Hair regrowth

I finished chemo in April 2015. Still have no hair on legs or under arms, sparce eyebrows and lashes and my hair is very fine, so you sound fairly normal to me. I've kept my hair very short otherwise it looks awful. It was never very thick before. On the upside, its saving me a small fortune on petms/highlights. 

Which chemo did you have? Docetaxel is linked to permanent hair loss in some people. Cold capping can make it less likely by protecting the roots, but it could still happen in other areas.  A summary of one finding is here:

cancerres.aacrjournals.org/.../P5-17-04

Hi Nannajojo,

Might be worth going to see your GP, if you haven’t already. I think it’s soo very different for everybody, it’s impossible to say.

I finished treatment in June. Hair is growing slowly, I didn’t really lose all my eyebrows, but had no real eyelashes but they are back now, not as full as usual. I’ve hair on arm and legs, but not really under my arms.

Its worth seeing a Dr I think , wishing you all the best x 

I started using Nioxin 2 shampoo as soon as mine started to return. It has come back thick (and very curly).  Of course, I don’t know what  it would have been like if I hadn’t used it so I can’t say for sure that the Nioxin has helped, but I am still using it and will continue to do so. Good luck xx

I've been using Nioxin since My hair started to shed and I've still got a wispy covering day 21 of second cycle EC . 

My hairdresser recommended it . They have shampoo ,conditioner and a scalp therapy . To help protect and strengthen folicles .

you can get it at hairdresser warehouse ,also Groupon have it on offer .

Yes I’ve used the Nioxin as well. I was told at Look Good Feel Better, not to use it till after chemo as it’s wont stop hair falling out, just encourages growth.

Mine started to grow back before I actually started to use Nioxin. Mine was thick before and is again, but it was very straight before but seems to be coming bk curly and so soft now.

Hi Nannajojo, I had chemotherapy this time last year infact I would of just had my 3rd round which seems like a lifetime ago. I lost all my hair ever where except my eye brows and lashes. Once the hair started going there was no stopping it which was a shock but you do get used to it. I was fortunate if that's the right word and my head hair started coming back as baby fuzz before Christmas just before my last round on 7th December. It can back very different and hasn't really got a 'style' but I'm just going with it. I've had one small haircut to shape it slightly which was lovely and I have a very caring hairdresser, she did my cut before chemo as I tried the cold cap but it wasn't for me.

I was on anastrozle but switched to Tamoxifen in may and they seem better. I had to start shaving my legs which is annoying!! And my under arm hair did come flooding back and I did shave it but found I don't need to as often.

As it's stated before everyone is different and your body needs to catch up and acknowledge what's happened to you. I'm sure it will come back in time and it's weirdly exciting when it does. I feel like mine has slowed down a little the hair on top always come back quicker then the rest I don't know why this is.

Easier said then done but give it time but if it puts your mind at rest just ask your g.p/ breast nurse.

Regards Lou x

Hi Nannajojo, I had chemotherapy this time last year infact I would of just had my 3rd round which seems like a lifetime ago. I lost all my hair ever where except my eye brows and lashes. Once the hair started going there was no stopping it which was a shock but you do get used to it. I was fortunate if that's the right word and my head hair started coming back as baby fuzz before Christmas just before my last round on 7th December. It can back very different and hasn't really got a 'style' but I'm just going with it. I've had one small haircut to shape it slightly which was lovely and I have a very caring hairdresser, she did my cut before chemo as I tried the cold cap but it wasn't for me.

I was on anastrozle but switched to Tamoxifen in may and they seem better. I had to start shaving my legs which is annoying!! And my under arm hair did come flooding back and I did shave it but found I don't need to as often.

As it's stated before everyone is different and your body needs to catch up and acknowledge what's happened to you. I'm sure it will come back in time and it's weirdly exciting when it does. I feel like mine has slowed down a little the hair on top always come back quicker then the rest I don't know why this is.

Easier said then done but give it time but if it puts your mind at rest just ask your g.p/ breast nurse.

Regards Lou x

Hi thanks for reply it was an interesting read.

I did have docetaxel so I will assume for now that it's a result of that. 

Thanks x

I was very interested to read your post & the replies. I thought it was just me that had very little hair growth a year past treatment. I had chemo in May 2018, surgery & radio in Sept/Oct 2018. A year on, I have no eyebrows, no underarm hair, sparse lashes, and the hair on my head is so thin and fine, my scalp is clearly visible. I still wear my wig a lot - am fed up of wearing it but hate the way I look without it. To be honest I get frustrated with people telling me "It will grow back" - I feel like saying "Actually it's NOT". I get more stares from people looking at my wispy comb - over than I ever did when I was completely bald.

However, the persistent chin whisker I had pre-treatment has come back, wouldn't you know!

I see my doctor next week & will be asking about my lack of hair growth - will let you know what she says xxx