Hair loss

Hi everyone. Have now had 3 of 6 chemo treatments.

First 2 sessions I had the cold cap but as my hair was really shedding it became sore with cap having direct with my scalp. I did not have the cap during my last treatment nor will I have it for the remainder.

My hair has continued the shed and fall out and now probably have lost 70% to 75% of my hair. To be honest I can no longer look in the mirror and wear beanies around the house or knitted hats or wig when out and about.

Just looking for experiences anyone has of using clippers on hair so it is really short (what's left) what did it look like and when did it start to grow back.

Thank you x

  • Offline in reply to Ruzz

    I have yet to start my chemo, I don't understand the treatment I will be having TBH the Oncologist told me gave me the paperwork and side effects I signed the paperwork, I guess the professionals understand it and that's what counts. I have gone nuts buying caps and bandannas and having a buzz cut on Monday. 

  • Hi lynne63, i was exactly the same in that I purchased lots of bandanas (for indoors)and woolly hats (for outside). Purchased a wig too and although my family say it looks great, i am very self conscious wearing it out. Really don't know what I will do when the summer weather is here as the wig will be very hot on my head.

    Had the buzz cut courtesy of hubby but still cannot look in the mirror.

    Losing my hair has affected me more than the chemo treatment :(

  • I am lucky in the fact that I am 60 and have short hair, I quite like the look of those pre tied patterned bandannas with the tails on them, they look nice and summery, I think the way to go for me is go to a look good feel good class and find out how to do my make up and get out there and front up. I work in a Warehouse so I can't hide away. 

  • Offline in reply to lynne63

    Hi, I was the same.  My husband shaved mine off. I have got used to it, now I am completely bald, wear caps and beanies whilst it is cold and sometimes without, can't get used to the wigs.  My hair was model like and made me youthful, went right down to my bum so was really worried about it but are wearing makeup as normal and nice earrings.  Have one summer hat so I don't burn.  I still look feminine which was a worry so I am happy and not hiding it.  You get used to people looking at you, and I would like to think that they think l am taking the brave route by not hiding it all the time.  Hope all goes well with your buzz cut and you get to grips with the meds. I have the highest dose of paclitaxel and carboplatin and just had 3/6 so half way. I have high grade serous carcinoma,3b, and had recurrence 7wks post surgery for full hysterectomy so don't know the plan but believe I will be checked to see if its working soon and may then know more.  Here's hoping all goes well for you, tough ride but work with it I am sure you will be happy with your decision once you have it done, it's easier when it starts coming out xx

  • I have also booked on the look good feel good class but it has been so popular in my area that i could not get a space until June. Looking forward to going for tips. My eyebrows and lashes are thinning now and I'm not very good at using the eyebrow pencils. Really wish i had them microbladed before my treatment

  • I am so with you, I heard all the tips about microblading around 3 days ago, as mine is due to start on Wednesday its too late now, Granddaughter said she will help out with eyebrow stencils so fingers crossed it works. 

  • I have just been into the larger Boots in the town centre and they have a McMillan trained advisor on the no7 counter.

    She re-shaded me to ensure I am still wear the correct colour foundation (which i was) but advised to not wearing the matte as it can be dry on already dry skin (i do cleanse, tone and moisturise daily)

    She then showed me how to fill in my eyebrows for a natural look saying that practice makes perfect.

    Made me feel really emotional as I felt 'normal' with eyebrows.

    Well worth the visit

  • Hi again  Cah60

    I realise your post was a mth ago,but thought I'd reply. 

    I stated to lose my hair on second Chemotherapy session.  My hair was very long,and it came out in clumps  so at first I cut it shorter to judt above my shoulders.  

    It still kept falling out,and I had loads of bald patches,it was has to look in the mirror.  So I decided to take control,I got my hairdressing clippers out ( I'm a city and gulds trained hairdresser) and I shaved all my hair off,crying as I did it . 

    But once done  I felt a tremendous relief  that I'd taken control, and wouldn't have to keep seeing my hair fall out. 

    Like you I wore turban and beanie style hats in doors. I also was prepared with 3 wigs ,I'd been to a specialist wig shop few mths before I knew my chemotherapy sessions would start. I bought two long ones,one synthetic lace front one,and one long real hair one,as I was expecting to go to a wedding ,and wanted to style it with heated tongs,  never got to wear that one as covid was rife,so wedding had to be cancelled. The other synthetic wigs was a medium lengh  Bob. All same colour as my hair was.

    To be honest I liked the two synthetic wigs best, as they weren't as heavy to wear as the real.hair one was. It was a very hot summer back then.  

    Hope evertything is going well for you .

  • Hiya,  After my lung op back in 2019 I had ‘preventative’ Chemo. This was mainly because I was left with an ‘infected’ lymph node, couldn’t be removed as it was too close to my windpipe and considered too risky. I have/had thick hair and didn’t lose much until near the end of my Chemo. I decided to take up my son in law’s off of clipping. He used grade 4, not quite scalp short but pretty short. It looked OK, I wore bandanas (it was summer anyway and I wanted to protect my head from the sun). It didn’t take too long for the hair to grow back. Yes, greyer but also curly. Not had curls since childhood, lol. It grew to a good length and seemed to benefit from the drastic clipping.  So if you feel you can do it then take the plunge. I wish you well.