Forum Discussion
Does the frizzy hair last?
Is there anyone who is 2-3 years on from having had chemo who can tell me whether hair returns to normal in time? I had my chemo about a year ago and while I am relieved to finally have a full head of hair again it is infuriatingly curly/frizzy. It takes me a laborious half hour at least with my cheapie hair straightener to get it semi-straight. And even then it still looks a bit of a fright. Does post-chemo hair eventually return to normal or should I go out and invest in one of those super-dooper expensive hair-straightners? (Sorry, I know this is a trivial issue but I'm exhausted from tamoxifen-induced insomnia and I'm just fed up with the bloody hair issue.) Janet.
57 Replies
Well wasnt I the upset person when I started losing my hair! Then I wanted a wig before I lost it, and the wig lady was on Christmas holidays and I missed out on that idea. Then when I shaved it I got a scalp infection. I only felt super embarassed to start with. I have been very verbal about my Cancer experience and tell people straight up. I started with my wig and then once my hair started to grow back, my husband blew me away when he said "You dont need to wear the wig, I am used to you with your own hair!" I found the hot flushes were aweful and with a wig on in the summer time, double trouble. I never was a turbane or scarf person, just not my thing. I wore beanies through winter, and now here I am, with hair long enough to just go natural and is only 8 months later. Time just flew. By the way, there is a website that answers questions about 'What is recommended to do revolving around Cancer " and I noticed there is no evidence that colouring hair causes cancer, its just that our scalps may be sensitive, and they recommend 2 skin tests behind your ear 48 hours apart the week before. Its funny how many people say "You look great with your hair natural" and they either have long hair or its coloured! (hillarious!). Funny how I am way braver now, than I was at the start too! X Bel
Hi Sue,
I agree that avoiding any kind of chemicals just seems to make good sense. Everything we put on our bodies is going into our bodies!
Having said that, I've also had trouble with my nails splitting. I found rubbing coconut oil into them each night helped a lot. I also relented on my 'no chemical' rule and used a clear nail hardener on them. I just keep painting over it rather than messing about with acetone. This has helped a lot.
I live with my Mum and I am her carer.
She HATED me having my scarves off....and she lived with me full time.
I forgot that I had cancer some days and would walk into the room without anything on and be confronted by this shocked then very sad look as she took in my bald head.
Hi Karen....you look so attractive with your scarf, I can only imagine how lovely you would be with hair....or no hair....have the confidence to be yourself and don't be concerned about what the reactions are of others.
I figured that I had been without hair for so long, that I could do whatever I wanted when it grew back.
I wasn't prepared to accept the fluffy stuff and kept shaving it until the stronger hair came through.
I did it fortnightly breaks so I could see what was happening.
Then eventually it did come through in a very dirty odd colour.
I put up with it for a little while and then I coloured it with a mouse colouring.
I have had two haircuts since then and am now really happy with my new colour.......
Each to their own....but for me it was important to feel good about myself again and the "dirty" colour that came through was not me at all.......
Good luck with it all.
- Bummer yo May not get away. All in good time...easy to say I know. Take care. Paula :)
- Thanks curlysue, So, approx 4 months I'll have a decent crop. Oh, we'll 6 weeks from now has to better than now! Thanks. Holiday...hmm... Need a change of scene after being cooped up, shall what oncologist says next week! Thanks, Karen
- Hi Paula, I know that feeling about taking your wig of in comfortable company. Amongst family and friends its fine, for some clients - I take it off to explain my story. And strangers, I'm sure Ill be fine soon. I said by the end of September I want to be beanie free. But just discovering info on zoladex, I may not be going on holiday. I met with my oncologist next week to chat or commence treatment. More unknown ahead! Thanks for your words Karen
- Congrats on finishing chemo. You know the hardest thing for me was taking my wig off at work. I was fine with my colleagues as they all knew my story. However my clients did not (only because if I told everyone I would never have gotten any work done.) However amongst strangers I did not worry at all. I figured they didn't know that I ever looked any different. So go off on your holiday, enjoy yourself and when you are ready shed that beanie and wear your little bit of hair with pride. Good luck Paula :)
- Hi there, well done on completing chemo. It's great to get that behind you. I finished in Feb this year and probably stayed covered up at work for about 6 weeks. It's hard to remember now. But then my hair was short and funky for months, now quite thick. Straight on top but curly at the back. I have just gone back to wearing a scarf or headband as my hair is in a 'crusty the clown' stage. Quite difficult to manage at the moment. I am seriously considering a pixie cut tomorrow to tidy it up, but not sure yet. I want to grow it long again, so don't really want to loose length. In hindsight I think I should have just not worried way back in Feb when I started work. Should have just gone with it and not bothered with a head cover at all. Good for you, a trip to look forward to. Take care xxx Louie
