should I go ahead and shave my head

tat2granny

greyhoundluvr said:

Hair Coming Out
I was about 17 days out from my first round of CT when I noticed the hair loss. Wierdly enough, I had brushed my hair (checking of course to see if it was coming out) and saw nothing abnormal. Then I washed my hair and it must have just unglued whatever was holding those little follicles in place and I started pulling out strands. Of course, once I saw that, I had to keep running my hands through my hair all day to see if I was imagining it. My daughter came over after work and cut it and my husband shaved it. At first we cried but by the end we were laughing. I think it was harder making the decision to do it than actually havingit done. By the time we finsihed, it was a relief to have checked off one more box to recovery.

Even now the little stubble will fall out when I "wash" my scalp (and I too use the lint brush). My scalp seems to get very dry at times but when I have my husband re-shave my head, it returns to healthy looking and soft so I am keeping mine shaved. And I am with the "I hate the wig" club...the only place I wear mine is to the plastic surgeon's office....

Buzzed
Like all the ladies here, I started losing mine about 3 weeks after my first chemo. Didn't really notice anything till I was in the shower. Then BLAM there I was with a handful of hair. Was wondering why my head was so sore. That lasted about a week then when I saw the hair I knew why. But now that it's gone the soreness isn't there. I used to wear my hair long and had it cut short before my first chemo. Thought it wouldn't bother me too much once it started to come out. But that night I did like most ladies here. Got outta the shower, told my daughter to get the electric razor my boyfriend used to trim his beard. After she trimmed it as short as she could the razor was next. It is about 1/2" long right now. Can't bring myself to use the razor and make it slick! But I know that's the best way to go. When it's this short it does stick on the pillow at night. Like most said here, it's up to you when you deside to join us slickheads! But believe me, your head will feel a lot better after. And get ready for the tears, they will come the first time you look in the mirror. But when that happens just keep in mind, This is the one thing I have control over! Keep us posted on how it goes. My prayers are with you. "HUGS"

Kat69

HAIR LOSS
I have Stage 1, no nodes, bilateral mastectomy. My Onc said definitely no radiation and never thought I would need chemo. The Path report came back....triple negative. Prescribed 4 rounds of TC chemo. Had the first one on 4/5/10. I've been lucky...no major side effects to report except the dreaded hair nightmare. I didn't shave my head immediately because I am stubborn. I tend to delude myself...and I was hoping my hair would only thin a bit...yeah, I was gonna be that rare miracle. Unfortunately, my head started to hurt to the touch and my hair was coming out in strands. No clumps. Since I have 3 more rounds of chemo, I figured there was no way I was NOT going to lose my hair. If anyone out there thinks like me, it's in your best interest to come out of denial. There are no miracles to be had here. I already have one wig...long, human hair. I wanted a shorter, synthetic one I could wear to the gym or just to run errands. I went to the wig store today. They offered to shave my head. I let them do it. Had it shaved down to 1/4". It was a bit jarring at first to look in the mirror. I am 52 years old, so mostly grey at the roots. I was convinced that I did not want my husband to see me. But, I caved and showed him anyway. He was so kind and said it didn't look as bad as he thought it would. Thank God for a wonderful husband...my last one would have kicked me to the curb at the mere mention of mastectomy let alone hair loss. I haven't cried. Maybe I will at some point...would probably be good for me. I had nice, long hair and, yes, I am kind of sad. It will take me about 3 years to get it back to my long length. I pray for all of us with BC and for those who will have BC. It is a dirty trick, but family and friends who support you and a good sense of humor will see you through. And, there are so many reasons to be grateful each day especially with the improvements made to chemotherapy in recent years.

joan_doyle

shave no shave
I like Mamma G - go natural - like you just began recently on A/C had long curly thick hair yes nearly gone heading for 3rd treatment - i like to think let nature take its course and yes i have a quite a good few strand left but not enough to go public with unless they want me in a scary movie eh! my head does'nt itch or hurt and the only problems are the loss of weight and balance to the hairless head and the cold every now and then for me I have a problem with hairy legs all my life and the shaving can irrate the skin and this is just another place less to shave for me - as Mamma G said it is also a nice cushion for the wig and gives your sides at the ears a bit more natural look etc and it is lovely to still see a bit of your own hair - it picking them up is the darn nuisance? - Maybe try this way first and if it does't suit you can still always shave Cheers and will be thinking of you Joan

m-star

arkansasgirl said:

FUNNY STORY ON HAIR LOSS
Hi

I try to do anything to put a smile on any ones face considering what we all have been
going through. This is the first time I've told this. So go ahead and laugh. I also took the same type of chemo you did and by the 2nd treatment which I was taking every 3 weeks my hair started coming out every time I brushed it and started leaving bald spots. My head was a little sore but it got better. Well my onocology nurse made a suggestion I should just go ahead and shave, so I said guess I will.
That evening I came home and thought okay lets get this over with. I had tears in my eyes
and went to the closet got the vacuum cleaner out, hooked up the hose and started running
it all over my head thinking my hair would just be sucked right off. Well that didn't
happen. I thought this was going to be an easy thing to do, but I was wrong. None of my hair came out. My husband walked in and said what are you doing and he could see that
it did not work. My husband done thought I had lost it so we stood there crying and laughing. He got the clippers out and started shaving my head. When he got finished he
said I had a birth mark. I said where? Well I've always wore my hair short and parted on the right side and he goes right there on the part. I told him that's not a birth mark goofy that is where my part has been for at least 50 years. I had a tan where the part was. lol Husbands can't live without them and can't live with them.
Well I could not wear wigs. It was so uncomfortable. My daughter bought me a black cap with a pink ribbon on it and that is what I wore. As of today my hair has come back in
so soft and healthy. I still wear my cap sometimes. But also I'm so relieved to say
I'M CANCER FREE from a very rare type of BC that chemo and radiation has no effect.

So here's my thought on cancer:
The cancer won the 1st battle and now I've won the 2nd but the war is not over for I will
not give up.
I know this was not much help but you have got to stay strong and keep a positive attitude
that no matter what the battle, God says put on the armor for the war.

God Bless You
ARKANSASGIRL

oh arkansas girl, i about
oh arkansas girl, i about peed my pants reading your post!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL

SORRY! I WAS VISUALISING YOU WITH A VACUUM PIPE STUCK TO YOUR HEAD!!!!!!!

that is a funny story and my daughter just asked me what i was laughing at cus i had tears running down my face i was laughing so much! =D

m-star

joan_doyle said:

shave no shave
I like Mamma G - go natural - like you just began recently on A/C had long curly thick hair yes nearly gone heading for 3rd treatment - i like to think let nature take its course and yes i have a quite a good few strand left but not enough to go public with unless they want me in a scary movie eh! my head does'nt itch or hurt and the only problems are the loss of weight and balance to the hairless head and the cold every now and then for me I have a problem with hairy legs all my life and the shaving can irrate the skin and this is just another place less to shave for me - as Mamma G said it is also a nice cushion for the wig and gives your sides at the ears a bit more natural look etc and it is lovely to still see a bit of your own hair - it picking them up is the darn nuisance? - Maybe try this way first and if it does't suit you can still always shave Cheers and will be thinking of you Joan

on a serious note,i would
on a serious note,i would advise anyone to double check with their onc that their hair is DEFINATLY gonna come out with the chemo before they get their head shaved!!

I never lost my hair with my chemo and i had 6 months of it for HL! Good job i never got moni buzzed in advance!!! lol

Also,a good hairdresser will give you a nice,short,trendy style as opposed to a manly buzzcut if you ask them. We have done it on numerous occasions at the salon i work in.It helps maintain some femininity while still taking control of things.

Emilyfimily

joan_doyle said:

shave no shave
I like Mamma G - go natural - like you just began recently on A/C had long curly thick hair yes nearly gone heading for 3rd treatment - i like to think let nature take its course and yes i have a quite a good few strand left but not enough to go public with unless they want me in a scary movie eh! my head does'nt itch or hurt and the only problems are the loss of weight and balance to the hairless head and the cold every now and then for me I have a problem with hairy legs all my life and the shaving can irrate the skin and this is just another place less to shave for me - as Mamma G said it is also a nice cushion for the wig and gives your sides at the ears a bit more natural look etc and it is lovely to still see a bit of your own hair - it picking them up is the darn nuisance? - Maybe try this way first and if it does't suit you can still always shave Cheers and will be thinking of you Joan

i shaved
I waited until my hair started coming out all of the sudden in big clumps, then had my husband buzz it. Then after it got fairly sparse decided I was tired of looking like my 88 year old wispy headed grandpa, so I shaved it slick. I did that a couple more times later as random wispies would show up, but haven't messed with in a month and it's still slick as a cue ball. My last and final chemo was 8 days ago (woop woop!). The morning after that last chemo, I arose from bed, looked in the mirror pointedly at each and every follicle on my head, and with a voice much like that of Zeus proclaimed, "Let the follicular recharge....BEGIN!"
.... I guess that didn't work. I'm still slick bald like a cue ball. But I check first thing every morning.

Scotch Freckles

To shave or not to shave
Calabria

I had to laugh to myself over your question. My chemo nurse guaranteed me my hair would begin to fall out exactly 10 days from my first chemo. I was prepared. When the first clump came out in my hand I picked the clippers I bought a few days before and cut it all off. What the heck. Everyone I knew, knew about my cancer so the bald head was expected. My husband really loved it. He said I looked good with a bald head since my head was/is so well rounded. I wore bandana's and hats. Wigs were really out for me, the bald head was only temp. But hey wait till the hair comes back. That is really exciting. First it is soft and curely like a new baby's hair. Then it changes, and changes, and changes. Eight years later and I get up every morning with a Rod Stewart hair do. Life is an experience and the hair keeps on growing. Hang in there and keep laughing, laughter is the best medicine.

Emilyfimily

Scotch Freckles said:

To shave or not to shave
Calabria

I had to laugh to myself over your question. My chemo nurse guaranteed me my hair would begin to fall out exactly 10 days from my first chemo. I was prepared. When the first clump came out in my hand I picked the clippers I bought a few days before and cut it all off. What the heck. Everyone I knew, knew about my cancer so the bald head was expected. My husband really loved it. He said I looked good with a bald head since my head was/is so well rounded. I wore bandana's and hats. Wigs were really out for me, the bald head was only temp. But hey wait till the hair comes back. That is really exciting. First it is soft and curely like a new baby's hair. Then it changes, and changes, and changes. Eight years later and I get up every morning with a Rod Stewart hair do. Life is an experience and the hair keeps on growing. Hang in there and keep laughing, laughter is the best medicine.

Rod Stewart
Hey, Freckles, I am *soooooo* looking forward to the Rod Stewart hair now! It'll ROCK! haha

heidijez

my scalp became sensitive
my scalp became sensitive after the first chemo treatment - i was told i would lose my hair within two weeks. sure enough, i was finding long red hair EVERYWHERE! on the 12th day, i went to wash my hair and about two-thirds of my hair was in my hands! i freaked (just a little) then went and had my head shaved. i asked to be turned away from the mirror, could not bear to watch, but after i was turned to the mirror i cried a bit - but mostly because i looked just like my dad before he died.

i have finished chemo and am preparing for mastectomy, and there are still those stubborn hairs on my head that never fell out - but no new growth. i only wear my wig to work (elementary school) and to church. i am amazed at how it doesn't bother me to be bald!

Scotch Freckles

Emilyfimily said:

Rod Stewart
Hey, Freckles, I am *soooooo* looking forward to the Rod Stewart hair now! It'll ROCK! haha

Hey Emily,
Since no one
Hey Emily,

Since no one seems to be able to cut hair worth a darn I bought one of those suckie machines and cut my own since it just wants to stand up straight any way. 2" all over, easy as can be. I just purchased some Aveeva hair products to help and it really is helping to settle the hair down some so the mornings aren't so freekie.

I love your look and smile. Only way to go. Keep smiling.

Scotch Freckles

Ritzy

arkansasgirl said:

FUNNY STORY ON HAIR LOSS
Hi

I try to do anything to put a smile on any ones face considering what we all have been
going through. This is the first time I've told this. So go ahead and laugh. I also took the same type of chemo you did and by the 2nd treatment which I was taking every 3 weeks my hair started coming out every time I brushed it and started leaving bald spots. My head was a little sore but it got better. Well my onocology nurse made a suggestion I should just go ahead and shave, so I said guess I will.
That evening I came home and thought okay lets get this over with. I had tears in my eyes
and went to the closet got the vacuum cleaner out, hooked up the hose and started running
it all over my head thinking my hair would just be sucked right off. Well that didn't
happen. I thought this was going to be an easy thing to do, but I was wrong. None of my hair came out. My husband walked in and said what are you doing and he could see that
it did not work. My husband done thought I had lost it so we stood there crying and laughing. He got the clippers out and started shaving my head. When he got finished he
said I had a birth mark. I said where? Well I've always wore my hair short and parted on the right side and he goes right there on the part. I told him that's not a birth mark goofy that is where my part has been for at least 50 years. I had a tan where the part was. lol Husbands can't live without them and can't live with them.
Well I could not wear wigs. It was so uncomfortable. My daughter bought me a black cap with a pink ribbon on it and that is what I wore. As of today my hair has come back in
so soft and healthy. I still wear my cap sometimes. But also I'm so relieved to say
I'M CANCER FREE from a very rare type of BC that chemo and radiation has no effect.

So here's my thought on cancer:
The cancer won the 1st battle and now I've won the 2nd but the war is not over for I will
not give up.
I know this was not much help but you have got to stay strong and keep a positive attitude
that no matter what the battle, God says put on the armor for the war.

God Bless You
ARKANSASGIRL

Here's another post with
Here's another post with good info pdv.

Ritzy

heidijez said:

my scalp became sensitive
my scalp became sensitive after the first chemo treatment - i was told i would lose my hair within two weeks. sure enough, i was finding long red hair EVERYWHERE! on the 12th day, i went to wash my hair and about two-thirds of my hair was in my hands! i freaked (just a little) then went and had my head shaved. i asked to be turned away from the mirror, could not bear to watch, but after i was turned to the mirror i cried a bit - but mostly because i looked just like my dad before he died.

i have finished chemo and am preparing for mastectomy, and there are still those stubborn hairs on my head that never fell out - but no new growth. i only wear my wig to work (elementary school) and to church. i am amazed at how it doesn't bother me to be bald!

Bumping for Tulsa Mom!
Bumping for Tulsa Mom! Maybe this information will help you!

Sue