Hi all,
I feel like the only one who’s hair is still not back one year after treatment ended…I finished my chemo in August 2010 and although I have some hair it is so sparse from a distance I still look bald. After all this time I can’t see that I will ever be able to go wigless again…the BCN and oncologist have been no help, all they say is oh it will come back but after a year??? I don’t think so!! I see people who have been diagnosed a monthes after me and they all have a head of hair!!
So although I am obviously in the minority and I don’t want to scare or upset anyone…but it is not always true that “it’ll grow back again”
Any help or suggestions or anyone else out there the same???
Tigs
I am really bumping this up in case anyone with your problem comes on board.
You are right, one year on you should have some hair and the lack of it must be driving you mad. Have you thought of seeing a tricologist? maybe your GP could refer you. It may be that a hair specialist could help.
My hair has come back but it is grey and straight and I hate it. People keep saying how nice my gamine cut is and yea, it would look good on someone with the right shape of face. I am seriously thinking of going back to wearing wigs just so that I can look at myself and not say yuk.
I agree that this must be quite distressing for you. After all we have been through the hair growth is quite a big thing. I am 6 months after finishing all chemo though still on Herceptin. I just wondered if you are on Herceptin as I know that this can have an impact on hair growth. My hair, to be fair, is growing, though not quite as I expected. it is more out the way than length wise. I would certainly ask if you could be seen by someone for further advice around your hair as the previous person suggested. Good luck, I do hope the growth picks up for you very soon. Take care. J.
Hello Tigs: you are not alone - though I’m sorry my comments will not be very encouraging to you.
My hair has still not returned to anything like it was before chemotherapy and I am now 3 years post-chemotherapy. I only stopped wearing a wig in June (I’ve had 4 or 5 altogether). I had become reconciled to having to wear it permanently but then noticed some slight improvement in my hair this Spring and decided to be brave.
After such a long period I was agreeably surprised to see some change - maybe my hair WILL come back as remember by the time I die!
I have it cut very 10 weeks or so to keep some shape and the back and sides are now not too bad. The front and crown remain very sparse -but 'everyone ’ says it looks OK now- even though I don’t think so.
Like you I didn’t get much help from my onc or BC nurse - the onc said it was a combination of my age(now 68) plus Arimidex plus bad luck. I guess they don’t bother to warn patients of this as a possible side effect of chemo as it is quite unusual- but horrible!
I really do sympathise with you- and would recommend you use a good quality shampoo and conditioner but DON"T waste your money on any of the so-called baldness ‘cures’ . I’ve tried several; they aren’t cheap - and certainly didn’t work for me.
Hey tigerlilly - really sorry to hear about your hair cos its a part of our identity isn’t it - but I did get used to wearing hats when I was having chemo - got some lovely ones from suburban turban if you fancy googling them. I wonder if that hairdresser guy would have any advice , the specialist one who does lots for women post chemo - Think his name is trevor sorbie. And the tricologist seems like a good idea.
best wishes Nicola
I’m only 6 weeks post chemo, but there’s no sign of anything and you have articulated/experienced my fear… So sorry… I get fed up with not just wearing a wig, but the lack of temperature-control… you must be heartily sick of it. Going to see someone else is a good idea (not heard the word “tricologist” before, so you live and learn!) Jane
Hi sorry foks but my hair has grown 3/4" and I finished chemo 3 months ago.
When I was a kid my mum read in a magazine about a tea that helps your hair grow but you don’t drink it, you use it as a last wrinse! It’s Rosemary and Thyme boilng water in a teapot Brew it then cool of course and use. It seems to help.
Happy hair growing all ! xxx
Well I thought I was the only one, I finished Chemo in August last year and do not have hair that could be worn without a wig, I am still shaving it to a number one because the “gollum” look is just not good.
My oncologist just said she has never come across anyone who did not get their hair back!!. I am starting to get eyelashes and had eyebrows tatooed so overall not to bad, I have noticed a couple of eyebrow hairs starting to come through.
Also when I run my hand over my hair I can feel spikes of new hair growth so I think it will come back eventually.
I tell myself that that chemo was really good stuff and if it has done this to my hair then cancer is blasted forever.
hi,tigerlilly,
this thread has articulated my fear and dread, no doubt for many other women too.
i’m 3 weeks past last tax and am eagerly anticipating regrowth.
i simply do not know what i will do if it fails to appear after a year,
so very sorry to hear about that.
a hair dresser friend once told me KLB6 , the diet aid , which contains kelp extract has a positive side effect of hair growth as reported by models who use it to stay slim.(beats eating tissue paper i guess)
may be worth a try if all else has failed??? you are in my thoughts.
izzy
Hi Tigerlilly,
I am in the same boat, finished chemo 12 months ago.
Whilst on tamoxifen it started to come back, but very slowly and thin.
I was then put on zoladex injections in addition, and it seems to have stopped growing - or at least even slower.
I tried not wearing my wig after a really hot day, but felt that I looked like a fat man wearing make-up… so got myself a really short wig.
With winter coming I have decided to give it another 6 months before panicking.
Marguerite
i finished chemo last oct and am on herceptin. my hair is thick around the sides but v thin on top. look like i have a comb over. colouring it made it slightly better, but the fine hairs took the colour differently and i look v ginge on top and brown at the sides, not a good look. a bit too Ron Weasley. i thought i would be ok by now but am not. i teach sen kids and have to tell them not to spend too long each session staring at my bald spots.
am currently trying alpecin only on my bald patches, worth a try i thought. i have already tried lush, aveda abundance shampoo and conditioner. Have ordered some emu oil as recommended by penny brohn. who knows, but am prepared to try as my hair keeps me feeling like a chemo patient.
sorry to hear about your problems tigerlily. i really hope you find something that helps.
hi all,
4 weeks past last tax, doing herceptin 3 week cycles.
watery eyes seem to be improving but i have had a weeks worth of diurectics to shift fluid.
also, dare i whisper, a grey fuzz might just be appearing on my poor bald head… !!!
i DO NOT CARE WHAT COLOUR/TEXTURE IT IS AS LONG AS ITS HAIR.
ps. am using emu oil am and pm and blue ease cream and KLB6 and multivitamins /minerals.
I agree with ouu about colour/texture - as long as it’s HAIR! I’m 8.5 weeks post chemo and JUST beginning to feel (rather than see) a fuzz this week… Big relief! as long as SOMETHING’s happening, it’s better than nothing! Jane
sparkleybelle says on 23 Sep 2011 15:00
hi,
oh my lord yes,
its such a relief to see something positive for a change.
i will never moan about a ‘bad hair day’ ever ever ever ever …
Hi everyone - Just been reading everyones experiences re hair regrowth post chemo. I am 3 weeks post chemo and my hair is coming back very fine - its about 0.5 - 1 cm in length, but is too fine to determine what colour its going to be yet!! i am 36 and I used to have v long blonde hair and am v nervous about going short and peoples reaction to it. A little worried that the Tamoxifen will halt or slow the re growth, but not a lot to be gloomy about considering some of the posts made by others. I was wondering if anyone like me, is able to pull out the ‘new hair’ coming through? i have noticed that i am able to do this with worrying ease!!!
my hair started to come back after fec 5. Sort of wispy wizard’s hair, all crinkly and very thin. Then the real stuff started to appear and the wizard’s hair started to drop out. At one stage I looked like a baby orangutan. It’s a bit male pattern baldness style but the receding bits are starting to fill in. Can’t wait to have a cut and colour. One day I shall be blonde again.
Hiya
I am three and a half months post chemo, the hair is growing back thicker and better pre chemo…yes I hate it being short however its coming back thick and fast. The tamoxifen definately has not halted its growth. I did however shave off all the fuzz one month post chemo, so the better healthy hair comes through.
Rach
xx
hiya,
regrowth is evident now, but still look like sygouney weaver off alien,
or maybe just the alien?? my head feels like velvet, it is a mixed bag of colours though!
still wearing a wig but am hoping by xmas i should be ok to go without,
i STRONGLY recommend the emu oil though, massage 2-3 times a day is a good thing according to my nurse who used to be a hair transplant nurse
so she should know.
Hi I’m about 12 wks post chemo and my hair has grown back well. I actually really like the look and am going to keep it very short as it looks quiite chic. Must say though I’m silver / grey and I’m not going to dye it anymore.
I have been juicing loads of veg and fruit now for the last few months and my hair, nails and skin are all better than before so something at least to smile about!
Ive done 3 FEC and 1 of 3 TAX. I had quite a bit of fluff coming through but like you, I can easily pull it out. Was wondering whether to keep shaving it off until I’m finished chemo else I’m being lulled into a false sense of regrowth that is going to stay!
