Hair

Hi Wildcat

I'm Daisy53 one of the Community Champions on this forum.  I'm sorry to hear that you have been diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer.  When I was diagnosed with triple negative nearly six years ago and was told that I was going to lose my hair I had it cut short as an interim step which I didn't regret as I had less hair to lose that way.  Once my hair started to fall out after my second chemo session I got my mother to shave my head.  After that I wore turbans whenever I went out until my hair grew back once i had finished treatment.

Wishing you the best of luck with chemo.

Best wishes

Daisy53

Hi Wildcat 

I am sorry you are facing chemo. I had short hair anyway but got it cut shorter before treatment. initially tried cold capping but it didn’t prevent a significant hair loss about 17 days after first treatment. I hadn’t liked the cold capping experience anyway and was very worried about managing whatever hair I had left as I am normally a wash it every day person. Once it started to come out, I felt I didn’t want the problem of hair everywhere so got my husband to clipper it short. Ir grew back perfectly well. Almost exactly a year from my first chemo, and 6 months on from finishing treatment, I was back having chemo again, this time as part of my treatment for metastatic tnbc. I got it clippered at the first sign of fallout, obviously it wasn’t very long then anyway. Again it grew back perfectly well. Almost 3 years on I look the same as I used to look. 

Hey Wildcat 

I had shoulder length hair and wasn't cold capping so knew it would all go. My plan was to hang onto it until it became a problem then shave it. It started shedding on day 12 after my first dose of EC, then as it ramped up over the next few days, I had it shaved on day 17. Although it was a relief at first as I no longer had to deal with hair everywhere, the change was pretty dramatic and I felt very depressed about it the day after. But I got over it and was significantly more positive about it by the following day.

I personally didn't go for the chop because I don't enjoy short hair on me plus there was the time and expense in getting it done then having to style it in the meantime, only for it to inevitably fall out anyway. In deciding this for yourself, I'd have a think about how cutting it short might benefit you versus what it might cost you. 

I hope you're able to find a way to navigate the hair loss that works for you and wish you all the very best with your treatment. x

Hi wildcat, I’m  getting my first chemo on 30th July and have an appointment with my hairdresser on 5th August to get a pixie cut. I have mid length hair and don’t think I could cope finding chunks of it on my pillow. I’ve also purchased a shower cap as someone said they used that for sleeping to catch the hair loss. Good luck 

Hi I had my hair cut into a short bob which I found helpful.  On this forum you will different views about cold capping. I did have the cold cap and whilst I lost some hair I never used a wig. 

Cancer Hair Care were an excellent help to me as well with hair care.

Future Dreams is also very helpful.

What works for you is the best way forward.

All the best