microblading - eyebrows

Hi Ladies, i hope everyone is having a lovely Wednesday.
Just a quick questions, I have been told I need Chemo before surgery as I have TNBC. I just wanted to ask about Microblading eyebrows as I have been told I will lose my hair (which I knew anyway) but also my eyebrows will go.
My oncologist appt is next Wednesday to organise my regime and then presume my first session will be shortly after - again not sure what to expect or timelines ect.
the reason i knew about microblading is a good friend of mine has a sister that specialses in this and especially works with cancer patients that are going through chemo so she has recommended her to me.
Has anyone had this done and if so is there side affects, should i do this before chemo starts and i lose the hair ect.
appreciate your adivce.
x
Just a quick questions, I have been told I need Chemo before surgery as I have TNBC. I just wanted to ask about Microblading eyebrows as I have been told I will lose my hair (which I knew anyway) but also my eyebrows will go.
My oncologist appt is next Wednesday to organise my regime and then presume my first session will be shortly after - again not sure what to expect or timelines ect.
the reason i knew about microblading is a good friend of mine has a sister that specialses in this and especially works with cancer patients that are going through chemo so she has recommended her to me.
Has anyone had this done and if so is there side affects, should i do this before chemo starts and i lose the hair ect.
appreciate your adivce.
x
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I had mine done after Chemo so can’t comment to the side affects.
I successfully used the cold cap this year, and I would definitely recommend trying it.
I also had my eyebrows microbladed after my Mastectomy and prior to Chemo.
I would assume it would be wise to have eyebrow tattoos done prior to starting Chemo, if you want it done.
Once that you have started Chemo, you will be more prone to infection, especially if your White Cell numbers drop as they often do on Chemo. Depending on the time frame that you have, you may not get your touch up prior to Chemo. If you don't ask if they will do it after chemo, they may be sympathetic.
I finished Chemo in August, and still have few eyebrow hairs. But they weren't thick before.
I missed my eyelashes too, they grew back 2 months after chemo.
Good luck with your decisions, and your future treatments.
I’d not heard about micro blading, so didn’t do it. I’m drawing my eyebrows on with varying success.
note: most of my body hair has also disappeared! Just a few leg hairs and pubes left!!
best of luck with it all.
I don't know why so many Oncologists dissuade patients from the Cold Cap.
There are many ladies on this site who have had success, including myself.
You would probably know before the 3rd treatment if it is working or not. You could give it up then.
I had similar chemo for 20 weeks. 4x 2weekly EC, then 12xweekly Paclitaxol.
I'm glad that you did the eyebrows. I have no idea how I would have down mine on after they were all gone.
Side effects vary widely amongst all of us. I had no serious side effects, it was all manageable. No nausea either.
All the best of luck with your Chemo. Report any problems to your Oncologist, there may be some good advice or treatment available. Thinking of you.
I am on 4x 2 weekly of Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide plus Pegfilgrastim ( are there abbreviations for these
then i am on Paclitaxol for 16 weeks - i am glad to hear no serious side affects and that it was manageable.
i think my biggest fear after reading how everyone reacts is the neuropathy that people can get on Paclitaxol - fingers crossed i am one of the lucky ones.
does anyone have any advice on things to do pre having this chemo so i can combat or lessen the chance of getting neuropathy.
thanks
x
I too had late change of mind to give Cold Cap a go.
I was lucky to be accommodated.
Just ask if you are interested, but do it soon.
You will be ok regardless. The Pegfilgrastin (I can't think of an abbreviation either) is a stimulant to the bone marrow.
In an effort to avoid low White Blood cells, and therefor possible infections. And to help avoid delays in your continued treatment. I only received this while on EC (Epirubicin and Cyclophosphamide) as this was called dose dense.
With the Paclitaxol, some ladies here have used ice/cold therapy on their hands and feet, I hadn't heard of it.
Therefore I didn't try this. I didn't get peripheral neuropathy
You should be able to find their posts here somewhere, or they may reply here to you.
If you aren't able to use the cold cap, you may want to buy a wig and/or scarves to be ready for hair loss, in case you do feel unwell later.
You may like to cook up and freeze some meals etc.
Because I din't have nausea, I cooked quite a lot, but this was also during COVID lockdown and lots of people did this.
The Dexamethasone that you will probably be given with each Chemo can stimulate appetite, and temporary energy.
So you may find a pattern of more and less energy days.
You may want to have some drugs ready for constipation. With EC this is common. Maybe similar to your chemo.
Read the possible side effects for your drugs. I took Coloxyl with senna morning and night for 2 days following EC for constipation. You will find out for yourself.
I hope some of this is helpful.
That said, I managed chemo well and took on board the great advice I got here. I took the anti nausea meds as my nurses told me to take them and to not wait; they also said not to try and ride out the sick feeling, as if it starts it can be hard to manage. I was never sick. I was definitely tired/fatigued at different stages, but you will get to know the days where you feel the most tired and need to take it easy.
As far as neuropathy goes, I did the ‘ice therapy’ - which I read about on here. @PV123 and @Locksley have both used it too, so I have tagged them as they may be able to help too. You will most likely have to get the things yourself, but that isn’t hard and I just kept my little kit ready each week. I iced my hands and feet and did not experience any severe issues. My doctor and nurses were very supportive. You need to ice before the infusion starts and for a time after the infusion finishes. I felt it was well worth it.
I am happy to send pics - I have put some up somewhere, but I can send them if you need. I bought my ‘booties’ online from a place in the USA and I just put gloves on my hands and put them in a bowl of ice. I used the hospital gloves.
I hope this helps and I am wishing you well. Mx
thanks
@CarrieP make sure you let your doctor know if you feel anything at all - as it can kind of build up and keep going after you finish taxol. My doctor told me not to hide it from him as they want to avoid any permanent damage. Also, he told me that whilst 12 is the number, he said that taxol was still effective if I only made it to 9. He told me this on the first day of taxol because he wanted to reassure me that it wasn’t a big deal if I didn’t reach 12, it was more important to ensure I didn’t have permanent nerve issues.
Another good thing to remember is that your medical team will be doing everything they can to keep you well during chemo, so make sure you let them know if you are having any issues. I went out and bought all kinds of things ‘just in case’ I needed them. Whilst I didn’t really use a lot of them most of the time, they were handy to have - biotene mouthwash, fruit tingles, Moo Goo products etc.
I also kept a calendar and put a big Red Cross on each day I finished a round of treatment - I loved doing that!
I will send the pics through. Take care M x