I just use Nivea lotion on my head and face, I find the cream a bit too thick. I have also got hold of some Aloe Vera 99% from Holland and Barrett, and that was also rather nice, but not on a cold day as it is quite cooling.
I shave my head in the shower every few days, as it’s still growing, sort of, on the top, but the sides stay pretty smooth. I don’t think OH agrees with my approach, but what the heck, it’s MY head! You can see how shiny it is in my avatar. Taken on a sunny day, other people had to wear sunnies to stop being blinded! I also went out in the sun without suncream or a hat, just a few minutes at a time, so I didn’t have a shiny WHITE head. I now have freckles on my scalp, ooer! but it’s better than looking like I’ve been scalped rather than just shaved.
I have also discovered makeup, and usually carry a lippy round with me, and occasionally even remember to put it on! Fortunately my dark and rather thick eyebrows have thinned (not a bad thing) but haven’t fallen out completely, and I still have a reasonable crop of eyelashes. Under my arms are clear, and my legs were never very hairy in the first place. But I looked at my feet this morning, as you do, and there on my toes are hairs! How VERY odd, and rather unfair I feel. I am now officially a bald hobbit! 8-o
CM you have inspired me to put a bald pic on here. It’s a bit scary cos I have black stubble and pale head but what the heck! Kids at school are desperate to see it but I’m gonna wait a bit. They are all 5,6 and 7 and used to me making an idiot of myself! My girls are fine with it-they prefer me bald than with patches and they keep telling me I look gorgeous (which is clearly untrue but it’s sweet.)
Harp, you ARE gorgeous, and you have a beautiful-shaped head, and you’re inspirational, and you’re so BRAVE (said accompanied by a concerned look on face and a pat on the hand). I also have the dark stubble, but it looks less like my skull shining through now the sun has given it a little bit of colour.
I haven’t been brave enough to go out without a hat yet so I’m not as brave as you! Isn’t it amazing what you can do though when you’re faced with it? If someone had told me I could shave my head a year ago I would not have believed them.
Hats off to us all I say!!
Harp.
I work with older students (Yr8 Student Manager) and I went bald almost from the beginning. I talked to them about the treatment, discussed the hats (no wig for me) and then asked them if they would mind me removing my hat. Thankfully they were all amazing and I never once felt awkward about it. They often came closer to ‘inspect’ for re-growth!
I remember one particular lesson I was covering and it wasn’t my year group, they were Yr 9 or 10’s so I didn’t really know them and they hadn’t had the “Mrs M is having Chemo and is bald” assembley like the Yr8’s so I felt it wouldn’t be fair to maybe make it awkward for them by whipping the hat off, but it was flippin’ hot and I felt I was melting. Two lads sat near the front suddenly said, “Miss, take your hat off before you boil over. We know you’ve got no hair and not bothered. If anyone is, THEY can leave the room!”
The normality I got at work truly helped me through a tough time.
Go bald if you feel comfortable with it. I think you’ll find the kids cope a lot better than you think.
Karen
They all know I’m having medicine that will make my hair fall out and they have seen pics of me in my hats and scarves. When they write to me they always ask whether my hair has gone yet and they are always so honest I don’t think they will care. In fact I bet they’ll ask to see! Will let you know
My short remaining tufts were getting itchy again so I have reduced my grade 2-3 to a grade 1. I have so little hair left that I am now effectively b.a.l.d.
Do you know, it is actually quite liberating. I have just been out in the car while commando and taken a few bags to the charity shop and been out *In Public* on the shopping parade while quite bald. For the first time. Crikey.
Heh heh I don’t shave mine, though, that’s a grade 1 - it’s just that there was virtually nothing to clip
Too hairy to be shiny. You can see all the hair. Or maybe not.
Thanks. Funny thing is, I always thought that I had a short neck (compared to Natalie Portman etc). It doesn’t look so short now that all my long hair isn’t obscuring it.
Been out commando again today! Went to the VW garage - no funny looks or stares whatsoever.
Then Tesco - full of chavs. However, although I did notice a few folk looking sideroads at me (it’s irresistible, I know I would), no-one stared, no Small Child Syndrome. Easy.
why is it i knew the day would come yet im sat here crying my eyes out looking at the hair thats falling out thinking will it just go thin or do i cut the lot off and be done with it wot a bummer knew it would be hard but didnt think i would be like this
Honeybee, have a <hug>. We have all been through this stage and it’s bloody hard.<br>
I’m now quite bald - it’s been quite a journey, having long hair cut off to my shoulders, hacking at this with scissors, clippers to stop the itching and pulling, more clippers to stop more itching.</hug>
I now know it really can only get better. I’ve had the tears and I have mourned my hair. I can now move forward.
Good luck for your own journey. It DOES get better, I promise.
