Hair loss

Hi Zebra

I have been through a chemotherapy treatment that caused me to loose my hair. Firstly can I say not all chemotherapy treatment causeway loss. 

My nurse specialist told me that with my treatment I would loose my hair. I went to see my hair dresser she has been taking care of my hair for over 30 years. I found her very experienced with cancer issues and she was very knowledgeable. She advised me to have my hair shaved off as soon as it started to fall out. This was more about hygiene and mental health. It's surprising how losing your hair can affect you weather you are a man or a woman. I followed this advise. It also allowed for my scalp to be treat with mild shampoo and conditioner. Yes it is essential you continue to care for you scalp even through your hair is not growing. Your scalp can become very sensitive and dry while you are having chemotherapy. I continued to have my scalp shaved whilst I was having chemotherapy even though my hair was not growing at this time. The shaving made sure my scalp was stimulated and there was no uneven hair growth. Which my nurse had said could happen.

It took a couple of months for my hair to show signs of growth after I completed my chemotherapy cycles and during this time I continued with shampooing and conditioning treatment and I kept my hair growth to a minimum. As my hair showed signs of even hair growth I allow my hair to gain some length continued monitoring to make sure the growth was even across the head. I can now say I have my hair back. It's in lovely condition and nice and strong. By keeping it shaved and short in the early stages of regrowth I allowed my hair to gain strength. It is tempting to just let it grow but I had good advise about scalp care and about regrowth and taking time to let it gain strength was key I think. When you hair first starts to regrow it it very brittle a bit like baby hair so it can be prone to falling out and breaking. So by keeping it short for a couple of months you allow it to gain strength. I feel I benefited greatly by doing this you wouldn't know I lost my hair. It has grown back a slightly different colour and it's developed a wave  but overall it's healthy and strong.

I hope this helps if you need more information please message me

Hugs Donna

Hi Zebra

As someone who has been through SCLC cancer treatment and whose hair loss was 100% top to toe, I would strongly advise NOT to shave off the hair. 

I was advised that the hair loss would start after the second cycle of chemo, so in the week before my hairdresser/friend cut my very thick and long hair. i was expecting him to shave it off; however he  cut it to approx 1.5 inches. This turned out to be the perfect length. My second cycle of chemo ended on the Wednesday, and on the Friday evening the hair started to come out. Every time I went to the bathroom I ran my fingers through my hair, and what came out was put in the bathroom peddle bin. By Monday morning I was bald!

I know some people on here who did the shave and had painful /uncomfortable experiences with the short hair roots becoming sore and infected; one lady had to use sticky tape too try to pull out  the shaved hair.

Hope this helps a bit.

Kegsy x

Hi Hamhat/Donna.  Thank you so much for your very informative and helpful message.  I've also read kegsy's message which does not recommend head shaving.  My husband has decided to just let his hair fall out as and when and that's his choice.  Reaction to chemo seems to be very individual and it isn't one size fits all.  However, I have taken on board all the lovely explanations of the experiences that you've all had.  Thank you for taking the time to reply to me - it is really wonderful of you to be so helpful.  Many hugs to you too.  x

Hi Kegsy, thank you so very much for taking the time to reply to my posting.  He has decided that he will just wait and let his hair fall out as and when. Currently, that is the only side effect he is seeing - but along with constipation and fatigue.  It was so kind of you to share your experience - thank you. x