I’ve been on the Ibrance/Letrozole combo for almost a year and would guess my hair has thinned about 50%. For those of you on same protocol for longer period (2 years? 3 years? 4 years? More?) is there any end in sight? Does it ever stop? Is there ever any regrowth?
I take biotin capsules rather sporadically, wash my hair only twice weekly with biotin-based shampoo, comb my wet hair carefully, and dry hair at lower speed and temperature. Still my hair continues to thin.
I know this is not a major complaint but gosh, it’s depressing! Any input would be much appreciated! Love and prayers for all of you! ❤️🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻 Linda
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SeattleMom
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I've been on Ibrance at least 3 years. My hair has gone from thick and wirey to whispy rabbit fur. My nails are also thinner. I have not been consistent with Biotin, so not fair of me to say it doesn't work. The good news is I still have hair. I haven't noticed any regrowth, but I seem to be keeping what I've got. There are days I notice hairs on my shirts (ouch). I keep it short. After chemo I decided to forego hair color, so I wear my white and put purple highlights in. I keep it quite short. I use eyebrow products and wear lipstick and earrings to compensate for this new me. I've tried a lot of thickening products with mixed results, but my new best friend is "Got to be Glued" in a yellow tube. Used very carefully and sparingly, it gives my hair some lift and shape. If you use too much, it does look like glue. I miss my hair, but have gotten use to this. Hope to be on Ibrance for a long time!
Thank you, N! I will not complain again! LOL! You are absolutely right--I am SO GRATEFUL for the GOOD THINGS provided from Ibrance. Have a wonderful day!! XXOO Linda
SM go on and complain! It’s healthy to blow off steam. I do all the time. This lifestyle is not easy. You get to the point where losing your hair is just another, albeit smaller, insult to your self esteem, but one you can laugh at. It’s not that I don’t care how I look, but what the h am I supposed to do? I have quite a lipstick collection, but keep losing earrings. 👄
I've been afraid to cut my hair as it doesn't grow much at all but l think it would look better shorter. Considering bad haircuts love had in the past - that scares me too. (vain l am).
I’ve only been on Ibrance six months but have had some thinning especially around the sides
I’ve had some extensions put in..very extravagant but they look fab..even though I feel rubbish and in pain from my bone mets I’m still a bit vain do what the hell!!
The extensions last about 4-6 months then they grow down and then can be replaced..also you can donate the old ones to a children’s cancer charity to make wigs for them so that’s good
My back and shoulders hurt but only when I exercise so just take painkillers and get on with it..just rode my horse and it was nearly dark when I left him..ugh hate winter
The hairdresser supplied shampoo and conditioner..Kerastase..can’t use any with oils or that softens the bonds and they can come out..have to try not to tangle hair so just pat dry after washing and dry on medium heat..have a special brush which brushes over the bonds..honestly it sounds like hassle but isn’t at all..I’ve used my straighteners but not where the extensions join on..no problem
Definitely worth it..are you going to get some?.. go for it
I think I will. It doesn't sound like it's any more complicated than the care I'm taking with my hair right now. Thanks, Barb!! You are an inspiration!! LOL!! Linda
Not yet, Barb. I know so little about them; how do they work during shampoo and comb out? How are they applied? How long do they last? I'm a hair care nerd. Thanks for asking! XXOO
I was on Faslodex and Ibrance for 6mo. Hair was thinning for the 1st 4mo then ceased. Questioned dr if it was because the drugs were no longer working, he said no. At 6mo reck PET scan, the drugs were no longer contolling my dz. So hopefully your hair loss is a sign that the combo of drugs is still effective.
Hi all!!! I love reading your comments!!! I became metastatic almost 2 years ago and doc swapped out my tomoxifin for letrozole/femara. My hair has been thinning horribly from that Med. I had my 2nd metastatic spread in September and in the process of getting a few consults from breast cancer Oncologists. Most likely will start the falsodex/ Ibrance combo with the month. Can’t imagine my hair would get any more thin than it is now but who knows!!!
Hi, the hair thinning is not fun. I am on 6th cycle of Ibrance and Letrozole and my hair has thinned considerably. However, it stopped falling around the 4th cycle. I had a CT scan 2 weeks ago and mets have all gone from my bones so it is still working even though hair has stopped falling. I am taking Nourkrin and Biotin and I think that helps. I bought the Halo and the Fall from Halo Couture and I wear one or the other everyday. They look very natural and I don't worry as much about my hair now.
Be thankful your hair is thinning. I was on the same and my hair thinned at first then stopped and started getting thicker. I knew then it was no longer working and when got the results of scan i was right. Good luck to you
Yes, as long as Ibrance is killing bone marrow production we are going to have hair loss/or no growth. Doesn’t really matter what we do on outside, it’s falli because of what we are doing on inside.
When I was on Letrozole and Zometa, my hair got thicker and curlier! Unbelievable. That continued while I was on Faslodex for several years but when Ibrance was added, it thinned out, though I still have a couple of chin hairs that I wish would disappear! I did not tolerate Ibrance well, ended up with lung issues and have been off it for two years but the lung and hair issues continue. I've had MBC for over 14 years and am grateful to have very cooperative cancer cells that respond well to treatment. I have "extensive" bone mets and know that eventually there will be problems but I try to live for now as much as I can.
After 12 months also on Ibrance / Letrozole my hair has thinned greatly , mostly in the first few months and especially at the front and sides . Now I don’t seem to shed much but my hair texture is more course. ( though previous years of straighteners probably didn’t help !) I have had it cut into a short bob so that it looks fuller and have a few blond highlights. I also use the German phyto caffeine shampoo which I like to think has encouraged regrowth. I also use a hair balm from Amazon ( Joico K-Pak Style Smoothing Balm ) to strengthen and protect and this helps to combat the dryness. (I did try Moroccan Oil but found it too heavy for my fine hair). I still blow dry my hair 3 times a week but no longer use my straighteners . But I am happy I still have my own hair as I know it could be a lot worse , and it’s the price I have to pay to fight this chronic illness. x
Hey there! On the combo for over two years: have slow growing cat hair but i do think a good biotin combo formula helps— strengthens nails and skin too
I’ve had the same response and I’ve been on that same combination for nearly two years. I’m having g to settle with short haircuts and thin hair. I buy a powder product called Caboki to fill in the thin spots. It’s very helpful for my self esteem. Google them and get a sample. It seems like a little sacrifice but I totally understand. God Bless you.
YES, l went to a good salon and told them about my hair, asked for who they would recommend. Got a shorter haircut that does look better, using 2 products together a styling gel and a smoothing cream. My hair has become ridiculously curly, found out it needs so much moisture especially in winter. My sister thought l had a hairdresser give me these curls l told her it was from my med and she laughed hysterically even as l told her l hated it. With the help of the products I'm making peace with it and planning on cutting it shorter. Found a good looking picture by googling haircuts for older women with curly hair. Good luck to you Sandra, Mary.
I say no matter what the scan results - treat yourself, maybe you will feel better. Someone told me whatever the scan results are we are already living wth the results so that makes me feel better when I am waiting.
Sandra, girl I'm glad the words helped you and so very happy you took care of yourself and got your hair done 🙂 good for you. When will you find out about the scan? I'm guessing it's good news because if docs are very concerned they will often call and see you sooner. If you still have to wait a long time you could consider calling. In any case do what's right for you and feel free to let me know. Praying for you, Mary.
I am trying to find a solution to this problem. I have thin hair to begin with and losing it is very distressing.
If learn anything helpful I will post it on HealthUnlocked. Yes, it is certainly depressing. Other than this I hope you and all the other lovely ladies are going to turn mbc into a cure. Hugs Marlene
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Thanks for asking! XXOO
Ibance 125m and Letrazole Hair loss
Change in hair texture/appearance while on Ibrance/Faslodex 
Multivitamin recommendations and do Biotin supplements help with hair loss/thinning? 
Hair
I know there’s been much discussion on Ibrance Letrozole and hair loss- does it stop 
