Hair and Taxol

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Luckydog42
Luckydog42 Member Posts: 51
edited March 2015 in HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer

I took two weekly doses of Taxol and Herceptin the end of December. I am now taking Herceptin every three weeks. We dropped Taxol early due to neuropathy.

Most of my hair has fallen out, straying the second week of January. I did not lose eyelashes or eyebrows, but they stopped growing for a few weeks. My chin hair came back and my eyebrows are growing once again. But still no new hair on my head. How long until it starts to grow? I am getting worried it won't grow back at all!

My hair is so thin that my parts are very wide. And, where I have a part in the back of my head, it is now a bald spot. Are there any alternatives to wigs? Would hair extensions work?

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  • Meadow
    Meadow Member Posts: 2,007
    edited March 2015

    Lucky dog, Hair is a big problem sometimes! My hair was thinning before chemo, then I lost it all and was bald for 9 months. When it came back, I kept it short on purpose, and have LOVED it. I always had longer hair, and the thinning was just a problem, I hated it. After it came back, I chose a super cute pixie cut and have kept it that way. I love my hair now. Instead of it being the cause of frustration and embarrassment, it is truly my favorite thing! And shorter hair looks fuller, way fuller. Have you ever had or thought of having short hair? I suggest getting on Pinterest or google, pick a pixie cut, and just try it!. I would never have been bold enough to do that before cancer, I just never would have thought I could pull it off. But I can and do. Just a suggestion to you, let me know if it is something you try!

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  • SmartassSmurf
    SmartassSmurf Member Posts: 157
    edited March 2015

    My last Taxol was June 26th. Last Herceptin was today (3/19/2015).

    I am 43, and my hair has always grown pretty fast and been straight. The hair was slow growing back in. In July is appeared really fine...I called it my baby bird hair. I hated it, and had my hubby shave it when it was about 1/4 inch long.

    What I call my "real hair" was about 1/4 to 1/2 inch long October 1st. It started to look kind of like the Halle Berry pixie cut around Thanksgiving, and really filled in a lot.

    Now it is probably 3 1/2 inches, but so so so very curly. Actually think when it gets a little longer it will be in singlets. Right now I look kind of like my grandmother because the shape is that of an old lady hair cut. I am ready for it to be longer now!


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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited March 2015

    Hi Luckydog,

    Have you checked out the Hair, Hair, Hair: Another Question topic?

    It's a very active thread on all things Hair and especially on sharing experiences on when to expect your hair to grow back after Chemo.

    An alternative to wearing wigs includes Scarves, Turbans, Hats etc. This may or not be for you but if you'd like to learn more check out the link below:

    Head Covering Options

    We hope this helps,

    Kind wishes to you,

    The mods

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