Hair looks terrible even without chemo

yeah.. hair is a problem. 

i rub a tiny amount of coconut oil into my hands and rub it into my hair the day before, of, shampooing.. it really helps to moisterize and make it glossy.. (i just use organic coconut oil from the health food store.. it's quite solid below 70 degrees... but rubbing it in your hands quickly dissipates.  i brush my hair then with a natural boar's bristle brush to distribute it.. it actually works pretty well as a styling gel'.... if you use just a tiny bit.. (like 1/8th of a teaspoon for a bob) and rub it well into your hands and hair.. starting from the bottom so your top hairs do not look greasy.  coconut oil in hair product stores often contains petrolatum.. which i avoid.

I hear ya!   I lost a third of my hair after my mets diagnosis and after radiation and starting Faslodex. The thinning seems to have stopped, but the hair I have left is dryer (and grayer) than before. Even this time last year, my hair was thick, shiny and manageable. Not now. 

  So you would think with everything else going on with mets, my hair issues wouldn't be such a big deal, but it matters!  If we don't think we look good, it's really hard to feel good.  And even with mets, feeling good is a big priority.

  I'm experimenting with shampoos and conditioners. I've found some that do help with body and shine. I haven't gone really short yet--I don't think that will make me feel better, as I really like the shoulder-length.   I do trim my ends a lot-- take an inch off every few weeks, which adds body. 

Try taking Biotin. It should help revitalize and re-grow your hair. I personally had no issues after 110 1/2 hours of anesthesia, but I know it can affect some people.

I would like to thank everyone too... I bought the nioxin today...I didn't know they made a conditioner so I have to look for that. And the coconut oil...

I will try all of the ideas...this has been frustrating to finally be cancer free and to have such bad hair!

Any beauty salon should have them.

Has the doc checked your thyroid?  Dry hair, skin, sensitivity to cold, tiredness and constipation are symptoms of hypothyroidism.

Yes, I have had my thyroid checked and yes, it is off, but I have been on synthroid for 2 years now and my numbers are very stable.

I hate that everyone is having this problem but glad to know I'm not alone. I've always had thin hair but since my bmx 12/8/11, it's gotten so much worse. It's getting harder and harder to hide it. No chemo, rads or HT. My doc said that the stress and trauma of surgery can cause it to thin. Oh boy. Can't wait for my exchange surgery in a few weeks. I'll have nothing left.

 I've been using Nioxin for a couple of years and my hair stylist swore that my hair was fuller and thicker. Stopped using at the time of my surgery and I'm back to using it. Also trying Biotin. Even Walmart sells Nioxin products in the salon at my local store. There is a variety of products. I like the thickening spray real well. They do carry conditioner also.