Best time to shave head?

Hi Ellen944,

My daughter tried the cold cap but found it the worst part of chemo. I know many people have good results but she hated it. Her hair started to come out in handfuls about five days after her second chemo. On reflection, she said that would've been the best time to get rid of what was left. But she persevered for one more cold cap, by which time she had lost more than 80% of her hair. 

Daughter decided to give up cold cap (and immediately felt better). She didn't shave her head, having heard from several people about scalp infections post shaving. She talked to her hairdresser who said for her to come down at closing time and she would carefully take the rest off with clippers. Daughter then collected a large wardrobe of scarves and chemo headgear (Etsy are great) and was fine with that. Hairdresser clipped the soft fuzzy bits that came back regularly until it looked like 'proper hair'. 

Good luck with your treatment. x

Thank you, I'm thinking of getting my husband to clipper it off about a week after the first infusion and I've been busy buying lots of different types of cap/ scarf etc from various sources. I hope your daughter is doing well

I did mine 13 days after 1st cycle of Docetaxel - the final straw was a big clump in my porridge! A friend was a hairdresser so she did a number 2 clip and over the next few days with a lint roller’s help, the rest came out. I bought so many hats, beanies and cotton beanies to go under hats but I have my favourites I wear all the time. I’m going to a Headwrappers workshop this Thursday but am delighted to say, 8 weeks post chemo my hair is growing quite quickly. Eyebrows and eyelashes are another story but I am having powder brows done this Friday! 

With mine I just couldn’t stand seeing the plug hole in the shower full, my hairbrush full of hair, and it coming out on the back of the sofa etc etc. I thought that’s it, shave it off. That was about day 15 after my first EC.

The lint roller sounds a good tip, thank you. My first infusion is on Friday and I'm planning a buzz cut at some point next week. I'm very used to short hair anyway so I reckon it won't be too stressful. Thank you for your reply, I hope you are doing well

Thank you - I think I'm going for a buzz cut after a week and then, once it starts coming out, get rid of the rest. My hair is very short anyway so I hope it won't be a huge change initially. I hope you are doing well, hugs sent x

It was very gentle on the hair follicles. I just rolled it over after a shower. IKEA have very cheap ones!

Yes I’m doing very well thanks. Enjoying being in recovery phase! Best of wishes for your chemo!

I'd had my short hair cut even shorted before the chemo. Hair loss started in second cycle - but never lost all my hair - it was thinner, with less on top, but never that patchy and I had another short cut to cut back the bits that hadn't fallen out. (Incidentally, my eyebrows and eyelashes went much later, but came back first!). I'd wait until you start the hair loss if you are going to shave your head yourself so you get an idea of how much is going. 

I wasn't much bothered but it was COLD (this was Nov and December) so I needed woolly hats when I was out and about. 

Good luck.

Thank you - I hope you are doing well

Hello I'm having my first session on the 28th as well.

I also was wondering when to shave off my hair .

I have short hair any way and have had it cut even shorter then normal .

But feel I would rather be in control of this one thing and not be dictated  by the treatment . It's one thing that I have control over presently .I'm not worried about being bald I am ready to embrace it I think.

Pending how things go on 28th and  side effects etc .

I might have a shaving party with my lovely family .One more thing we can do together on this journey.

Good luck for tomorrow x