Hair question (how soon can you relax after chemo)?

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!

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.  

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.    

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!

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.

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???

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. 

Shorbr I am using the camille rose growth oil. I have only been using it for a few week. I will keep you posted.

Hello Lisa645. I love my curls..thanks. Are you a nola patient?

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.

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 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.

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.