Hair Hair Hair - Another question

Kelly and Yvette we all finished chemo about the same time and you both have more hair than I. Are either one of you doing anything to promote hair growth?

Whata - I have been using the Nioxin system. Don't know how much it has helped but it's kind of minty and makes my scalp tingly.

Yvette - I may just don some sunglasses and let the DH snap some pics.  I never thought to hide behind a pair of them but it's a great idea!  Di you have it professionally colored?  I've always done my own but I haven't decided whether I want to color or not.  DH thinks I should keep it natural.  As far as Tamoxifen goes...I started it May 1st and really don't have any SE's except hot flashes, which I was having anyway from the chemopause.

Thanks to all you ladies who mentioned Latisse. You are well ahead of me as I am just about to start chemo this week, but I started reading this thread out of curiosity about the future hair loss and re-grow thing. It was interesting, and I plan to order up some Latisse very soon! I've been wanting to try it anyway as I've heard it works well, (I am in my 60's already and experiencing the thinning) so now with chemo coming, I can justify the expense!

When do you think would be best time to start it? Now? After lash loss occurs? Could using it now could prevent eyelash loss from happening at all, maybe??

Kelloggs - i've had my hair dyed professionally for ~10years. i started going gray in my late 20's so once the semi-perm color wouldn't take any more, i decided a professional needed to take on the job i will say it was rather shocking to see i'm 90% gray at the ripe age of 44. i felt like such an old man but as soon as the color went on it was MUCH better. i had a baseball hat on later that day & my BF said i looked like a boyscout. the look i must have flashed him because then he tried to say the color made me look so young again... i changed topics at that point, lol!!

& that's great about only having the hot flashes!! i've had those too from chemopause + a laundry list of lovely SE's that chemo left behind. i'm still on the fence about Tamoxifen but good to know not everyone is having a hard time with it that gives me hope!!

Gemmie - check with your onc but i would start as soon you start chemo. it may not keep your lashes from falling (they fall regardless just not in big amounts, thanks chemo!!) but it will promote new growith & thickness. if i had known, i would have started sooner

and yes, hurray for big sunglasses!! i couldn't wear mine until recently (they would get caught in my Halo) so i'm loving them more than EVER!!  i'll keep an eye out for the young hunks too - that would be a bonus

gonna try to post pics...here goes 1st is me in Mexico in April (16wks PFC) and 2nd is me now (23wks PFC)  A friend who is a hairdresser for 30 yrs recommended the bleach to make it ultra blonde and everyone I know loves it.

Maggie

Gemmie, I started using Latisse during chemo and I never lost all my lashes. For that, I do thank Latisse. I got it from my dermatologist, who told me I also could use it on my brows, which I did as well, all through chemo. Both my brows and lashes thinned -- some bare spots here and there -- but I credit Latisse with what I didn't lose. (And I did lose every other hair on my body, including ear and nose hair...)  (And I'm in my early 60s, too....)

1) what type of chemo you had and how many treatments

Taxotere/Cytoxan/Zometa: every 3 weeks for 6 rounds 

2) Did you lose you hair - YES/NO

Yes, pretty much all of it by day 21 after chemo started, as predicted. 

3) If YES, % lost (approximate)

100%

4) Did your hair come back curly? YES/NO with curly defined as wavy or curly NOT typical of your previous hair 

My hair came back thicker with a slight wave.  (It actually started growing back before the chemo treatements were completely finished). Previously my hair was baby fine and bone straight. 

5) Months PFC (post final chemo) and are currently curly YES/NO

12 months PFC; my hair seems to be less wavy as it grows. 

Age 52 at diagnosis 

1) A/C x 4, Taxol x12, Arimidex

2) - 3) hair 100% gone by 3rd A/C - shedded and shaved day 14-16 after 1st A/C

4) Came back same color, texture, and wavy like original hair

5) 11 months PFC - 4 1/2 inches long

Thanks, Yvette and WaveWhisper,

I will check with MO and make plan for ordering Latisse ASAP.



It's really nice to hear the chat on this thread cause most of you gals have all the worst behind you-- SE's, etc. and you all seem to be doing just fine.



Good for you. You are survivors!

Maggie has hair! It looks great, and I love the ultra-blonde.

1) what type of chemo you had and how many treatments
Taxotere/Carboplatin/Herceptin: every 3 weeks for 6 rounds

2) Did you lose you hair - YES/NO

Yes,16 days after first chemo as was told.

3) If YES, % lost (approximate)
almost all except for the ones that didn't fall out

4) Did your hair come back curly? YES/NO with curly defined as wavy or curly NOT typical of your previous hair
Came back with a little wave but not poodle. I had straight hair before. It was also more fur like. Color changed from brown with grey to more grey and black (including eyebrows turned darker )I do believe it started to grow before chemo ended.

5) Months PFC (post final chemo) and are currently curly YES/NO
17 months PFC hair almost the same as before. Seems a bit dryer but that might be due to more gray.

* I keep my hair short. No more long bob.
** diagnosed age 49 currently 51

thanks Carrol...I have not heard that in a long time...You really made my day

Maggie

Ok, they are officially back - those pesky black chin hairs.  My face is covered with the small white hairs - someone said this will go away?  Really and when?  I feel like I am growing a winter coat on my face!!!

Seagrover - i have fine facial hair (from cheeks to jawline) too!! i never had this before & didn't notice until my BF pointed it out. i had it waxed ~4 weeks ago & plan to have it waxed again. i've read that it can either fall out on it's own (i didn't have the patience for that) or if it's removed it comes back only one or two times. Farida (my waxer) told me many women who've had chemo come in to have it removed & they only need one or two waxing treatments.