Chemopause and Facial Hair

  Sorry, but I posted on this at one time a few months back also.  The facial hair was really fuzzy, like baby hair and did go away soon.  The side-burns were the 1st hair to grow in.  I didn't realize most people have them, b/c normally other hair covers it.  Weird what we find when our hair is gone!   Seriously though.  Give it a little time, as it might just be temporary.  I still have almost no growth on my legs! YEA!!!!!!!!  But the head is growing in well.  Well, if 3/4 inch is well.   Maybe a facial scrub will remove some gently?  I couldn't use them b/c I have problems with fragrances in them, but it might help.  I really think it's just a temporary thing, but maybe others have the problem more permanently will come in and offer advise.

I'm not sure if you're referring to the soft, downy fuzz that grows over much of your face, but especially along the sides and down to the neck, following hair loss due to chemo. It's common and expected and is much like the fine down that covers newborns and especially neo-nates. It's known as "lanugo" (http://www.answers.com/topic/lanugo?cat=health) and can come and go a few times (like your eyelashes and eyebrows) before your system re-regulates and re-adjusts itself. Many women here have used Nair or some other depilatory and some have had their faces waxed. I just shaved it off a few times until it stopped coming.

Ah, yes, breast cancer....the gift that keeps on giving!

~Marin 

"so is my facial hair big time - as in sideburns that are a little darker. "

     The answer may be ==> Laser hair removal <==
I am having this done now to the upper lip, armpits, and bikini line. I have always shaved these areas. I noticed a poster at the dermatologist saying "Ask about Laser Hair removal". Well, I did because frankly am tired of shaving (mostly the stubble on the upper lip).

I went yesterday for my 1st treatment. It took 45 minutes. No reddness, no discomfort. You do not have to 'let it grow'. Just shave as normal. I was told that 3-4 treatments will do it (as the hair has different growth cycles) and it will be soft and never have to shave again!

The dermatologist says it works best with those who have dark hair (as using the laser it needs the contrast??).

Funny - I just had my nipple recon done a few months ago and when I was getting the armpit haie removal yesterday, she asked if I wanted the hair on my nipple removed. The skin from my pelvic are, which was used for my nipple recon, had some 1 cm dark hairs and I hadn't even noticed this!!

She said all the teenage girls do this these days ...they do arms ...legs - everywhere. I felt quite clueless and sort of kicked myself for not trying this sooner.

-Anne

I was 56 when diagnosed, and like some others, already in natural menopause. I had some natural thinning of my certain areas (eyebrows, pubic, abdomen) from that even before I started chemo. And one area of new growth along my upper lip. I used to kid with my pubescent son that we should have a moustache growing contest.

I'm still undergoing chemo, so I can't say whether the hair lost in certain areas will return on me, but I suspect that some will and some won't, and it will probably be the stuff I don't want to return that will come back thick and dark.

AnnieBird, I had a dream that I had DIEP recon done, and the area used from my abdomen started growing hair, so my new breasts were hairy. I woke up laughing but it got me thinking about it all. Now, you've kind of had the experience. I hope it was only a few and they came off easily.