How have you "shaved" your heads? My head started feeling tender a couple of days ago and yesterday I noticed more hair than usual stuck in my hairbrush. Do you just get it cut real short until it all falls out? Ism there something we can do for the sensitivity of our scalp? I never thought about these details before. Duh! I'd appreciate any advise!
Thank you for all the responses! My hair is coming out but I'm surprised by how much is left! I sure look older! Though not as old as my grandmother did at my age!
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Dear PJBinMI---When my hair fell out I certainly did not shave my head. My hair fell out completely and so I wore a wonderful hand knitted hat with long hairs that was becoming and warm. Why put yourself through yet another uncomfortable episode? We suffer enough, already.
first I just cut it real short then used the clippers when most of it was gone. I bought a wig but couldn’t stand wearing it so I just got a few caps and they were great.
You have had such a go of things these past few months. My heart breaks for you!
I have/am going through hair loss for the third time. Some drugs are fast like AC, it was all gone within a week, Enhertu was slow. With this one I haven’t actually shaved it all off yet, and now that it failed my hair is coming back.
The first time I cut my hair short in preparation and at the first handful that came out while washing it I shaved my head. I wanted the control over my appearance. I wore a wig for 6 months, I looked exactly like my old self. I even bought different lengths to depict growth if you can imagine. It was what I needed the first time around to get me through it. After a three month break from AC my hair grew back, but the I started again and the second time I just said screw and wore cute hats - bamboo is very nice on the head and not too sweaty.
This time I kept about a 1/4 inch but it was getting very patchy and I was about to buzz it when Enhertu failed. I have surgery coming up I think, then the Taxol’s so I will have to decide what I want to do next.
Wigs or caps, they both have their place, I think the harder part is eye brows. I always draw on eye brows. I use 2 shades to make it look more realistic.
I have used the same shampoo all the way through, I got it special from this little shop run by a lady who went through Breast Cancer herself. I posted the picture before but it is called Terapo Medik. It’s expensive but I am still in my first set; there are 4 parts. 2 shampoos and 2 scalp conditioners. One conditioner is for during chemo and the other for not in chemo. My scalp never burns, and hair grows back in soft and amazingly thick and fast!
my mother received 21 taxol. the last on Friday. after the 3rd, her hair fell out a lot, but she only cut it short. it grew back over time and never completely fell out. it's just gray. so you don't have to shave your hair because it might not be necessary.
I went from mid back length to buzz cut in 2 stages before the taxol and when I kept getting tiny bits of hair in my tea/meals I shaved compketely. After 3 weeks my scalp had massive sores so I used a salve prescribed by GP, and didn’t use wigs as the stocking type liner gave me headache as too tight. Got some really soft cotton caps with a fancy side bit in different colours.
I'm so sorry for all you have gone through recently and sad you have to deal with hair loss now. I don't have advice for you but wanted you to know that you will be in my thoughts and prayers. I hope this treatment works for you. Sending you some hugs.
I decided to go ahead and have my head buzzed before it all fell out on Taxol, it was the only thing I felt I could control. I never found a comfortable wig to wear as my scalp stayed very sore and tender. I found some attractive beanies to wear.
Thank you! They gave me two very soft knit hats at the cancer center. LLBean has some soft hats, too. And I found some cheap scarf caps on Amazon. If I don't have hair, I', going to enjoy pretty alternatives, LOL!
I didn’t shave my head because I was told it could irritate hair follicles more. My hair was short however. I bought some chemo caps on Amazon (head got cold without hair at night) and got two wigs. PaulaYoung.com could be a source for wigs. Don’t have a solution for head pain other than very general massage ….
Thanks! I've been exploring sources for hats! Quite a variety out there. They gave me a couple of very soft caps at the cancer center. One's several shades of red, pink and orange just thinking of it makes me smile! Not like my old pre-cancer wardrobe, LOL!
It has been a few years since. I think that by the time I realized what was happening to the time I had no hair, it was probably about two weeks, possibly a little longer.
I shaved mine because it was so itchy and patchy as it fell out.
I bought hats from: headcovers.com but my favorite things are my purchases from buff.com - the buff like they give them on the survivor show. They are UV, come in tons of colors - even a bandana print - and super comfortable. I think I have 8 of them now. I've been bald for 2 years now from various meds - my husband is now superstitious that if I have hair, my treatment isnt working.
I have a wig but I only wear it now when I am around someone who doesn't know about my cancer - I wore it to my high school reunion and no one was the wiser. A good synthetic hair one is expensive but I have a receipt for reimbursement from my insurance. The American cancer center also has a wig shop where you can get one for free
Thanks for all this info! I bought two wigs shortly after my original MBC diagnosis in 2004 but didn't start losing my hair until last week! I have gotten several hats. My scalp is getting more tender by the day! I got a couple of knit hats from LLBean. I wore one of them to bed last night, under my C-pap (with oxygen) head gear. Getting ready for bed is getting longer and longer! lol
Thank you! Doing well. My hair cut lady is quite familiar with cancer and she clipped remaining hair off. Scalp not tender now and I'm getting used to the hat wearing, LOL! Makes showering + dressing much easier & quicker, that's for sure. Taxol infusion Two days ago went smoothly. Good week!
Glad you are doing well, sounds like things are improving with your scalp. Also, I'm happy your infusions are going well. Take care of yourself. Sending hugs.
I’m so sorry you’re going through this …it happened to me 20 years ago, I was on school vacation and my chemo was scheduled for the start of the new school year…as a teacher I wanted normalcy…not just for me to do my job but normalcy for my students so they could focus on learning. When I knew I would lose my hair, I buzzed it and went yo buy a great wig that looked similar to my real hair. I know exactly what you mean about the scalp pain…like if you’ve worn a ponytail for too long and ten take it down…but maybe worse. It’s the follicles dying…folliculitis , inflammation from the chemo. Once the hair falls out , the pain stops. Even the buzzed hair hurts..but it was easier to stimulate my scalp in the shower as it loosened and fell out… it’s eerie to see the transformation…the shiny skin. But then the wig hugged my scalp better and was more comfortable to wear.
At home I just wore a knit cap but I chose to always wear my wig in public. That was me. But I can promise you, the scalp pain is very short….and you’ll be ok.. ❤️🩹 hugs….
Thank you! And thank you for teaching! One of the best careers for making important contributions! My daughter teaches middle school and can hardly wait to retire..... teaching ain't what it used to be, that's for sure. My head is pretty comfortable these days!
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