Hair after chemo

rene9
rene9 Member Posts: 214
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I am looking forward to hair after chemo. I have 2 more (TAC)treatments to go. I guess what I am really wondering is whether anyone has documented their hair growth. You know, how much it has grown after 6 weeks and so on? How much hair you have 3 months post chemo? If my head is totally covered with an inch of hair I am losing this hot wig! But where can I find cute hairstyles as my hair grows or know what products to use to stimulate hair growth? Has anyone taken pictures? Thanks for sharing!

rene9
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Comments

  • n01kar
    n01kar Member Posts: 26
    hair growth
    Hi Rene, my last chemo was 01/25/10. My hair started growing around the beginning of march. I now have a full set of hair even though its about a little less that 1/4 inch. The rule of thumb is 1/2 inch per month. As far as cute, if you have the right shape head, you dont have to wait for 1 inch. A lot of women are wearing very low cuts and i am sure they are not all chemo patients. I had my 1st public appearance yesterday au naturale. lol
  • Mama G
    Mama G Member Posts: 762
    n01kar said:

    hair growth
    Hi Rene, my last chemo was 01/25/10. My hair started growing around the beginning of march. I now have a full set of hair even though its about a little less that 1/4 inch. The rule of thumb is 1/2 inch per month. As far as cute, if you have the right shape head, you dont have to wait for 1 inch. A lot of women are wearing very low cuts and i am sure they are not all chemo patients. I had my 1st public appearance yesterday au naturale. lol

    I have pictures!
    I can say it seems to take FOREVER, but all my friends seem to think it was fast!
    I was so lucky that it started growing even before the chemo was done. I took 12 lower doses of Taxol so I guess that's why. It seemed to grow to about 1/2 inch and then stopped growing. Now it's about 1 1/2 inches long and I love it! I lost the wig as soon as all the baldness was gone. I sort felt like a freak, but no one stared at me (that I noticed).
    I'll try to post the pix on my page for you to see.
  • JillyB
    JillyB Member Posts: 50
    Hair after chemo
    Hi,
    I, too, had 12 rouinds of Taxotere, so it started growing in at around week 8 or so. BUT, a friend I met at the Center, like me, did not want Curly hair to grow back, and she was a few weeks ahead of me, so she shaved it 3 times.k EVery time it got to be aobut 1/4 of an inch, she would shave it, and every time she did, it came back faster and staighter. So when mine started coming in, and at abouit 1/4 inch, it looked like plastic doll curly Q hair, I thougth I'd try it. I only shaved it twice, but I swear, it worked, it came back faster, thicker and striaghter each time. I'm all done chemo, as of 4 days ago, and it looks good so far, about 1/8 of an inch, but thick and strait, so I'm not touching it. I AM NOT RECCOMMENDING THIS to everyone. It just happened to work so far for the 2 of us. Hers is about an inch long now and thick and staight, looks great, she's been out about a month. Just thought I would share our little story, I think it's kinda funny, and who knows if our shaving it had anything to do with the outcome, but I'll never know, and if it did, I am so glad,I tried it!!
    Good luck....
  • rene9
    rene9 Member Posts: 214
    n01kar said:

    hair growth
    Hi Rene, my last chemo was 01/25/10. My hair started growing around the beginning of march. I now have a full set of hair even though its about a little less that 1/4 inch. The rule of thumb is 1/2 inch per month. As far as cute, if you have the right shape head, you dont have to wait for 1 inch. A lot of women are wearing very low cuts and i am sure they are not all chemo patients. I had my 1st public appearance yesterday au naturale. lol

    hey!
    I think I said an inch thinking with that length my scalp won't be showing. You're right with the right shaped head it can be pulled off. I have a pea head or rather slim oval head. So, you finished the end of January and have a full head of hair! That's great! I can not wait...
  • rene9
    rene9 Member Posts: 214
    Mama G said:

    I have pictures!
    I can say it seems to take FOREVER, but all my friends seem to think it was fast!
    I was so lucky that it started growing even before the chemo was done. I took 12 lower doses of Taxol so I guess that's why. It seemed to grow to about 1/2 inch and then stopped growing. Now it's about 1 1/2 inches long and I love it! I lost the wig as soon as all the baldness was gone. I sort felt like a freak, but no one stared at me (that I noticed).
    I'll try to post the pix on my page for you to see.

    I'll be waiting!!!
    Alright Mama G I'll be looking for those pictures. When did you finish chemo? I absolutely can't wait to be in your shoes!
  • rene9
    rene9 Member Posts: 214
    JillyB said:

    Hair after chemo
    Hi,
    I, too, had 12 rouinds of Taxotere, so it started growing in at around week 8 or so. BUT, a friend I met at the Center, like me, did not want Curly hair to grow back, and she was a few weeks ahead of me, so she shaved it 3 times.k EVery time it got to be aobut 1/4 of an inch, she would shave it, and every time she did, it came back faster and staighter. So when mine started coming in, and at abouit 1/4 inch, it looked like plastic doll curly Q hair, I thougth I'd try it. I only shaved it twice, but I swear, it worked, it came back faster, thicker and striaghter each time. I'm all done chemo, as of 4 days ago, and it looks good so far, about 1/8 of an inch, but thick and strait, so I'm not touching it. I AM NOT RECCOMMENDING THIS to everyone. It just happened to work so far for the 2 of us. Hers is about an inch long now and thick and staight, looks great, she's been out about a month. Just thought I would share our little story, I think it's kinda funny, and who knows if our shaving it had anything to do with the outcome, but I'll never know, and if it did, I am so glad,I tried it!!
    Good luck....

    Hi JillyB!
    I don't think I'll mind it curly. I plan to keep it trimmed to a style as it grows out and back to normal. Mainly I've been told to not to apply any chemicals for a year, so I plan to research and find a good line of products, particularly organic.
  • GrandmaJ
    GrandmaJ Member Posts: 209
    rene9 said:

    Hi JillyB!
    I don't think I'll mind it curly. I plan to keep it trimmed to a style as it grows out and back to normal. Mainly I've been told to not to apply any chemicals for a year, so I plan to research and find a good line of products, particularly organic.

    hair loss
    Last chemo was 10/23/09 and still not enough hair to go without the wig...and its all grey.

    Judy
  • Kat11
    Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
    GrandmaJ said:

    hair loss
    Last chemo was 10/23/09 and still not enough hair to go without the wig...and its all grey.

    Judy

    My last chemo was in
    My last chemo was in November 09. My hair is about an inch and until this past weekend it was all gray and white. I dyed it.
  • ms.sunshine
    ms.sunshine Member Posts: 707 Member
    Kat11 said:

    My last chemo was in
    My last chemo was in November 09. My hair is about an inch and until this past weekend it was all gray and white. I dyed it.

    So far my hair is straight
    So far my hair is straight and a light shade of black. I love it and it is so soft. It feels like baby hair I love to feel it.
  • Marlene_K
    Marlene_K Member Posts: 508

    So far my hair is straight
    So far my hair is straight and a light shade of black. I love it and it is so soft. It feels like baby hair I love to feel it.

    Patience
    Funny, I love to run my fingers through mine too. Real super baby fine peach fuzz, but I definitely DON'T have a full head of hair yet. It does feel like it's taking FOREVER! I had my last treatment on Feb. 4th. A very good friend of mine is a hair dresser and has suggested I use Nioxin shampoo & conditioner. I started using it maybe about 2 weeks ago. It's definitely coming in just not near quick enough for me. It looks light black with some grays. Trying to be patient, but it's not easy. I'm starting to lose the weight I put on with chemo, I should be able to go for my reconstruction in Aug/Sept, and will be scheduling to have my port removed soon. I figure this all started last June... I can give it at least the same amount of time (8 months to a year) to start looking and feeling more like myself. I'm not a very patient person, but I'm learning. All part of becoming a better person after BC!

    Mar
  • GayleMc
    GayleMc Member Posts: 311 Member
    Marlene_K said:

    Patience
    Funny, I love to run my fingers through mine too. Real super baby fine peach fuzz, but I definitely DON'T have a full head of hair yet. It does feel like it's taking FOREVER! I had my last treatment on Feb. 4th. A very good friend of mine is a hair dresser and has suggested I use Nioxin shampoo & conditioner. I started using it maybe about 2 weeks ago. It's definitely coming in just not near quick enough for me. It looks light black with some grays. Trying to be patient, but it's not easy. I'm starting to lose the weight I put on with chemo, I should be able to go for my reconstruction in Aug/Sept, and will be scheduling to have my port removed soon. I figure this all started last June... I can give it at least the same amount of time (8 months to a year) to start looking and feeling more like myself. I'm not a very patient person, but I'm learning. All part of becoming a better person after BC!

    Mar

    Marlene, it sounds like
    Marlene, it sounds like you're going to have a total makeover by the time your port comes out. Whoo hoo. You are so optimistic and I gain strength from that. All the best.
  • mimivac
    mimivac Member Posts: 2,143
    Hi Rene
    I had TAC, too, and mine started growing back after the 5th treatment. By 3 months I was about ready to ditch the wig, with enough cover to be considered "hair." It did come back curly, which really, really bothered me. I am now a year out from chemo and have a full head of hair that I've cut many, many times. I get it flat ironed every week to get rid of the curl and it is gradually growing straight again. Right now I have a sort of curly rat's tail in the back that I need to take care of ASAP. Can't wait till the front and back are the same length. It's getting there! Good luck!

    Mimi
  • mwallace1325
    mwallace1325 Member Posts: 806
    Hair
    Last chemo was 10/29/09. Started going au natural on 12/16/09. I could not stand the scarves and turbans anymore and the wig felt like a dead animal on my head. It's now almost a Jamie Lee Curtis look now and with just a little more "salt" than hers. I didn't care if it came in green with purple stripes, I'm just glad it's back. I plan to keep it short and no more hair color. Yay!!!!!
  • lonestarbayridge
    lonestarbayridge Member Posts: 2

    Hair
    Last chemo was 10/29/09. Started going au natural on 12/16/09. I could not stand the scarves and turbans anymore and the wig felt like a dead animal on my head. It's now almost a Jamie Lee Curtis look now and with just a little more "salt" than hers. I didn't care if it came in green with purple stripes, I'm just glad it's back. I plan to keep it short and no more hair color. Yay!!!!!

    Hair
    my hair starting coming in three months after my last chemo and now a full year and a half later is almost to my shoulders
  • rene9
    rene9 Member Posts: 214

    Hair
    my hair starting coming in three months after my last chemo and now a full year and a half later is almost to my shoulders

    Wow!
    I can't wait to tell how my hair is growing back. I get my 5th chemo next Fri. and my last chemo should be the 7th of May. I am really looking ahead right!!! It normally grows fast, so hopefully it will then too. Me and the wigs just aren't close friends! Then, I wondered if I could ever grow it back to my shoulders and now I have a little confidence!Thx!


    rene
  • JillyB
    JillyB Member Posts: 50
    rene9 said:

    Hi JillyB!
    I don't think I'll mind it curly. I plan to keep it trimmed to a style as it grows out and back to normal. Mainly I've been told to not to apply any chemicals for a year, so I plan to research and find a good line of products, particularly organic.

    Hi JillyB!
    Hi Rene,
    I did not know about putting chemicals in...that's good to know and to ask about and look into. Do you know why you were told that? I ask because I so like this not having to "get ready" at all being bald, and don't think I can stand the whole 3 year grow out session that I was going to keep that Pixie cut, and do it messy, but Fire Engine Red. (believe me, it's me), but not if it will harm me. I'll have to look into it. Thanks!
    Jilly
  • JillyB
    JillyB Member Posts: 50
    mimivac said:

    Hi Rene
    I had TAC, too, and mine started growing back after the 5th treatment. By 3 months I was about ready to ditch the wig, with enough cover to be considered "hair." It did come back curly, which really, really bothered me. I am now a year out from chemo and have a full head of hair that I've cut many, many times. I get it flat ironed every week to get rid of the curl and it is gradually growing straight again. Right now I have a sort of curly rat's tail in the back that I need to take care of ASAP. Can't wait till the front and back are the same length. It's getting there! Good luck!

    Mimi

    TO MIMI
    Your hair in that picture looks amazing. Seriuosly. I could only hope to look that good that short!
    Jilly
  • rene9
    rene9 Member Posts: 214
    JillyB said:

    Hi JillyB!
    Hi Rene,
    I did not know about putting chemicals in...that's good to know and to ask about and look into. Do you know why you were told that? I ask because I so like this not having to "get ready" at all being bald, and don't think I can stand the whole 3 year grow out session that I was going to keep that Pixie cut, and do it messy, but Fire Engine Red. (believe me, it's me), but not if it will harm me. I'll have to look into it. Thanks!
    Jilly

    JillyB-
    I was told chemicals could be damaging to your new hair, just like baby hair. Then, I want to keep it just as healthy as I will keep my body...I plan to use gentle products...
  • TawnyS
    TawnyS Member Posts: 144 Member
    Why does it seem to start
    Why does it seem to start back gray? I am 36 and the entire top of my head is white or gray I can't tell. The sides and back are darker than before. Mine started growing back with the Taxol. I've been off chemo for 5 weeks now and it seems to be getting thicker (still bald in some patches...like the old hair is still in there hair blocking!) but I had my hubby trim it back with #2's last week because it was crazy! This is such a long process! I can't wait until the day I go without a scarf again! Although with the scarf I have noticed people are so much nicer at the checkouts and the best thing is people actually STOP at the pedestrian crossing going into stores. It's like they figure I have enough going on, they may as well stop for the cancer girl! But you know, I do often wonder if they are in their car thinking or kidding around with the passengers...."How many points for the cancer patient?"
  • Mama G
    Mama G Member Posts: 762
    TawnyS said:

    Why does it seem to start
    Why does it seem to start back gray? I am 36 and the entire top of my head is white or gray I can't tell. The sides and back are darker than before. Mine started growing back with the Taxol. I've been off chemo for 5 weeks now and it seems to be getting thicker (still bald in some patches...like the old hair is still in there hair blocking!) but I had my hubby trim it back with #2's last week because it was crazy! This is such a long process! I can't wait until the day I go without a scarf again! Although with the scarf I have noticed people are so much nicer at the checkouts and the best thing is people actually STOP at the pedestrian crossing going into stores. It's like they figure I have enough going on, they may as well stop for the cancer girl! But you know, I do often wonder if they are in their car thinking or kidding around with the passengers...."How many points for the cancer patient?"

    Might as well use the "C" card while we've got it!
    Tawny, if you had your hair cut to a 2 it's fine to go without a scarf! I was in walmart and met a woman who had her hair CUT like about a 3 and I spoke up and said "Can't wait til mine is that long!" She said she had noticed me and thought how BRAVE I was to cut mine so short! When I told her why it was so short, she said she had battled cancer years ago and was a survivor! I got no special treatment , but i figure no cop would ever give me a ticket, so I figure I've got that going for me... haha