicles or the drugs in your system. Or what. :p~~~~

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  • elmcity69
    elmcity69 Member Posts: 998
    edited August 2011

    hmm. i think the nurse said about 18 months for the change back (to pre BC hair). i've been meaning to try the Devacurl line - better late than never, i guess!

    i haven't yet had a haircut. there is something emotional behind it, i think - not sure what. i get many compliments on my full, curly head of hair, but that's not holding me up.

     i loved my initial hair growth - very blonde, and it turned into a pixie cut. i'd like to go back to that, but my husband shudders at the thought of me with short hair, because it reminds him of cancer. i get pissed off about that sometimes, but feel like he has been through so much also, i want to spare him any other heartache.

    anyone else with emotional issues around the hair?

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  • elmcity69
    elmcity69 Member Posts: 998
    edited August 2011

    fearless, have you tried dry shampoo? i used it a lot during my first MX, and it really works well. maybe it would cut down on the frizzies and yet keep your hair clean on those muggier days.

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  • ebann
    ebann Member Posts: 3,026
    edited August 2011

    I have lost my hair 3 times now. Each time it came in a different color and texture. My daughter is a hairstylist. She has helped me to keep my hair under control. First time it came in gray mousy brown and straight with wavy at the crown. So I use to just put gel on the top and have it wavy. I do not live in a humid state so I do not have to worry about the frizz. The second time it came in it was white, dark brown and curly. I got to grow it out for 4 months and it was time to lose it again. Which I am still doing chemo so I could not tell you what it will be like this time. I asked my daughter about a disffusser and she said that makes a great deal of difference especially those with curly frizzy hair. I told her about devacurl and she says she has never used the product but it seems to have a lot of great reviews. You can buy it on Amazon too. So  you can cut it off and see if it will grow back differently cause each time mine did. But I do not think you want to shave it again. Wish you the best with your hair.  Wish I had more answers for you.

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  • Fearless_One
    Fearless_One Member Posts: 3,300
    edited August 2011

    KLo, exactly!   Is it in the follicles permanently, or just in the hair itself that can be cut out?   I don't want to put goo in my hair - I live in 90 degree weather with horrible humidity.   I work full-time and don't have the time for flat irons in the morning, etc.   I just hate it and want my old hair back.

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  • Fearless_One
    Fearless_One Member Posts: 3,300
    edited August 2011

     know I should be grateful to have hair, but I just wish the curls were not so kinky/frizzy. 

    I thought the chemo drugs were just in the old growth, and that you just had to keep cutting.   But that doesn't seem to be the case.   

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  • mrsnjband
    mrsnjband Member Posts: 1,409
    edited August 2011

    I would just get it trimmed.  I found a hair dresser that was able to cut my in a style (siggy pic).  I think keeping it trimmed & shapped will help it to grow faster.  I started using fruitis shampoo with vitamins. I would massage my head every time I washed it.  I was one of those slow growing hair.  NJ

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  • Fearless_One
    Fearless_One Member Posts: 3,300
    edited August 2011

    I guess I will try that - just a bit, and see if it helps.   I am afraid to cut too much, in case it makes the curls even tighter....

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  • johnwayne
    johnwayne Member Posts: 36
    edited September 2011

    Dear Still Frizzy, I just wanted to say that it's not silly at ALL the emotions we experience with our appearance.  I'm three years out from diagnosis and STILL am trying to figure out a way for my hair not to look like sh#%!  I wasn't ever a very attractive woman, but I did have beautiful hair - and lots of it.  In some ways dealing w/ the change in my hair & skin has been one of the hardest things about the cancer.  For me getting diagnosed at 45 was just around the time I probably would have started experiencing middle age.  After chemo & forced menopause I suddently felt old and angry because I felt that my last few "good" years had been taken from me.  Of course, the real trick is truly realizing the richest things in our lives have nothing to do with appearance, but it is HARD when you live in a world where, especially as a female, you are judged by looks.  So, Iogged on today to this wonderful website to see if anybody had any tips about making my post-chemo hair look better, saw your post and just wanted to say, hang in there and don't be ashamed by your feelings during the process or what might 'surprisingly' conjure them.  Namaste.

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  • johnwayne
    johnwayne Member Posts: 36
    edited September 2011

    Oh - and don't cut your hair off - it will come back the same way and you'll just be bald - again.  I think it a great idea to go to an excellent hairdresser to get a consult on your new hair. 

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  • Birds
    Birds Member Posts: 67
    edited September 2011

    I live in hot hot Texas and near the Gulf.  Probably have the same weather you do.  My last chemo was Feb 2010 and my hair used to be straight and came in like Shirley Temple curly, but gray.  It is just now laying down and not being real curly.  Looks like the weight of longer hair is straightening it a lot, but still have some of those humid wavy days.  I get mine trimmed every 5 weeks while I get it dyed brown.  It's only to the bottom of my blouse collar now, probably because I get it trimmed so often, but maybe because I had herceptin until last November.  I really hated it at first, but now I like it a lot.  Looks like I have a body wave.

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited September 2011

    I have naturally curly hair but spent too many years not understanding it. Heartily endorse Deva's No Poo shampoo. You do have to get used to the non lathering thing. They also make a low poo, slight lathering shampoo. I only shampoo 2x a week but rinse my hair daily to get out old product then put any good quality conditioner in it so it smells fresh and is not frizzy. I love Kinky Curly Custard (whole foods carries it) and a little goes a long way. Finger comb it through your hair or use a wide tooth comb. Hot Sox makes cheap soft diffuser that fits any blow dryer. Don't dry your hair all the way which just adds to frizziness. When it is completely dry, use fingers or wide plastic pick to gently separate curls. Never brush it! One last thing, make sure your hair stylist really knows how to cut curly hair. Caryn

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2012

    Well, others have suggested the No Poo route - I thought you might want to read more about it.

    Works for me!!!  I just use any conditioner, sometimes a wee bit of lemon juice,here's the link:

    http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfmoms/detail?entry_id=37131  good luck!

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  • pj12
    pj12 Member Posts: 25,402
    edited September 2011

    I have curly-frizzy hair and live in Florida too. I went through many stages... Rolling it on orange juice cans, ironing it, chemical straightening (don't do it), cut short, worn long, layers, no layers. Nothing gets rid of the frizz. The "products" for frizzy hair are too gummy for my taste. A blow dryer is the kiss of death, much better to scrunch and let it dry naturally. If I want a smoother look I use big rollers and a styling gel. It looks great until I walk outside :)



    A good haircut is probably your best step. Your hairdresser could advise you.

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