Hair Loss

Options
crs003
crs003 Member Posts: 73
edited July 2015 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

Hi, I have found a hair thread, but it was mostly about hair growing back in, so I wanted to start one for those just starting to lose hair, like me. I am doing Taxol first, so I was hoping the hair would stay through summer since I had very thick hair, but it started pouring out after the third and fourth treatment. Now its very thin, and balding. I wear a hat. It itches a lot, but I'm not quite ready to shave it off. I am not really looking forward to wearing a wig in the summer heat, but I don't want to freak out my students. When did you decide to shave your hair? Does the itching stop? How do I keep my scalp protected from the sun or from getting dry?

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • karabesque
    karabesque Member Posts: 84
    edited June 2015

    Hi,

    I am doing AC and my hair started to, as you said, pour out around the second treatment on May 28th. I had cut my hair short about a week before but my hair was everywhere so I did take the clippers to take it to about an inch all over. People told me I looked 10 years younger! Ha!

    I just shaved the rest of it off on Wednesday this week. Its stubbly but even that is falling out. I never had any itching and my head feels great. Looks, however...

    I tried on all of my wigs and hated them. I just look so fake! Scarves are better but I feel they are like a big, flashing sign->look at this sick person! A have a few hats, but my baldness pokes out and I am not fooling anyone. I think I am going to put my big girl panties on and just be bald. Rock it with some big earrings and red lipstick!

    As far as sun protection, I will wear a hat. I have one as big as an umbrella. I have been putting coconut oil on my head every morning and night. I think that will be good enough to care for it.

    I hope that helps answer your question!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Italychick
    Italychick Member Posts: 2,343
    edited June 2015

    My hair decided for me. I went as long as possible, and after day 23 I washed and combed my hair, and I had a 2" part. so my husband buzzed me to an inch long, and I had to wear my wig to work.

    Not all my hair fell out, had concentration camp hair. Now, after round five, the rest appears to be falling out. But I am doing Taxotere, so not sure how it works with taxol. Somebody will chime in soon

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited June 2015

    I had a baseball type cap embroidered NO HAIR DAY, I wore out in the Florida sun. Rest of the time I went topless, too hot and I hated my wig.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • crs003
    crs003 Member Posts: 73
    edited June 2015


    Thank you ladies for sharing your hair experiences. I am going tomorrow to look for a wig, so maybe I will get lucky and find something. Karabesque, I know what you mean about the scarves, I do like the chemo beanies that cure diva sells, but they are expensive. If you can rock bald, I would go for it, I don't think I'm that brave yet, but maybe after a few weeks of the summer hear I will get braver. Italychick, my hair is deciding for me too, I will probably cut it in the next couple of days. How did you go about choosing your wig? Spookiesmom, I love the No Hair Day idea, I think I will use it :-)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Italychick
    Italychick Member Posts: 2,343
    edited June 2015

    I went with a wig close to my own hair that looked like I got a hair cut and a new dye job. But if I had it to do over, I would go with a shorter wig. I had long hair, and the longer wigs tend to get tangled up and frizzy at the bottom. Still thinking about going shoulder length for a new "haircut."

    I am not doing scarves, beanies, etc. Either I do the wig for work (havent outed myself at work except to my boss), and I wear do rags everywhere else. They are like 6 for $10 on Amazon. The cotton ones that tie in the back are the most comfortable, and the cheapest. I think they are called do rags or skull caps, kind of what you would see a biker wear. I bought wigs, scarves, hats, but I am all about the do rag.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ShetlandPony
    ShetlandPony Member Posts: 4,924
    edited June 2015

    You know, you don't have to shave your head. I heard it can hurt to have the stubble poke you under a head covering, and I just wanted to let my hair be whatever it naturally was on taxol. I ended up with some thin fuzz and was glad to have a little something.

    I only went bald at home since I didn't think I could rock that dramatic bald look. I had fun accessorizing with caps and pre-tied scarves. In fact, many people just thought I was just being stylish and didn't realize I was doing chemo! (I didn't wear the tight caps that looked real cancer patient.) Favorites: Turban Plus Abbey Cap (has ruffles and sequins), Turban Plus Bella Scarf (silky), Deresina (with pearls), Hats with Heart three-seam turban. I also wore beanies when it was cold.

    The wig salon lady knew a lot about different kinds of wigs, but there was a no return policy. I ordered a nice style but in a different brand from what I had tried on, because they had my color. That was a mistake, and my hairdresser had to cut it so it wouldn't look ridiculous. Only wore it a few times because I felt more natural in caps, scarves, and beanies.

    I just used my usual unscented moisturizing shampoo and conditioner on my scalp, and that was fine.

    Loved my silk pillowcase. Very nice for my poor tender head.


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • annika12
    annika12 Member Posts: 433
    edited June 2015

    It was two years ago but I bought my wig (shoulder length, my hair was waist long) then cut my hair to match my wig. When my hair started to really come out I did a very short cut, made my wig comfier with some fuzz under. I also had hats with welcro hat hair !! Before you know it your hair will be growing again :)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • karabesque
    karabesque Member Posts: 84
    edited July 2015

    Check out Polly's Ponytails, So comfy and cute!!!!!

    image

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • superius
    superius Member Posts: 340
    edited July 2015

    I will start the 3-week cycle of TC next Monday (x4). I already have fine thin hair. I don't wear any accessories - no jewelry. scarf once in a blue moon - so I'm lost in this area. So like karabesque said, anything I put on my head would be like a big neon sign. I also haven't "out" myself at work (they know I had surg), but I will have to tell my boss. oh well...

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • justmaximom15
    justmaximom15 Member Posts: 264
    edited July 2015

    It's been almost a month since my hair went bye-bye. It started right at Day 14/15 of AC. First, earlier that week I noticed a change of texture and I couldn't do anything with it and it looked horrible. Thursday, which was Day 15 I noticed slight shedding. Friday night in the shower it was coming out in handfuls, worse on Saturday and I woke up Sunday thinking I can't deal with this any longer.

    My MO had cautioned me against actually "shaving" it due to possible cutting myself and getting an infection. Instead, I went to Great Clips and had it buzz cut with a #4 guard. By Tuesday, I looked like I had the mange. I have never shaved it so I'm not really cue ball bald. The small amount of short hair that never fell out is still there but it's sparse and light.

    I wear scarves and other than it being an attention getter, I enjoy all the fashionable choices I have now.

    I was given advice here to not go out and buy a ton of scarves and head coverings until I knew what I liked and I'm so glad that I took that advice. I've had a ton of friends and family send gifts of scarves, wraps and I've gotten a few of the ones that are free that I really like.


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • inkster
    inkster Member Posts: 93
    edited July 2015

    justmaximom15, you just sparked a question for me. I'm just starting to lose my hair now (day 14/15 of TC). I've always assumed it all fell out, but that's not true? Out of curiosity, how many others had some bits of hair left?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited July 2015

    I had it buzzed short. Enough fell after that to make it very sparse, but I never lost it all.

    Here's one week after final chemo (TC x4):

    image

    Here's 6 weeks PFC:

    image

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • karabesque
    karabesque Member Posts: 84
    edited July 2015

    Super- I found the Polly's Ponytails and I don't think any material thing has ever made me so happy. I look normal. Maybe Madonna circa 1986 but still no one could tell and it's not a big ol wig. I had fine hair too and I am a wash and go girl, so this has been great. The only problem is the lovely lady that makes them is also a chemo patient and takes breaks from making them. I got lucky and got mine in 2 weeks after ordering (she's in Australia, I am in New Mexico). I may try and make myself one..... Maybe

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories