Post chemo hair advice?

Life after a breast cancer diagnosis Recovering from treatment
1

Hi there,

I finished chemo about three weeks ago. Was hoping to colour my hair in about a month.

Has any one coloured their hair before 3 months post chemo using organic products like DanielField colours? And if so did it affect your shedding afterwards?

Wondering also when does shedding stop? I am still shedding lightly but consistently every day. Any advice would be great.

Thanks

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2

Hi, I finished chemo 9 weeks and now losing more hair now than I did in treatment. I’d be interested to hear other people’s experience of this too, to understand if it is normal. Slightly concerned about.
Hope your hair loss slows done!

3

Same here - almost 6 weeks post chemo and hair shedding like mad! I used the Daniel Field products throughout and really think they helped keep my hair but I am getting worried about how much I’m losing now.

I think you can use DF hair colour during chemo so it must be safe to use now. You can always contact them for advice, they’ve always been so helpful to me, Emma

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@aussiedan and @ivy-cat thanks for responding. That’s concerning as while I have a lot of growth I won’t have any length if it keeps going? Is that what is happening to you both?

I don’t think I will risk the colour as would really kick myself if it speeded up as a result. Mine has definitely slowed but still about 20 hairs every morning and hope it slows up as this wasn’t same as pre chemo. I haven’t heard of anyone who has risked colour during it even if it’s Daniel Field products.

What chemo were you on? And are you on other medication as maybe it is that? The T part of AC-T was way harsher than AC which is unusual.

Fingers crossed it slows soon!

5

Forgot to say. Did it speed up and if so what week?

6

My hair loss sped up at about week 6 post chemo. Really unexpected for as I had read all the posts saying it starting growing back after a few weeks after chemo ended. I’m wondering if I should have just shaved it all off rather than watching it fall out now.

7

I had hilites at 12m post chemo…hairdresser advised to wait . . My hair didnt start to grow properly til 10 weeks after last chemo…was just fluff til then …then it grew quite quick but more of a millet…had a nice pixie cut at 9 months so didnt look like a chemo cut …but left the colour til the cut after at 12 months… lost my chemo curls at 2 years post chemo

8

I was on 3 x AC and then 3 x docetaxel - the docetaxel was definitely worse for my hair! I would say my shedding is easing off a little but I can’t cope with another 7 weeks or so or I’ll have none left!

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@aussiedan that’s so frustrating after all that time is really unfair. Hang on in there!

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@ivy-cat know what you mean! It’s really hard when we think we have got to the end with hair and then it keeps going. I am drinking lots of water and trying to exercise more to sweat it out if my system but if there are any other tips please do share.

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@cat15 many thanks I think I will wait more as colouring when shedding is too risky.

12

Hi , I’m
A hairdresser that has been through chemo myself and honestly please wait 6 months after your treatment, the poison is still in your system and I would not advise it at all , the day you colour your hair you will feel just absolutely fantastic so please just hang in there and give your wee body time to recover , even through radiotherapy I’ve heard of ladies that has lost hair and the immune therapy drugs too has side effects ,I know we just want a little bit of ourselves bk again …, our hairs are our crown and glory but trust me it’s worth the wait . Wishing you all the very best Debs xx

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Thanks @debs101 I tend to agree. Even though the products are all non toxic I am worried about the fallout! Excuse the pun!
I also don’t know anyone that has used these products so soon so have no one to go on. I am not sure I will make it the full six months but perhaps waiting another few would be best.
Thanks for responding and I am hoping shedding stops soon. Incidentally do you rem when you stopped shedding?

14

Good Evening.
I coloured my hair after 4 months. I had chemotherapy and then radiotherapy and waited four months from my last treatment. I used an ammonia free hair hair dye from Superdrug. My hair became quite thin with chemotherapy even with a cold cap, but I wore a silk cap in bed to stop my head rubbing on my pillow when sleeping. I now have thick curly hair, back with a vengeance, last time curly was as a baby. It felt great to have my hair dark instead of grey and in good condition from hair colour and conditioner.
Maybe wait the 6 months for hair colour as I had radiotherapy first. Least winter a good time to keep your head warm with a hat.

15

Thanks @katebush

I will be post chemo three months by the time I colour it with water colours. Hoping all goes well. Eek! nerve wracking

16

Well done on getting through chemo. You can start to build your confidence and enjoy life and its variety, bit by bit.

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Thanks :pray: it’s nice to be out the other side of it and this forum certainly made everything easier. Best to you also x