Hair loss

Hi ladies, can anyone advise on hair loss. Had my first chemo 2 weeks ago and yesterday and today my hair started falling out. The roots of my hair are so painful and my scalp feels so tender.Should I wash it? Or just buzz it off?

TIA

[0462County]

Hi Bunnyj

If you can cope with the pain of shaving your hair off I would do it. I shaved my hair off the night before chemo. I didn't have a cold cap so I knew I was going to lose my hair anyway.

Love and hugs.

Beth

[Hidden in reply to 0462County]

Hi BethThank you, I think I'll just brave the shave and order some pretty scarves.

Xx

[0462County in reply to Hidden]

Amazon sell chemo headscarfs already made up. They have elastic at the back, they look like bandanas from the front.

[Hidden in reply to 0462County]

Hi just been on Amazon and found some...ordered alreadyThank you xx

Head wrap

[doodoolatrice]

Once my hair started falling out just before my second infusion and I found strands in my roast dinner I braved the shave. It actually felt quite liberating x

[Hidden in reply to doodoolatrice]

Kept finding my hair in everything! Well shaved it off last night!Xx

[Doglover1410]

At that stage I just had mine cut really really short (couldn’t bear shaving!) then it would just rub off in the shower xx

[Hidden]

I've gone from long to a short bob hoping that might ease the shock....didn't work 🤷‍♀️

[Atai]

Hi,,, I cut mine quite short and then a few weeks later I sat and shaved it. It felt like I was taking a little bit of control, as strange as that may seem. X

[Hidden in reply to Atai]

Nope not strange at all...actually agree with you! Positive action xx

[Skyeplus]

Hi, hope you’re doing ok. Hair loss is one of the many things we have to deal with on this journey.. I knew I had chemo coming up and my hair was quite long..the hairdresser cut it really short for me, then when it started to come out it was easier. I never shaved, it fell out quite quickly. My scalp itched, I couldn’t bear a wig. A friend here recommended Jennifer Young scalp treatment and I found it very beneficial. My hair was sent to the Little Princess Trust Charity who make real hair wigs for children. It made me feel better to think someone else was benefiting from this situation. I hope you soon feel better. Xxxx

[Hidden in reply to Skyeplus]

Thank you, lovely idea sending your hair to princess trust ❤

[Riverflo]

Hi Bunnyj,Definitely shave it off. It feels so much better after.

I cried a lot when I lost my hair, not through vanity but because suddenly I really was a cancer patient. For the first week or so I hated going out in my new cancer hat, couldn't bear sympathetic looks. Spent a fortune on a wig I never wore. Then after a few days I got used to it and didnt think about it any more. And I think I had largely imagined that I was this sad case freak show walking down the street and actually people don't stare, and generally people have their own shit to deal with.

Wishing you all the best.

Martine xxx

[Hidden in reply to Riverflo]

Totally my thoughts at the moment, sort of makes it all so real now my hair has gone.Thank you xxx

[bananayo]

Hi, i had my hair cut short but when it started to come out in clumps when I combed it the lady in the wig shop at my hospital cut it so so short like a No 1 as I couldn’t bear to shave it all off ! It actually didn’t all fall out kept a very fine coverage. Amazon also do some very soft bamboo hats for nighttime wear but I also wore them during the day as they are so comfortable. I found that losing my eyelashes and eyebrows was worse than losing my hair! Xx

[Hidden in reply to bananayo]

HiTotally agree, Losing my eyelashes is gonna be hard as putting on makeup and mascara makes me feel pretty and feminine. False eyelashes look so fake and bushy!

I've found some chemo makeup YouTube videos so will watch them

Take care xx

[Rankij11]

as you’ve already had it cut short you’ll be ok but I had horrible experience. At time of chemo had a colour treated bob . Started treatment and about 2 weeks later washed hair one day and it congealed into this mass that looked like melted dolls hair . Nearly panicked, but rang wig shop lady and she spent an hour untangling as best she could and cutting very short . My saviour ! the fringe bit lasted mostly through chemo so popped a hat on when rest fell out .When I eventually have to lose it again I’m going straight for chop !!!I know we are supposed to stay cheerful , but hair loss is traumatic so my thoughts are with you

Jennifer

[Hidden in reply to Rankij11]

Thank you x

[NewtonEmma1900]

I had my hair cut into a pixie style a few weeks before staring chemo. It started to fall out 2 weeks after chemo - I still hated not having hair but it did mean a shave was unnecessary. I bought a wig and a turban. I did not really feel very comfortable in the wig so I bought ‘Christina’ Turbans, very soft and stylish. My hair has grown back now but I still have my collection of turbans ready for the inevitability of it happening again. Wishing you well on your journey.

[Hidden in reply to NewtonEmma1900]

Thank you x

[Trickysite]

I am a wig wearer, have blonde, red and also a grey one with contrast white fringe and switch according to colour of my clothes. Anyone reading this who fancies a wig, the best websites are Simply Wigs and Valentine, latter very price competitive.

[Hidden in reply to Trickysite]

Hi, will take a lookThank you x

[SKpaints1]

i found my head painful to.. ifor me i had it cut short first and then coyple weeks later had it shaved off… scalp was still tender and i used vitamin e oil to keep scalp soft. Take care

[Hidden in reply to SKpaints1]

Thank you xx

[StyleK]

Hi Bunny, completely sympathise with you. My head was so sensitive, itchy (& cold!), l wore a silk skull cap under my wig. But still was so tender/itchy could not wear wig for long. Wore silk skull cap then bamboo on top. Nightime laid a silk scarf over cotton pillow case, gentler on tender scalp. Hope that helps, silk skull caps & bamboo beanies from ebay & other search engines. Good luck with the cancer journey, wishing you well. xx

[Hidden in reply to StyleK]

HiI've actually brought a silk pillow case. Really helps

Thsnk you x

[Hidden]

Thank you ladies for all your lovely comments. This group really has helped with my mental health. I shaved it all off last night with a huge glass of wine and today I feel so much better. The pain has gone and the anxiety of finding clumps of hair everywhere has now gone. I covered my head in pure coconut oil and it feels amazing. So tips for anyone else...you can get it from holland and barrett.

Definitely agree with you Atai, the hair coming off is just my way of saying f*** you cancer , you’re boring now I’ll take it off myself and save you a job.

Xxx

[Leniko]

it was unerving to see hair coming out in the shower, or on my pillow. I decided to just have it cut very short figuring it will grow back. I did buy a good wig, but mostly wore turbans and silky bandannas just because they were more comfortable, and most of the people close to me already knew that I was in treatment. Nothing to be ashamed of, and the hair will most certainly grow back. Hang in there, it’s time limited.

[Hidden in reply to Leniko]

Thank you x

[Pianoplayer731021]

Hi, my dr. advised me not to shave my head, because shaving can irritate the sensitive scalp and possibly cause an infection. I ended up cutting my hair as short to the scalp as possible and it was fine. I also was bothered more about losing eyelashes like some of these other gals have talked about. Best wishes with going through this transition. Donna xx

[Hidden]

Thank you Donna, eyelashes are definitely my worst fear x

[Ruebacelle]

Assume it's taxol? At this point cut it very short then make sure they give you a cold cap. Use delicate baby shampoo. Good luck from paris

[Hidden in reply to Ruebacelle]

Thank you I've buzzed it to a grade 3 and the relief was amazing! Head feels so much better x

I used a lavender based shampoo

X

[Summergold2]

Buzz it off .............. much easier 😀

[Hidden in reply to Summergold2]

Done lol...feel so much better x

[Goodgirl98]

I had so much sensitivity and pain couple of weeks after the first chemo, I went to a local hair parlour after couple of days of braving it and took it all off. Just the relief from the pain was so worth it. My family and support system said I rocked my new look and we celebrated 😃

[Goodgirl98 in reply to Goodgirl98]

technically the hair stylist had the trimmer at the lowest level so that it did not hit the scalp and cause further pain.

[Hidden in reply to Goodgirl98]

Hi, totally agree. So glad I braved the shave as the pain was unbearable! Thank you x

[meadowgirl]

like others here, on impulse I walked into the local hairdressers and asked for a grade I. I was granted a wig by NHS which I chose on a zoom call during lockdown . I loved that wig. It was nicer than my own hair. Most people, including my young grandchildren never knew I had lost my hair. I was warned not to shave in case you cut yourself and healing/infection can be an issue while on chemo. I didn’t want to be seen by others as someone on chemo thus never took to scarves.

Everyone is different so you must absolutely do what you feel comfortable with.

[Hidden in reply to meadowgirl]

Morning, I'm back for my 2nd chemo on Thursday so will have a chat about wigs as there is a lady volunteer who sorts it for you.Thank you xx

[Yorkiepudd]

ooh I remember that, it was like you’d had a really tight ponytail but all over. I shaved mine off when that happened and it helped that discomfort and I also didn’t want to have random bald patches.

Good luck with the rest of chemo xx

[Hidden in reply to Yorkiepudd]

Thank you, wish you well too xx

[Caroles1]

My son shaved my hair off 2 weeks before chemo, because I couldn’t stand the thought of it falling out.I had a couple of fabulous wigs and some beanies for comfort, shaving is the way to go, less stressful.

There is always hope, I am still here, NED on no medication 10 years after.

Cxx

[Hidden in reply to Caroles1]

Lovely to hear your doing so well! Thank you x

[StilCrazy]

Hi

Losing your hair is upsetting initially but then it is actually lovely. No leg hair, no pubic hair, no waxing or shaving. You feel like a small child again. But for the stigma attached to being bald, I would have walked around with a bald head and loved it. When I did, 90 year old ladies were letting me through the door first and offering to help me!! so I wore a scarf, but otherwise I regretted it when my hair grew back (except my eyebrows, I missed them!)

[Hidden in reply to StilCrazy]

I've brought so false eyebrows lol...they are like transfers ready for when it happens Thank you x

[OvacomeSupport Partner My Ovacome Team]

Hi everyone

Thank you for your post Bunnyj and for all the supportive replies.

I just wanted to share the details of two organisations specialising in supporting those experiencing hair loss due to cancer treatment:

- cancerhaircare.co.uk/ - Cancer Hair Care are the UK's leading hair loss support charity. Their website contains a range of information, guidance and support. They have specific resources about eyebrows and eyelashes too.

- lookgoodfeelbetter.co.uk/ - Look Good Feel Better run free interactive workshops on hair loss, scalp care & new growth, as well as headwear, wigs, brows & lashes.

We've had some really positive feedback from our members about these.

I hope this information is useful. If there's anything you would like to talk through with a member of the Ovacome support team, please don't hesitate to get in touch. You can message us here on the forum, email us via [e-mail] or call our friendly support line on 0800 008 7054. We're here Monday - Friday, 10am - 5pm.

Best wishes

Annie - Ovacome Support

[Hidden in reply to OvacomeSupport]

Hi, thank you for the support links, will take a look.Just want to say the support I have had from this chat has been amazing and has improved my mental health and attitude.

Thank you so much x

[Bluetilly in reply to Hidden]

Dear Bunnyj

Hair loss really is traumatic and we all on his site understand how you feel. Being past my prime I felt guilty at minding so much as it felt like vanity ... fine in young women but foolish in older ones. This is so wrong as we all need to feel "normal" and comfortable with ouselves. My hair all fell out very quickly but I wore a wig in the day and a soft cap at night. There was one advantage though! I had been dyeing my hair dark brown for years, going to the salon every three weeks, never letting my roots show, so I chose a dark brown wig. When my hair grew back I couldn't think what the silvery fuzz was until I suddenly realised it must be my natural colour! So I got a silvery grey wig to match and went from brown to grey overnight, thus avoiding that awful process of gradually growing out a colour. I was just in time for Covid when all hairdressers closed so it felt like a very lucky escape! Be gentle on your scalp and when your hair grows back do try the Champo range of products (available online) especially the growth serum.

[Hidden]

Thank you. I've seen the champo range so will treat myself.I'm avoiding wigs at the moment as my scalp is very sensitive still

Treated myself to lots of head scarves and turbans x