this might seem like a random question, but is there anyone out there that colors their hair whilst having chemotherapy, particularly xeloda??
I am 36yrs old and nearly grey and have been dying my hair for years. Now that i started xeloda i am told by my oncologist that i shouldnt use hair color as will lose my hair due to the chemicals. Apparently xeloda may cause hair thining - is this quite common?
and does anyone know of any natural, chemical free hair dyes that i can use? I know its vain, but with everything going out of control in life at present, I would like to have some control over my appearance.
I haven’t noticed much hair loss on Xeloda (I’ve been on it nearly six years now), nor have my chums when they’ve been taking it, but we’re all so different in the way we respond to these treatments. Also don’t dye my hair – would have it orange or purple, but just can’t face the faf (I have v. short hair) of colouring it all the time.
Good luck with Xeloda – just a thought: have you looked at the “health food stores” for hair colour that might be a bit more gentle?
Marilyn x
Hi Jas,
I have just completed six cycles of Xeloda. No one mentioned to me not to colour my hair so have been using chemical colours, although I have not dyed my hair as regularly as I used to.
My hair is definately thinning, I can see strands floating down when I blow dry it, but my b.c. nurse said that would happen anyway.
On the whole I am becoming increasingly pleased with it, I coloured it brown post b.c. but I now cover my very grey hair blonde… there was always a blonde in me trying to get out!!
Holland and Barratt do a non chemical hair dye which a lot of the ladies use.
Good luck with the treatment,
Janx
I completed 17 cycles of xeloda earlier this year and did dye my hair several times (to cover up the grey!) using a standard semi-permanent dye. I was lucky in that my hair didn’t thin at all - did wait for a few cycles initially to see if there was any hair loss before I dared brave the dye!
Obviously it is a risk - but then it depends on how important dying it is to you whether it’s worth running that risk (and how devastated you’d be if the hair fell out).
Thanks for your comments and advise. I am still searching for a chemical free hair dye and have found some on the internet that are purely vegetable based dyes. Sounds good so far. Havent tried it yet - dont want my hair to fall out.
It is thinning a bit and I just worry about it.
Will speak to my oncologist about this and let you all know what he says. Who knows we might just find a product thats great for coloring and doesnt do any harm.
Hi
I am on Xeloda since Feb and have noticed no thinning of hair.
Just last week I got my highlights done for the second time without any hassle andthis is chemical dyes.
Hope this helps
I’ve had years of chemotherapy of various types and any time I have a decent head of hair and my scalp is in good condition, I’ve had my hair coloured (tone on tone) plus highlights or lowlights.
I’m vain and also regard scare stories about hair colourants as nonsense I can do without. I’ve got bigger things to worry about.
Hair is dead stuff, so what is all the panic about?
If my scalp is in bad condition (say itchy or flaky) I tone down the greys with either a shampoo bar with henna in it from Lush or use a combination of a shampoo and conditioner for brunette coloured hair (there are several brands to choose from). They say they don’t colour the hair, but if you use them every time your wash your hair it builds up and does make the grey less noticeable.
It is easy to assume that if you are on chemotherapy and your hair is thinning,that the chemotherapy is directly responsible, but sometimes it is not. Sometimes it is an indirect result of general poor health. perhaps caused by say, lack of appetite. This can be indicated by borderline/ poor blood results.Make sure you see your blood results and make the oncology team talk to you regarding anything outside the normal range.For example, an Hb level of 10 will usually be good enough for chemotherapy to be continued, but it is still slightly anaemic.
Xeloda is generally fairly kind to the hair, particularly if given orally (typically two weeks on, then one week off to recover). The Royal Marsden used to recommend three weeks on and one week off for oral Xeloda but dropped the dose in the light of United States research. Check your oncologist is aware of Xeloda doses (oral and IV) being reduced in the US and consider having yours reduced if not in accordance with new guidelines. If you are on a lower dose, which still keeps the cancer under control,it will last longer. Those of us who have had secondaries for some time, want to get as much time as possible out of each chemotherapy option.
Sorry if my reaction to warnings regarding hair colourants sounds flippant.
thanks for your message. I dont think you are being flippant at all. i realised that I am worried about something small. got bigger things to worry about.
I have found a vegetable based dye alled logona via the web. its pretty expensive about £10 a bottle plus delivery charge. ihavent used it yet, just got it in the post today. so will let you know how i get on.
i havent dyed my hair for about 18weeks now and to be honest it doesnt bother me as much. but i guess its a vanity thing as i want to look good, feel good - its something i can do for myself to make myself feel better about myself after all the rubbish going on with my health.
will let you know how i get on and also take on board your suggestions.
as for xeloda my doc reduced my dosage to 3000mg as i have sever hand foot syndrome. my hands particularly are so sore that the skin is dry and tearing, especially in between my fingers. i am finding it hard to do daily basis stuff e.g. writing, washing up etc. so doc suggested a 2wk break and reduction in dosage. hopefully my hands will be better - you should see them now as i hae plasters on the areas that are tearing. looks silly but hey who cares.