How to look after your scalp?

Hi womblet.  First of all, make sure you buy some wig liners. Nobody at the hospital tells you about them,  otherwise your wig will be unbearable. ANNABANDA sell them and have some great hats and scarves (you'll  find them online). I used lots of moisturizer on my scalp and found  either baby shampoo or simple shampoo the best products and only wore my wig ic we went anywhere where I couldn't wear a hat and didn't wear it at home at all. 

Hi Bustysusy,

Thanks for replying. I've seen that website online so glad to hear a good recommendation.

I was thinking baby shampoo and then E45 cream?

Top tip on the wig liner, I did see them and didn't know if they were worth getting but I'll deffo get a few now.

Do you wear anything in bed...i mean on your head!?

Hi

my story on profile.

I had EC chemo and was also told hairloss within days . So I had hair cut to pixie length before chemo .

Routine after that was as little handling as possible . Only shampooed when nesc. With small amount of shampoo / conditioner then either low pressure shower or jugs of water to rinse ..towel wrap. Then finger dry .

I used Nioxin products as recommended by hairdresser. 

May have been coincidence but Hair didn't start to shed until 6/8 weeks in . Hairdresser kept it tidy after that until one week before final No.6 EC . When I asked her to shave (no.2) So shape there for regrowth .

10 weeks after chemo finish hair now growing ..lash and brow back and G.I  Jane look .

Dry scalp is more of an issue now for me so have been using Aqueuos cream from boots ..one wash making sure gentle massage Then rinse prior to shampoo and conditioner. Then tiny amount massaged into scalp and left .

Good advice about wig liners also yes wear a sleep cap ( bamboo caps  on amazon )  in bed to prevent rubbing hair off also stops you getting mouthful .

One thing nobody mentioned to me is just before hair starts to shed your scalp can be really sore . I was out in wind and couldn't understand why my hair hurt !! 

Take care 

Margaret x

Hi
A couple of things from me
- as northerner points out it was a surprise how uncomfortable no hair can be when resting on things at home, I'd buy some chemo caps as they help as does getting some silk pillowcases (less friction vs head - and those caps can fall off!).
- I have oily skin which may be why, although using a very reputable scalp conditioner, I got folliculitis which was more annoying and didn't look great ( I couldn't be bothered with wigs..far too lazy!). I was told not to use any conditioner/moisturiser as that would exacerbate the situation.

Also if you're menopausal (as I am now having all these blummin hormone treatments) its far easier to whip off a hat when you're having tropical sweats!  I'll almost miss having very little hair in this respect - not sure scalping myself when flushing will be quite as acceptable...

I tried cold cap but don't think it was tight enough around the temple area and that's where I lost the most hair. Given hair was being lost and to avoid loss you can't wash/style as often as I wanted to make it look presentable I decided it was all coming off! Best decision ever. Started losing it post 2nd EC chemo and probably (based on how much was bald vs grade 1) lost 40%. Am now 2 months post last chemo and have a very healthy (all be it very grey - dyed before!) 1.5 cms all over.

Also how do you know your head is terrible? I would have most certainly thought mine was an alienesque shape but now know its quite different with no hair - you may be surprised if push comes to shove (or should that be shave?).

I quite enjoyed my new look and have had quite a few compliments - which I certainly wouldn't have expected beforehand.

Good luck with the hair!

Sam

I didn't wear anything in bed I got too hot and nothing would stay put. 

We've just  holiday where the sun was very hot and bought a lovely cotton hat from ANNABANDA and list it

Hi Womblet, there is a company called Moo Goo, who sell shampoo and other products for sore scalps and skin. They are Australian but sell their products in independent pharmacies around the UK. Their products are fantastic for skin problems. I had a very sore scalp after chemo had finished and my hair started to grow back but their Milk Shampoo has sorted it out. Their Udder Cream is good for moisturising during radiotherapy also.

They also have a website but I'm not sure if they ship to the UK. Might be worth a look. 

Our local hospital (London one) has a cancer patients day,  and Moo Goo were giving away sample tubes of moisturisers so they  are definitely available in the uk.