when is it ok to color or frost hair after chemo?

jo jo
jo jo Member Posts: 1,175
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Since my hair is growing back it is very different than before...Im Irish so i had strawberry blonde hair and a little wavy and very thick....now its coming in straight and very dark with a nice surprise of a little white on the sides..which is new! and that white stuff has to go cuz im too young to have that yet...but the dark hair i dont mind cuz its a new look...but when is it ok to frost my hair (enough to remove the white)?
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Comments

  • DebbyM
    DebbyM Member Posts: 3,289 Member
    I didn't have chemo jojo,
    I didn't have chemo jojo, so, I really don't know. But, I am sure others will post for you. I know some colored their hair too soon and weren't happy with the results.


    Good luck!
  • jo jo
    jo jo Member Posts: 1,175
    DebbyM said:

    I didn't have chemo jojo,
    I didn't have chemo jojo, so, I really don't know. But, I am sure others will post for you. I know some colored their hair too soon and weren't happy with the results.


    Good luck!

    Thanks DebbyM!

    Thanks DebbyM!
  • TraciInLA
    TraciInLA Member Posts: 1,994 Member
    DebbyM said:

    I didn't have chemo jojo,
    I didn't have chemo jojo, so, I really don't know. But, I am sure others will post for you. I know some colored their hair too soon and weren't happy with the results.


    Good luck!

    JoJo,
    All the books will tell you not to color your hair for at least 6 months after it grows back, because it can be fragile.

    But I'm sorry...I said, screw that! What's the worst that can happen, it will fall out? BEEN THERE!

    My hairstylist gave me highlights the hot second it was long enough to do it, and the feeling of YES, this is me, this is my hair, this is what I'm supposed to look like, was worth every penny to me.

    Traci
  • Kat11
    Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
    TraciInLA said:

    JoJo,
    All the books will tell you not to color your hair for at least 6 months after it grows back, because it can be fragile.

    But I'm sorry...I said, screw that! What's the worst that can happen, it will fall out? BEEN THERE!

    My hairstylist gave me highlights the hot second it was long enough to do it, and the feeling of YES, this is me, this is my hair, this is what I'm supposed to look like, was worth every penny to me.

    Traci

    I agree with Traci. I
    I agree with Traci. I colored my hair as soon as there was enough to color.
  • Skeezie
    Skeezie Member Posts: 586 Member
    Kat11 said:

    I agree with Traci. I
    I agree with Traci. I colored my hair as soon as there was enough to color.

    I just had it colored on June 4th! Whoo Hoo!
    I waited six months because it was so thin on top, still is but getting better. I also had a pretty severe case of Folliculitis on my scalp during chemo so my hairdresser wanted to wait 6 mo.

    My hair came back black and white which when combined was absolutely rat gray. What a hoot. I am changing my hair style (no more blow dryers and curling irons ever again) and instead of strawberry blond went a little darker with a copper red. I love it.

    As long as your hair is coming in strong and healthy I wouldn't wait either, at least get that white outta there. You really start to feel like your regular self again.

    Have fun with it...Judy:-)
  • bluwillo
    bluwillo Member Posts: 113
    Skeezie said:

    I just had it colored on June 4th! Whoo Hoo!
    I waited six months because it was so thin on top, still is but getting better. I also had a pretty severe case of Folliculitis on my scalp during chemo so my hairdresser wanted to wait 6 mo.

    My hair came back black and white which when combined was absolutely rat gray. What a hoot. I am changing my hair style (no more blow dryers and curling irons ever again) and instead of strawberry blond went a little darker with a copper red. I love it.

    As long as your hair is coming in strong and healthy I wouldn't wait either, at least get that white outta there. You really start to feel like your regular self again.

    Have fun with it...Judy:-)

    I am so cheap!
    I will wait until my hair is 3" long before I'll spend the money on the STRAWBERRY BLONDE (God, can ya hear me now? Did you not get the memo???) dye for the color I ordered upon learning that chemo would take my blonde tresses away. Now that it is growing back, it's the color of Brillo pads! What an insult! My hair is the color of the lowliest tool in my kitchen, reserved for the most grody of jobs. I'm kinda in a hurry for it to get long enough...can you tell?

    And I hate my wig. I mean, it's a nice enough wig, it's human hair and I have dyed it and had it styled a little by my hairdresser....but I call it the "dead squirrel"....tells ya how I feel about wearing it.

    (Oh, and if my irreligious attitude towards God offends anyone, I'm sorry. I'm Catholic, I talk to Him all the time, and He knows the real me, so I don't try to fool Him. He knows I'm a brat with a wicked sense of humour! I am always pleased that when I enter church on Sunday, the building doesn't explode!:)
  • jo jo
    jo jo Member Posts: 1,175
    bluwillo said:

    I am so cheap!
    I will wait until my hair is 3" long before I'll spend the money on the STRAWBERRY BLONDE (God, can ya hear me now? Did you not get the memo???) dye for the color I ordered upon learning that chemo would take my blonde tresses away. Now that it is growing back, it's the color of Brillo pads! What an insult! My hair is the color of the lowliest tool in my kitchen, reserved for the most grody of jobs. I'm kinda in a hurry for it to get long enough...can you tell?

    And I hate my wig. I mean, it's a nice enough wig, it's human hair and I have dyed it and had it styled a little by my hairdresser....but I call it the "dead squirrel"....tells ya how I feel about wearing it.

    (Oh, and if my irreligious attitude towards God offends anyone, I'm sorry. I'm Catholic, I talk to Him all the time, and He knows the real me, so I don't try to fool Him. He knows I'm a brat with a wicked sense of humour! I am always pleased that when I enter church on Sunday, the building doesn't explode!:)

    bluwillo...i like your attitude!
    unfortuantley my hair is not long enough yet to color it...it's just long enough to cover my head now...i guess filling in is more like it. I got the G.I. Jane look going on at the moment... maybe a little more.
  • bluwillo
    bluwillo Member Posts: 113
    jo jo said:

    bluwillo...i like your attitude!
    unfortuantley my hair is not long enough yet to color it...it's just long enough to cover my head now...i guess filling in is more like it. I got the G.I. Jane look going on at the moment... maybe a little more.

    I so hear ya!
    I even have a army colored hat that I wear all the time. I'm actually kind of liking not having to style my hair, and I finally know that my head is "a good shape"...amazing all the things people will tell you about how you look when you look your worst! The nice things they'll try to find to compliment you on. LOL!

    From your pic, I see your hair is just a tad longer than mine was....I MISS MY BRAID!! Would it be silly to get a long wig just so I could have my braid back? Cos, it's not like there's enough hair here to clip on one of those fake braids....
  • jo jo
    jo jo Member Posts: 1,175
    bluwillo said:

    I so hear ya!
    I even have a army colored hat that I wear all the time. I'm actually kind of liking not having to style my hair, and I finally know that my head is "a good shape"...amazing all the things people will tell you about how you look when you look your worst! The nice things they'll try to find to compliment you on. LOL!

    From your pic, I see your hair is just a tad longer than mine was....I MISS MY BRAID!! Would it be silly to get a long wig just so I could have my braid back? Cos, it's not like there's enough hair here to clip on one of those fake braids....

    I was just talking about
    I was just talking about this last nite....i wanted to attach a ponytail to the back of a baseball hat...and asking if that was crazy...lol!
    So of course i dont think your idea is crazy :)
    Before loosing all my hair i was a little nervous about the shape of my head too, cuz i thought (and so did my family) that id have an egg-shaped head but as it turned out it was normal looking, but i wouldnt shave my head cuz i was told not to so once i started loosing it i cut it real short and the more hair that fell out the more i looked like Smeegle (not sure if spelled correctly...but it the odd looking little creature from the lord of the rings) I though it was funny!!
  • Skeezie
    Skeezie Member Posts: 586 Member
    jo jo said:

    I was just talking about
    I was just talking about this last nite....i wanted to attach a ponytail to the back of a baseball hat...and asking if that was crazy...lol!
    So of course i dont think your idea is crazy :)
    Before loosing all my hair i was a little nervous about the shape of my head too, cuz i thought (and so did my family) that id have an egg-shaped head but as it turned out it was normal looking, but i wouldnt shave my head cuz i was told not to so once i started loosing it i cut it real short and the more hair that fell out the more i looked like Smeegle (not sure if spelled correctly...but it the odd looking little creature from the lord of the rings) I though it was funny!!

    Well I have an egg shaped head...have mercy!
    And a flat spot right at the crown. So I kept a knit cap on if anyone came over the house and wore my wig when I went out. It's amazing how a little hair growth covers all that up.

    I love baseball caps and have many of them. Hair too thin on top to be outside uncovered. I think a cap with a ponytail would be a real hoot. Go for it!

    Hugs, Judy :-)
  • natly15
    natly15 Member Posts: 1,941
    Skeezie said:

    Well I have an egg shaped head...have mercy!
    And a flat spot right at the crown. So I kept a knit cap on if anyone came over the house and wore my wig when I went out. It's amazing how a little hair growth covers all that up.

    I love baseball caps and have many of them. Hair too thin on top to be outside uncovered. I think a cap with a ponytail would be a real hoot. Go for it!

    Hugs, Judy :-)

    My hair was a lovely shade
    My hair was a lovely shade of hi-lites before I lost it. Now it is GREY with a few splashes, ever so few, of black. I found out I have a pretty nice shaped head, so I'm told, and am walking around naked almost 3 weeks now. I also can no longer stand my wig. good bye wig goodby scarfs, it's me with my round head, almost buzz do and my earrings.

    I've also found out that my hair grows to the left but I always combed it to the right. Geesh I had to loose it and go bald to finally find out which way it grows. ;)
  • meena1
    meena1 Member Posts: 1,003
    natly15 said:

    My hair was a lovely shade
    My hair was a lovely shade of hi-lites before I lost it. Now it is GREY with a few splashes, ever so few, of black. I found out I have a pretty nice shaped head, so I'm told, and am walking around naked almost 3 weeks now. I also can no longer stand my wig. good bye wig goodby scarfs, it's me with my round head, almost buzz do and my earrings.

    I've also found out that my hair grows to the left but I always combed it to the right. Geesh I had to loose it and go bald to finally find out which way it grows. ;)

    i had my hair colored as
    i had my hair colored as soon as i could, it came in black and silver, kind of skunky. i colored it myself the first time, then went to a hairdresser
  • TraciInLA
    TraciInLA Member Posts: 1,994 Member
    natly15 said:

    My hair was a lovely shade
    My hair was a lovely shade of hi-lites before I lost it. Now it is GREY with a few splashes, ever so few, of black. I found out I have a pretty nice shaped head, so I'm told, and am walking around naked almost 3 weeks now. I also can no longer stand my wig. good bye wig goodby scarfs, it's me with my round head, almost buzz do and my earrings.

    I've also found out that my hair grows to the left but I always combed it to the right. Geesh I had to loose it and go bald to finally find out which way it grows. ;)

    Natly, I'm so glad you said that!
    I've had short hair for many years, and have always combed the back of it back and down. Never thought twice about it, never had to fight with my hair or had any issue with how I combed it.

    As it was growing back, I discovered that the crown actually grows in a really pronounced whorl (like a baby's hair), and now my hair INSISTS on being combed in that direction!

    As far as color and texture, my hair grew back EXACTLY as it was before -- but this growing-in-a-different-direction thing is what's taken some getting used to!

    Traci
  • MyTurnNow
    MyTurnNow Member Posts: 2,686 Member
    TraciInLA said:

    Natly, I'm so glad you said that!
    I've had short hair for many years, and have always combed the back of it back and down. Never thought twice about it, never had to fight with my hair or had any issue with how I combed it.

    As it was growing back, I discovered that the crown actually grows in a really pronounced whorl (like a baby's hair), and now my hair INSISTS on being combed in that direction!

    As far as color and texture, my hair grew back EXACTLY as it was before -- but this growing-in-a-different-direction thing is what's taken some getting used to!

    Traci

    Traci and Natly, add me to your club.
    I don't just have the front growing in the opposite direction that I used to wear it, I also have the whorl thing going on in the crown area. Don't know how I got so lucky but I figure once there is some weight to the hair, maybe it will be more like it used to be. My hair is very thick on the top and very thin on the sides. I colored mine, I think, around 4 months out from chemo. I had it done professionally and loved it. But, all in all, I'm so happy to just have hair. I'll work with what I have and if it becomes too much, I'll just ask Traci for some tips.
  • Christine Louise
    Christine Louise Member Posts: 426 Member
    You all are crackin' me up!
    Your great attitudes and comments make it easier to go through this. My last chemo was 3 weeks ago. If any fuzz is growing, it's hidden by the bit of stubble that never fell out. Following advice (from Rene?), I'm not covering my head at home so I don't wear off any new baby hair. Plus, it's hot now!

    I swear, as soon as my head is covered with hair, no matter how short, no matter what color, whorls or no whorls, I'm ditching scarves and hats, putting on my blingiest earrings and hitting the town!

    Cheers to all!
  • TraciInLA
    TraciInLA Member Posts: 1,994 Member
    MyTurnNow said:

    Traci and Natly, add me to your club.
    I don't just have the front growing in the opposite direction that I used to wear it, I also have the whorl thing going on in the crown area. Don't know how I got so lucky but I figure once there is some weight to the hair, maybe it will be more like it used to be. My hair is very thick on the top and very thin on the sides. I colored mine, I think, around 4 months out from chemo. I had it done professionally and loved it. But, all in all, I'm so happy to just have hair. I'll work with what I have and if it becomes too much, I'll just ask Traci for some tips.

    It's all about the goo
    I mentioned awhile back, once my hair got to be a couple of inches long, I went to the beauty supply store and bought five different hair goos to play with.

    And, once I started getting that alien whorl thing (Is it possible I have crop circles on my head? Maybe the aliens came to visit while I was whacked out on Benadryl during chemo???), hair goo has taken on If-I-Were-Stranded-On-A-Desert-Island-And-Could-Take-Only-One-Thing-With-Me importance.

    After months of experimentation, the new morning routine is: Demented Styling Goo right out of the shower --> a little blow drying to lock in the whorl --> mess everything up with Mad Mud Molding Fiber, then let it fall where it will, and walk out the door with a proud This-Is-Exactly-How-I-Intended-My-Hair-To-Look look.

    All a girl needs is goo and attitude!

    Traci
  • Katz77
    Katz77 Member Posts: 598
    TraciInLA said:

    Natly, I'm so glad you said that!
    I've had short hair for many years, and have always combed the back of it back and down. Never thought twice about it, never had to fight with my hair or had any issue with how I combed it.

    As it was growing back, I discovered that the crown actually grows in a really pronounced whorl (like a baby's hair), and now my hair INSISTS on being combed in that direction!

    As far as color and texture, my hair grew back EXACTLY as it was before -- but this growing-in-a-different-direction thing is what's taken some getting used to!

    Traci

    I call them swirlies
    What's the dealio? I had long straight, blonde hair (dishwater). Now, like someone here said, brillo color, with blond on the tips. Swirlies all over my head. Front, crown, and one is just kind of stuck on the side in the middle of no where. One side of my head, straight hair, the oppsite side, curls so big the gel won't even hold them down! Think I'd be a hairdressers worst nightmare. Think I'll let it get through it's " akward" stage and maybe do something then. sighhh
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    bluwillo said:

    I am so cheap!
    I will wait until my hair is 3" long before I'll spend the money on the STRAWBERRY BLONDE (God, can ya hear me now? Did you not get the memo???) dye for the color I ordered upon learning that chemo would take my blonde tresses away. Now that it is growing back, it's the color of Brillo pads! What an insult! My hair is the color of the lowliest tool in my kitchen, reserved for the most grody of jobs. I'm kinda in a hurry for it to get long enough...can you tell?

    And I hate my wig. I mean, it's a nice enough wig, it's human hair and I have dyed it and had it styled a little by my hairdresser....but I call it the "dead squirrel"....tells ya how I feel about wearing it.

    (Oh, and if my irreligious attitude towards God offends anyone, I'm sorry. I'm Catholic, I talk to Him all the time, and He knows the real me, so I don't try to fool Him. He knows I'm a brat with a wicked sense of humour! I am always pleased that when I enter church on Sunday, the building doesn't explode!:)

    I have always read anywhere
    I have always read anywhere from 6 months to one year. I know you are anxious.

    Good luck when you do!

    Hugs, Diane
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member

    You all are crackin' me up!
    Your great attitudes and comments make it easier to go through this. My last chemo was 3 weeks ago. If any fuzz is growing, it's hidden by the bit of stubble that never fell out. Following advice (from Rene?), I'm not covering my head at home so I don't wear off any new baby hair. Plus, it's hot now!

    I swear, as soon as my head is covered with hair, no matter how short, no matter what color, whorls or no whorls, I'm ditching scarves and hats, putting on my blingiest earrings and hitting the town!

    Cheers to all!

    You guys do make me
    You guys do make me laugh!!! My hair is curly and goes in every direction. I have a receeding hairline thing on the upper sides, other wise I'd ditch the hat. when the hair grows long enough to camoflage that bye bye hat, hopefully another month or so. hair color is same as the brillo used to be blondish. I have tried some gel without too much sucess so far but never having a curl in my life this is all new to me. (except uhem, down there which BTW is stick straight which poses other problems LOL)
  • queenieb52
    queenieb52 Member Posts: 48 Member
    I had this same question...!
    I never totally lost my hair...although it was thin. And I have had predominantly salt/pepper hair for yrs as early graying runs in my genes. I have always had natural curl- but since it has been growing in these past few months, it does seem to be curlier...and thicker...and hello- WHITE with flicks of my natural dark!! I'm only 53...everyone is like OMG! don't color it- it looks so great on you!! Now...IDK if they're just trying to make me feel good or what! but I have been told that if I do color, to not go back to dark...to go blonde! anyones thoughts on that?? I know, its only hair color...and yes! the worst that can happen is it will fall out! But....! just want to do something 'normal' again!!