Chemotherapy and hair loss

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stokerfan
stokerfan Member Posts: 25
edited January 2020 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

Even though I haven't started chemotherapy yet I went ahead and had my head shaved. My husband asked/said "Isn't that premature." I read that 65% lose or have thinning hair. I don't know much about chemotherapy. I know my hair will grow back. Was I premature? My sister is going through chemotherapy right now but her breast cancer is worse than mine. She had gone ahead and shaved her head. This is all so confusing. Thanks

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  • ElaineTherese
    ElaineTherese Member Posts: 3,328
    edited January 2020

    Hi!

    What chemo regimen will you be receiving? I shaved my head after my first chemo treatment because I knew I didn't want to watch my hair fall out by the handful. It gives you some measure of control over the process, in my opinion.

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  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited January 2020

    Depends on the chemo cocktail you get, it may fall out, thin out, or nothing at all either way. If you do loose it, it could be ALL OVER your body. Brows, lashes, legs, pits, lady parts.

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  • bravepoint
    bravepoint Member Posts: 404
    edited January 2020

    I cut my hair very short before starting chemo. When it started falling out about 3 weeks later, I shaved my head. Good for you for being proactive.

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited January 2020

    As mentioned above, you may or may not lose your hair depending on the chemo cocktails. I cut my hair just below my ears before chemo. Then after the 2nd treatment I had it cut 1/4 - 1/2" long. I had been told not to shave due to issues with itching & poking ends as it grew back.

    Still - done is done. You are also showing solidarity with your sis. One useful tool is those rollers you buy to get the lint off your clothes. It works great with small hairs falling out - rolling across your head or your cap or your pillow case. I wore a sleeping cap so I didn't wake up with my pillow covered.

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