Hair loss

Hi Lizzy48

I had my shoulder length hair cut into a much shorter style before I started shedding.  Despite using the cold cap it didn't take long before I had a friar tuck look.

Hats and scarves have been my go to, plenty of cheap options on Amazon, I also used Hats4Heads online. Time to experiment, I was lucky as it was cold so woolly hats were normal attire during the early stages.

Good luck xxx

Like Harvestmoon, I'm currently going through chemo and lost hair even with the cold cap, but as I still had some, didn't want to go down the wig route and still undecided whether to cut it all off or not.

I purchased a few turban type things in advance to try on to see what suited me as I'd never really been a hat person before and was conscious of summer heat (well, hopefully )

The best ones I've found are wired 1950s style ones in loads of colours and patterns from www.dothetwist.co.uk (they do full head wraps and different thicknesses of hair band type ones) and knitted scarves than can be used as turbans from the maker Wrapdinlove on Etsy.

Good luck! xx

Daughter had her cut to a chin length bob before starting chemo with cold cap. She hated cold cap from the start, found it the worst part of each cycle. Lost a lot of hair in cycle 2 and had a very short 'pixie cut'. Had lost 80% of hair by cycle 3 and gave up the hated cold cap. Hairdresser got rid of the last wispy bits - think this is much better than shaving head yourself. She felt better having 'taken control' and bought quite a wardrobe of chemo beanies, mainly from Etsy.

Two years on and after 22 chemo cycles, 3 surgeries and 15 sessions of radiotherapy, her hair is as thick as ever. It's slow growing, now an almost chin length shaggy bob. She has just had her first highlights .

Best of luck with you treatment and don't worry, your hair will grow back. xxx

Hi Lizzy

I'm yet to experience this, but I'm thinking of bypassing cold cap as lot of people end up losing hair despite the cap, and to put myself through the extra pain doesn't appeal to me at all.  

Have you thought of shaving it all off before it all falls out. It will feel like you are in control of of it and spares you waking up each morning finding a clunk of hair of you pillow, which is quite upsetting. 

Get yourself some beanie hats and a wig for special occasions.

Fingers crossed for you ️

It’s 2 weeks since my first chemo and I’ve noticed hair coming out and came on this morning to ask the same question as you. I know I’m gonna lose it all and I thought I was mentally prepared for it until a clump came  out in my hand last night. 
I have a short hairstyle and I too have too much to shave off yet. Im not mentally ready yet to shave it either.
I have a wig, which I doubt I’ll wear, and only 1 beany hat so I need to buy some more.
At the moment I think I’ll settle for having a comb-over on any bald spots until I can’t do that anymore then it’s off to my hairdresser as I don’t think I can face shaving it myself.

Hi EP17, you will know when you're ready to finally say goodbye to your hair. My daughter did, when the 'clumps' became too much and the combover impossible. I definitely think going to a trusted hairdresser is a good idea. We met several people along the way who had shaved themselves and ended up with a very unpleasant 'shaving rash' which was hard to get rid of. Daughter didn't have any of that.

Daughter also used the Jennifer Young Scalp Care Oil every day which she found very soothing.

Best of luck with treatment.

When i had chemo the first time I knew I was going to lose it all. I shaved mine and wore a wig.  No more worries or itching!

The second time I had chemo I used the cold cap and kept a thin covering of hair.  So I got my hairdresser to cut it really short so I can now comfortably wear a wig when I go out. xxx

Hi Lizzy48

I'm 6 weeks into chemo treatment and I'm not doing cold capping, but the dose of chemo is 50% so hair loss is slower. 

Before treatment started I had my hair cut into a pixie cut. I didn't fancy the idea of picking long hair out of the shower drain.

What I've noticed over the last week is that my hair has still grown and my scalp has got more sensitive and painful. I eventually got it cut short again on Sat and my scalp feels much better. My hairdresser also suggested using a silk/satin pillowcase to reduce hair pulling.

At this stage I still have most of my hair but there are tiny bald patches. I bought a mulberry silk pillowcase which also seems to help ease the discomfort and I haven't found any loose hair on it. 

Sledge x

Hi EP17. I’ve just had my second round and my hair is now shedding so badly. My partner cropped my bob with the no6 setting on the clippers and I sobbed. I truly feel like I’ve lost my identity, and everytime I touch my head another handful comes out. My pillow was covered this morning and cleaning the bath is so tedious. I just can’t face losing the rest. I have some “temporary hair” (wig sounds so awful!) and a few scarves, but my head is so tingly and I’m finding I get headaches really quickly with the pressure. Bit of a low day for me today so apologies for not being more upbeat! It’s just nice to know there’re others out there feeling the same way. Xx

Thank you for the recommendation, have just had a look at their website and there’s some lovely full cover turban twists on there! X