Is ok to cut my hair before treatments

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win-chimed
win-chimed Member Posts: 35

I am a stage II TNBC. Is it safe to cut your hair before treatments? I have to do 2 different sessions, one is for 2 mos and the other is for 16 weeks. And I know my hair is going to fall out, but to lesson the depression of seeing it go, would it be fine to cut it?

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  • Beatmon
    Beatmon Member Posts: 1,562
    edited December 2016

    I cut mine very short, then a buzz...then a shave to finish it up. It does help a little when you are in control. Make sure that the chemo you are getting causes hair loss, because 100% do. I was on taxotere and started losing it on day 17. But everyone is different. I have seen ladies post that they started losing as early as 10 days. Good luck

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2016

    I came out of the womb with more hair than most, always had long hair and when I was told 100% the chemo would make my hair fall out I was totally crying. I agree Beat- make sure it is going to come out!

    I did cut my long hair into a pixie before chemo started. Like you indicated- needed to ease into it. I cried walking into the salon, did fine through it, and cried on the way out. She went shoulder length and we just kept going. People liked it, I felt like I looked like my mother lol, but it was fine.

    I felt that chemo "helps" with the hair loss. I got the side effects, and all of a sudden you don't "care" about your hair. Then it starts shedding all over the place and I got so tired of hair everywhere that I went back to the salon (about 2 weeks after the Pixie cut) and had her shave my head. It was still stubbly, so that was annoying too- but ended up pretty much falling out.

    Good luck...the boards are tremendously helpful and supportive!

  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited December 2016

    I cut my hair from long to short before I started chemo. Then when it started to fall out, I went to a buzz cut. I didn't shave my head since several people talked about how uncomfortable the short, spiky hairs were.

  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited December 2016

    Why wouldn't it be 'safe' to cut your hair?

    When I was DXd my hair was almost to mg waist. .I cut it to a 'gypsy shag' (old style cut). Then when it started coming out in handfuls, we (me, Hubby, Son and my other 'Sons' had a head clipping party at the barn using the horse clippers.

    Have yo . He med into the Look Good - Feel Better classes? They are through ACS and a lot are done at the different Facilities (the BC Navigator at your Facility should have info on them) or call your local ACS. They are a wealth of info on skin care, make-up issues (like when eyebrows 'leave'). Wig information. Also you will meet women who are more/less experiencing what you are.

    Wigs - does your Facility have ones to give you or have you looked into buying ? My BC Navigator gave me a real cute wig - when Hubby and Son saw it they laughed at me - I have to admit - it wasn't me. So I took it to the L G - F B class and there was a lady who it was absolutely perfect for. But I wound up getting a great wig the next day that the Master Cosmetologist who did the class had gotten a frosted gypsy shag from a manufacturer that she though she'd never find a BC chemo women that it would work for - it did for me.

  • MLMSC
    MLMSC Member Posts: 46
    edited December 2016

    Yes, I cut my shoulder length hair to a short cut prior to treatment. I was on weekly Taxol and lost most all of my hair about a fourth the way through. Seems to make less of a mess when the hair is shorter. Because I had a case of folliculitis, I was advised not to shave any remaining hair.


    Good luck.

    M

  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited December 2016

    In my experience, it is easier to get a shorter haircut before it starts to fall out.

    For me, cutting the hair short was harder than shaving my head. But now I

    like it short. Sending my best - it is an emotional time!

  • amazonmich
    amazonmich Member Posts: 10
    edited December 2016

    I donated my hair to Locks of Love before chemo started.

    Then I didn't loose my hair thanks to cold caps.

    Ha ha ha! Joke was on me. 3 years later my hair still isn't as long as it was. oh well. I had a nice short cut for a year or so. And...At least I provided beautiful hair for someone.

    Michele

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