Hair coloring

Always Hopeful
Always Hopeful Member Posts: 234
edited March 2014 in Uterine/Endometrial Cancer #1
I'm almost embarrassed to post this. Although I'm pleased that my hair is growing back and that the Gemzar is not causing me to lose it again, I would like to start coloring it again. I will be asking my doc, but wanted to hear what you gals have to say.

Thanks for any feedback you can provide.

Peace and hope, JJ

Comments

  • Always Hopeful
    Always Hopeful Member Posts: 234
    #2
    Just read through some postings
    OK...I guess I should have searched the boards because, now, after having read previous postings, I know that some of you have colored your hair. Of course, if anyone would still like to respond, I'd love to hear from you about this.

    Peace and hope, JJ
  • nempark
    nempark Member Posts: 681
    #3
    JJ: My hair has grown back twofold now six months. It has come back salt and pepper. I have had it cut several times real short and sometimes I spike it. I have been stopped several times by strangers and was complimented over and over. Off course, my husband loves it and all my friends love it too. I am tempted to color, but the chemicals in the dye is a lot besides the chemicals It will be a lot of work to keep it up, so the bottom line is I think I will stick with it natural. Let me know what you think. Believe me, with make up and a nice cut you can do it without the color. I have read all your posts but sometimes feels helpless and don't know how to reply. I do hope you are feeling better now, you are a very strong woman. Continue being strong. June.
  • jazzy1
    jazzy1 Member Posts: 1,379
    #4
    nempark said:

    JJ: My hair has grown back twofold now six months. It has come back salt and pepper. I have had it cut several times real short and sometimes I spike it. I have been stopped several times by strangers and was complimented over and over. Off course, my husband loves it and all my friends love it too. I am tempted to color, but the chemicals in the dye is a lot besides the chemicals It will be a lot of work to keep it up, so the bottom line is I think I will stick with it natural. Let me know what you think. Believe me, with make up and a nice cut you can do it without the color. I have read all your posts but sometimes feels helpless and don't know how to reply. I do hope you are feeling better now, you are a very strong woman. Continue being strong. June.

    Hair Coloring
    After my hair was coming in, it was a murky dark brown with gray streaks. I have highlighted my hair for ever, and didn't really know what the true color was until it came back. Decided to go the natural route, but after 4 months I just couldn't continue with the gray hair.

    Did ask around for others opinions. Most people tell me if the color is very dark, it's worse then if it's lighter. Also, there are many types of "temporary" coloring with henna that don't have the chemicals. I went to a Beauty Supply Store and asked the girls for the "natural" type products. Found one that I have used, but in the end, went back to my regular "permanent" coloring.

    My thoughts, if I can't enjoy the way I look, it will affect my psychi. Therefore, I've been coloring my hair (blondish) for a little over a year.

    Do some research and see what others suggest and in the end, do what you feel comfortable doing to your hair. You have to live with it, and have many options!!!!!

    Best to everyone...
    Jan
  • HellieC
    HellieC Member Posts: 524 Member
    #5
    jazzy1 said:

    Hair Coloring
    After my hair was coming in, it was a murky dark brown with gray streaks. I have highlighted my hair for ever, and didn't really know what the true color was until it came back. Decided to go the natural route, but after 4 months I just couldn't continue with the gray hair.

    Did ask around for others opinions. Most people tell me if the color is very dark, it's worse then if it's lighter. Also, there are many types of "temporary" coloring with henna that don't have the chemicals. I went to a Beauty Supply Store and asked the girls for the "natural" type products. Found one that I have used, but in the end, went back to my regular "permanent" coloring.

    My thoughts, if I can't enjoy the way I look, it will affect my psychi. Therefore, I've been coloring my hair (blondish) for a little over a year.

    Do some research and see what others suggest and in the end, do what you feel comfortable doing to your hair. You have to live with it, and have many options!!!!!

    Best to everyone...
    Jan

    Hair Colouring
    In England, the general advice seems to be to wait until you have got some "normal" hair growth i.e. you have gone past the "chemo curls" stage if you get them. The thinking is that sometimes the "chemo curl" hair is more fragile and accepts the dye differently from normal hair and that using chemicals could damage it further.
    The chemicals in dark dyes are definitely harsher on the skin than the blonde dyes (which is why hairdressers tend to do skin tests using a dark colour regardless of what colour you are thinking of having on your hair). But, in the end, we all want to get back to looking like ourselves, don't we? So I would go with what feels right for you.
    I have always highlighted my natural mousy brown british hair, but I will wait and see what grows back and then decide, I think. At the moment, I have one more chemo left to complete and my head has a fair sprinkling of pure white fluff! Not a great look for a 52 year old! LOL!
    Helen
  • Always Hopeful
    Always Hopeful Member Posts: 234
    #6
    HellieC said:

    Hair Colouring
    In England, the general advice seems to be to wait until you have got some "normal" hair growth i.e. you have gone past the "chemo curls" stage if you get them. The thinking is that sometimes the "chemo curl" hair is more fragile and accepts the dye differently from normal hair and that using chemicals could damage it further.
    The chemicals in dark dyes are definitely harsher on the skin than the blonde dyes (which is why hairdressers tend to do skin tests using a dark colour regardless of what colour you are thinking of having on your hair). But, in the end, we all want to get back to looking like ourselves, don't we? So I would go with what feels right for you.
    I have always highlighted my natural mousy brown british hair, but I will wait and see what grows back and then decide, I think. At the moment, I have one more chemo left to complete and my head has a fair sprinkling of pure white fluff! Not a great look for a 52 year old! LOL!
    Helen

    Dear June, Jan and Helen,
    Thanks so very much for your input. I'm really feeling quite hesitant at this point to do anything to the white/gray hair that has grown back. Anything I've read recommends waiting 6 months to a year after chemo to attempt coloring. Most articles said that because of the nature of the new hair, damage could be done to it by the chemicals. Also it was mentioned that the dye could damage our scalps at this point. Of most concern, was something I read that said that the absorption through the scalp is quite direct to our bloodstream and that the chemicals could interact with the chemo.

    Looking for more natural, no chemical solutions is something I considered. All except my granddaughter feel that the gray/white looks well on me. Wanting to get to look like ourselves, I think, is a major part of the issue. Since very few people realize my wig is a wig, I guess I could always revert back to that on the days when I don't feel like myself. I wouldn't mind so much if I could spike it but it seems to be so baby soft right now. My next stop, then, should be to the haircutter for her suggestions and to even it all out.

    Thank you all so very much for sharing your experiences, thoughts and knowledge. Based on my readings and your postings, and since I'm still on chemo, I think it is best to just wait before coloring.

    Peace and hope, JJ
  • Lisa 00
    Lisa 00 Member Posts: 134 Member
    #7
    color away!!
    I have silver hair that started at a young age. I have colored my hair for years. Mostly, I do it myself. As soon as it grew in enough to drop the wig, I colored it and have been coloring it ever since. In the beginning I went to a salon and had someone color it and put highlights on. The girl had a tough time putting highlights on such short hair, but she did it. The hair took the color like usual, with no problems.
  • Always Hopeful
    Always Hopeful Member Posts: 234
    #8
    Lisa 00 said:

    color away!!
    I have silver hair that started at a young age. I have colored my hair for years. Mostly, I do it myself. As soon as it grew in enough to drop the wig, I colored it and have been coloring it ever since. In the beginning I went to a salon and had someone color it and put highlights on. The girl had a tough time putting highlights on such short hair, but she did it. The hair took the color like usual, with no problems.

    Thanks, Lisa
    Good to hear that the color took without a problem. That is something else I was wondering about since I have always had problems with my very stubborn grays. Thanks for sharing your decision and experiences.

    Peace and hope, JJ
  • lociee
    lociee Member Posts: 102
    #9
    Always Hopeful said:

    Thanks, Lisa
    Good to hear that the color took without a problem. That is something else I was wondering about since I have always had problems with my very stubborn grays. Thanks for sharing your decision and experiences.

    Peace and hope, JJ

    My hair grew back and was mostly grey. As soon as I stopped wearing a wig I dyed it red. I originally had black hair and had dyed it for years. The red is lighter and easier to maintain. I use semi-permanent and do it myself about every two weeks. I keep it really short and sort of spiky so it's easy to color. I usually cut it myself - go to the saloon about every 3 months or so for a more serious cut. I got a huge, thick attachment for the buzz cutter - so that it's not too short. Reddish is good - most people tell me they like it better this way. I think I was getting too old for black hair. Red with a little grey is more tolerable. I am not ready to go fully grey - but I heard recently that there is a wave of women in their 60's who are going natural. More power to them!
    Good Luck - have fun with your hair!
    Mia
  • daisy366
    daisy366 Member Posts: 1,458 Member
    #10
    lociee said:

    My hair grew back and was mostly grey. As soon as I stopped wearing a wig I dyed it red. I originally had black hair and had dyed it for years. The red is lighter and easier to maintain. I use semi-permanent and do it myself about every two weeks. I keep it really short and sort of spiky so it's easy to color. I usually cut it myself - go to the saloon about every 3 months or so for a more serious cut. I got a huge, thick attachment for the buzz cutter - so that it's not too short. Reddish is good - most people tell me they like it better this way. I think I was getting too old for black hair. Red with a little grey is more tolerable. I am not ready to go fully grey - but I heard recently that there is a wave of women in their 60's who are going natural. More power to them!
    Good Luck - have fun with your hair!
    Mia

    I don't color
    I read the hair dye is a carcinogen - so being cautious, I am now a natural gray haired lady who has had more compliments about my hair than ever.

    These are all individual choices that we make. Best wishes to you.
  • upsofloating
    upsofloating Member Posts: 466 Member
    #11
    lociee said:

    My hair grew back and was mostly grey. As soon as I stopped wearing a wig I dyed it red. I originally had black hair and had dyed it for years. The red is lighter and easier to maintain. I use semi-permanent and do it myself about every two weeks. I keep it really short and sort of spiky so it's easy to color. I usually cut it myself - go to the saloon about every 3 months or so for a more serious cut. I got a huge, thick attachment for the buzz cutter - so that it's not too short. Reddish is good - most people tell me they like it better this way. I think I was getting too old for black hair. Red with a little grey is more tolerable. I am not ready to go fully grey - but I heard recently that there is a wave of women in their 60's who are going natural. More power to them!
    Good Luck - have fun with your hair!
    Mia

    My first visit to my
    My first visit to my delightful Italian stylist post chemo was greeted with "Don't color your hair!" Iwas fully expecting to be encouraged to return to my previous color routine but both he and another stylist said my new 'color' was fabulous and one that they could not hope to achieve with chemicals. So I have been enjoying my new look - I was always a medium brown - and like Mary Ann receive compliments on my look. I'm enjoying the freedom from the prior nearly 30 yrs of constant maintenance. So, many options ;-)
  • Always Hopeful
    Always Hopeful Member Posts: 234
    #12
    upsofloating said:

    My first visit to my
    My first visit to my delightful Italian stylist post chemo was greeted with "Don't color your hair!" Iwas fully expecting to be encouraged to return to my previous color routine but both he and another stylist said my new 'color' was fabulous and one that they could not hope to achieve with chemicals. So I have been enjoying my new look - I was always a medium brown - and like Mary Ann receive compliments on my look. I'm enjoying the freedom from the prior nearly 30 yrs of constant maintenance. So, many options ;-)

    Thanks all
    Again, I thank you all for sharing your experiences. I'm going to try to stay with the gray/silver/white. No maintenance, no carcinogens etc. In fact, just Friday when I went for my treatment one of the office workers said, "Your hair looks great! I love the color!" I told her how timely her statement was, considering this posting. For now, I'll be a 61 year old who is embracing their natural hair color(s)!

    Thanks again!

    Peace and hope, JJ
  • daisy366
    daisy366 Member Posts: 1,458 Member
    #13
    Always Hopeful said:

    Thanks all
    Again, I thank you all for sharing your experiences. I'm going to try to stay with the gray/silver/white. No maintenance, no carcinogens etc. In fact, just Friday when I went for my treatment one of the office workers said, "Your hair looks great! I love the color!" I told her how timely her statement was, considering this posting. For now, I'll be a 61 year old who is embracing their natural hair color(s)!

    Thanks again!

    Peace and hope, JJ

    Plus, just watched fashion
    Plus, just watched fashion show last week that said gray in clothes, home decor and hair in the new IN COLOR. Enjoy!!
  • Always Hopeful
    Always Hopeful Member Posts: 234
    #14
    daisy366 said:

    Plus, just watched fashion
    Plus, just watched fashion show last week that said gray in clothes, home decor and hair in the new IN COLOR. Enjoy!!

    Love it!
    Ok, then, we are part of the IN COLOR!!! How chic we are!!!

    Peace and hope, JJ

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