Hair loss

[Caboodle]

Hi to all you brave and resilient ladies

I finished 6 treatments of carboplatin/paclitaxel in the summer of 2024. I had almost total scalp and body hair loss. Three months after the end of the treatment my hair had grown back and eyebrows and eyelashes so looking quite good I thought. However by the middle of December my hair started to fall out again and now I have nearly total scalp and body hair loss. Has anyone else experienced this? My dr thinks it may be stress related. Thank you for reading this.

[Gonewith]

Hi, are you on any maintenace medication? That could also cause or help losing your hair. My hair grown but after a year my eyelashes hasnt.

I used rosemary oil on my scalp and eyebrow. I know its hard but try to relax yourself that could help. Xx

[Caboodle in reply to Gonewith]

Thank you for your reply. I am not on any maintenance medication. I shouldn’t complain really as I am doing well other than this. Lots of stress unfortunately, my husband has had colon cancer, spread to liver and now neuro endocrine tumours. It’s been a tough time for us. I will try the rosemary oil and try some different shampoos. Wishing you well.

[Bliss31]

Hi lovely,

I’m really sorry to hear this as for me I was so relieved when it did grow back. Stress can cause a lot of damage to your body.

I found taking Biotin supplements has helped mine grow back thicker and faster. I hope this helps you xx

[Caboodle in reply to Bliss31]

Thank you. It’s nice to have recommendations of things to try. It was great to have hair again and I miss it!

[Gerontious in reply to Bliss31]

Thanks for your comments. I've been using rosemary oil and Plantur shampoo and lotion but can't say I've noticed much difference. I'll ask my oncologist if it's OK to try biotin.

[Gerontious]

It's distressing enough to lose your hair due to chemo but to lose it again must be really upsetting. My hair has grown back thankfully. I am on maintenance parp inhibitors which doesn't seem to have affected it. I have been using rosemary oil as well as a hair growth shampoo and lotion which doesn't seem to have made much difference to the thickness. Stress can be a cause (it's enough stress having cancer let alone losing your hair again) but there are other factors as well. This isn't much help in response to your question but ask your on oncologist . I really hope your hair starts to grow again soon.

[Caboodle in reply to Gerontious]

Thank you for your reply. My oncologist has not come across this before but was very sympathetic. It seems rosemary oil is a good thing to try and maybe more relaxation. Such a difficult time for us as my husband also has cancer. I’m very grateful that I am well and try to think positively - although the bald lady who looks back at me from the mirror still makes me jump!

[Gerontious in reply to Caboodle]

I really feel for you and your husband and hope and pray that better times will come. Your comment about the lady in the mirror making you jump shows you still have a sense of humour. Hold on to that.

[ZenaJ]

Hi. I'm so sorry to hear about your hair loss. This must be very distressing and if your hair loss is due to stress it's a bit of a catch 22.

I lost all my body hair but used the cold cap. My hair is thinner but this happens when you get older anyway. My leg hair and underarm hair is non existent and my eyelashes are sparse. I have one eyebrow and a very sparse second eyebrow. I use an eyebrow brush to even them up. I thought about a tattoo but haven't gone ahead with that. My eyelashes are just about there and a bit of mascara makes them look better.

Again, this doesn't help you. It's still early days for you and these things can take time. My neighbour had a similar thing to you and she told me that when her hair came back the first time it was a different texture and fell out again, then her hair grew back again and was beautiful so hopefully this will happen to you too.

Wishing you all the best. xx

[Caboodle in reply to ZenaJ]

Thank you for your reply. Perhaps I am expecting too much too soon. I am also thinking about eyebrow tattoos as it does make such a difference to your appearance. At least I can wear a hat over the winter and hope that spring brings me some hair. Xx

[Gerontious in reply to ZenaJ]

Thanks Zena.I declined the cold cap. I can't stand being cold! I hope you're right in what you say. Good yo know other people's experiences. Thank you.

[Sheena13]

I’ve had a reoccurrence in August and mine fell out with radiotherapy, my oncologist thinks either an adverse reaction or stress. I’ve just shaved off what’s left and embraced the bald warrior I am. I’m sure you’re just as beautiful with or without it, mines just starting to grow back but patchy until it’s a full head I’ll keep shaving it. My eyelashes are still there but they eyebrows have fallen out as well, they’re the biggest pain trying to draw them in every time I go out once I have a break in my treatment I’ll look at getting some semi permanent ones x

[Caboodle in reply to Sheena13]

It is important to embrace how you look and your words have reminded me of that - thank you. I use a Nyx lift and snatch eyebrow pen. It really is very good - with a magnifying mirror you can draw every little hair and looks very natural. Xx

[Sheena13 in reply to Caboodle]

Thank you for that I’ll order one now, I’ve got my usual Estee Lauder eyebrow pen but it’s only for filling in not drawing them on. The concentration it takes it ridiculous, especially after being zapped for 9wks my brains shot 🙄

We are what we are and my philosophy is we’re still here, still alive, still fighting who cares whether I’ve got hair or not. It’s a badge of honour, we’re lucky to still be alive & living everyday 🩵🩷 x

[Barmycharm]

Hi my hair starting falling out again when I started taking Niraparib. Like you I found it distressing, having lost every hair on my head and body with first line chemo. I was on 200mg and my hair was falling out in handfuls especially when washing it. My dose was reduced to 100mg due to other side effects and thankfully my hair stopped falling out. It took several months but with the help of my hairdresser and thickening shampoos it’s now more or less as it used to be. So if you’re on Niraparib or similar I would think it’s almost certainly the cause and might be worth discussing with your oncologist although it depends which other side effects you might be experiencing balanced against the efficacy of the dosage… can be a tough choice .

Best wishes

Claire xx

[Caboodle in reply to Barmycharm]

It is a struggle with hair loss. I am not on any medication now so I am just hoping that if it is stress related my hair will grow in time. Xx

[Gerontious in reply to Barmycharm]

Thank you. I am on naraparib 200mg but I'm loathe to reduce it. My hair is about 2 inches long on the top so it's not disastrous. My hairdresser has cut the sides and back to fit in with the crown. It's been good to hear so many people's experiences.

[Trickysite]

I love my wigs, in four colours! I have had so many compliments from strangers on my hair. Sometimes I say it’s a wig, depending on whether I feel it may embarrass them, not me! Yaboo to hair loss! Emma