CLL-.hair dye with FCR

[Fayeryan1]

hi...when did any members dye their hair before/ during /after treatment for CLL..I havent and darent as everything more sensitive now for at least 6 months and going pretty grey 😒...how long did you wait ? I dont want a reaction doing it too early ..even makeup caused irritation shortly after FCR started so a bit apprehensive for hair dye ...

[GMa27]

I dyed my hair all through out chemo. Was no problem. My oncologist said it's fine.

I dye my own hair but when I went for my haircuts, my hairdresser explained sometimes

during chemo it may not take as well. Mine fortunately was fine. My hair just thinned a bit during chemo. Go enjoy and dye your hair!

[Fayeryan1 in reply to GMa27]

really ..thats good ..thought it would sting ..did you have FCR ...i havent lost any either just gone a bit thinner

[GMa27 in reply to Fayeryan1]

Yes FCR. No stinging. I have to do mine every 2 weeks! That is how I ended up learning how to do it myself. Its so fun to be able to do it myself and saves so much money. Twice a year I have it professionally done. Lots of grey and of course my natural hair color comes thru. But during chemo I was able to get away with every 3 weeks. Hair grew slower. 💇💆

[J_88 in reply to GMa27]

Do you loose all your hair with FCR?

[Fayeryan1 in reply to J_88]

no that i am aware of ...mine just slightly thinner and done 5 cycles

[GMa27 in reply to J_88]

You don't lose hair....it thins out a little. I have always shedded hair Everytime I wash it. FCR usually has you shed more than usual. The drain of my shower would have a noticeable amount each wash . .but as I said I am always like that. Luckily I have a lot of hair so no one noticed. Most post that go thru FCR that they notice their brush has more than usual on it. 🙏💕

[J_88 in reply to GMa27]

So it dosen't make all your hair fall out and go bald like other people going through chemo?

[mrsjsmith in reply to J_88]

J88,

NO,

chemo doesn’t automatically mean you lose you hair ! There are many forms of chemo, and if that is part of the cure then no big problem.

Colette

[GMa27 in reply to J_88]

There are different chemos. Side effects can be different too. FCR does not cause your hair to fall out. Shedding or thinning out usually happens.

[CLLCalifornia-USA]

At 67 my hair is almost all white, except for the under layers in the back. I’ve continued to color my hair throughout treatments. My oncologist said it was fine. I dye my own and it looks great. The Ibrutinib has made it curly and much thicker. I know that is not the case for everyone.

If you feel better after coloring your hair, then do it. Enjoy.

Sally

[Sucee]

Hi, whilst I agree with all the other comments about hair thinning during FCR, I also ended up with a completely different hair colour post FCR when my hair thickened up. I used to have highlights regularly pre chemo, but I stopped during chemo and haven't since, as I figured I had enough jolly chemicals in my system without wanting to add more. The haematology team also recommended not adding more chemicals to the mix...so I haven't, to err on the side of caution. I also still have a really sensitive scalp, with an annoying itch, and I don't want to exacerbate this issue further with any hair dye. On saying that, I am very dark now, with very few grey hairs, so I guess I'm lucky in that respect. xx

[Fayeryan1 in reply to Sucee]

hi..yes my scalp is extra sensitive and itchy and my face is sensitive to makeup more than usual. I also thought of the chemical elements..i prob ask my team when i am there next week ...

[jewels6075 in reply to Fayeryan1]

If you don’t want to chance any more chemicals they do make some good cover up sprays to hide the grays. I haven’t dyed my hair since I started FCR. I have done 5 months. I use L’Oréal magic root coverup. It doesn’t take much just near your part. Put a towel over you clothes though while spraying.

[roszika]

It is perfectly ok to get your hair colored. I am on Veneteclax and rituximab and I get foils forbonde tips and tint and no bad reactions. My hairdresser uses a tint that is not ammonia based. There are such products around .. Before this treatment I was on the old chemo chlorambucil and again I had not problems with hair colorings and blonding products so you can go ahead

[Mandy56]

Hi, I had FCR and my hair definitely thinned. It seems to grow more slowly now.

I didn’t want to put any harsh chemicals on my skin, so found an organic hairdresser. I get highlights every couple of months or so. He does foils and doesn’t touch the scalp. You can google organic hairdressers and find one near you.

Good luck.

[livinglifewell]

I didn't do FCR but BR and gave up on both dye and makeup, I'm now gorgeously gray and my wrinkles and freckles are ala natural. There's no hiding the red blotchiness I get from steroids, it just goes away after a couple days.

[Fulart]

I echo another member's vote: If coloring your hair makes you feel good, then go for it. I colored my own hair for years, including the time I had chemo. It did not hurt me.

I'm going to throw in a monkey wrench. Jackie Kennedy had her hair professionally dyed for years, and I have read that the dye used might have contributed to her NHL. I stopped coloring my hair and discovered that the streaks of my own color along with the gray are attractive - discovery made by all the compliments I receive, to include my hair dresser. My daughter told me that people pay good money to get the effect I have. Of course I believe all my compliments :), but more importantly, I'm happy not to have to color my hair any more.

[PSP52]

When I learned that I had CLL I stopped coloring my hair and was surprised that my hair is white. It took a whole year for it to be its true natural color. I have gotten a lot of compliments on it. I am comfortable with it and feel so free. If I were to color my hair I would use a natural product. But I agree if coloring your hair makes you feel good by all means do it. There is literature out there about the darker hair dyes having some caustic chemicals n them.

[cook4650]

I have been on ibrutinib for over 3 years and continue to color my hair. Although it may be different for standard chemo treatments, I'm not aware.

[Ellieoak]

Dear Fayeran1,. I am curious,. Why would your Doctor suggest that you need FCR when there are new drugs out? Anna

[Fayeryan1 in reply to Ellieoak]

hi.. FCR is standard gold treatment for CLL in the UK from what i believe ..the other NEW drugs are part of the flair trial .i am on the trial but i was randomised for FCR still..the new drugs are not standard for CLL yet.