need advice on hair loss preparation

hair
I just cut it shorter and shorter until i finally did a buzzz and it was much better ,don't worry you can do it.....

We are all different!
My hair was very long - close to my waist. I cut it into a gyspy shag but then when it got 'bad', Son ran the clippers over it - he and other of our "Sons" also used them.

On A/C, i lost head hair and about 1/2 of lashes and brows. On Taxol ALL body hair left.

I had been given a wig shortly after starting Chemo and some scarfs - so I was ready.

Rague said:

We are all different!
My hair was very long - close to my waist. I cut it into a gyspy shag but then when it got 'bad', Son ran the clippers over it - he and other of our "Sons" also used them.

On A/C, i lost head hair and about 1/2 of lashes and brows. On Taxol ALL body hair left.

I had been given a wig shortly after starting Chemo and some scarfs - so I was ready.

Hair
My hair started to fall out in wisps about day 14 after my first chemo. I had long hair and I cut it short( kind of like Kate Gosslin's ; I had chemo in 2009) before my first infusion. When it started falling out in clumps I asked my husband to shave my head. For me the anxiety of loosing it was worse than it falling out. Once my head was shaved I felt strangely relieved. Do you have a cancer center near your home? I was able to get a free wig and I purchased some cute headcoverings in the center's gift shop. Also look into the Look Good Feel Better program by the ACS, it is really helpful. I know how hard this is for you and it is my hope that you can go through this process with peace. Love Surf

Gabe N Abby Mom said:

I had long hair, to the
I had long hair, to the middle of my back. I cut it shorter and shorter, 3 hair cuts before it began falling out. Most of it came out in my hands or brush as I was working with it. Once it got bad (bald spot on the back of my head) I used the trimmer myself. For me, it was all about being in control of the process.

For me, my scalp got very tingly/itchy in the day or two before it began to fall out. Once I shaved it, most of the tingly/itchy feeling went away. I had two wigs and a few scarfs, and a couple of hats. I found the hats most comfortable, I mostly wore fleece or cotton.

I hope this helps.

Hugs,

Linda

I had long hair and so I cut
I had long hair and so I cut it short. I knew watching long hair fall out would bother me.
Then my scalp started to hurt and I would find hairs in my cereal bowl and I buzzed it.
My scalp stopped hurting and I didn't have to watch it fall it anymore. It also made ME in control, not my disease.
Good luck, it is hard to go through that, but try to make the best of it.
I wore extra makeup and larger earrings to make me feel feminine because my hair always did that for me.
After a while I liked the ease of getting ready in the morning, no blow drying or straightening irons.
I did miss my hair but got in a routine with scarfs and turbans. I bought 2 wigs although never wore them much because I was more comfy in scarfs. Might as well make the most of it while you are going through it was my thought process.

My treatments ended in Dec 0f 09 and I have quite a bit of hair now. It came back curly so if I want straight, I'm right back at the iron.
The longer it gets, the less curl is there.
I have given my hat box to another woman going through hair loss now and still another loves one of my wigs (blonde) just to have fun! I have always had dark hair.
I can honestly say that I wouldn't wear these items again because if I ever need chemo again, I will treat myself to all NEW hats and scarfs. I figure I deserve it!
Hugs,
Wanda

Gabe N Abby Mom said:

I had long hair, to the
I had long hair, to the middle of my back. I cut it shorter and shorter, 3 hair cuts before it began falling out. Most of it came out in my hands or brush as I was working with it. Once it got bad (bald spot on the back of my head) I used the trimmer myself. For me, it was all about being in control of the process.

For me, my scalp got very tingly/itchy in the day or two before it began to fall out. Once I shaved it, most of the tingly/itchy feeling went away. I had two wigs and a few scarfs, and a couple of hats. I found the hats most comfortable, I mostly wore fleece or cotton.

I hope this helps.

Hugs,

Linda

Hi Linda... This is in response to your post... I'm into day 13 after my first chemo treatment... So far, no hair loss, but I expect it any day now... I cut my hair short and plan to cut the top down even shorter tomorrow. Just to follow up on your comment... is that ichy and tingling feeling a sign that hair loss is within days of occurring? I'm phisically prepared and ready with my wigs, but want to be a bit more emotionally prepared in knowing that ichy feeling IS the signal that balding is right around the cornor. Please elaborate more on how your hair loss occurred after that feeling. Thanks Bunches for all of your advice. I REALLY Appreciate all of the support this site provides.

joannstar said:

Starting losing mine on day 17
I had gone wig shopping about 2 weeks before chemo--was advised to do that so that they could match color--blond highlights.
What I noticed is that I would run my fingers through my hair and come away with 15 or so strands, so my girlfriend buzzed it to about an inch. To my surprise, I realized I had mostly salt and pepper hair coloring (been dying it for over 40 years, so I hadn't been "au natural" for a long time). All of the pepper fell out just leaving straggly white hairs. I never did shave my head...no need to.
I wore my wig on Friday nights at temple, but other than that I just wore scarves or headwraps.
Hugs,
JoAnn

hair today ... gone tomorrow ...
I had short hair and while watching TV on day 15 I ran my fingers through my hair and ended up with a fist full of hair. I called a friend and told her to get her clippers/razor out that I was on my way over and she was going to shave my head. Before I started chemo I'd ordered and adorable denim bucket hat from TLC catalog ... so I took that with me to my friend's house. I felt like I was "in charge" of the situation so it wasn't at all traumatic (until I looked in the mirror and I swear I looked exactly like my grandfather ... LOL. But ... I put my ear rings back on ... and put my hat on my head ... and then I looked more like "me." So ... we went out to dinner ... with my new bald head. I actually found the whole experience quite "freeing." I took control. And the whole time I was bald it was also "freeing" not to have to fuss doing my hair. I didn't bother with a wig ... and was never able to tie those scarves to look at pretty as they do in the picture. It was just me ... and my denim hat. Very low maintenance.

You'll do fine.

hugs.
teena

Mitzi333 said:

Hi Linda... This is in response to your post... I'm into day 13 after my first chemo treatment... So far, no hair loss, but I expect it any day now... I cut my hair short and plan to cut the top down even shorter tomorrow. Just to follow up on your comment... is that ichy and tingling feeling a sign that hair loss is within days of occurring? I'm phisically prepared and ready with my wigs, but want to be a bit more emotionally prepared in knowing that ichy feeling IS the signal that balding is right around the cornor. Please elaborate more on how your hair loss occurred after that feeling. Thanks Bunches for all of your advice. I REALLY Appreciate all of the support this site provides.

For me the itchy tingly
For me the itchy tingly feeling was a signal that the hair was about to fall out. Funny enough, the worst day of itchy tingly was the day I went wig shopping. The ladies at the wig shop said 'yep, it's starting'... so they see a lot of that.

Someone explained that the follicle is doing everything it can to hold on to the strand of hair, and the chemo is causing the follicle to open up...that's what causes the itchy. It made sense to me.

As for how it fell out, I didn't have so much on the pillow or in my food but every time I touched my hair/head there would be a handful. (One note, if you are scratching your head, just use the pads of your fingers not the nails. You don't want to create any broken skin, and the skin is extra sensitive.) I combed my hair one morning, my hubby saw the trash can, and said "are you pulling it out?" because there was so much hair.

I hope this helps. Send me a PM (click on CSN email in the pinkish box on the left) if you have more questions. And let us know how you're doing.

Hugs,

Linda

weazer said:

I had long hair
I had long hair, mid back, and I decided to get a shorter hair cut so I could try to get used to it.
Tan it started to fall out...clogged the tub and then that was it my scalp hurt so bad I could'nt take it so my Honey Troy shaved it off.
Could never get used to a wig so hats and scarfes and now I will be going for my second haircut next week.
Hugs Karie

Just a quick note here .. My scalp hurt like I had been
wearing my hair in a tight pony tail for a week. Then I like so many, start to cut my hair short and short until time to shave.

Please use electric razor to shave scalp. Disposable razors can cut and nick your scalp, which can then cause infection.

Please be sure to use sun screen when not wearing a hat, or scarf outside - remember to slather sun screen on the back of your neck, and ears as well. I went outside once to pick up dogie do (chemo underway), and I ended up with my ears and scalp = sun burned. Then again, I live in Southern California.

T-Gel neutrogena shampoo helps with scalp soothing, and helps prevent new follicles to become clogged from sweat or other pollutions in the air. I also conditioned my scalp weekly, just to keep the peach fuzz soft and supple. I also wore, wool or knitted beanies at night to keep my head warm. I had several, so I tried to color coordinate with my pj's. LOL

Best of luck ..

Vicki Sam

PinkPearl said:

Day 12 for me
I was reading and ran my hand through my hair and some came out. My hair was about midneck length and I kept enough of it through the next week so that I didn't need to wear a cap or scarf. By day 18 I decided it was time for a cap or scarf. I had a wig on hand and I am on week 6 of chemo and still haven't worn the wig so think about if you are the wig type or not. The caps and scarves are just more comfortable and secure feeling to me. I haven't shaved my head and doubt I will. Just don't care about it that much and I sort of like the little fuzz I have left. I figure those poor little hairs made it this far through all of those drugs so they can just fall out when and if they want to. We all have our own take on this. I never used a net at all.

mine thinned
but never fell out completely on Taxol. Got so tired of the straggley look that went and got a #3 BUZZ, just posted the pictures of the newly bald me and my originally bald husband. we can now call ourselves the two baldies now but as I like to remind him "MINE will grow back!!!"

Laura