How will chemotherapy post op affect my hair?

Don’t do what my mum did IreneW . She got her hair cut into her head only to discover at her first oncology meeting her chemo would at most cause thinning and that’s all she ever had . Not all bowel cancer chemotherapy causes hair loss , particularly first line chemotherapy . Do you know the name of your chemo yet ?

Most people don’t loss their hair on any of the Oxaliplatin/cap combinations but do report some thinning etc . I did notice textural changes for a bit too but nothing anyone else would notice .

https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/bowel-colon-rectum-cancer-forum/f/bowel-colon-rectum-cancer-forum/221768/chemo-care-top-tips--
Have you read this thread ?

Take care ,

Court 

Thank you Court that is really good advice.  And the link is perfect - so much great information.  I've actually bought a wig online now, just to see what it is like as I have never had any experience with wigs before - maybe it will turn out better than my current style anyway ;-) .  

Best wishes to you and you Mum

Irene

hello Irene W, ask the nurse soon as you can about a cool cap. It preserves the hair. As Court says you mightn’t need it. But I had one and it worked very well. On my brows I used a product revitalash, after chemo, not sure if you can use it during chemo, but it’s great. Heading for chemo  in a few months so will be finding out. 

Thanks for that information, Helen - I forget all about my brows - indeed I will look at Revitalash.  Hope all goes well with your journey.

Best wishes

Irene

Thank you. Yes we are on a journey. But we must remember we are in good hands. Surgeons, oncologist and nurses are all so good now. 

It does vary person to person so its best to wait and see.

I lost the hair on my head with capox but not eyebrows etc.they did say it was unusual but its best to be prewarned just in case.I wish I had been..it does grow back tho.

All the best

Kath

Ps.I was given a prescription for a wig which I could exchange for an nhs one or pay a little extra and have more choice*(which is what I did).

The ladies in the wig shop were so lovely and made me feel at ease.nothing was too much trouble.

Hi IreneW

I had Capecitabine before and after my APR surgery. I asked my oncologist if I might lose my hair and he said no. He answered my question in a heartbeat, which made me sure from the start that I would be ok. In fact I had my hair cut 2 days before the end of treatment and my hairdresser said I was the only person not clogging her basins up with hair. I had noticed that it didn't seem to be coming out in the shower as well.

Take care

Kim

Thanks Katz51, I’ve now looked at wigs and there are indeed some lovely styles. I’ve ordered one that looks as close as possible to my own

Best wishes

Irene

xx

Thanks Kimblackstuff

xx

Hi I was lucky as I live near a city where there was a wig shop recommended by the chemo team which specialised in people needed wigs after chemo treatment.

Hopefully you wont loose yours

Reading about others on here I was unlucky

Kath