Hair Loss

Hi! I think so! I’m not sure I’m the best person to answer your question because I did cold-capping to save my hair. I still lost 40-50% of my hair, but for a lot of people it is more successful. So my situation was different than yours, but did I started getting new growth on my scalp about 2 weeks after my third infusion. My cold-capping provider had told me that it would happen, so he must see it a lot.

I did a ton of reading about chemo, hair loss, and regrowth. Nowhere did I read this: even 8 mths post-chemo I was still feeling little stubbles! I guess you don’t want it ALL coming back at once or eventually it would ALL fall out again at the same time!

Good luck with the rest of your treatments. 🙏🏻

😎, Alicia

mkmilburn, while I think losing it all is common, hearing what you have is possible. Since I had the sandwich treatment I lost it all during the first three chemos but noticed it didn't react the same during the second round of three chemos. I decided I couldn't live with the patchiness of it all and shaved it during the second round, and even then when it grew back it seemed to be at different rates.

I had a friend who cold capped and told me she lost hers similar to Alicia's story of still losing quite a bit.

I do remember someone joking about one good thing about chemo was not having to shave your legs. As much as I hated it all, I found that to be a very true statement.

Hugs dear! You may have heard "chemo is doable" and I think that is because it isn't a picnic, but most people can get through it. Lots of good tips here which is truly a blessing.

What I found most annoying about the whole hair loss business was losing my eyelashes. I never realized how much crap they keep out of your eyes until they were gone. A friend who had had uterine cancer years earlier told me that eyelashes were the last to go and the first to come back. That was true in my case.

Well here’s what mine did. Started coming out just before the second treatment. Then just like all at once , I could just pull it all out, it was all loose. There was a very small ruffle on the very back that never fell out though! I trimmed that short. Eyelashes and brows were the last to go but never fully. A little while after my last chemo (#6) my hair started growing. It came in super curly! Like a tight perm. Was kind of cute for a while. As it grew it kept getting straighter and is now just like it was before chemo. I have to say that I am not a vain person but being bald was pretty stressful to me. I was very self conscious about it. My husband said it made all this seem more real. I got a wig which I hated and luckily it was during the winter when stocking caps and beanies are worn by a lot of people, (NW Oregon)so I didn’t feel too out of place just wearing those.

Mine started coming out when I brushed it about a week before 2nd chemo then just came out in hunks after. My daughter shaved my head for me after Christmas and I felt better but the baldness has been really stressful for me. I didn’t expect it to bother me so much but I still hate for anyone to see me without a beanie or hat. My hair was super thick but straight as a board - I could do curly for awhile - just hope mine comes back whether it’s curly or straight. CT scan in 2 weeks then 4th chemo. Hope all of us have hair growing back soon!

I’m now the proud owner of 3 beanies and 1 hat - another hat coming this week. Haven’t lost my lashes or brows yet but figure it’s coming (or going😂) soon. I’m also in the Houston area and glad the hot weather has gone away for a few weeks anyway - have a feeling the headwear is going to be a problem for me in the heat - I’m hot-natured anyway. But honestly, as long as the chemo does it’s job and kicks this cancer’s butt I’ll handle the heat. I’m sure we all feel that way.

My thick red hair was something that was important to me more in my youth, yet still, although grey/red, important and difficult to lose. I pulled my hair out in the shower (used drain trap), as it was loose but required a tug. It did come out in patches. I found information in my Infusion Welcome Folder that Great Clips would do a courtesy shave or buzz pre chemo. I went Early for appt. Nothing required but my request. I left a nice tip. My chemo started in winter and Infusion Center offered hand crocheted beanies there as a courtesy from kind people. Friends of friends offered specialty scarfs and I bought some handkerchief type in stores. I would wear two for volume. I would fold each into triangle and tie the under scarf at the top by forehead and tuck in side gaps. Then I would tie the second in the conventional way in back. The under scarf peaked out adding more color.

My hair came in curly and sufficient enough after about 3 months post chemo. I still have curl 8 months later but I know from before it will revert back.

I am a hat person, too. It is important to keep from sunburn. I wear a ball cap type hat with a large bill in the summer, a bucket hat in spring that I obtained from a company specializing in hats and accessories for cancer survivors (Infusion Welcome Folder) and a thick band fake fur trimmed ear warmer in winter.

A wig given to me by a breast cancer survivor sits on my dresser on the head. Too hot and too itchy around my face for me.

I plan on donating many of these at the infusion center or elsewhere but I keep forgetting them.

((Hugs)) to All Ladies.

Side note- not losing any hair on my head after original regrowth after chemo…thank goodness

I had that neck ruffle too. I just left it because it kind of looked cute peeking out of my couture caps, and I thought I'd want it for body after my hair came back. I did not shave or cut my hair. I did not cold cap and lost all but the ruffle. My eyelashes & eye brows never completely left. At almost 6 months from my last chemo, I have a full head of baby soft curly hair...if I were an 8 year old boy that is! Color is completely different--very salt & pepper. Dark part is almost black.