Hello. Looking for advice please. My hair has started falling out in handfuls over the last few days after second EC chemo. Have booked an appointment for hairdresser to shave it off this Saturday. Should I ask her to shave right down to bare skin so head is smooth or would that make scalp sore? I’m also worried about possible shaver nicks and infection - not good with low immunity. I assume if a tiny amount of hair covering is left it will fall out shortly afterwards anyway?
Secondly, do I just wash scalp with normal shower gel, baby shampoo or ….?
What should I use to moisturise scalp on a daily basis? I have Aveeno or is there something recommended for scalp care?
Thanks. x
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Hi @countrygirl1
Hope you’re doing ok!
I personally shaved as short as possible so the stubble was easy to wash out in the shower.
I’ve just been using an aveeno body wash on my scalp, with either coconut oil or aloe Vera gel after. I did get advice from the cancer hair care charity - they’ve been so helpful and recommended which products to use xx
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Thank you. I will look up the charity. x
Your hairdresser may be able to advise you. I’m going for pixie cut next Tuesday. I’ve already warned my hairdresser. She seems clued up enough to help me. My first pre chemo assessment next week, so I guess first session the week after. Bloods done last Friday. Echo cardio yesterday, when he could find my heart.
It’s getting closer x
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Thanks. My hairdresser rang me this afternoon and asked if I wanted anything special. Hmm! She meant music, lighting, someone with me etc. I said I just wanted to get it done. No special occasion thanks. May need lots of tissues! She said they don’t clip right to the skin but leave a little bit of hair. There won’t be any scalp damage. She advised baby shampoo but said I should speak to chemo team for advice on what products I can safely use. I think I’m getting there.
Lots of luck with your treatment going forward. It’s a steep learning curve and we just have to take one step at a time. Good to have others to talk to. Take care. x
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Hi
I didnt go smooth and always kept the fine covering i had left. Think I had no 2. I still used a scalp cream from Moo Goo, which is a suggested natural product. Readily available on Amazon. I had Ec and Docitaxal.
Most hairdressers use guards on their razors, so you shouldn’t get nicks.
Kept my eye lashes and brows throughout treatment but lost them when it finished, but they grew back quite quickly.
Wore hats most of the time i went out, so I was grateful it was winter
Please also take a look at Cancer hair care uk
They also havd useful videos
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Thanks for replies. That’s interesting. Maybe I’ll go for No 2 then. I’m having same chemo combi as you. x
I had mine cut short it started falling, we washed and rubbed my head .
Was totally bald .
My hair came back really think .
It is a real shock to see your bald head .
Good luck on your journey.
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Hi just thought I would reply as like you my hair started to come out in handfuls after my second ec. I choose to shave it off as could bear the constant hair fall . My hubbie shaved it off for with using a no2 guard on the clippers so there was still about half a cm of hair . The rest once shaved did eventually come out as my chemo continued weird to see a bald head and also rather chilly at times but quite like my bald head now I’m used to it !! A hard decision to make to shave it off mine was past my shoulders, however I felt it allowed me to take control and felt better for doing it tbh. I just wash it with o non fragranced shower gel when I’m in the shower and have used nothing else on it and scalp has been ok. Good luck xx ps I did give in and get a wig however hardly ever wear it and just bought some nice comfy hats
Thanks for replying. Good to know your hair came back thick. x
Hi. Thanks. That’s very useful. Think I’ll go with a No 2. I have ordered some headwear from Anna Bandana - quite a selection once I got going as the prices are so reasonable! I also have a wig bought from Simply Wigs which my hairdresser is going to cut, but doesn’t have time to do that this week. Will see which I wear. At least, glad it’s winter so I can just pull on a woolly beanie and a scarf for walking the dog. x
I had my hair shaved completely if being done professionally there should be little problem. Afterwards just treat your scalp as an extention of your face with the same cleansers and moisturisers. Once a week massage scalp with Ginger oil to help with later regrowth. Continue with oil until regrowth is uncomfortable on your hands. Use Ginger shampoo and conditioner. I used a baby hairbrush but have recently been given a special tangle teaser made by Manta which is silicon not plastic and its really good and gentle on the hair.
Thank you. Hadn’t heard of the ginger oil before. Lots of good tips coming through. x
Hi Countrygirl, my hair started to come off in my hands on day 18 of my first EC cycle. I didn’t want to have to deal with vacuuming hair all around the house so Iplucked my hair out. My husband was shocked because when he left in the morning to go rowing I had a pixie cut and when he came back there were only a few strands of hair sticking out. But he he kindly help me shave off what was left with an electric shaver (safer from the point of view of nicking our scalps). After that I wore chemo hats made of soft fabrics such as tencel or bamboo. I never bothered with a wig because, at the time, I did not realise how long it would take for the hair to grow back. It’s now 9 months since my last chemo cycle and I have grey-brown curly hair about 5 cm in length
Hi. Thanks for your reply. I did have my head shaved to a No. 2 yesterday. It was quite sore even before the shave and last night I had a job sleeping as the bits that were left were quite prickly and sticking into my scalp. Painful. Washed it this morning and moisturised as advised and lots of short hair came away on my hands. Still seem to have quite a lot of hair left so think it will take a few days for it all to come off. Will be glad when it does. Think scalp is too sore to shave any shorter at the moment. x
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Hi, I did a Look Good Feel Better workshop giving advice on hair and scalp care. They recommend using a foaming face wash on the scalp, followed by an Aloe Vera and Tea Tree gel. Also Re-gen oil to moisturise.
I lost my hair during chemo and shaved it to no 2 , then within a week went 0.5 as it felt less prickly. I use the products above and it feels much better. Also use a sleep cap and have silk pillow case which helps x
Hi. Thank you. I will try that. I think like you that I may have it cut shorter in a few days time (if it hasn’t all fallen out by then). Will try to book onto a workshop too. x
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