Community Chat

[Kalli]

Ladies, if you're willing, I am hoping for some advice from those of you who've gone thru hair loss due to chemo. 

I'm 2 weeks past my first chemo treatment. My treatments are scheduled for every 3 weeks. I've started losing my hair (length is just at bottom of my ears.)Today it's coming out in clumps if I run my hand lightly thru it but my hair is generally thick so not noticeable to most folks yet. Not sure what it will look like in a few hours, tho!

Question: How fast does this process take? Should I push up my Friday appt to have it cut short now? How short? Did you have it clipped almost at the scalp? Maybe these are stupid questions. Sigh. 

I do have a wig and 2 scarf type head coverings. 

[Love my grandkids]

@Kalli I'm sorry you are going through all of this. I had 8 rounds of chemo starting in August of 2017. I was one of the lucky ones who didn't lose any hair. 

I'm sure you'll get lots of help from the ladies here. Wishing you well.

[wagirl]

Hi there---first off--so sorry you are going thru this but glad you are getting on with beating this cancer zombie!! I had breast cancer and went thru chemo in 2012.. I am cured as of 2022 !!!

My hair came out in clumps about 10 days after I began chemo--just like my onc dr told me--I pulled it all out that day and left it for the birdies to make their nests. It felt so good to be rid of it and not having to dread the inevitable. It was gone within minutes of me running my hands thru it----if it doesn't hurt to gently pull it out, why spend the $$ ---I had my hair cut very short before I started chemo  to lessen the trauma of it all. Otherwise wait a few days, pull more out --but I found I had hair everywhere if I waited. Start using your wig and your scaves. Good luck to you. Ask anymore questions when you need too. 

[JeanLouiseFinch]

I'm so sorry, @Kalli, that you even needed the treatment in the first place, but hope and pray it will be successful.  I have never been involved with chemotherapy, but I wanted to share something with you.  My daughter is a professional master stylist.  She has had two clients come to her when they were in your situation.  They each decided that they wanted our DD to shave their heads.  Their reasoning was to be proactive and rock the bald look rather than try to manage whatever hair might be left.  Each time, our daughter cried with them and said she was honored to do it for them. Of course, the decision is yours.  I just wanted to give you another option.  

Best wishes

[dancingwoman]

@Kalli  I had 12 rounds of chemo...my hair started to fall out after the second round.  The teenaged girl next door shaved my head.. the chemo nurses said leave 1/4 inch...not to shave it completely bald...avoid itchy scalp that way..there will be hair all over the place if you don't cut it short before it all falls out..it was easier that way for me..My last chemo was in May.  My hair is growing back now.. I also lost my lashes and brows along with body hair...all growing back.  My hair was thin and straight...it's growing in thick and curly..I was hoping for red too but that's not happening....it's white like it used to be..it's about 3/4 inch now.  

YOU CAN DO THIS..❤️DW

[meallen616]

@Kalli,

[LTT1]

@Kalli 

This is traumatic and something we can all feel for, I'm guessing.

My situation is nothing like yours but I dab still feel those butterflies in my stomach when I think about my hair.

I have a scarring alopecia that tends to get better then worse...back and forth.

My dermatologist treats it with various topical and systemic rx's.

For you, the most important thing is to beat that disease...and the way you wear your wigs/scarves ....make it the least complicated so you can enjoy when you are feeling at your best. ❤️‍🩹

[Puzzle Piece]

I think it's different for everyone.  I lost all my hair but I had a very nice wig.  My hair grew back rather rapidly and I didn't have any issues with that. 

I had pretty scarves and a hat or two as well. 

Best to you.  

[azgal]

I'm so sorry you have to go through this.

When I started losing my hair it was very emotional for me so I asked my husband to shave my head. It was like a buzz cut. We cried together but for me, it was easier to take than having clumps of hair coming out every time I showered. I got a nice wig and wore caps to bed to keep my head warm.

I pray that you make a full recovery!

[on the bay]

I haven't had chemo, just cancer surgery, and one time when I was going into the cancer center here, a woman walked out of the main doors with a completely bald head who was one of the most beautiful women I've ever seen.

Her clothes, her makeup, she was stunningly beautiful. And I don't know if she had cancer or shaved off her hair for a loved one or what but she was so encouraging to me.

Another time I was going for a complicated scan and I was waiting on a bench for my appt. I sat next to a woman who looked so elegant and the way she dressed was gorgeous. I told her she looked so pretty. She told me she was terminal but she always wanted to encourage others. Wow just wow! I never forgot her and again, she was so inspiring!

I take my hair, wig, and hats off to all the very brave ladies here who are going through something that to most is very traumatic! Heroines all!