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Arhaz's avatar
Arhaz
Member
8 years ago

Eyelash

Hi,
I have been searching through the internet for options to not loose eyelashes during chemo. I came up with Latisse. Any experience here? And where to buy it in Australia?

Thanks
  • @Arhaz, losing my hair was hard but I hated not having eyebrows and eyelashes. I looked so weird. But I only lost them in the last part of my chemo. Certainly get that you're trying to preserve them but it may be in vain. That damn chemo. I wear glasses so I guess it was less noticible. 
    As to how to react to the plethora of shite comment and ridiculous platitudes: well I don't really have any advice...except to say it will depend on how you are feeling as to how you feel/react. Keep the people around you who really care. Be honest about your symptoms and how you are feeling.
    The public face of cancer is a smile, bald head and 'yep I'm kicking cancers arse' vibe about you - oh yeah, and I'm so strong and brave ( that's what people will tell you). The private face of cancer for me was quietly at home, feeling unwell some weeks, sad, miserable, allowing myself to wallow in it all, scared, overwhelmed, in pain, tearful - but that was really for short periods then I'd dust myself off, pick myself up and off I'd go again!  Your resolve and inner strength is certainly tested when the body is physically tested. 
    My standard response to people with the brave, strong you're inspirational crap comments was usually just to say "no, I'm just trying to survive". Big big hugs, Bec xxxooo
  • also to tolerate others comments like “poor thing”, “you are so young”, “you are not lucky” and so on. I don’t know how to react?  :'( :'( :'(
  • Thanks @Afraser and @primek. I asked my oncologist and her answer was kind of do whatever you like to do. Any suggestion to stay strong about chemo and the side effects?
  • I only lost all my eyelashes right at the end and they were back fairly quickly. I just used a light soft pencil eyeliner and some natural eye shadow and nobody noticed they were gone unless I pointed it out. 
  • Perhaps get some medical advice on this? Some websites indicate it can have some adverse effects and it may still not stop your eyelashes going as it seems designed to promote longer length growth not combat the effects of chemo. Hair tends to go in relation to how fast it grows, as chemo targets fast growing cells, so head hair goes first and eyebrows and eyelashes much more slowly. Last thing you want is to use a product that risks any further harm!