Hair loss

Hi Lizzy48, 

I’m starting to shed after my 2nd chemo session and it’s been a miserable few days.
 I’ve been cold capping but I think I’m going to lose most of it by the looks of it. I’ve got a wig appointment on Friday so will see how much hair loss I have by then and what the wigs are like before I decide to shave! I’m not ready to shave it off at but I’m not sure I want to cry every time I try and style my hair somehow. 
I’m a bit confused over whether to run my fingers through it and just bring out the loose hairs or just don’t touch it at all! 

I have such sympathy for all of you on this thread. I remember washing my daughter's hair for her after her second EC chemo and having huge clumps tangled in my hands. We were both crying.

You will all get through this. Use good products to cleanse and sooth your scalp. Your hair WILL grow again.

Hugs to you all. xxx

Hello Lizzy48, 

I had longer than shoulder length hair and have all my life. My hair has never been shorter than shoulder length my whole life but when I was diagnosed with breast cancer I accepted it was going to all go which was horrifying. 

My mum had cancer 10 years ago and had tried a cold cap which she found was a miserable experience.  I was told my hair would probably start to fall out after my 2nd chemo so figured I had around 3 weeks to be prepared.  I was wrong, it started coming out 2 weeks after my 1st treatment that I was afraid to brush it. As you can imagine, long unbrushed hair looks terrible so I had to ask myself, what was the point in hanging on to it?

3 days later my friend who is a hairdresser came over with my sister to give me a buzz cut after I sent out a distress call. I just couldn't cope with it coming out in clumps as it was so upsetting every time.

We all drank wine throughout the whole haircut,  they told me I had a great shaped head and my ears really weren't sticking out at all lol. I had bought a couple of wigs off amazon that were not expensive and were actually pretty good quality and while she was there my friend cut fringes in so i looked more like me. I didn't look in a mirror until after they had left and I'd had another glass of wine, and then I cried, went to bed and the next morning rocked one of my wigs. I tried them out on friend

s and family first and everyone was so complimentary, people who didn't know me didn't even notice. 

It will be hard, but it will be ok x

 Can i just remind everyone that you can get free wigs from the NHS?  I got one when I had chemo 9 years ago, and I've got one now. They tell you where to go to get your wig. It's a proper wig company.  You can try them on and choose.  If you choose an expensive one, for example a real hair wig you may have to pay a small amount, but most synthetic ones are free and they are beautiful. I get lots of compliments when I wear mine, and people are surprised when I tell them it's a wig. Synthetic wigs keep their style. Just wash them occasionally and they will stay looking great. 

What do you wash your wig with please, they tried to sell me wig shampoo and conditioner and I said no.

Should I have got some?  

I fell for it this time!    But last time I had chemo, with the same wig, I was advised I could use baby shampoo, so I did.  It worked fine, and had a lovely smell! 

 Unfortunately in our area they are not free .

You have to pay 85 pound towards the voucher  unless you are on benefits. Then pay extra for the wig .

• You will feel more comfortable if you comb it out. Combing will only take out the hairs that would have fallen out anyway. I had my hair cut very short so I only wear a wig when I go out.  I wear a stretchy cap made of tights material underneath my wig.  You can buy a pack of them on amazon.
• xxx

Thank you! I spent so long combing it gently after washing it this morning and so much came out. I had 2 big birds nest tangles and realised they weren’t even attached to my head!

It’s been a scary day today, I think I’m still in shock!

I hope I get a good wig. I’m not brave enough yet.

x

Mine started to fall out in serious volumes at week 5 or 6 of Paclitaxel - no cold capping. I gently brushed it several times a day as the worst thing for me was feeling grubby as it constantly shed - I started off with extremely thick hair.

When it started to look stringy I had it cut to a short hair cut. And when that started to look stringy I went for a buzz cut - it’s currently a very fetching silver!

I finished my chemo 5 weeks ago. About 10-15% of my hair never fell out and what’s left continues to grow - so I’ve had to have it re-buzzed a couple of times but as yet I don’t think the hair I lost is regrowing.

I dont think you’ll know what you want to wear on your head until you come to it yourself.  I bought a wig in case I needed to look ‘normal’, but honestly I’ve preferred to just go for it with the silver buzz cut. My biggest problem has been the cold - the back of my head and the tops of my ears, so I have a few soft woolly beanies. I’ve bought several wraps/turbans but only wear them for warmth. With the sunshine I’ve invested in some nice SPF 50 sunscreen to make sure I don’t burn my scalp.

Good luck x