Forum Discussion

scram's avatar
scram
Member
5 months ago

Hair loss and chemo

Hi all, looking for advice.
i am starting chemo next week, doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide - 4 cycles x 2 weekly, then paclitaxel- 12 cycles x weekly. I am having a port inserted. 
I understand that hair loss will start after approx 14 days. I really don’t mind as it will grow back. 
Should I order some turbans now, how many should I get and what type.

any other advice ? 
  • GorgyS's avatar
    GorgyS
    Member
    4 months ago

    We all love our hair, but losing mine wasn’t as dramatic for me as I thought it might be. My husband shaved my head, and I chose a short grey pixie-cut wig for going out. It closely resembled my natural hair. I found it through the wig library at the hospital. Many people didn’t even notice the change, and I received so many compliments on how beautiful my "hair" looked. (I didn’t really care about the compliments, but I thanked them—sarcastically, of course! 😄)

    At home, when I was alone, I preferred going without anything on my head but found cotton hats to be very comfortable. Eventually, my hair grew back curly, and now I genuinely enjoy it. I don’t mind the compliments anymore! 😊. Whatever you chose, you should feel comfortable and own it. I did my research and got ideas from Look Good Feel Better as cranky_granny mentioned. Look Good Feel Better - Facing Cancer with Confidence. 

  • Abbydog's avatar
    Abbydog
    Member
    4 months ago
    I did not lose my hair.
    I used the Cold Cap for every Chemo session.
    Most Chemo suites offer this.
    It doesn't work for everyone. But I believe that you would know by the second or third Chemo sessions.
    The only thinning was where the cap did not fit well.
  • Katie46's avatar
    Katie46
    Member
    5 months ago
    I had my long hair cut short before I started chemo, and discovered I really liked it. When it stared falling out my scalp was quite sensitive and I had my husband buzz cut it, which really helped. The sensitivity didn't last long. 

    I ordered a few soft caps before I started chemo,  and added hats, caps and scarfs to my collection as I went along. I didn't bother with a wig, I just felt they would be too hot for me.
  • Afraser's avatar
    Afraser
    Member
    5 months ago
    I went for a very short cut rather than a shave - short hair falling is easier to manage. Cotton caps at night soothed a sensitive scalp when losing hair (and held falling hair). I went for wigs but found ‘straw’ hats made of paper (easily found on the internet) very easy on a bare scalp during summer. 
  • cranky_granny's avatar
    cranky_granny
    Member
    5 months ago
    @scram. I got mine from a little shop near Taree Hospital I did a quick visit to my sister before treatment started. And spotted them there 
    where about  are you situated. I bought all my scarves at op shops around Penrith NSW 
    if I dug through the cupboards/boxes I could probably find some. Also not everyone loses all their hair but getting the short cut will make it easier if you do decide to shave it off 

  • scram's avatar
    scram
    Member
    5 months ago
    Thankyou cranky granny, your comment about your hair has made me laugh, I needed that :-) I am planning on getting my long locks cut short next week but the shave might be the go.  Where did you get the jersey caps from ? I will investigate scarf tying methods.  

  • cranky_granny's avatar
    cranky_granny
    Member
    5 months ago
    @scram it will all depend on how sensitive your head is. Check out The look good feel better program for great ideas not sure where your living so if you’ve been assigned a nurse she/he will be able to tell you whether there is a class near you. It really is worth the outing
    My hair started falling out at 10 days like a long haired pet  had been moulting. 
    I got it shaved off fast because my scalp became very sensitive and felt like it was crawling with centipedes. The feeling of it being gone was quite nice and empowering. 
    I used long soft colourful scarves and picked up some soft jersey caps. Did get a wig but only wore it once. Had a couple of crazy hats as well all for fun. My treatment was over summer so hot as. 

    Hope your chemo is kind to you. Theres lots of things to treat the side effects these days you just have to let them know how you have felt. A journal is often handy. If anything comes up jump on here and ask away. Though we all are different to some degree. Someone has been there or had that happen. 
    I took munchies. An iPad and a support person with me we chatted and amused ourselves and the time flew by.