HAIR GROWING BACK

Muschi
Muschi Member Posts: 85 Member
I am finnished with chemo/rads and my hair is coming back again. I am 66 and my true hair color is salt and pepper. I don't mind the color but my hair is growing 'weird",haha. The top of my head is thick and the sides and neckpart is thinn. Now the "funny" thing is, I have so many cow-licks on the sides it looks too weird. Never had hair standing in all directions before my hair fell out. Is that "normal"? When I go some where I have to wet my hair down everytime in order to stay down. I hope once it gets longer it will be better, I hope so. I know some of you have lost hair also how did it go with you when they came back?

Comments

  • jessiesmom1
    jessiesmom1 Member Posts: 915 Member
    My Hair
    I finished with chemo in Aug. 2010. I was 52. It was not until about Feb. 2011 that I had enough hair covering my scalp that I felt comfortable going out in public without a wig or scarf of some kind. Mind you, it was VERY short but it did cover the scalp. I had previously had hair that was straight as an arrow. Not a wave or curl of any kind but it was healthy and had good body. It grew in curly and wavy. I look like a whole new person. Going from one extreme to another has been fascinating. In the last year I have had several haircuts. It sure beats the bald look in my opinion. I would have to say that my hair is only slightly less wavy/curly now than it was a year ago when it started growing in. I find that a high quality conditioner makes the hair softer and less "springy." I am so grateful to have hair of ANY sort that I am not too concerned about it.

    I am sure others will chime in with their hair experiences. Hair loss is an unfortunate side effect of so many different types of chemo.

    IRENE
  • jne66
    jne66 Member Posts: 26

    My Hair
    I finished with chemo in Aug. 2010. I was 52. It was not until about Feb. 2011 that I had enough hair covering my scalp that I felt comfortable going out in public without a wig or scarf of some kind. Mind you, it was VERY short but it did cover the scalp. I had previously had hair that was straight as an arrow. Not a wave or curl of any kind but it was healthy and had good body. It grew in curly and wavy. I look like a whole new person. Going from one extreme to another has been fascinating. In the last year I have had several haircuts. It sure beats the bald look in my opinion. I would have to say that my hair is only slightly less wavy/curly now than it was a year ago when it started growing in. I find that a high quality conditioner makes the hair softer and less "springy." I am so grateful to have hair of ANY sort that I am not too concerned about it.

    I am sure others will chime in with their hair experiences. Hair loss is an unfortunate side effect of so many different types of chemo.

    IRENE

    Hair
    I finished chemo 2 months ago. Y hair is coming in thick on the sides and thinner on top and very little in neck area. I have cowlicks all over to. Y hair was dark with gray at temples but it's coming silver and a little dark. I can't stand to wear wigs. The chemo threw me into sudden menopause and the hot flashes made the wigs to uncomfortable. I've been wearing scarves.
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    We're all different
    I was so hoping when my hair came back it would be grey. I'm 65 now and it's as dark as it ever was. I get tired of peebles telling me I shshouldn't dye my hair black. It's very dark brown but not black - it is not not dyed - it's genetic on my Daddy's side of the family.

    My hair came back exactly as it had been but witout the very few 'silver threads'. Hair left early Sept '09, - the frst day I went without wig or scarf was shortly before Memorial Day 2010 - it was about 1/4 " long - just enough that scalp was 'dark'.

    Most of us have lots of 'cow licks' but because of the weight of our hair which weights them down so we never know about them

    Susan
  • minusonebobby
    minusonebobby Member Posts: 6
    It took FOREVER for my hair
    It took FOREVER for my hair to grow back. At first it was sticking staight up, and I had beautiful whitish tips, it looked like I had it professionally done. Well now, it is completely different from what it was. It just changes all the time. I lost all the highlights, and it got really dark, and curly. Gosh it was curly, then the curls just turned to waves, and now it is poker straight and a complete mess. I am now sporting an awful mullet. I have cut it a few times, but it really hasn't grown much. It has been over two years since it has grown back, and it gets no longer than past my neck, mullet style. and I only trimmed the length three times, and just trimmed. So now, I refuse to cut it. However that leaves me with a retro 80's "cyrus" do. I try to comb it forward when I can. I can't wait till I can do something, anything, with it. I just don't want to go short again, and all my friends who have gone through chemo have opted for short do's, because it's really hard to wait this awkwardness out, but hell I've changed so much, a little mullet head humor isn't going to break my achey breaky heart, lol
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    Rague said:

    We're all different
    I was so hoping when my hair came back it would be grey. I'm 65 now and it's as dark as it ever was. I get tired of peebles telling me I shshouldn't dye my hair black. It's very dark brown but not black - it is not not dyed - it's genetic on my Daddy's side of the family.

    My hair came back exactly as it had been but witout the very few 'silver threads'. Hair left early Sept '09, - the frst day I went without wig or scarf was shortly before Memorial Day 2010 - it was about 1/4 " long - just enough that scalp was 'dark'.

    Most of us have lots of 'cow licks' but because of the weight of our hair which weights them down so we never know about them

    Susan

    My hair was lighter and
    My hair was lighter and straight. now curly and dark (so i color it) I had to figure out what products to use as I had stick straight thin hair. Two years later it is wavy. I have heard of people talking about cow licks, and such. nice to have hair isnt it?
  • minusonebobby
    minusonebobby Member Posts: 6

    It took FOREVER for my hair
    It took FOREVER for my hair to grow back. At first it was sticking staight up, and I had beautiful whitish tips, it looked like I had it professionally done. Well now, it is completely different from what it was. It just changes all the time. I lost all the highlights, and it got really dark, and curly. Gosh it was curly, then the curls just turned to waves, and now it is poker straight and a complete mess. I am now sporting an awful mullet. I have cut it a few times, but it really hasn't grown much. It has been over two years since it has grown back, and it gets no longer than past my neck, mullet style. and I only trimmed the length three times, and just trimmed. So now, I refuse to cut it. However that leaves me with a retro 80's "cyrus" do. I try to comb it forward when I can. I can't wait till I can do something, anything, with it. I just don't want to go short again, and all my friends who have gone through chemo have opted for short do's, because it's really hard to wait this awkwardness out, but hell I've changed so much, a little mullet head humor isn't going to break my achey breaky heart, lol

    Oh and btw I would not do
    Oh and btw I would not do wigs either. My hot flashes were the absolute worst. I mostly wore hats cuz I wasn't that good at tying scarves. I had to go through menapause TWICE the first was chemo induced, the second because I had my ovaries removed after my masectomy. There were cysts, and my mother died of ovarian cancer so I decided not to take any chances. Having my ovaries removed hurt soooooo much. It used to drive me nuts when my gyn would come by and ask me how I was, and when I told her of the obscene pain that I felt, she would turn to her student and say " Usually patiesnt don't encounter much pain with this type of surgery" UGH I wanted to leap out of bed and strangle her, however I was in too much pain to do so. Wow, I'm sorry I am talking so much, it has been awhile since I talked to anyone bout my cancer stuff, sorry to drone on and on.
  • camul
    camul Member Posts: 2,537
    I am on another chemo now
    and my hair looks like yours in this picture, except almost all white. It is growing in the oddest patterns. Sticks up in a lot of places and I have some curly and some straight. Sticks strait up at the crown. Cracks me up! Cant do anything with it, but it is warmer than being bald! May start on another chemo in a month hopefully I won't go bald again.

    Carol
  • sheryyboeger782
    sheryyboeger782 Member Posts: 4
    Hi, I am very excited to hear about that.
    Hi, I am very excited when as soon as I see your post! How do you succeed? My head has nothing now. Please tell me the instructions. Thanks. - Cardiovascular Diseases and gallbladder symptoms
    and Risk Factors of Heart Disease Over the last two decades, researchers have unearthed many risk factors for developing cardiovascular diseases. These include: Smoking. Smoking accelerates the development of atherosclerosis by constricting blood vessels, accelerating the formation of blood clots and restricting the amount of oxygen the blood supplies. Smokers who have heart attacks and strokes are more likely to die from them. High cholesterol levels. According to the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP), elevated LDL cholesterol is a major cause of coronary heart disease. That's why the NCEP panel recommends aggressive treatment. Treatment may include lifestyle changes, such as exercising more and reducing the amount of saturated fat in your diet, and medication. A combination of approaches is typically recommended.
  • Muschi
    Muschi Member Posts: 85 Member

    Hi, I am very excited to hear about that.
    Hi, I am very excited when as soon as I see your post! How do you succeed? My head has nothing now. Please tell me the instructions. Thanks. - Cardiovascular Diseases and gallbladder symptoms
    and Risk Factors of Heart Disease Over the last two decades, researchers have unearthed many risk factors for developing cardiovascular diseases. These include: Smoking. Smoking accelerates the development of atherosclerosis by constricting blood vessels, accelerating the formation of blood clots and restricting the amount of oxygen the blood supplies. Smokers who have heart attacks and strokes are more likely to die from them. High cholesterol levels. According to the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP), elevated LDL cholesterol is a major cause of coronary heart disease. That's why the NCEP panel recommends aggressive treatment. Treatment may include lifestyle changes, such as exercising more and reducing the amount of saturated fat in your diet, and medication. A combination of approaches is typically recommended.

    Than you
    Thank you for all your lovely and FUNNY replies. I had to laugh so much about some of you. I take every chance to laugh because life as it is having cancer there is not much to laugh anymore. Anyway!!!!! Dear "sheryyboger" ther are no instructions, I just let my hair grow out again, have to wet it down and comb it before I go anywhere because this is the only way for having no cowlicks acting up,haha. Right now my hair is wavy in places where it is not sticking straight in the air and I hope as the hair gets longer it will be ok again as it was before I lost it. I also hated wiggs and I never looked good in scarfs, thanks for my own hair, God's gift is always best!
    Ilona
  • these replies
    ARE funny.

    As is the post chemo hair return experience! Okay, it's funny if you have a warped sense of humor (I do), and are willing to laugh at yourself (I am)!!

    I just wanted to remind us all that if you are having a bad hair day (or a bad hair life experience!) - that is really not your problem - you don't see it!! Let it be other people's problem!

    Easier said than done I know!

    Regardless -- I am loving my hair super short like it is now! Mine is almost GI-long short and I think I am going to go have it shortened up a bit more!!
  • Muschi
    Muschi Member Posts: 85 Member

    these replies
    ARE funny.

    As is the post chemo hair return experience! Okay, it's funny if you have a warped sense of humor (I do), and are willing to laugh at yourself (I am)!!

    I just wanted to remind us all that if you are having a bad hair day (or a bad hair life experience!) - that is really not your problem - you don't see it!! Let it be other people's problem!

    Easier said than done I know!

    Regardless -- I am loving my hair super short like it is now! Mine is almost GI-long short and I think I am going to go have it shortened up a bit more!!

    Hair
    I always had red (colored) long hair. I would had never the idea to cut my hair ever this short the way I have it now and guess what? I actually like it and so does my family and friends. I know the topic "hair" is long not as importent comparing what we are going through because of cancer but it helps to get my mind of the more serious things in life,haha.
    Greetings to my new "shot hair" friends......I am fairley new here but I already got you all in my heart!
    Ilona
  • jnl
    jnl Member Posts: 3,869 Member
    Muschi said:

    Hair
    I always had red (colored) long hair. I would had never the idea to cut my hair ever this short the way I have it now and guess what? I actually like it and so does my family and friends. I know the topic "hair" is long not as importent comparing what we are going through because of cancer but it helps to get my mind of the more serious things in life,haha.
    Greetings to my new "shot hair" friends......I am fairley new here but I already got you all in my heart!
    Ilona

    I think you look beautiful
    I think you look beautiful llona!
  • jne66
    jne66 Member Posts: 26

    these replies
    ARE funny.

    As is the post chemo hair return experience! Okay, it's funny if you have a warped sense of humor (I do), and are willing to laugh at yourself (I am)!!

    I just wanted to remind us all that if you are having a bad hair day (or a bad hair life experience!) - that is really not your problem - you don't see it!! Let it be other people's problem!

    Easier said than done I know!

    Regardless -- I am loving my hair super short like it is now! Mine is almost GI-long short and I think I am going to go have it shortened up a bit more!!

    Hair
    My hair looks like yours does on your picture but still have bald patches on top. I'm trying to get up courage to go natural starting on my 46yh birthday on the 6th. I think it looks ok but I'm such a chicken about what others think-as though I have any control over it.
  • Muschi
    Muschi Member Posts: 85 Member
    jne66 said:

    Hair
    My hair looks like yours does on your picture but still have bald patches on top. I'm trying to get up courage to go natural starting on my 46yh birthday on the 6th. I think it looks ok but I'm such a chicken about what others think-as though I have any control over it.

    Hair
    I felt the same way, what would my friends think the way I am looking now? From red long hair to very short and gray. EVERY ONE loves it on me. Some even say it makes me look younger,haha. So don't worry, we ourselves are the worst critic. Enjoy your hair again!!!!!
    Love you all,
    Ilona
  • Muschi
    Muschi Member Posts: 85 Member
    jnl said:

    I think you look beautiful
    I think you look beautiful llona!

    I think you look beautiful
    Thank you so much for your compliment, I hope ypu meant me and not my cat, just kidding.
    Ilona
  • sweetvickid
    sweetvickid Member Posts: 459 Member
    my hair
    I am 56 now and until cancer I had colored my hair for so long I had no idea what the real color was. LOL My hair fell out and then immediately starting growing back. For a years worth of chemo I had this fine (like on a new born) layer of hair that was white. Kind a freaked me out that my hair was white.

    After chemo the top and nape of the neck was the thickest. Had those pesky cowlicks but as my hair grew they went a way. I am now salt and pepper and I get alot of compliments on the color. The funny thing is a lot of people think I have it colored!
  • bad121749
    bad121749 Member Posts: 31
    It has been almost 1 year
    It has been almost 1 year since chemo completed and I still don/t feel comfortable without a wig. I have always had thin hair, but I am almost bald on top with thick at neck and sides. It is still curly, so maybe when longer it will cover my head. Just grateful to have hair again.
  • Muschi
    Muschi Member Posts: 85 Member
    bad121749 said:

    It has been almost 1 year
    It has been almost 1 year since chemo completed and I still don/t feel comfortable without a wig. I have always had thin hair, but I am almost bald on top with thick at neck and sides. It is still curly, so maybe when longer it will cover my head. Just grateful to have hair again.

    It has been almost 1 year
    My hair was thick on top and got thinner on the sides after I got older. I hoped after it comes back (after chemo) it will be sick again but I guess it will be the same as before. On top real sick and still 1 bald spot on each side. It is only since September I finished chemo and it still can change. Don't give up, time will tell.
    How are you doing otherwise? The most importent thing is for us getting well again.
    Ilona
  • skipper54
    skipper54 Member Posts: 936 Member
    Muschi said:

    It has been almost 1 year
    My hair was thick on top and got thinner on the sides after I got older. I hoped after it comes back (after chemo) it will be sick again but I guess it will be the same as before. On top real sick and still 1 bald spot on each side. It is only since September I finished chemo and it still can change. Don't give up, time will tell.
    How are you doing otherwise? The most importent thing is for us getting well again.
    Ilona

    Lots of fun
    I've been out of chemo for over a year (Nov 2010 was the end) but my hair is still darker and wavey. Cowlicks! They were there before but are worse now. And I discribe the sides of my hair as "flying nun wings"! I can comb it in place and if I bend over to put on socks or something it's sticking right out again. I've been keeping it short for that reason but am due for a trim now that surgery is 4 weeks past.

    Your picture looks great and I love your cat!
  • Muschi
    Muschi Member Posts: 85 Member
    skipper54 said:

    Lots of fun
    I've been out of chemo for over a year (Nov 2010 was the end) but my hair is still darker and wavey. Cowlicks! They were there before but are worse now. And I discribe the sides of my hair as "flying nun wings"! I can comb it in place and if I bend over to put on socks or something it's sticking right out again. I've been keeping it short for that reason but am due for a trim now that surgery is 4 weeks past.

    Your picture looks great and I love your cat!

    skipper 54
    I like your cats also. Before I go somewhere I have to wet the sides of my hair everytime.I would like for my hair to grow a little longer and hopefully the cowlicks will disappear,haha. A friend told me today to rinse my hair with organic Applecider Vinegar and the hair will get much more thicker. I heard that many many years ago back in Germany (I am German) but never payed attention to it because I had always nice thick hair when I was younger. I will try it now because it seems my hair is not as thick on the sides as on the top of my head. My MOTTO is, go for whatever helps!!!!!
    Ilona