topic Hair loss in Living with cancer

Hair loss

Julia00 — Mon, 29 Jul 2019 05:35:23 GMT

So I’ve been told hair loss typically starts 2 weeks-1 month after beginning chemo. I’m about to start my second week, and think I will end up shaving at some point. So do you all think it’s better to shave before the hair loss starts, or once it starts coming out? Also I’ve heard that you’re supposed to leave something like 1/8 inch of hair when shaving so it doesn’t irritate your scalp. Any tips?

Re: Hair loss

RJG — Mon, 29 Jul 2019 10:58:48 GMT

Hi Julia00,

I'm not so sure that my situation is likely to be all that helpful to you, but it might help others,

My hair started to fall out gradually rather than in one big bang (pun intended). I had also stopped work and so I wasn't going to be "on display" to explain things. Consequently, I decided to do the "big shave" at a big family get-together for Christmas in July (2017).

I used hair clippes, but without any comb. Everyone who wanted to could have a go at shearing my head. This left me with the barest of stubble and I had no irritation that can occur from shaving with a razor.

I now get a #4 buzz-cut every month because it is much easier to manage on a day-to-day basis.

My only real recommendation to you, is to make a big deal about it with your family. A bit of a statement that you are facing this journey head-on (another pun intended) and that you "have nothing to fear, but fear itself".

Hugs and best wishes to you on your particular journey.

Warm regards,

Rick

Re: Hair loss

PhilPepper — Tue, 30 Jul 2019 12:53:00 GMT

Hi Rick and Julia

I've met with my Oncologist and the lovely nurses in the chemo unit today. I had a lot of questions and hair loss was one of them.

My chemo starts next week. I was told to expect some hair loss. I shouldn't go completely bald, but it will thin out considerably. I mentioned it would be good if just the grey hair falls out. I don't know if it's scientifically proven, but the nurse told me the grey hair won't fall out. That will be the only hair that stays. I kind of believe her.

A shave might be in my near future. Who want's to do the honours?

Cheers

Phil

Re: Hair loss

BruceC — Sat, 18 Jul 2020 12:44:12 GMT

Phil

I and 61 and was told I would likely lose some hair as well with 6 weeks of chemo and radiation to go through so I prepared with a number 6 all over, got beanies and baby shampoo but lost no hair that we could see.

Still get my number 6 and my wife is now a wizz at it so go for it not much to lose.

Didn’t trust going for a number 4 but no harm either.

Cheers

Bruce

Re: Hair loss

Marcus — Sun, 19 Jul 2020 07:48:24 GMT

Hi. There JuliaOO.
All very different experiences for everyone.
my hair started falling out about 2weeks after my first Chemo
there are things when you are going through treatment that you do have control over and of course things you don’t . So I took control 2 week in and got it shaved and Never looked backed

Regards the itchy scalp I continued to condition my scalp/hair with hair conditioner and it was not a problem for me.
Good luck.
look after yourself

Re: Hair loss

Shell1 — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 11:56:13 GMT

Hi Julia00

As a female with really long hair that I regularly colored and curled, hair loss was something that really worried me when I was first diagnosed with stage 3b Hodgkin's leukemia/ lymphoma. I'd always had lovely long hair and it was something that people commented on. Not everyone with my chemo loses their hair and I'd hoped to be one of the lucky ones. In preparation for possible hair loss, I got my hair cut to shoulder length.

Unfortunately, I started losing my hair within a couple of weeks of starting chemo. It was incredibly distressing seeing huge chucks of hair falling out. I dreaded washing my hair and waking up to see how much hair I'd lost overnight on my pillow. After 3 or 4 days I took matters into my own hands and found a lovely lady in Canberra that previously had cancer and currently sells chemo caps and hats, and offers a free shaving/cutting service for cancer patients. Sue made the experience of shaving my hair off the best it could be and I felt great that I had taken control of something that was distressing me. At the time I wondered if I had shaved my head too prematurely, but over time the little 'spikes' fell out too - so I definitely made the right decision.

I can't tell you if you should or shouldn't shave your head. At the end of the day cancer takes so much from us and you should feel in control and comfortable with the decision you make. I can say that your hair doesn't define you and you will still be the same you without it. I have a wig but never really wear it, I just wear a chemo cap out in public. At home I don't really care and have sent a photo of me bald to friends and family. I'm too sick to work and not sure what I'll do when I return to work - but probably will continue to wear my chemo caps. There's lots of designs out there and you can make them a fashion accessory if you want too - at the moment I don't really but may care more when I return to work.

Anyway, I hope my experience may have helped you.

All the best,

Shelley

Re: Hair loss

Shell1 — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 12:02:21 GMT

Hi again Julia00

Forgot to answer the last part of your question, sorry. I had no irritation when I had my head shaved using clippers. After shaving my head, I continue to 'wash' my hair. This is because your head still produces oils, so washing your head is good for that as well as stimulating new hair growth.

All the best,

Shelley

Re: Hair loss

EmeraldHeart — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 13:11:11 GMT

Hi Julia,
It’s such a personal decision to make! I’m sure you’ll get lots of tips & ideas here.

It had been suggested to me to cut my hair short/er once I started chemo, so that the transition to no hair wouldn’t be as dramatic. My hair started falling out by the handful a few weeks in & I soon found myself upset & obsessively searching for clumps of hair - it was absolutely everywhere! That was when I knew I had to take action.
My son gave me a 3-stage cut. As much as possible we turned it into a fun and adventurous experience. Initially he gave me an undercut & braided the remaining hair into a Viking style (I’m 58 lol). Then he buzz cut Celtic knotwork into the undercut - I wish we’d taken photos! The final cut was an all-over stubble cut.
The reason it’s suggested to not shave the hair too close to the scalp is to ensure that there are no injuries to any lumps or bumps that may be on the scalp which could easily get infected given our compromised immune systems whilst on chemo.
Shaving my head was the most freeing, liberating thing I’ve ever done. I was so anxious beforehand, because my hair was the only thing I loved about my appearance. It was a revelation to look at myself in the mirror afterwards with love & compassion and see my precious, true self.
Let us know what you decide & how it goes for you 💞

Re: Hair loss

Rikki1 — Mon, 07 Sep 2020 10:21:37 GMT

Hi, I was told that you don’t lose your hair with radiation, but I finished radiation last week and have noticed my hair is very limp and thinning all of a sudden.

Re: Hair loss

wwroam — Tue, 08 Sep 2020 02:38:08 GMT

My chemo record is as follows :
2007..12 cycles of Folfox 4 ( Oxaliplatin + 5FU)
2017..4 Cycles of Gemcitibine + Carboplatin
30 daily radiation treatments
6 weekly cycles of Taxol + Carboplatin
2019..4 cycles of Alimta + Carboplatin
2020..6 cycles of Opdivo
4 cycles of monthly protocol Taxol+ Carboplatin

I have yet to lose any hair

Re: Hair loss

Jill22 — Wed, 09 Sep 2020 14:00:08 GMT

Hi Julia00

I found my hair started falling a few weeks in. I then went and got it cut really short but then found myself itchy and irritated by the shorter hairs falling out so I borrowed an electric razor from a male friend and shaved it right down. It was such a relief. You might have a different experience but for me no hair was better short hair when it's falling out anyway. All the best to you xx

Re: Hair loss

Budgie — Fri, 11 Sep 2020 22:48:24 GMT

Hi Rikki1,

I don't know who told you that you don't lose hair after radiation, but they were definitely wrong!
I had radiation on my neck & 6 weeks later, the bottom quarter of my head was bald. It was very cold. Rest assured,
it does grow back. 😉

Budgie

Re: Hair loss

NikkiNiks — Mon, 14 Sep 2020 01:19:41 GMT

Hi Julia00,

I came on to the forum today to ask the exact same question you did, so thank you :). I have had 4 doses of Chemo and my hair started falling out all over the place last week. I wanted to know when the right time was to shave it off and thanks to all of the lovely responses here I have come to the conclusion that I will take control of something in this Cancer journey!

Re: Hair loss

NikkiNiks — Mon, 14 Sep 2020 01:22:23 GMT

Thank you Rick, I intend to have my 3 children shave my head this week.

Re: Hair loss

Rikki1 — Tue, 15 Sep 2020 01:37:15 GMT

Dear Budgie, thanks for replying about hair loss with radiation. It’s great to hear your hair grows back, and I’m still hoping I’ll be able to keep my hair which is thinning. Thanks again Budgie 🌺