TIPS FOR THINNING AIR

[SeattleMom]

Many of you fellow MBC patients, like me, may be experiencing thinning of hair due to any number of drug treatments (I believe mine is primarily a side effect of Ibrance.) In any event, at a recent trip to the hair salon, my stylist recommended two products for thinning hair that I have been using with some success. These are in addition to any number of hair shampoos and conditioners that have been mentioned in posts by others. Both are very reasonably priced on Amazon:

The "Wet Brush," an amazing detangler: amazon.com/Wet-Brush/b/ref=...

And the "Invisibobble," which is great if your hair is long enough to wear in a pony tail: amazon.com/Invisibobble/b/r...

I am finding that I am losing much less hair when I have to detangle it after a shower (this brush is also great for dry brushing) and the Invisibobble replaces any of the hair ties that often pull hair out when you remove them.

I hope others find these as beneficial as I have!!

[HopeinNJ]

I’ve noticed my eyelashes and eye brows have nearly disappeared (extremely sparse at the very least) after 4 months on IBRANCE. I realize it’s mild in the scope of it all and both are an easy fix. Some hair thinning but not too bad.

Thanks for the tips!

[LAPD in reply to HopeinNJ]

I had my eyebrows tattooed recently after thinning hair from original chemo 10 years ago. They look amazing! You can't tell that they're tattooed. I'm about to start my 5th round of Ibrance. Diagnosed MBC in November.

[SeattleMom in reply to LAPD]

Me, too, LAPD! Actually had my eyebrows tattooed before my cancer returned (little did I know I was ahead of my time). But I totally agree with you--the procedure takes 10 years off your age! LOL!

[BeckyHobson in reply to SeattleMom]

Seattle Mom, where did you have your brows done at?

[SeattleMom in reply to BeckyHobson]

Hi, Becky! I actually had them done last summer at a salon in Tacoma, but I heard that they are done at Nordstrom's as well.

[Jerseygirl45]

Thank you I will check them out.

[darlenejulien]

I will be starting my 7 month of Ibrance & my hair has really thinned. I have always had fine hair but I actually had to cut my bob to a more shorter style (above the ears). I never thought I'd say it but wearing the wig through chemo was much easier then this! Funny, the eye lashes are fine. I do use rogaine & have been since after chemo (8/2014) on the front part, but I'm not so sure it's doing much & once you start using it..........I'm thinking of looking into another wig!

[SeattleMom in reply to darlenejulien]

I haven't heard whether you eventually lose your hair completely? How long has Ibrance been in use? My hair is fine as well and I lose lots of strands every day. But if this is the worst side effect, I cannot complain!! Good luck to you, Darlene!! XO

[darlenejulien in reply to SeattleMom]

Thank You SeattleMom! What part of Seattle are you from? I lived in Gig Harbor for 2 years then moved back to CA. miss WA.

Your not suppose to lose your hair on Ibrance, or so my Oncologist said. I'm wondering if the reason mine seems so very fine now is because I stopped Biotin. I was taking that for 5 years (b-4 cancer). My husband read something about it & I stopped (can't remember what)! I think I might try that again & see what happens. And I also agree if this is the worse side effect....🙃

[SeattleMom in reply to darlenejulien]

Hi, Darlene!

I just moved to the northeast end of Capitol Hill after living in Laurelhurst for the past 20 years. I grew up in Bremerton, so know Gig Harbor very well; it is such a lovely little town! I actually have a condo in West L.A. where my daughter is living right now. She also misses Seattle and will be moving back very soon. Where do you live in California?

I also read that Biotin is a great supplement for preventing hair loss, so I have started to take that daily. Sure hope it helps over time! Good luck to you, Darlene, as we both battle this bummer disease. XXOO

Linda

[darlenejulien in reply to SeattleMom]

Hi Linda,

We have a home in Lake Forest (Orange County). Moved back here to be near our daughter who had our first granddaughter 16 mos. ago. Would always come back to see my oncologist every 6 mos. & that's when I/we found out about the bone mets.

Good luck to you also!

Darlene

[Red1246 in reply to SeattleMom]

Please check with your oncologists or NPs before using supplements. Mine was not in favor of Biotin but I’m afraid I don’t remember why as the discussion took place early last year. My hair has thinned too and the texture has changed and is frizzy. I’ve gone to a wig which looks much better.

[Snowcone16 in reply to darlenejulien]

Since I’ve been juicing my hair has grown inches. I’ve been juicing since February 1. And it feels thicker in back. I just started Ibrance on April 24 so I can’t say I have any side effects of that,..

However, I did start folsadex and xgeva and I think that my hair on top is thinning. Definitely going into chemical menopause has changed the texture. I have a small scalp skin met and don’t know if that’s impacted.

Right now it’s ok..may look into the halo couture fall. At least that would also cover my grays in between coloring because I’d like to reduce my trips for color treatments.

[SeattleMom in reply to Snowcone16]

Hello, Snowcone! Are there any particular juice combos that you can recommend? XO Linda

[Snowcone16 in reply to SeattleMom]

Well, I did just read on Pinterest not to do the same day after day. There are tons there. I got a great juicer for $99 on Amazon. Usually, it’s 3-4 carrots, 1-2 apples, 2-3 stalks of kale. Sometimes I add spinach or replace the kale.

I’ll be honest —I didn’t eat vegetables most of my life. After the stage 2 dx I added it. Then when I got the stage 4 at 18 months later, I started juicing.

[SeattleMom in reply to Snowcone16]

Thanks so much for info!! XO

[Clair19 in reply to darlenejulien]

Hi there, I know this post is older but I never saw it. Unfortunately Ibrance is a target therapy which attack’s normal cells, hair follicles mostly because they grow so fast. I was only on Ibrance 3 weeks and lost more hair than Doxil. I can’t take it because of my Neutrophils dropped to critical levels. The first thing my oncologist does when I’m on new medicine is gives me a printed list of side effects. Ibrance was as high percentage on hair loss then Red Devil my Chemo. I know your oncologist is the best but don’t know why he/she said no hair thinning. Maybe he/she thought you meant total loss. I know hair is no big deal compared to this disease but it’s still hard to lose it. I think because we look so healthy with it, when it starts to thin a lot people notice and it’ like what? For me anyway. Mine has grown past my shoulders, thinner but not falling out because I’m only on Faslodex injections. I hope you don’t mind me telling you this. Sometimes the ladies that are pre not post hair loss is less because of more hormones.We can always find things to help. Good luck!

[Klamato in reply to darlenejulien]

Hi , I use Nioxin shampoo and that has helped, but I have noted a curlie re-growth, especially at the bottom of my hair. It's a nusence! But the shampoo does make a big difference, it's used for thinning hair and they have a formula for colored hair also. Try it's! Kathy

[Bekadawn in reply to SeattleMom]

After my 10th cycle my hair has started to grow back. I now have 1 to 2 inch strands that are completely kinky curly and a finer texture than the rest of my head. I drink Collagen protein daily. Hope this gives you some hope of return growth.

[SeattleMom in reply to Bekadawn]

Many thanks for the info! Sure hope I have the same results!! Linda

[Jerseygirl45 in reply to Bekadawn]

My hair is thinning also. I always had such nice thick wavy hair. But you are right I am getting new growth and it is cork screw. So funny. I just hope it stops thinning at some point.

[SeattleMom in reply to Bekadawn]

Just out of curiosity, what is the collagen protein drink you take? Is it palatable? Thanks, Beka! XO Linda

[TNBC16]

I'm hearing anecdotal stories about castor oil to help hair growth. As far as I know there

aren't any official studies however some people swear that castor oil helps hair growth on the head, eyelashes and eyebrows. Google it...many options appear.

[SeattleMom in reply to TNBC16]

Thank you for reply! I'll definitely check it out!! XO

[JulSoul]

poufpowder.com/

I have been using this product created in the salon I go to. It’s wonderful. It gives you added volume and coverage. Besides thinning, my hair has lost it’s bounce, this also helps with that. It’s all natural, no chemicals or animal testing. It’s not up yet on the web page, but I modeled for the product. Once the piece is added you will see how wonderful it works on my hair.

[SeattleMom in reply to JulSoul]

Thanks so much for additional tip! I'll check it out!

[SeattleMom in reply to JulSoul]

Just ordered some online! Thanks again!!

[HopeinNJ in reply to SeattleMom]

I missed the name of the product. Could you share ?

[JulSoul in reply to HopeinNJ]

poufpowder.com/

[Southside25 in reply to JulSoul]

Very late to this conversation, but is Pouf Powder like Toppik powder? The link doesn't really give any information on exactly what this product is or what it does. Thanks for any info you can provide.

[JulSoul in reply to Southside25]

Did you scrol down past the hair colors? It tells you what it does and what is in it. It is a product that colors your scalp and gives you some body. Her email address is at the end of the link. I use the product to fill in my thinning hairline.

[Hidden]

Great advice - thanks

[SeattleMom]

Combination of both?

[PJBinMI]

Something I have noticed in the time I've been living with MBC--alot more women are going out in public with their heads bald than when I was first diagnosed 14 years ago. I think that is a positive change! I've not lost my hair, but it did thin some during the short time I was on Ibrance, and it has changed alot in how it takes hair coloring. It's alot brassier now than before hormonal treatment (for over 14 years now). My brows and lashes are alot thinner, too. I have heard of women with thinning lashes having tattooed eye liner. The thought of doing that gives me the willies!

[SeattleMom in reply to PJBinMI]

Hi, PJB! Would you mind sharing why you stopped taking Ibrance and what is your current hormonal treatment? Thank you!

Linda (Diagnosed MBC in November 2017 and on Ibranze/Letrozole protocol ever since--with hair that has thinned considerably.)

[ghnstuff22]

Also on Ibrance/Letrozole and I truly believe the letrozole is responsible for any hair loss. Mine was coming out a lot but after changing my diet, adding high quality proteins and lotsa greens it is not coming out anymore and hair stylist said there is a lot of new growth. I believe a lot of water and daily oils help. Hope it improves soon. 😊💚