I'm wondering if others like me have ended up with a degree of permanent hair loss?I've always had thick hair. No longer. I had AC followed by Docetaxel and now 15 months after the end of those treatments I have thin, whispy hair with a high bare forehead like the typical male partial baldness pattern. It's horrible. I don't mind having short hair but what I've been left with is this super fine curly sometimes frizzy stuff that mats like felt where my head rubs against my pillow at night - and that's the good bits. I wish I could grow a fringe again. I'm so sad to have lost my hair perhaps forever. Nobody told me it was forever. I can't feel good about my appearance any more I don't feel professional at work. I avoid mirrors. I recently got hold of some Rogaine like men use for male pattern baldness. My oncologist says he doesn't expect it to do anything but no harm in trying. The advice is that after about 18 months it's not going to change much. The problem seems to have been the Docetaxel just destroys the hair follicles. I wish there was an answer. I was told my hair would grow back. I'm glad to be alive, but this is very hard to deal with.

@KatieT I look in the mirror and wonder where that 18 year old has gone - the one that was happy go lucky, trim, fit as a fiddle! I get it and understand totally, you're struggling with the reflection in the mirror. Have you been to the Look Good Feel Better program? https://lgfb.org.au/programs/ - it's free and will be a confidence booster!Take care

Hi Katie, you have every right to be upset.Its docetaxol and we should be warned that there is a possibility of permanent baldness with this drug. A group of women in America (taxotears)are trying to take legal action against the drug company. my hair took so long to start growing back after that drug that I feared the worst- I know how you are feeling. My hair eventually grew back ok,although a little thinner on one side. My boob won't grow back though! We pay very high prices to rid ourselves of cancer.We are supposed to shut up and be grateful we are alive but then that just adds guilt to the mix of emotions.We learn to adjust but we are all broken dolls who can still love and be loved.

Hi @KatieT, I am almost 3 months post chemo. Like you, I too had Docetaxel without being warned that I may experience permanent hair loss. Others that have finished chemo at the same time as me now have what looks like a buzz cut but did not have Docetaxel. I have some hair growth, most of it white (I coloured my hair prior to chemo and it was never white) but it is so thin and fine you can see my scalp so I still look bald. I also have quite a few bald patches amongst it. My eyebrows and lashes have not made an appearance either. I am worried that I will be left with permanent hair loss but am hoping that I am worrying prematurely. I totally understand how you are feeling. It is "ok" to be bald during treatment but you cling to the thought that when your hair returns after treatment you might just resemble yourself once again. This disease takes so much from us so to take your hair permanently is a shit! It's just a constant reminder. I can't believe your psych said it's only hair. It's what makes you feel "normal"! I also get that you want to hide. As some of the other girls have mentioned tattooed eyebrows work well. Have you considered a hair topper rather than a full wig? If you have male patterned baldness a topper may give you the look of a fuller head of hair. I've had a bit of a look online as it may just be the road I will have to take. I must say though I am extremely pissed off that we weren't warned about permanent hair loss to begin with! Sending you a virtual head massage to encourage those hair follicles. Sophie

@KatieT I have to say I agree with you, Im so glad you are seeing a Psychologist! Its very beneficial on so many levels. I didnt do the LGFB course at all, but Ive heard its good, Ive always been into makeup and well groomed so didnt feel a need for it. One of the biggest psychological things of this journey I can totally relate to is appearance. I was always feminine, well groomed, had long blonde hair, though in my 40's and not young LOL. How l look now is a far cry from what I was as little as 2 years ago. My whole body shape has changed thanks to treatment, my hair whilst Im grateful, has a way to go to a length I feel happy, the toll of treatment is seen in my face as I feel Ive aged 10 years!! and I'll be honest as we do count our blessings and yes its great to be alive... BUT it doesnt diminish the sadness at the loss of all that we are along the way. Its hard to not be upset at who youve become because of treatment...I think thats normal. Its not the BC that has made you now look the way you do unfortunately, its the treatments. Ive spent alot of time learning to love me again, this new me but it isnt easy when you know how you looked previously and yes we should embrace the new us, but its not that easy or simple...and nobody else walks in our shoes, nobody...we are left to look in the mirror, nobody else. So I indulge and I pop on my makeup and do my hair and try and capture that femininity of who I am and it does pep me up, although I look different, its those little things that bring me peace and gives me that feminine feeling. Hugs Melinda xo

I met a lovely lady at the bcna forum who had the same problems as yourself following chemo. She stated she did invest a lot of money at Ashley and Martin and it definetly helped her. She hasn't got a thick full head of hair but she states it's thickened enough for her to live with now. She also had her eyebrows tattooed as they didn't return.I know the treatments are expensive but if you add up the money you would spend on hair care normally and the money of the various products and wigs, you might be able to justify spending this on yourself. They may be able to provide payment options and money back guarantees if there is no improvement..Just thought I'd let you know. I tagged her in some time back (Feb) but no response here unless she messaged you privately. Kath x

Permanent Hair Loss? | BCNA Online Network

46 Replies

primek
Member
9 years ago
I had my eyebrows tatooted whilst on treatment which I am eternally grateful for. Use a perment makeup tattooist and you can have featherlight ...which really does look like hair. It makes a huge difference to your face. My hair is just growing back and I too have a very high forehead with receding sides. I am using a L'Oréal hair growth product recommended by the person who does our wig fitting. I've only been using a week so can't tell you if it will help.

I have a friend who had a wig made for her. They matched her hair colour and style exactly. It even had grey. Unlike many of our loan wigs this one really does look like her real hair. ..and it is made of real hair. I think really even if thousands of dollars...this would most definitely be worth it.. ..you are worth it.

I suppose other options are really to look at is headgear. I never wore my wig but quite enjoyed my scarf tying and there are many sites. ..especially for Muslim women...that have fantastic ideas on headgear.

I am sorry for your loss and there really are no words that will comfort you. Know that we are here to support you as best we can. Take care. Kath x
Karenhappyquilt
Member
9 years ago
My hair is growing back, much whiter and slightly curly. My friend who had breast cancer six years ago also got hair like yours while previously it was thick and wavey. It has improved a bit over the years but she still has fine straight hair with a high forehead. If you find something that works, please let me know so I can pass it on to her. It looks nice enough.
WavingNotDrowni
Member
9 years ago
Hi Katie.

Thanks for raising this question. I am also in the same boat with a large bald spot on top of my head. Rest of head is OK bit patchy on the left. I have had a couple of colours put on to "bulk out" the hair. I am charged a reasonable rate which is good but unfortunately in the computer it is called "Colour - Men's short back and sides". I am considering using Regaine - there is also a women's version. I am only 4 months post AC so still optimistic. My left eyebrow and left eyelashes are also showing no signs of coming back. My (second) oncologist has said it may be permanent but no-one said so at the start. That adds to the distress I believe. I might have thought about cold cap if I had known (although it is not offered at the hospital I went to). All the best.
Helen
KatieT
Member
9 years ago
Anne-Marie I have about 5 or 6 cm of hair at the back which is fine but at least you can't see my scalp through it. It's curly. The top or crown of my head is very thin and you can see through it. The front is missing mostly except for a high widows peak with a tuft of hair in the centre. It's impossible to make it resemble anything near normal. Since having this response to Docetaxel I've heard of other women that get much less or no hair back at all.

The difficulty I have now is that I feel horrible. I don't feel like myself. I want to give up my job and stay home and never be seen basically but I know that's giving in to it. I have no eyebrows at all but I'm wondering whether to get them tatooed on. I think that might be ok. If only I could get my hair to resemble something like a normal person's it would be ok. I look like somebody I don't recognise who is 20 years older than me.
melclarity
Member
9 years ago
Katie!

Goodness! I know everyone is different especially when it comes to Chemo. I had FEC and Taxol and lost my hair completely. I had long blonde hair and lots of it, it came back white at the beginning and then like salt and pepper, it did grow in like male pattern baldness. I am 9 months post chemo and have a full head of hair as it grew I checked for bald spots, but it really was a complete head. I also have a high forehead. I lived in wigs through Chemo. I also used Baby Shampoo, I heard that helps. It did come in soooo curly and eventhough Ive had 2 trims is still weird so I straighten what I have. I know how incredibly hard it is and wish I had more ideas of what may help.

Melinda
LITHGOW1950
Member
9 years ago
I can understand how you feel Katie. Loosing our hair is so awful. I'm five months since treatment and like you had thick hair. My is really growing slowly, I don't think I'll ever grow a fringe again. It's come back white ( although I did colour it prior to chemo) and whilst I did have straight hair it's now curly and totally unruly. I'll be interested in reading other comments. Have you grown much at all? Thinking about you. Anne-Marie

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