Hair question (how soon can you relax after chemo)?
Hi Ladies,
I will be starting Chemo sometime in August, but was wondering what most of the African-American ladies did with your hair before and after Chemo. I plan to cut my hair really, really short before Chemo or shave it -- whichever I have the nerve to do! LOL
Do you know how soon you can use chemical relaxers after Chemotherapy treatments?
Any info would be helpful!
Thank you
Comments
-
bump
-
Chrys 23 welcome to the board. We are here to offer support which is a key to healing. I got a nice hair cut and color before since I was going to lose my hair. Afterwards my hair grew in baby fine. I kept it natural for 1.5 years..then went back to the relaxer. I can tell you that I missed my natural hair and don't plan to ever go back.
-
Chrys 23--I think I relaxed my hair after chemo six months after my hair started to grow back in. My hair grew back really thick and wavy and I couldn't keep a handle on it.
I think i shaved my hair three weeks after my first chemo tx. If my hair had not have came in so thick, I don't think i would've relaxed it. It was very soft and pretty...bu, oh well.
Rogam--How are you? looking good as always!
-
bump
-
I'm not African American, but saw this in the active topics. I relaxed my hair when it got about two inches all around soaking wet. It was a mistake though, it started breaking off in some places and it was very stiff. My hair came in with a super tight curl that I couldn't manage.
Fortunately, because it was so short, the effects didn't last long.
Now, weirdly, my hair is straight, (1 1/2 years post first chemo) which it never was before.
I know there is some differences between our hair and my experience might not be valuable, but your hair when it comes in is virgin hair and should be treated with care.
-
Hi Chrys,
No, I don't have the same hair as you either, but I can say that it has taken about 15 months after my final chemo for things to get to a stable state. My take is that you will know when this happens, but not until at least 6 months. First of all, you need hair to relax. The first hair will be very odd. I colored mine immediately as looked like a "pelt of deceased rodent".
And it doesn't grow out evenly. I found that a trip to a salon where I could work with a stylist to be very helpful. Talk about one time in life when the investment was worth it!
Right now, I am just letting it grow as the last time my stylist put it into a shape where it would look OK for a long time. I think though that I am ready for another visit.
Anyway, good luck with this journey.
As for the hair, you will know when you are ready. I would suspect not until at least six months past your final chemo. You will be so glad to have hair that you won't care either.
One final tip is that I used this experience to re-create a look that reflects who I am at this moment in my life. I had seriously outgrown my old look.
And did I mention how great I am with eye make up! At least as important as the hair.
So here's to the new re-imagined you..... Something to celebrate, and something to look forward to. You will be just great. Good luck. - Claire
-
I had shoulder-length relaxed hair when I was diagnosed. I was advised to cut it short before chemo, because it would be less traumatic to see short hair falling out rather than lots of long hair. The short hair was traumatic enough, so I'm glad I followed the advice. I was told that my hair would be gone about 3 weeks after my initial infusion of adriomycin - I started shedding about 10 days in, and by day 22, I ony had few clumps left on my head. .
I ended up shaving my scalp because not quite everything fell out (and yes, I pulled out those last few clumps!). Both the nurses and my hairdresser told me not to put any chemicals on my hair for six months after treatment . . . my hair grew back in half gray, so it was quite a challenge. . . but then, I was used to it being natural, so I just kept it that way.
-
Thanks everyone! I'll be looking for wigs soon as I'll be shaving my head and my sister is shaving her head in support of me as well. I've already ordered some free scarves off the net and will get 2-3 wigs to wear each day, especially for work.
If anyone knows of any sites that have great lace front wigs at reasonable prices, send me the links! My insurance pays for up to $500 in wigs/accessories, so I'm going to take full advantage of that!
Many thanks for the responses!
Chrys
-
I finished chemo in Dec. 2009. My hair initially came in curly but returned to its natural 'fro state after 6 months. The length was short with thinning on top. The texture became coarse and difficult to manage. So after getting a barber to shape it up, I put a texturizer in it just last month. Soft and Beautiful Botanicals. Only left it on for 5 minutes, shampooed with the neutralizer, conditioned it and it gave me the curl definition I was looking for. I still use a bit of gel on it but I feel that I have more control over it now.
Best of luck to you!
-
Chrys...... Can't help with wig sites, but a reminder to have fun with them. You may discover a totally "new you"! My own plan is to add in clip-on red streaks once my hair grows out a bit more.
You will be happy to know it is growing like a week this summer.
I did the wigs at a local hairdressers and bought the $29 models. Just don't open an oven door wearing them or you will be serving "friend wig".
I didn't do scarves as I like to wear scarves as accessories (see picture) and thought that I might never wear again if I wore on my head. I did put a beret over to keep everything on while doing my winter chemo walks.
I can say that although I looked great rocking uber short, my preference is longer.
Good luck and remember what I said about "wigs and ovens" which I think also applies to "wigs and grills". - Claire
-
I waited till 1 year had passed before processing my hair. My hair had always been soft whether natural or relaxed, but now since chemo ended in September 09, it is very coarse (again whether natural or relaxed). My hairdresser and dietian have no solutions for me since I'm 'doing everything right'.
Does anyone have advice on how to treat with this? My hair no longer keeps curls - whether roller set, by flat or curling iron.
-
I haven't relaxed just yet, but my texture is so nice that I may not have to. When I blow it out it looks like silk hopefully that will last.
Or you doing protien and deep conditioning treatments?? It does help. Try some of Miss Jessie's products. What type of curls are you looking for rollerset type curls or wavy curls.
Hope this helps.
-
It's funny you mentioned Miss Jessie's products. I went to an expo in Atlanta 2 weeks back and just finished washing my hair with the Creme De La Curl Cleansing Creme and Curly Pudding. I finished chemo in May and just ditched my wigs this past month. I've been going to a barber to get it edged up for the last 3 weeks now but I'm finding that the curls up top are cute, but the sides tend to just frizz. My dillema is that I don't want to keep cutting my hair b/c I'd like to go natural/curly, but the sides just tend to frizz instead of keeping the cute curl pattern like at the top. Any suggestions???
-
Can't remember exactly, but I think I colored my hair when it was about an inch all around. It was so cute. Maybe relaxing came about 6 months later???? But my hair has never been the same. It came in coarser, even though it is thin on top. But whatever, I'm happy to have hair back.
-
Hello Ladies...WarriorPrincess24 I was just in Atl for the natural hair show
. We had a blast! So I have been natural for quite some time and I would like to suggest aussie moist or hello hydration conditioner as a leave in to help keep the sides all smooth and nice.
Shorbr you mentioned thin hair on the top mine was not before bc but now it is not as thick. I am using a growth solution in the top to help speed things up.
-
I do relax my hair. The texture is ok, but I like to have the relaxer in my hair. I also color it black which tends to make my hair appear thicker.
Rogam...your hairstyle looks adorable!! I remember the days when my hair started to grow back and I would take showers with joy knowing that I could shampoo my hair everyday and just gel it down. I loved it. In hindsight, I don't even know why I went back to relaxing. I am 57 years old and did not want long hair again. I starting cutting my hair and wearing it short since about the age of 40.
What are you using to speed up growth in the top?
-
Shorbr I am using the camille rose growth oil. I have only been using it for a few week. I will keep you posted.
-
Ro Im not sure how long after you can relax. but girl your hair looks super cute in your profile pic! I saw it over on the nola thread
cheers
lisa
-
Hello Lisa645. I love my curls..thanks. Are you a nola patient?
-
Hi Ladies -- I'm now 6 months past rads and my hair has grown in, but its definately getting somewhat course. It's soft, but I want to relax it. It seems the growth has really stopped. Perhaps I should texture it instead to soften it up. The middle seems to not grow as fast as the top and sides and is growing really, really slow.
-
My hair is short and thin in the top as well. How did you get yours to grow, and get thicker. My hair came back curly as well. It have not changed yet. I am so hurt that it is so thin and short. It seem as if it just stop growing. Thank you for your help.
-
My hair is short and thin in the top as well. How did you get yours to grow and get thicker? My hair grew back curly as well, but it have not changed. I am still hurt that it is so thin and short. Do you know what can help me? Thanks
-
How long did it take before your hair began falling out? Mine hasn't started falling out yet. Wednesday will be mu second round of adriamycin amd cytoxan. I am waiting to see it fall out before I cut it off. My hair is to my bra strap right now.
-
My hair fell out after 3 weeks after my 1st round of adrianmycin and cytoxan . It started growing back I have had two rounds of Taxol . I have 2 more . chemo treatments I am so happy ... I hope to never relax my hair again .. but I will wait and see what texture it is
-
My last chemo was 1/16/2014. Although my hair is growing back it is very thin on top and in the crown. Anyone know of a product that can help the top catch up with the rest of my hair on the sides and back? By the way my oncologist told me not to put any chemical in my hair until after 6 months, I figured by that time I will be use to looking at whatever color and texture that is coming in.
-
Fighter_34,
Your pixie is gorgeous.
-
I to will be starting chemotherapy in August I have locks mix color and grey am a fly 68 help
-
I to will be starting chemotherapy in August I have locks mix color and grey am a fly 68 help
-
Minnielee:
Sorry you are going to have to have chemo. Most chemo that is used for bc causes hair loss. The good news is that it will grow back. I lost all my hair this past winter when I was getting chemotherapy but it started sprouting a month after it ended. I have a head full of short curls 4 months later. Good luck.
-
Hi all - May last chemo treatment was March 20th and my hair is now growing back. I used to relax before chemo but would like to try something less harsh. Has anybody done the keratin treatment? If yes, how soon after chemo? Thanks
Categories
- All Categories
- 679 Advocacy and Fund-Raising
- 289 Advocacy
- 68 I've Donated to Breastcancer.org in honor of....
- Test
- 322 Walks, Runs and Fundraising Events for Breastcancer.org
- 5.6K Community Connections
- 282 Middle Age 40-60(ish) Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 53 Australians and New Zealanders Affected by Breast Cancer
- 208 Black Women or Men With Breast Cancer
- 684 Canadians Affected by Breast Cancer
- 1.5K Caring for Someone with Breast cancer
- 455 Caring for Someone with Stage IV or Mets
- 260 High Risk of Recurrence or Second Breast Cancer
- 22 International, Non-English Speakers With Breast Cancer
- 16 Latinas/Hispanics With Breast Cancer
- 189 LGBTQA+ With Breast Cancer
- 152 May Their Memory Live On
- 85 Member Matchup & Virtual Support Meetups
- 375 Members by Location
- 291 Older Than 60 Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 177 Singles With Breast Cancer
- 869 Young With Breast Cancer
- 50.4K Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis
- 204 Breast Cancer with Another Diagnosis or Comorbidity
- 4K DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)
- 79 DCIS plus HER2-positive Microinvasion
- 529 Genetic Testing
- 2.2K HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer
- 1.5K IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)
- 3.4K IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)
- 1.5K ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)
- 999 Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis
- 652 LCIS (Lobular Carcinoma In Situ)
- 193 Less Common Types of Breast Cancer
- 252 Male Breast Cancer
- 86 Mixed Type Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned
- 189 Palliative Therapy/Hospice Care
- 488 Second or Third Breast Cancer
- 1.2K Stage I Breast Cancer
- 313 Stage II Breast Cancer
- 3.8K Stage III Breast Cancer
- 2.5K Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- 13.1K Day-to-Day Matters
- 132 All things COVID-19 or coronavirus
- 87 BCO Free-Cycle: Give or Trade Items Related to Breast Cancer
- 5.9K Clinical Trials, Research News, Podcasts, and Study Results
- 86 Coping with Holidays, Special Days and Anniversaries
- 828 Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues
- 101 Family and Family Planning Matters
- Family Issues for Those Who Have Breast Cancer
- 26 Furry friends
- 1.8K Humor and Games
- 1.6K Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts
- 706 Recipe Swap for Healthy Living
- 704 Recommend Your Resources
- 171 Sex & Relationship Matters
- 9 The Political Corner
- 874 Working on Your Fitness
- 4.5K Moving On & Finding Inspiration After Breast Cancer
- 394 Bonded by Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Life After Breast Cancer
- 806 Prayers and Spiritual Support
- 285 Who or What Inspires You?
- 28.7K Not Diagnosed But Concerned
- 1K Benign Breast Conditions
- 2.3K High Risk for Breast Cancer
- 18K Not Diagnosed But Worried
- 7.4K Waiting for Test Results
- 603 Site News and Announcements
- 560 Comments, Suggestions, Feature Requests
- 39 Mod Announcements, Breastcancer.org News, Blog Entries, Podcasts
- 4 Survey, Interview and Participant Requests: Need your Help!
- 61.9K Tests, Treatments & Side Effects
- 586 Alternative Medicine
- 255 Bone Health and Bone Loss
- 11.4K Breast Reconstruction
- 7.9K Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 2.7K Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment
- 775 Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results
- 7.8K Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 50 Immunotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 7.4K Just Diagnosed
- 1.4K Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy
- 5.2K Lymphedema
- 3.6K Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment
- 591 Pain
- 3.9K Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 8.4K Surgery - Before, During, and After
- 109 Welcome to Breastcancer.org
- 98 Acknowledging and honoring our Community
- 11 Info & Resources for New Patients & Members From the Team