Chemo Curls when you have never had curly hair before?

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JWoo
JWoo Member Posts: 1,171
edited November 2014 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

Hi all! I know I am not the only one in this boat. I am one year out, and my hair is thankfully still curly. I've wanted curls all my life, so I am happy. I just don't know how to care for it. 

So- if any of you have had a lifetime, or at least a few years of experience with curly locks, please give those of lost in this new land some tips. 

My biggest issue is: My hair is not short really, kinda growing out. The curls are softening a bit. But I like to shower at night, and when I wake up- the back of my head is all flat and no amount of spritz and product makes it look ok so i have to completely rewet my hair. Total PITA. Are there any tricks to sleeping on it? 

Thanks for any advice you can give this new curled girl!

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  • PoppyK
    PoppyK Member Posts: 1,805
    edited October 2014

    JWoo,

    I wish I had great advice. I'm currently shedding due to chemo, but I have naturally wavy/curly hair. The only way I have been able to avoid the flat areas is by showering and washing my hair in the morning. I spray it with a good quality leave in conditioner to avoid frizziness. Sometimes mousse is helpful to keep the hair from flattening. If I can't wash my hair in the morning (like when I go camping), I wet my hair with water from a spray bottle, especially the roots.

    Sorry I don't have an easy fix for you. Hopefully someone else will have some ideas.

    Poppy

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  • tangandchris
    tangandchris Member Posts: 1,855
    edited October 2014

    Jwoo-I had curly hair prior to chemo :)

    I always washed my hair in the morning, it was the only way to keep the frizz from taking over for me. I agree you could wet it down with a spray bottle some and see if that helps. I also usually let my hair air dry if I had time, and if I used a hair dryer I wouldn't dry it all the way...if that make sense.

    There are lot's of good anti-frizz creams and gels out there too. But, believe it or not, the one I really loved was Suave. lol


     

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited October 2014

    I have naturally curly hair. One way to help at night is to sleep on a satin pillowcase, after it has dried. Sleeping with wet curly will usually not work out well. I wet my hair every morning. I only shampoo 2x a week. Curly hair tends to be dry and dry curls get frizzy. But, when I wet my hair, I always put conditioner in it. This helps freshen it up as well as rinsing out old product. Experiment with different products as even curly hair has differences. I like Shea Moisture shampoo and conditioner, paraben and sulfate free and a small amount of Kinky Curly Custard. Towel dry hair by blotting, no rubbing! Air dry or use a diffuser with your blow dryer. I blow dry 3/4 of the way and then let it air dry. The goal is formed curls and minimal frizz. Have fun!

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  • JWoo
    JWoo Member Posts: 1,171
    edited October 2014

    Thanks ladies!

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  • knittingPT
    knittingPT Member Posts: 156
    edited November 2014

    As a naturally curly my whole life, I've had a lot of arguments/fights with my hair.  Definitely best to wash in the morning, add a curl creme or lotion (I like Aveda Curl controller or Marc Antony curl defining lotion), and run your fingers through to define each curl.  Then DON'T TOUCH IT AGAIN!!!  Seriously hairbrushes are bad, hair dryer is bad.  Let those curls be and they/you will be much happier.  Don't try to be the boss.  Let the curls be the boss :-)     I guess after chemo I may have straight hair?  I hadn't even considered that!

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  • JWoo
    JWoo Member Posts: 1,171
    edited November 2014

    thanks Knitting!

    these curls are definitely the boss. but i am so happy with them! I just wish there was some magical thing to allow you to wash the night before. it takes about 10 hours for my hair to dry :)

    and yes- you might get straight hair when you are done. the chemo changes the hair follicle completely. straight hair- it is usually completely round, and curly hair- it is flat. The chemo attacks fast growing cells, so the skin cells on your head are affected (obviously as your hair falls out) and can change the shape of the follicle. it is crazy and weird! 

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  • happygran
    happygran Member Posts: 38
    edited November 2014

    I'm over 6 years' out but do remember the curly hair............at first I loved it.....it was hair! But 12 months after chemo I was beside myself.......... My hair was curly for a while after chemo (a few months) and I just couldn't do anything with it.........until my wonderful hairdresser had a go.............she gave me a sleek bob & I burst into tears........... it made me feel 'normal'...........I've kept it at the same length ever since.....

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  • dltnhm
    dltnhm Member Posts: 873
    edited November 2014

    You do not want friction on your curly hair. So no rubbing with a towel! Waiting for a wet head of hair to dry can seem endless.

    One thing I only recently learned was I could use a chamois cloth to absorb excess water. It's a man made chamois that I've had around the house for years. I think it might have been one of those "As seen on TV" deals that I found in Bed, Bath & Beyond.

    First, shake your hair a lot - and I prefer hanging my head down. Squeeze as much water as you can with your hands while you're in the shower. Do not strip it down however as that would defeat the purpose. Just squeeze the curls from close to your scalp working your way to the ends.

    You can use the chamois cloth to blot and gently squeeze your curls too. I repeat: no rubbing. This really helped cut the drying time for me.

    I have naturally curly hair that I fought for years. It seemed to get curlier in my 40's. It was actually straighter after chemo. I wear it both straight and curly now. I did giveit a long summer break from the blow dryer and straighteners.


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