Hi thereSo my hair has begun to come out with the chemo. Its quite knotty when i get up of a morning. Should i sleep with something on my head at night? Not sure what to do. Xx Trikki2

It's not easy but far better than waiting for it to all fall out. And as @kmakm has said, reactions are a personal thing and can also differ depending on the day you've had. My emotional reserves are lower than I could have ever dreamed possible - the smallest setback can bring me to tears. As for hair, I found losing the eyebrows the hardest but I've not got a 3 o'clock shadow there 6 weeks after chemo. My head still has bare patches but I'm hoping they will cover before the weather gets too warm. The drawback is that I found chin hairs the other day! And I had to buy razors to do my legs for the first time since February!Just rember, though... You will get through this. You're more than your hair. And this is the best reason you've ever had in your life to have your hair done in a particular way.

Thankyou all. Family and friends are being as wonderful as they can but I feel so much safer talking on here. I admire those of you that coped so well with the hair loss. Since I had the no.2 on Friday, I still hate it. But all your thoughts and experiences are giving me strength to pull up those big girl panties! Until now I don't think I really accepted that I had BC. Best wishes to all.Someone on here said " it is intensely personal " yes, here,here to that ! Off to buy yet another beanie.......

@Vangirl I used the cold cap. Finished chemo and the end of May and it had thinned considerably up until the end of June but I still had a sad little ponytail to hang out the back of my cap for work. At the end of July I ended up shaving off the long bits but I have quite a head of hair compared to someone who did the same chemo as me at the same time. The cold cap definitely worked - the nurses did tell me that it would grow quicker.

Here's the latest pic of my turnip head. Just over 6 weeks after chemo. Gave it a going over with the clippers on number 3 to get rid of some of the extraneous fluff.

Just wanted to add that some of my most worn head coverings have been cheapo bandannas (both cotton squares and the soft stretchy ones people wear under bike helmets) off eBay. I got a pre chemo number four shave, then the hair felt out gradually but quickly over a few days and then I went over it with an electric razor. During chemo it still grew a little bit but only straggly sparse fluff.

Hair loss | Online Network

Finch
Member
7 years ago
Hi there, I cut mine short before it started falling out. I didn't like the feel of it coming out in tufts or the mess it created . I'm wearing a nightcap to bed at the moment as its cold here . Xx
Trikki2
Member
7 years ago
Thanks for the advice. Whats a night cap. ?? I feel i need something i tried wearing the beannie but was uncomfortable
XxTrikki2
Kiwi_Angel
Member
7 years ago
I wear a cap and night too - stopped the matting being as bad and kept my head warm. I got mine from the cancer council shop.
Trikki2
Member
7 years ago
Ok i will look in there xxx
kmakm
Member
7 years ago
My oncologist advised a 'sleep cap'. It's like the regular chemo caps but has more material so you can pull it down over your ears. I used to pull it down over my eyes on the bright summer mornings. I got mine at a specialist wig and chemo hat/hair loss shop. Saves a lot of mess in the bed. K xox
Sister
Member
7 years ago
I never bothered and ended up having a No. 2 when I gave up with the cold caps. I have seen other women advise bamboo sleep caps, though.
primek
Member
7 years ago
I had my hair clipped off and went to caps and night caps. I couldn't keep up with all the hair coming out and found it distressing plus my scalp hurt. I actually felt empowered getting my hair cut off. My hairdresser came to my house to do it. It just allowed me to make the decision of no hair rather than the treatment/cancer dictating it...if that makes sense. Kath.
Trikki2
Member
7 years ago
Thanks for all the assistance. I have just ordered a night cap and i think i will get a bob cut when i feel better after this chemo round. The nurse said i would be bald now without it. Xxxx Trikki2
Fletch
Member
7 years ago
Hi all, I am confused about my hair loss.....so today marks day 15 post first TC chemo. My hair is coming out but not in clumps and only if I brush it or wash it! I thought it would all just fall out over 24/48 hours and be gone. I am not whinging, I’m just confused.....it started coming out 3 days ago but I still look normal !
I have my night caps , day caps and a wig all ready to go.
Did anyone else have gradual loss?

How are you @Trikki2 ?
Trikki2
Member
7 years ago
Hey @Fletch
I have had hair loss.. i have short hair now. The nurse said the other day tc is not as bad on the hair as fec is. I have hats. I decided not to go with a wig as i only have 2 treatments left. Im doing ok and i hope you are too. I also wear the cold cap which has preserved my hair.
Xxxxx Trikki2