Some of you may know my story. My mum completed her radiotherapy on August 15th. Her hair is growing back nicely and today, she was scheduled to have it coloured at a hairdressers and remove her wig, which understandably is a big deal for her.
However, the hairdressers have refused and said it has to be six months after radiotherapy before e you can have something like that. My mum is gutted. She wasnt told of this and from researching, I cannot see anything concrete. There is no definite answer.
Does anyone know at all or can direct me to the guidance please?
As always, thank you in advance
Paul
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Paulo1976
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hi Paulo, I believe the six month wait is after chemo but I don’t know about radiotherapy. Can you ask your mum’s team who carried out the procedure? I had radiotherapy last year but don’t colour my hair and didn’t lose it. I know I could contact the hospital though if necessary.
Pleased your mum is doing well and sending best wishes to her and you. Xxx🩷🤗
Thank you Sassy. Mum doing OK thanks. She has moved near me now....which is great. Still smoking though and COPD is aggravated. All in all though, she is doing very well. Hope all is well with yourself x
Glad that Mum is doing well. Can she ask the hairdresser to shape her uncoloured hair into a really attractive style? Commiserations to Mum from one who would hate to have her hair left uncoloured. I would feel like an old hag.
hi , just read your post , I have been having chemo and immuno for the last 12 months , my hair was really depressing me so I know how your mum feels , I took a chance although I was informed by my oncologist not to , I have foils done so use bleach and a tint , I have blonde hair , I have no problems at all and have been getting my hair done every 6 weeks since I was diagnosed back in 2022 , it may depend on the chemo your mum is having , the chemo I have is pemetrexed and pembrolizumab immuno, my hair has thinned but I still get my colour done as this makes me feel better , I have no problems at all , this is just my experience because your asking , I wouldn’t want you to get your mums hair done and it fell out but just letting you know how I got on , Hope this helps
So pleased to hear that your mum is doing well, Paulo1976. I can understand the hairdresser not wanting to put a colour on your mums hair just yet, if it falls out because of this your mum would be really upset and the hairdresser could be sued. The chemicals in colour could damage your mums scalp permanently so best to wait. I have coloured my hair most of my life but when covid hit I let my colour grow out and must admit I like it partly grey and it is in much better condition. Hope your mum goes from strength to strength x
Good to hear your mum’s hair is growing back and she can remove her wig. Sorry she can’t get her colour done yet. I suppose the chemicals may not interact well xx
hi Paulo. I waited until my hair was long enough to take a colour. I think it was around 4 months after chemo and 2 months after radiotherapy. I wasn’t told from my hospital not to get anything done and I was ok. I had a semi permanent colour put on and my hair was fine. Maybe try a different hairdresser? Or check with the nurse?
How about asking the question on the Macmillan support site? Otherwise, check with the hospital where she had the treatment. The sooner she has it done, the sooner she'll feel more 'normal', but it needs to be done within the right time frame.
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