No Eyelashes/Brows Still!

[Violette45]

I noticed my eyelashes seemed to be thinning so I wanted to use a growth serum but didn't want to pay a fortune From google research I came across Lash Growth Serum of Dermal md and I've only been using it for a couple days but it does seem to be making a difference. I'm excited to see what the results will be after a couple weeks.

[JudyG40]

I had breast cancer in 2014. I still have no eyebrows, lashes, and my hair is extremely thin. I’ve been told that at this point, most likely I will not have regroth. I’m on a 10 year program of Letrazole, and have 3 years left. 

[M8tne]

Hi

I finished my chemo in September 2020 and I still have no eye lashes and brows my hair has grown but it’s very thin nothing like pre treatment 

I’m also interested in how long others have taken to grow back 

[HelenFoster]

After a second bout of cancer my lashes never really grew back. They were very stubby and sparse. It looked as if I did not have any, which made me feel self-conscious. After about six weeks I noticed a difference and the photo is after three months of using eyelash booster dermalmd serum. Despite looking awful in these pics, I had to show them so you could see how they grew!! (I have mascara on in both pics.) I only use Premium Eyelash Growth Serum (Gold) every other day now 🙂

[EmilyHarve]

I've only been using Dermalmd Eyelash Growth Serum for a couple of weeks and I can already notice the difference. Eyelashes are getting thicker and longer and it's much much cheaper than other products. Defo recommend

[MrsHutt]

Hi!
I finished chemo mid May. Hair started returning sort of beginning of July.  Eyebrows soon after.  I was worried about my eyelashes as they didn't start to reappear until maybe the end of July and then they were straight and pointing downwards!!  I had a lash lift middle of August and they looked brilliant!!  Unfortunately leg, underarm and facial hair all came back about the same time 😉  Handy hint: Rimmel Wonder Extension mascara is amazing! Best I've ever used!

[EmilyHarvey]

I have been using more expensive eyebrow grow for 8 months now. I must say Dermalmd Eyelash Growth Serum one has been the fastest-growing one yet. And conditions brilliantly .highley recommend.

[Abigale Hilpert]

After chemo I have had same issues with my eyelashes they falling out for years. My doctor suggested me to try eyelash growth dermalmd serum and it helps them grow, and I saw result in less than a week.

[Larson]

Hi everyone. I had no eyelashes but thought I would try a serum. It’s called UK LASH. It’s about 40. However it’s worth the money. I’ve been using for about a month and my eyelashes have tripled in size. 
the stuff is amazing and I feel like a woman again. 

[WOODS]

Your link is no longer any good. Got anything else?:)

[WOODS]

Sorry Satinorchid, but no you are not the only one. In fact I'm 16 years post chemo and still very sparse eyebrows, barely any eyelashes, no underarm or leg hair (which I don't mind) but I haven't been able to even wear makeup of any kind since chemo.

New cancer in the mouth and radiation 11 years later but not related. Wasn't told I would have to deal with a "fixed tongue" until after radiation already took my ability to open my mouth without extreme pain and reduced my taste buds to nothing. Now cannot find anyone to help me with the "fixed tongue" because surgeons (at least oral ones) don't seem to want to accept the liability or the surgery. And even my ENT who performed my surgery for the mouth cancer seemed to back down after he told me he would clear me for surgery to release the tongue. NOW WHAT? I'm only 66 and will never have bottom teeth for the rest of my life. Wish my doctors had expressed their fears about my outcome before they recommended their treatments to me. I would love to have ALL THE FACTS before making a decision on treatment.

[ShelleyPepper]

Dear Satinorchid,

I have been through hair loss twice in my treatment since 2015. My eyebrows never grew back. A local salon paid for me to get them microbladed. 

My eyelashes have never grown back. Eyelashes keep dirt out of our eyes, not to mention wearing makeup is complicated to apply, and it seems the entire world has long lashes or they buy and maintain expensive extensions. 

Bugs the crap out of me every day! 

[satinorchid]

Hello ! I hope everyone is staying safe and well I am astounded I am not the only one with this problem I am 13 years post FEC/TAX and have no eyebrows and very tiny sparse eyelashes that leave me prone to chronic blepharitis and eye infections which I am just getting over another one now in right eye . On antibiotics and an eye drop too. My birthday yesterday was in a bit of disappointment as I could not wear any eye makeup. I do wash face with hypoallergic soap and regularly change mascara and eye makeup every 3 months. Wishing something can help me feel like a normal person again can I please get the link again for this eyebrow/lash serum? Ty kindly and any other feedback on what had worked would be helpful too thank you 

satin

[Larson]

Hi

I'm 5 months post FEC/TAX and my eyelashes and eyebrows are not fully back yet. 

Hair is growing steadily though. 

Leg hair definitely 

Hope that helps 🙂

[inaya26]

Hi, 

you can use a eyelashes serum. It works for eyelashes ! You can also try it for your eyebrows. You can find it on this site:

www.natural-serum.com 

[Mad.vs.Alien]

Oh my eyebrows grew along with my hair too, but also fading on the 5th month after chemo. My confidence is just going back down as I'm scared the same thing happens to my hair.... I still have to have radiotheraphy, I hope that doesn't make things worst 🙄

[emmaanthony]

I seriously applied Dermalmd Eyelash product every morning and night as instructed and although my eyelashes got fuller, they didn't get much longer. No complaints though.

[Aine]

Hi Warriors!

I finished chemo Jan 17 (never thought I would say that!)

Hair starting to regrow.

Eyelashes reappeared faintly last week hooray.  I hated not having eyelashes for 5 months.

Always had very fine eyebrows anyway.

I went to a beautician and got semi permanent eyebrows in January.  Cost £100.

Its a form of tattooing.  Lasts 6 to 12 months.

It was shockingly dark for the first 2 weeks (I am blonde).

But now I love them. 

I recommend them to anyone who like me knows they wont ever have thick eyebrows again.

I think it takes years off me.  I am defo going to get this done again.

Be good to yourselves ladies.

Aine x

[emma_graham1987]

Hi All,

I finished Chemo in Nov 2016.

I lost all my hair (including eyelashes and eyebrows). Started to see some regrowth in Jan and used something called RevitaLash on my stubby lashes. They grew back really quickly (in 2 weeks) and are as long as there were before chemo now.

My eyebrows also grew back as they were before, but weirdly, I have just started loosing by brows again (5 months after I finished chemo).

I'm going to speak to my breastcare nurse to see if this is normal, but would be good to hear if anyone else has also experienced this too?

Thanks,

Emma

[Mazie]

I'm sorry about you hair loss and what you have gone through with the drugs you were given ,however I'm not sure where your information has come from re the cost of the chemo...Taxol and docetaxol are both off patent drugs and effectively the same drug ..one is a generic version of the other.I had 6 chemo cycles last June FEC-T and lost all hair which has now returned although my eye lashes are very sparse.

Even if I knew I was never going to have hair again ,I would still have had the treatment .I am still here and think the treatment I had from our wonderful NHS was fantastic.

[Humphrey]

Hi There,

I had a tumour removed and mammoplasty on my left side and I was left with what I could only describe as a feeling of hundreds of bee stings all at the same time. This lasted for around two months I think and I have had nothing like it since. Just the odd twinge. Hope yours improves soon. X 

[Dee3927]

Hi Janet, I'm on letrozole and my hair has grown back. Like you my eyebrows are scarce. Although they have now decided to grow in different directions. I'm brushing them and massaging them trying to improve the blood in that area. In the meantime I've also been using Wonderbrow, its quite expensive (around £20) but is the best I've tried. Hope they grow back as you want them soon. All the best.

[Sue C]

Hi Janet

I'm on letrozole and haven't had a problem with hair growth, however I have heard it can thin your hair. My chemo was different to yours so maybe that's got something to do with it. I finished chemo in October of last year and although my hair has been growing well, I'm still choosing to wear a scarf as the hair on the top of my head is still really short. If I were abit younger, I would be brave and show off my new pixie hair style, but feel it doesn't quite suit me. My eyebrows are still looking very thin.

Sue x

[Janetmac]

I started Chemo Jan 12/16.  I had 8 rounds of chem...the last 4 were docetaxel. About 2 weeks after my first chemo I started losing my hair...from all my body.  I finished chemo the end of June and here it is Feb 2017 and I have about 3 cm of hair on my haed and still no eyebrows and a few eye lashes.  I find this so frustrating...I thought by now I would have my eyebrows back.  I am on Letrozole...wondering if that slows down hair growth.

[Camryn]

I'm not sure but to get thicker eyelashed and eyebrows, let's try coconut oil. I think everyone all know about amazing properties of coconut oil often used in beauty tips as well as herbal treatments. 

Place a little amount of warm coconut oil on the fingertips

Rub it on the eyebrows and then massage it nicely for some times to foster the blood circulation

Keep it on overnight

Wash it off with warm water next morning when waking up

You need to use a cotton swab moistened by 1 or 2 drops of coconut oil to apply for eyelashes.

Castor oil or almond oil also works. 

https://authorityremedies.com/how-to-grow-thicker-eyebrows/

This is an old thread but I still want to share something here for someone who needs now.

[waveylocks]

Hi CJ001,

My Oncologist says it's a rare side effect of Docetaxel -nothing can be done! There is a lawsuit going off in America by women against the manufacturer of Dcoetaxel as neither they not the Oncologists had been told. Here in the UK the medical fraternity were told ten years ago -they just don't tell the patients in the hospital where I am...I don't know if this is the case elsewhere. Breastcancercare has now altered its literature about Dicetaxel so it does now state it can happen.

Much as I appreciate the life saving treatment I feel really angry when told about other risks I wasn't told of this one or that there is an alternative that could've avoided this issue with the same efficacy of treatment. The trouble is the alternative costs more....lol. Would've been nice to have had at least a discussion  rather then the right to know being ripped away from me! 

The se's are horrible of this treatment but they do mostly go away in the end. Though this has happened to me you would be very unlucky if it was to happen to you so I don't want to cause anxiety out there to others going through this -you all have enough to deal with! Xx

[CJ001]

Dear Waveylocks

I was staggered to read your reply and I am so, so sorry to hear that your hair loss may be permanent.   As you were not advised of the rare side effects I can fully understand your anger.  It is bad enough having to go through the side effects but to learn that they may be permanenent must be devastating.  Have you been told why this has happened and why it is permanent?

so it sounds as if the prickly feeling I have and numbness could hang around for some time.

Like you, I have had FEC-T, the T being Docetaxel.  

I can't imagine a life without hair and eyelashes and hope that mine grows back so I guess it is a waiting game.

Again, I am really sorry to hear that your hair loss is permanent but let's hope that the dermatologist will be able to offer some constructive help and advice.  Let me know how you get on.

regards

CJ

[waveylocks]

Hi CJ,

You are very early stages post chemo. What chemo did you have?

I had FEC-T.  I lost all my hair, eyelashes, and brows, had lost sensation in fingers and feet, watery eyes (due to loss of eyelashes), rubbish nails, peeling feet. 15 months later the numb feet and fingers has resolved, nails /skin on feet are sorted, have hair on my body and short sparse eyelashes  (not long enough for mascara) my hair is sparse on top and sides at front showing scalp, no eyebrows. Been told it's permenant now by Oncolgist due to Docetaxel. I feel gutted as have to wear a wig. Waiting to see a dermatologist. Oncolgist says we don't tell patients about rare side effects. Am feeling really angry as there is an alternative drug called taxol which is as effective and does not cause permenant hair loss.  I was not told of the risk of permenant hair loss. Taxol is more expensive. Occurance  rates are low -6% but a more recent hospital survey in the UK reported 15% of women reporting hair loss. 

So am sorry t o give you this news -but please bear in mind this is only linked to one particular chemo drug not all!!  I just wish I had been told before agreeing to it as would've have asked for a different drug if I'd known. Xx 

[CJ001]

Hello everyone.  Hope you don't mind me joining in.  I had a double mastectomy in January with reconstructive surgery using my back muscles and implants.  I won't bore you with all of the details but due to wound infections I needed further surgery and at this time the implants were changed.  I am due an operation this week to have these removed as they contain metal and I won't be able to start my radiotherapy with these in place.

the good news is that I finished my chemo two weeks ago and have many of the effects already mentioned; loss of hair, including lashes and eyebrows; watery eyes; peeling of skin on hands and feet; skin redness and soreness and allergic reactions to some surgical dressings; numbness in my finger tips; loss of nails; muscle fatigue.

the most difficult effect that I have had trouble with is, I think, my nerve endings and muscles, particularly the area of my surgery.  The whole area prickles and the muscles feel really tight, especially the muscle that has been moved.  It feels really uncomfortable and it makes no difference if I am sitting or standing and it is no better when I go to bed.  Nothing seems to help.

Has anyone experienced a similar problem and does it go away?

I would love to hear your comments.

[waveylocks]

Ooh I didn't know about that stuff -just wondering if it's worth getting it put on the tips for surviving chemo thread? 

Am am afriad my eyebrows have not grown back -am a year since chemo now and no sign so think that's probably it. My eyelashes have grown back but my hair is thin on top still and very very fine. The other day one of my colleagues at work said to me -haven't you got a wig to wear? Charming!! Most people have been nice though but am very self conscious. I used to have thick shoulder length hair....lol.

So so sorry can't offer any tips to make them grow back -I use eyebrow powder.... Xxx 

[somerset]

Hi Whiskers

Chemo nurse suggested Talika Lipocils eyelash conditioning gel for eyelashes (but suggested using on eyebrows too) - this was at the start of chemo and she said they had had good feedback from people who tried it.  I bought it via Amazon, used it throughout and it seemed to work for me.  Never lost eyelashes or eyebrows completely (brows thinned a bit but recovered fast).  If there are hairs/lashes there to condition it might help to boost them.  Good luck. 

[Whiskers]

My hair has grew back grey and curly will this be the way it stays thgh am happy that it grew back 😆😆

[Whiskers]

Hi am on herceptin my eye lashes hve grew a bit but not very noticeable just seen an old photo and wat a difference i lok with long lashes. Will they grow bk to there original length r is there any thing that helps them grow. Any tips wud be gr8 😆😆

[kimdakota1000]

Hi Eliza Rose

I just read your post and am responding to the part about your eyes watering all the time.  I had this too and it was caused by taxotere.  My oncology doctor referred me to an opthamalogist who specialized in helping chemo patients fix the problem of constantly tearing up of the eyes.  He did a simple outpatient surgery (took 10 minutes) called a "3 snip" on the tear duct glands and my eyes are great now.  No more tearing!  Great improvement and it was paid for by insurance too.  However, I'm experiencing the eyelash and eyebrow loss problem and don't have any answers on that one yet (reason I logged onto this site).  Wish you well!  Kim

[elizarose]

Hi Smallstar.....I had treatment back in late 2007 and had herceptin also along with the usual chemo and radiation....I still have no eyebrows or lashes and my hair grew back so thin and patchy. Before chemo I had the thickest beautiful hair, along with the longest thick lashes. But alas, they have not returned, even now. I pencil eyebrows on, but the eyes are becoming an issue....If I try and put mascara on them I itch. The eyelash edge of the eyes are very itchy and sore, and my eyes just water like I am crying without warning....its so embarrassing when one is out in public. I'd be interested in hearing more from you about this eyelash growth stuff you have been using please. TIA

[lincs_lady]

hi all
i finished tax march 2010 and i still have no eyebrows!!!!
im considering semi permenant eyebrows but its sooo expensive
and im a bit scared incase they do one wrong lol
anyone know anyone whos done this?

[Mazzalou]

Well you are certainly not one to beat about the bush now, are you Bev? Actually given your question perhaps I have used an unfortunate choice of phrase!!!!

I have to confess - I couldn't stand being mistaken any longer for the one in Morecambe and Wise with the short, fat hairy legs and had to take to the bathroom with razor in hand. I emerged hours later with hair-free legs and I am now frantically knitting myself a wig with my leg-hair!!!

The eyelashes are coming along nicely, but not enough to warrant mascara just yet, and my eyebrows still look very sparse.

I had a head-hair trim last week to get rid of the fuzzy-wuzzy baby hairs and my hair does look better for it as it looks darker now that the grey frizz has gone. My hairdresser said that I will probably need another couple of goes before all my hair is REAL hair, and not the wispy baby hair.

Our head hair is probably growing faster than we think but because we keep checking up on it we don't notice it in the same way that others do.

I did have a lot of cradle-cap on my scalp initially, but I have been massaging in almond oil and leaving it on for a couple of hours, before washing it off with E45 medicated shampoo which has cleared it. So now I have a nice clean, healthy scalp on which to grow my lustrous locks once more!

Keep me posted on your hair-growing efforts, Bev and hope that your eyes are feeling a bit better now, Eithned.

Mazzalou x

[Guest user]

Oh Etihned poor you..I know exactly how you feel and actually posted a thread about this. I had watery eyes which drove me mad for about 5 weeks after my last chemo- I was puffy and sore for a while then all of a sudden they stopped watering. I used hypromellose eye drops on prescription or from the chemist, it did help soothe a little.
My eye lashes are growing nicely now and eyebrows could do with a tidy but my head hair although thicker doesn't seem to have grown any longer. I've booked a trim in 4 weeks to see if this might help stimulate it!
Mazzalou, how are your hairy bits doing if you don't mind me asking!!

Bev x

[Annie22]

Oh dear, I thought I was doing OK, til I saw this! I finished chemo on April 2nd and have only JUST got what pass for eyebrows and eyelashes. Certainly couldn't put mascara on over Christmas. Hair on head is OK, but no hair on arms (good!) and hardly any on legs (goodish, but a few long hairs are not a good look).

Just shows how different we all are.

Annie

[Mazzalou]

Completely forgot that I use Optive eyedrops on prescription for dry eyes anyway as a matter of course so probably didn't associate the benefits of them when I had tears running down my face!

Obviously, not a lot of point wearing eye make-up either as it ends up running down your face so coupled with the tears and snotty nose it is not a good look!!!

Let me know how you get on, but it will eventually ease off after a good couple of weeks.

[Guest user]

. Thanks Mazzalou. ECT is Epirubicin and Cyclophosphamide, and the T is Docetaxel/Taxotere. I have just been to the Bank Holiday pharmacist as the swelling was worse this morning. She suggested Brufen to reduce inflamation: so simple, and I am still on Lansaprazole to line my stumach. Interestingly, she suggested that as the excess watering comes from inside the eyeballs, I might also need drops to counter dry eyes, which might be causing some of the discomfort: the ball may be dry, even if it seems awash in tears. I will take the brufen for 24 hours, then maybe get the drops.

[Mazzalou]

Sorry Eithned as not sure what ECT is, but if the T is Docetaxel then the constant watering of eyes was an annoying side effect after I had had my last chemo and it went on for a good couple of weeks before it stopped. The knock-on effect was that my nose would then run too so I ended up doing a very good impression of a snotty-nosed kid!

I also wear glasses and found that sunglasses on a sunny day did help, but if your eyelids are swollen and painful have a word with a pharmacist to be on the safe side.

[Guest user]

I finished ECT 12 days ago and am still having Herceptin. I guess I can/will have to wait for brows and lashes to regrow, but in the meantime my eyelids are really swollen and painful. In addition my eyes water constantly, leaving crusts of salt on the swollen lids. Applying Vaseline helps a tiny bit, but gets all over my glasses and generally makes it hard to see. This is really bugging me. Does anyone have any experience or tips about dealing with this?

[Mazzalou]

I'm not being brave, Bevli, just being practical. After all, if I let me leg hairs get long enough then perhaps I can then comb them over my head!!!

Failing that, I can use them to knit myself another wig!

[Guest user]

Haha Mazzalou, You are very brave, I've had at least 3 leg shaves so far for fear of getting mistaken for an ape! I saw my hair dresser today, she reckons 3-4 months before my hair will have grown enough to style and colour.I now have approx 1cm of steely grey growth - I can't imagine what style it can ever be as it is do different from my normal shoulder length brown hair...roll on Easter! x

[Mazzalou]

I'm now 10 weeks post-Tax, Bevli, so I'm waiting with bated breath for mine to appear any day now!

I have never left my leg-hair get this long or lush before, but refuse to harvest it just yet as it is my way of gauging that my body is making a come-back!

[Guest user]

Hi All, Thought I would just drop in to say - I have eyebrows(enough not to use a brow pencil) and a few short eyelashes! I am 10 weeks post Tax chemo - might be able to apply a little mascara at Christmas if they don't fall out! 🙂
Bev x

[Mazzalou]

Whatever you do Bevli, make sure that you don't drop any of your 'Magic Hair Restorer' on your legs or you might trip over the hairs!

Just for the record, I'm on herceptin and the head hair and leg hair are coming along nicely!

Looking forward to seeing those fluttering eyelashes though so progress reports please!

[Guest user]

Thanks for useful comments ladies...haha Mazzalou..A hairy leg transplant would do the trick for me too! I have got a product called Talika recommended by a complimentary therapist - A tiny 1 inch sized pot costing £11.95 which arrived in an A3 envelope!I will give it ago but hope they don't fall out again ince I stop! I will have to be patient and look after my one remaining eyelash and odd few eyebrows until such time as they decide to return - hopefully not 2 years like smallstar although as you say Herceptin might play a part in delaying things - luckily I don't have to have that. Will keep you posted of any sprouting bits as I'm sure you will all be riveted to know!! Bev.

[Ninja]

"I had half pint of apple and fennel juice"

I hope you're not oestrogen positive. Fennel is contra-indicated then, as it promotes oestrogen development. Shame, as I used to love fennel tea.