Beauty

[SouthernBee]

My hair has always had an uneven curl pattern with waves,frizz and dry, previously very thick. Now 62, breast cancer survivor and two years off cancer medicine. I still have hair but it is very thin on the top. Colored and damaged. Please share from your experiences the best shampoo and conditioner. I struggle with raising my arms and styling my hair. My goal is to try to make hair healthy and later possibly have a stylist put a body perm in  to try and have all over curls : to look better and easier to style. Someone else probably has better suggestions.TIA: Southern Bee

[Goldenmoher]

@SouthernBee congratulations on being a cancer survivor!  I am as well, and have similar hair issues (although my hair wasn't as good as yours pre treatment!). I am in your age group as well. I use Nioxin shampoo and conditioner, it is specifically for thinning hair and does help a little. I am still very thin on the top of my head. I had whole body radiation and chemotherapy as well as a stem cell transplant for leukemia, and it was successful. So although I am not thrilled with my hair, I am thrilled with my life. HTH and continued good health. 

[151949]

I had chemo 32 years ago, when I was 34 years old. My hair has always been very fine and poker straight. It was also about half grey so I was coloring it pre chemo. When my hair came back in it was so thin and fragile I was totally afraid to color or perm or anything else that may traumatize it. Even now , all these years later I am very careful of what I use on my hair and would never consider a perm or dyeing it.My hair is all over pure white and very soft, shiny and healthy.

[SilleeMee]

I've struggled with hair loss for most of my adult life. Several years ago, when it was first introduced here to the Q, I bought the Hairmax laser comb and then a few years later I bought the I-Grow helmit thing. I have had really good results with both devices. I would recommend them in a heartbeat.

[sapphire 2]

Southern Bee, how about a short do? (Go to the best stylist you can afford.)  Use a little hair thickening gel, fluff it around a bit and see if that will help.  Also, some hair looks better when it dries naturally.

Loving thoughts sent to you and Goldenmoher. You are both very special.

[SouthernBee]

@Goldenmoher: Thank you for your kind words. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. My hair is very thin on top but thick every where else and was afraid to try something to thicken the top: really not sure what to do. Blessings, Southern Bee

[Trix]

Southern Bee, hugs to you for being a breast cancer survivor.  Thank God you are now at a stage in the process where things are feeling normal enough for you to worry about hair.  I hope your health continues to improve with each passing day.  

 I have not battled cancer, but I have dealt with illness for which the medication ravaged my hair.  This will have to be your personal choice, but I would not use any type of chemical hair straightener.  Even in mild formulations, those products are toxic.  I think for now you should focus on using a gentle shampoo and conditioner with minimum styling products.  My hair is very curly, but fine, and because I am on a regular medication regimen due to chronic illnesses I try not to inlfict too much on my locs.  There are plenty of excellent products on the market, but presently I am extremely pleased with Nick Chavez's Advanced Volumizing Shampoo and Conditioner. I also love Flocker for keeping it simple with one product for styling and soft hold.  

[Ms X]

Ask your doctors about using minoxidil (in the drugstore) or Propecia (by prescription) to get your hair to grow back.  I know that minoxidil must be used continuously or the hair falls out again.  That's at least the case for genetic pattern baldness. It might not be the case for you.

If your hair is really bothering you and you can't get it to grow back, I would recommend looking into getting a very nice wig or extensions of some kind.  It is better than struggling with very thin hair.  You can get one made for you that would really stay on your head, or so I've heard.

[SilleeMee]

@SouthernBee,

I feel your pain about thinning hair. I went bald at one point and none of my docs could tell me why.  Most thinning hair problems don't go away on their own and you will continue to lose your hair. I don't want to sound like I'm telling you what to do. But you need to address the root of the problem...literally. Until you do this, your hair will get thinner and thinner. 

I wish you the best of luck with getting your hair the way you want it.

[SouthernBee]

@151949:  I can relate to what you are saying. My hair has some color and a lot of ugly grey. I have shoulder lenghth hair . DH said no hair cut. Spouse insist that I do something because he is tired of me looking old and bad. I purchased a straight wig and a curly wig. I feel uncomfortable wearing them. They have adjustable tabs but still do not fit that great. Wore wig to a ladies meeting and one lady said: " your hair moves up and down on top". Very embrassed and left. I have not worn wig again or going to any meetings.