Razor Recommendation

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Brenniejoyce
Brenniejoyce Member Posts: 20
edited February 2018 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

I have just started chemotherapy and I’ve been told I will lose all my hair. I have decided to just bite the bullet and shave my head. I’m looking for some recommendations for a good razor to shave my head. My husband doesn’t use an electric razor, so I don’t know what is good and what is bad out there. Would love to hear some feedback. Thank you!

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  • pingpong1953
    pingpong1953 Member Posts: 362
    edited February 2018

    I had my hairdresser do it. She didn't charge me and had me come in at the end of the day so I could have some privacy. My hair started to come out 2 weeks after my first chemo and my scalp was so sore I had my hair shaved the next day.

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  • Brenniejoyce
    Brenniejoyce Member Posts: 20
    edited February 2018

    I might do that, but I thought it would be a lot less of a hassle if I did it myself. But I might end up going to see her. Thanks

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  • moth
    moth Member Posts: 4,800
    edited February 2018

    Do you have a Great Clips near you? They do it for free through their Clips of Kindness program https://www.greatclips.com/about-us/giving/clips-o...

    I'd get a pro to do it so you don't nick your head & get an infection. Any barber or salon can do it. I know some people go to their own stylist but others prefer to go to a stranger & just get it over and done. Also it seems many clip short but not shave completely and just let the little hairs fall out when they're ready. I still haven't decided when I will get mine done.

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  • Brenniejoyce
    Brenniejoyce Member Posts: 20
    edited February 2018

    Thanks for the Great Clips suggestion! There is one near me. I might give them a call. Thanks again

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  • NotVeryBrave
    NotVeryBrave Member Posts: 1,287
    edited February 2018

    It's recommended that you not completely shave the head due to concerns about infections and irritated hair follicles.

    My hair started to really come out like crazy around 18 days after my first round of chemo. It made my scalp sore as well. I went to a local shop that both cuts hair and sells wigs. They had a private room and used electric clippers. I was left with maybe a quarter inch of length.

    My mother went with me. For me - it was hugely upsetting at the time. I'm glad to not have that memory in my home.


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  • pingpong1953
    pingpong1953 Member Posts: 362
    edited February 2018

    I need to correct my post: I didn't get my head shaved, I got it clipped to about 1/8 inch and let it do its own thing. (Don't know why I said "shaved")

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  • Brenniejoyce
    Brenniejoyce Member Posts: 20
    edited February 2018

    Thanks for the advice. I will keep that in mind. I was wondering if it would be itchy and painful if it was shaved all the way down. This would be a good idea to not shave it completely bald.

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  • bripoe
    bripoe Member Posts: 3
    edited February 2018

    Mine started falling out Day 11 after my first chemo. I started wearing a ball hat to work, at the end of the day, hair would be all over that, on my plate, ALL OVER THE PILLOW, and come out in clumps in the shower. I finally told my husband I couldnt stand it & I needed to have him shave it (left it stubble short)......so I went and got the clippers, a sheet, the chair & my ball hat. Told my daughter I wanted pics, but I didnt want to see them. He asked if I was ready, I cried and said "No, but give me a minute, and I will be fine" I will never forget the sound of those coming on and how I felt. When he was done I put my ball hat on, went to the bathroom, took a shower, put the ball cap back on. Never looked in the mirror for over a week and the hat was on my night stand and the first thing I put on in the morning. So here I am almost 4 months after my last chemo & tho I go in spurts without my hat.....I still am not comfortable not wearing it in public.

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  • NotVeryBrave
    NotVeryBrave Member Posts: 1,287
    edited February 2018

    bripoe - I never lost all of my hair but probably 80% or more. I left the hairdresser's with a wig on my head and couldn't stand the look or feel of my poor clipped and bald head for quite a while. I wore a sleep cap (soft, knit) to bed and didn't let my husband or kids see me without something for probably a week or two.

    My hair started growing back before I was even done with chemo! Although going from mostly bald to reasonable length hair takes quite a while. I was about 4 months PFC before I quit wearing the wig or a ball cap. I just got sick of dealing with them and it was during the heat of summer.


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  • Brenniejoyce
    Brenniejoyce Member Posts: 20
    edited February 2018

    Dear Bripoe, thanks for your moving story; it made me cry. But it's comforting to know there are others who feel like I do. I won't let my husband see my mastectomy scar, so I'll probably be like that with my bald head. Thanks for sharing your experience.

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  • Brenniejoyce
    Brenniejoyce Member Posts: 20
    edited February 2018

    Notverybrave, thanks for sharing your experiences too. It's good to know what can happen during the chemo. It's the unknown that is so scary.

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  • Outfield
    Outfield Member Posts: 1,109
    edited February 2018

    I had it done by a professional. My oncologist's office gave me a time frame when it was best to do - wait until the hair is falling out anyway, and be out of the point of low white blood cells. Can't remember exactly when that was, maybe right before the 2nd cycle, but there's no way I would've had an amateur do it. Honestly, they never mentioned any risk of infection. If you're worried, I'd just get it clipped as close as possible. Either way, even if you get it shaved, you still get some tiny stubbly bits falling out.

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  • Brenniejoyce
    Brenniejoyce Member Posts: 20
    edited February 2018

    Thanks. This is good to know. I'll wait until after the nadir passes.

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  • moth
    moth Member Posts: 4,800
    edited February 2018

    It's funny how we're all so different! I will show my scars to anybody who displays the remotest interest

    I don't think losing the hair will bug me. Also, I'm an always cold person so I'm often wearing a hat all the time anyway in the cool months, and in the summer time I need it for shade as I'm pale and at risk of skin cancer. It's possible nobody outside of my family will even notice anything different about my appearance.

    I guess we all just stumble through this & find our own way.

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