Hi, I haven’t posted on here for a while- just got comfort from reading other posts.
Now I need some help please …I’ve had masectomy, chemo and radiotherapy, finishing treatment 2 weeks ago. I’ve been taking tamoxifen since July. My hair has started to regrow so I look like I’ve got a weird hair cut rather than bald (I chose not cover up) BUT my problem is that my face seems to be covered with fine blond hair. I know women get hairier as they approach the menopause but at this rate I will be able to exhibit as the bearded lady. What to do? Any advice much appreciated as I don’t want to do anything that will encourage growth but am feeling a bit self concious. Strange when I have coped reasonably confidently with all the other changes my body has been through.
Best wishes
littlemrs
Hi Littlemrs
I am the same as you although I have found that they do seem to be disappearing. I had bought some facial hair remover but before I had used it (trying to build up courage) they seemed to start thinning. I do give my face a scrub with a flannel so whether that helped but it certainly does not look as bad now. Maybe it has just settled down, it will be interesting to see what others say
Karen
I too seem to be get hairier by the day, I am getting quite self-conscience about it, I hoping that it will calm down in time, and am reluctant to remove it in case in ends up in the never ending battle. I’m thinking of auditioning for the Birdseye ads soon. Maybe it’s just yet another side effect and like the others it will pass.
I too had fine and blond, facial hair growing as my hair grew back following chemo and having started tamoxifen. My hair is now 4/5 cms and the facial hair is disappearing of its own accord. Thank Goodness!!
Margaret
Hi
I have also experienced the same problem and had my whole face “threaded” its a natural method of removing hair - see if you can find a salon near to you that does it. Its painful but lasts quite a while
Jackie
My face is also very hairy but as well as fine blond hairs I also have designer stubble round my eyes. I think it might be to do with the steroids I was on whilst on TAC chemo. I was very sick for the first week after chemo so my oncologist gave me stronger steroids which I took an hour before chemo and then for 2 more days. I think I might pluck them as I am feeling a bit werewolf like but I don’t want them to come back twice as thick !!!
I too became a member of “the hair bear bunch” following chemo. Fine, downy hair but i was very conscious of it so I had it waxed at a beauty salon a couple of weeks ago and i’m hoping that the re-growth won’t be as bad.
Hi ladies,
I’m almost a year post-chemo, and the downy facial hair syndrome was something I and my chemo-buddies all experienced.
I am pleased to report that it will disappear naturally within a few weeks.
xxx
Thank you for letting me know I’m not the only one with the werewolf look. Why isn’t this side effect every mentioned by the Drs/BC nurses? If I had known I wouldn’t have let it worry me so much. I think I’m going to invest in a rough flannel to give my face a good scrub and I may seek advice from a salon if it doesn’t improve. Its as if the hair knows it has to start growing but forgets that it isn’t needed so abundantly every where. My head hair is growing quickly- I look like I’ve had it clippered to a number 2 although its a bit patchy at the front. I’ve invested in a new shampoo bar from Lush which is said to stimulate hair and scalp. I just need to avoid getting it on my face!
Little Mrs x
thank you for starting this thread as I was starting to worry about my marsupial apprearance. I didn’t realise how hairy I was before - obvioulsy that is anthoer benefit of chemo, it removes all the hair you didn’t like (negative is that all the hair you liked and needed is gone too).
I really do hope the facial hair goes like everyone elses - if not, oh no!
Funny, after all we have been through, we are now vain. I think it’s great, as it means we are thinking of living and not just surviving
from a hairy girl x
Hello,
I have had Chemo and Radiotherapynand Tamoxifen after surgery and now my hair on my head is growing back I too have downy hair on my face.It nice to know I am not the only one.
How long after the end of Radiotherapy did you go to Salon Liz]Rad
Hi Marjp,
I actually went to the salon one week into radiotherapy and I’ve got 11 more sessions to go. I was pleased with result; my face just looked red for a few hours afterwards. It’s starting to grow back a little now, but only very fine. It cost £10 which I thought was reasonable.
Liza X
Hi… I think i’ll just plait my hair while i wait for it to disappear!!
the only hair i retained during chemo was on my legs…typical!!!
jen x
I had this too after chemo when head hair started growing again, had a blond werewolf face too! I got vey low about it but then snapped out of it as people kept saying they couldn’t see it!
I am not sure if it fell out, or just doesn’t look as bad now I have head hair. Either way I don’t notice it anymore. I didn’t try and remove it. If you can bare to, leave it and see what happens. You know what they say about shaving, the hair grows back thicker!
I remember having this at the end of chemotherapy and radiotherapy .Just when everything else seemed to be easing off this facial hair took the wind from my sails .But as ‘justme’ said it will go very soon and you can concentrate on the hair on your head. I didnt remove it as I couldnt decide on the method but in the end ot took care of itself.
Funnily enough ,with me ,the first hair to really make it presence felt was my nostril hair. helpfully pointed out by my Grandaughter as I was driving along.I thought she was gazing at me so raptly because she was overawed by my driving prowess -but sadly no-she just wanted me to know I had a HUGE hair drooping out of my nose .
Gee Thanks Ella…
Unafitz, I cracked up at your driving story!
Yes, I’ve noticed some fine blonde fuzz (I’m not naturally blonde), but decided to ignore, 'cause there’s other things to think about at the mo.
But would LOVE the return of nasal hairs… went for a dusty walk in the woods on hols a couple of weeks ago and inhaled enough to crop-dust a couple of acres. Hmm.
Also, to whatever power which controls hair growth: can I have some more eyelashes, please? Am cycling to work every morning (which is fine) but streaming eyes caused by combination of Tax watery eye syndrome, cold wind blowing and being a little understaffed in the Department of Eyelashes occasionally causes friends and colleagues to think I’m having a bit of an emotional moment. When I’m not! And not in denial either - just want some eyelashes back!
PS: and maybe an eyebrow or two, please?
I am soo… relieved. This is the thread I have been waiting for. I thought I was doomed to become a fairground exhibit too. I even have hairy ears! So far I have tried waxing (ouch and scarlet skin), facial depilitory, (useless and too much to cover) and shaving ( velcro skin and a bit risky before going out). I finished chemo in June and my head hair is doing well apart from the fact that people keep wanting to pat me and I was told my fur was like s’one’s cat! My eye lashes are now smearing my glasses. I feel abit like the sorcerer’s apprentice, wishing it would stop please at least everywhere except my head. Like Jen my only hair that stuck through it all was on my knees. I agree with littlemrs about the side effects. I won’t even begin about nails. I suppose I ought to be grateful it’s over but it does knock your confidence.
Jenny
Yup, have furry face too. Very handy for Halloween parties. Planning to go as a witch…or perhaps a cat as ears also quite furry.
Ann
x
My daughter says my beard is only noticable to me but I can see them in the mirror as the sunlight catches them so others must be able to as well! I’ve tried the rough flannel and exfoliating cream but too embarrassed to discuss with beautician. Thank you for letting me know I’m not the only one. Now I’ll be staring at women’s facial hair as much as if I see a woman with hair loss-I try to guess if she is having treatment.I’m concentrating on celebrating having stubby eyelashes and being able to wear mascara again. Big earrings and make up to offset the very odd looking “hair cut” and I feel I can face the world. I thought I had lots of hair on holiday but looking at pics I can see why I got stared at on the beach!! I feel like I’m stepping back into the real world now that I’m beginning to less odd. Question is am I ready to part of the crowd again given that I am not the same person as I was 8 months ago before diagnosis.
Littlemrs
I’ve been to the beautician and had my face waxed! The beautician was lovely, very tactful. Looking in her mirror afterwards I could see a difference and it has boosted my confidence. Partner moaned about spending the money but it cost less than his smoking habit. Unfortunately I met a beautifully coiffed aquaintance as I emerged from beauty parlour looking a bit puffy and red faced. I didn’t recognise you with your new hair cut was her greeting. Doh! Hopefully this is the end of this obsession.