Hair Hair Hair - Another question

Capin, yes, I wear hats and scarves and have for 6 months now. I bought a wig at the beginning, a nice wig, but I just can't make myself wear the thing.  A lot of the time, people don't realize why my head is covered. I find that those kerchief things made for cancer patients works well under most regular hats. In the summer I wore a straw hat with a huge diva brim, and for the winter I have some floppy-brimmed felt hats from H&M.

bhd1, I  wore my wig in surgery, they just put the scrub hat over the wig the same way they would over someones hair.  There was no problem with it.  I was surprised, but very pleased. 

Bailey--I'm sorry your poor head hurts, dang it!  It's pretty normal, though.  My head hurt, too, when my hair fell out.  It got better--less sensitive--when it all came out (still had some stubble), but when my  hair started growing back, my scalp became very tender again and stayed that way until just recently.  I'm 1 yr. past my last chemo.  You'll be OK and get through this phase. Congrats on making it past your 2nd tx!

My head was so sensitive as my hair started to fall out.  I could even feel when each hair moved on my head - could barely stand laying on my pillow at night, etc.  The day we shaved it off, hubby had to be extra careful of the clippers rubbing against my scalp.  It did get much better once I did that though.  I was finished with chemo in April, 2011 and even every once in a while now it will get sensitive for a few days.  Not as bad as before it fell out, but enough to worry when I wash it that it has decided to leave me again!

Another way to get rid of loose hair is a lint roller - the ones that have a roll of "masking" tape.  It worked like a charm to capture the loose hair.  When I was shedding, I used it every morning after my shower.

The good news is my hair is long enough that I can use a small brush on it...the bad news is that it sticks straight up after I wash it...lol.  I'm using some curl control cream to tame it.  It's heading in a very, very curly direction!!!

I had a spot that was slow to grow--right front and center.  The back of my head by my neck is making up for it!  I am 15 weeks out and looking in the mirror every day for some kind of bangs--anything, please...  This seems like it is taking forever.  arrgh.

My "hair" is straight, and gray and white.  No curls for me.

Kathy,

Thanks...I have been getting my hair done at the salon since about 3-4 inches long. My stylist always blowdrys my hair stretching it and then finishes with the flat iron. I get it done once or twice a week and it lasts me, I find it VERY hard to do myself because it's SO thick and curly.

I also STILL use nioxin, I have used it before I was diagnosed, used it throughout treatment (even cleaned my bald head with it) and I still use it now, I swear by it, I LOVE nioxin and the way it makes my hair look.

Thank you for the input, ladies!  Do you think I should start using Nioxin now, or when I'm finished with my treatments?

Ladies: Does anyone know when is it safe to color the hair after chemo?

I understand that Loving Care hair coloring has been discontinued. Do you know of anything else that one can use  four months after last chemo treatment? 

Quick question: does anyone have any experience with in salon chemical hair straightening!?

Racy...I chemically straightened my hair pre cancer & while I was very happy with it at first as time went on I felt like my hair had been ' cooked', it was very dry & not healthy looking! It's the same chemicals used for a perm. Personally I wouldn't do it again but everyone is different & maybe my hair just wasn't suited to the procedure..

Karen

mkw1, the chemo nurses told me it was safe to color 6 wks pfc!  Like I had anything to color at that point!

I am also using Nioxin plus I am taking Biotin every day.  Hair is returning but still doesn't completely cover my scalp.  I have a mole just into hairline right above right forehead so my goal is that as soon as that is hidden by hair I will go topless.  I try to not fixate on it, but have created a habit of running the palm of my hand over my entire head because it feels good, and because I can guage the growth that way.

On the upside, I will be SHAVING MY LEGS in the shower today!

Ladym13

Where do you get Nioxin??? See you are from Ontario so was wondering where you find it, I have never heard about it until I had BC. Thanks

Im comparing ingredients in nioxin & Phyto shampoo. Does anyone think the parabens in nioxin are anything to be concerned about? Im starting to notice parabens in practically everything! The Phyto, on the other hand, has no parabens but has soy in it. I know eating soy is bad, but could it do any harm as a shampoo ingredient? Thanks for any thoughts/experience with this.

Lago, I do the same thing with second hand smoke and car fumes. I hold my breath when I am passing a smoker and then take a big breath once I get by. I have been doing that for years.