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Chris's avatar
Chris
Member
15 years ago

Thinning Hair

I finished chemo just over 5 months ago, and my hair is starting to grow back. It is coming back very curly, and very thin. I was wondering what everyone elses' hair looks like when it grows back. I know that curly is normal and that it will straighten with time, but I'm concerned about the thinness of what has come back. I have 3 things going against thick hair returning, menopause, 4 months of tamoxifen, and now femara that I started 3 weeks ago. All of these can cause hair thinning. Just wondering if anyone can tell me if my hair will thicken with time? I have had one haircut about a month ago, and the hairdresser cut off about 1 cm of soft fluffy stuff. Should I be having regular hair trims? My hair is about  3cms long now. I saw an add for Rogaine hair restorer and wondered if something like that would work. I think they only recommend it for hereditary hair loss. Does anyone have any suggestions for hair thickening that has worked for them?

12 Replies

  • Peggy's avatar
    Peggy
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hello Fellow Curlies....enjoyed all the comments about the curly hair.  Everyone loves my "perm" - I am still trying to get used to the look!!  Bit hard to keep tidy  - would love my fringe back though!!  I did try straightening my hair - but it looked even worse so gave up on that.  Ladies dont fight it....just enjoy the new look!!  Have a beautiful day and take special care.  Love and hugsxxxxxxxxxx

  • TonyaM's avatar
    TonyaM
    Member
    14 years ago

    My doctor told me that it could take up to 2 years before the curls drop out. I'm now 15mths post chemo and those pesky curls persist.I have to blow dry them to a presentable wave.It has taken a long time to grow but is the same thickness as before chemo.I'm also on Tamoxifen.If you had the chemo Taxotere then it's harder on your hair follicles(says my onc.)and may take longer to thicken up.It took me 8mths to get to a short hair style and go without headgear.Yes,you need the patience of a saint!!

                                          Tonya xx

  • Susan1's avatar
    Susan1
    Member
    14 years ago

    wow is it good to read these comments, I finished chemo 6 mths ago, and when I look in the mirror I see nanna curls, I now feel soooo old, hence why I jumped on here to see what the general consensus was , with your hair growing back and when would it go straight again.....Mine is thick as, have never had it cut since growing back as i wanted to see what happened, but now the length is just being taken up in the curls, so frustrating.....anyway by reading these messages another 6 mths and it will be different again....

    As far as shampoos I was advised to purchase Nioxin which you get from Price Attack etc, it is a shampoo, conditioner and spray all in a kit.

     

    The spray, you spray on your head to promote the blood flow to that area when it starts to grow back.I sprayed this morning and night till hair looked a bit normal on my head, I don't know whether it was mind over matter, or it did work but my hair is sooo thick and I am also now on Tamoxifen.

     

    Glad to have this site to answer these little questions, thanks everyone...

     

    Sue

     

  • helena's avatar
    helena
    Member
    15 years ago

    hi chris,

    at 49 the nanna curls are just the pits.  i have used a hair colour from the health food shop- nature style (no resourcinol or ammonia), use a mini hair straightener for the top section and then a mens hair gell that is called a glue and which separates the fluff into something like an a actual hair style.  people say there is no such thing as a bad hair day after you have had hair but some mornings a find it hard to agree.  my profile phot is pre chemo- new colour is blonde!

    helen

  • Chris's avatar
    Chris
    Member
    15 years ago
    Hi Leonie, Thanks for your comments. Your hair sounds really nice, and I'm looking forward to having some brown hair with highlights too. I'm doing really well now since surgery, and came home yesterday morning. Not much pain at all now, only a slight bit of discomfort, and one drain, which should be removed in a day or two. Love Chris xxx
  • Leonie_Moore's avatar
    Leonie_Moore
    Member
    15 years ago

    Everyone loves my curls.  My hair is coming back very thick and lovely curls.  I have been to the hairdresser about 10 days ago and have a lovely shade of browns and reds.  I love it.  Just need a bit more length in the front and I would be happy.  I don't wear anything on my head now - just embracing it and loving the freedom.  Hope your recovery Chris is going well.  XLeonie

  • Aussiemumof2's avatar
    Aussiemumof2
    Member
    15 years ago

    Hi Chris, I've been taking tamoxifen for about 1 yr & thought it may have had an effect on my hair, but I'm not so sure about that now.  Vicki

  • Chris's avatar
    Chris
    Member
    15 years ago
    Hi Vicki, Are you taking any hormone therapy, like tamoxifen or femara or arimadex?
  • Chris's avatar
    Chris
    Member
    15 years ago
    Hi all, Thanks or all your comments. Obviously I need to be patient, and the hopefully it will thicken with time. Chris xxx
  • Aussiemumof2's avatar
    Aussiemumof2
    Member
    15 years ago

    Hi Chris

    It is now 16 months since I finished chemo & my hair took what seemed liked months to thicken up. In fact I had very littlle hair after 4 months.  After about 9 months it started to thicken & look & feel like normal hair as my boys put it. Just hang in there & hopefully it will thicken up for you. Vicki