Vanity Project!! Hair and Haircare during Chemo

FormerMember over 4 years ago

6 replies
126 subscribers
579 views

Afternoon all,

I'm starting chemo with Oxiplatin and Zeloda whilst waiting for Covid to give it a rest so I can have a liver resection.

I know a full loss of hair is unlikely but I am keen to know the experience of others with hair on this specific combination. Don't feel worried about telling me if you totally lost your hair, I'm keen to see what others experienced.

Also, does anyone have any good recommendations for shampoo during this time, especially alternatives to baby shampoo.

I absolutely love my products and having something a bit nice would be ace.

Thanks group!!

Ellen

Kareno62 over 4 years ago

. Hi Ellen. I think xeloda is a brand name for capecitabine isn’t it which quite a few of us on here have had both before and after surgery. It’s often called capox or xelox and hair loss is not one of the major side effects. I personally didn’t have any hair loss but there will be a lot of posts if you type capecitabine in the search box.

There are quite a few other side effects unfortunately which you may or may not experience however there are pills and potions for them and the nurses will keep a close eye on you. Make sure you keep your hands and feet well moisturised and keep your mouth covered over when you leave the unit in cold weather.

Ive attached a link below to a post from a few months ago which may give you an idea of what to expect.

https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/bowel-colon-rectum-cancer-forum/f/bowel-colon-rectum-cancer-forum/182299/chemotherapy-regimes?pifragment-13906=1#1351807

Take care

Karen x

Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

FormerMember over 4 years ago in reply to Kareno62

Ah that's so kind, thank you. Yes I have done quite a bit of research but was wanting to know specifically about hair. Thank.you Karen!

court over 4 years ago in reply to FormerMember

Hi ,

My mum has a good head of hair . I would guess she lost about a third of it . But still completely covered . Couple of slightly thinner spots but it honestly was nothing that required any intervention . It stayed that way for a bit but returned back to her prior thickness .

Hope it all goes well .

Court

Helpline Number 0808 808 0000

FormerMember over 4 years ago in reply to court

Thank you!!

blackstuff over 4 years ago

Hi Ellen. I had 25 sessions of radiotherapy alongside Capecitabine. The day before my last treatment I had my hair cut. My hairdresser said your hair isn't going anywhere. You're the only person not clogging up the sink including myself. I had already noticed that there didn't seem to be as much hair left in the bath after showering. In July 2019 I had APR surgery followed by 6 months of Capecitabine adjuvant chemotherapy. My oncologist wrote on my consent form that I might have hair loss but I had none. I know that it's probably different for everyone but I hope it's the same for you. Good luck with your treatment plan

Love Kim xx

Blackstuff

FormerMember over 4 years ago in reply to blackstuff

Ah Kim thank you, that's so good to hear!!

I think it's that middle stage of either shaving it off completely or wanting to give your follicles the best chance. I know I couldn't wear a wig. With me it's all in or nothing for most things!

Thank you for sharing that with me, super helpful