Hi allI am 6 months post chemo and I have hair, which I'm very happy about, however I am struggling with what to do with it. I used to have long brunette hair that I straightened every day (it had a natural annoying wave) and now it's grey and really course and quite curly. I got a hair dresser to put a bit of colour in it on Thursday and, to cut a long story short, I didn't like it and because I had a night out planned last night I decided to rectify things myself. Not a good decision! I proceed to turn my hair yellow, then green, then orange. I then had to resort to using an old brunette hair dye I had at home and now I've gotten rid of my lovely textured grey colour and am a solid blocky brunette. I'm 44 so am not yet ready to be grey, however, everyone loves the colour and I guess I kinda liked it too. I now don't know what to do. I miss my old hair, I hate not knowing where I'm supposed to go with my hair style. I'm looking to get some advice from a really good colourist although have to wait 4 weeks to get in to see her! My hair was my crowning glory and now it feels like a dear old friend who I can't connect with anymore.I'd love to hear some stories of hair growth such as, did the texture change and gone back to normal after some time?Please share any nightmare attempts at colours/styles to make me feel better about myself too. Thank you!

Hi @Lyinnie1974.First off I have to say that your grey colour comes under my heading of 'stunning grey'. I'm still hairdressing after 54 years and have seen it all. The shade of grey that you have, on a young face is the best one to have. It's a head turner. About 35 years ago I used to see a woman on my way to work, in her 30's with a very well cut bob, same colour. The secret to carrying off this colour on a young face is a well cut, fashionable style. Your photo has those qualities..Your face can certainly wear this colour and the length looks edgy.. With all that you've put on your hair recently you'll be limited to what can be done. I went through the, 'oh you look like Annie Lennox, then I became Kath de Knight, Pru Acton, and lordy lordy Camilla. I'm now heading back to Stevie Nick's when she had IT long and curly, but I used to get called her when I wore it straight BC. Keep us updated when you, and if you can get it fixed.

Love this thread. I’m going through all the same feelings and doubts! Thanks so much everyone for your wonderful posts.Ive got a number two buzz cut. Am probably going to keep it until fuzz goes. I feel a bit edgy too,lol , a bit Annie Lennox @Blondy Mind you I see photos of myself sometimes and think CANCER :( How long post chemo until I can colour again? Not ready to go grey yet!Still have mastectomy and radio to go.

I don't know what you are worried about, at least your hair has grown back. I have lost my hair 4 times now due to chemo over a 7year period. Each time it has grown back a little different, sometimes curly and sometimes straight. At present I have just enough coverage to not wear a hat but it doesn't seem to want to go the way I use to have it. It is grey and I use to dye it a blonde colour but my hairdresser is reluctant to put a colour in it. I have got use to the grey now and thankful for the hair that I have got.

Thanks @sister, @Blondy , @Caz1 & @Kezmusc - its good to hear from those who have actually used the cool caplove the sound of all the sparkly, maybe I should experiment a bit - just get out there and brave it - an outrageous wig might be the answer - something totally different from my normal hair so I don't look like I'm just trying to replicate it. I do wear product in my hair and that helps fluff it up as it is quite fine anyway -maybe I'll get through it with a bit of extra product and a good clipping from my hairdresser. I've been to the hairdressers today - we decided my short hair did need to be that bit shorter, which i don't mind but the grey is coming through as I can't colour it. I was shedding a bit (a lot!) she showed me how much had come out when it was washed - it was quite a lot considering it was short already. She was great, we talked hair plans, tried on the wigs I had bought and made sure she had pushed back next client so she could have the time with me to talk. And yes I did cry on her - but I had warned her that I would anyway.If I'm honest I think I'm more bothered that losing my hair will be a dead giveaway and everyone will know my situation -exactly what @kexmusc said.Thanks for the pics - good to see you were able to keep your hair long throughout the process. I've taken pics as well, some the day before starting chemo - took some on Friday (day 15 post chemo 1) as I new it would start soon after that - will take some in the morning I think before round 2. These will be for me and then again like you to help someone later down the line if they need it. Secretly looking forward to having curly hair if thats what happens - never had it except my tight curly perms in the 80's that everyone had - now there's pics i should of kept!Big thanks again to you all xx

Hi @primek- your hair looks gorgeous- and so do you - in EVERY photo! xx

Trying to get through the journey of growing my hair back

42 Replies

Caz1
Member
6 years ago
Thanks @Blondy
Im gonna go blonde.....always wanted too...hehe

@Patti J how gorgeous...BC can really bring out the best in people :)

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Patti_J
Member
6 years ago
I have been bald again (for the third time) since August.
Yesterday, my beautiful hairdresser phoned to find out how I was going and to let me know that everyone at the salon was thinking of me.
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Blondy
Member
6 years ago
@Caz1.i tinted my hair blonde 5 months last sept after radiation ended.. Had no probs. Let it grow out and put blonde foils through the regrowth did the same April this year, and again in June.. Four weeks ago had a copper tint and more foils. Its faded very fast and today I found a colour and will go back to doing my own hair as I'm never happy with getting it done by other hairdressers. I wish I could take my head off and go to me. Lol
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Caz1
Member
6 years ago
Love this thread. I’m going through all the same feelings and doubts! Thanks so much everyone for your wonderful posts.
Ive got a number two buzz cut. Am probably going to keep it until fuzz goes. I feel a bit edgy too,lol , a bit Annie Lennox @Blondy
Mind you I see photos of myself sometimes and think CANCER :(

How long post chemo until I can colour again? Not ready to go grey yet!
Still have mastectomy and radio to go.
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Blondy
Member
6 years ago
Hi @Lyinnie1974.
First off I have to say that your grey colour comes under my heading of 'stunning grey'. I'm still hairdressing after 54 years and have seen it all. The shade of grey that you have, on a young face is the best one to have. It's a head turner. About 35 years ago I used to see a woman on my way to work, in her 30's with a very well cut bob, same colour. The secret to carrying off this colour on a young face is a well cut, fashionable style. Your photo has those qualities..Your face can certainly wear this colour and the length looks edgy.. With all that you've put on your hair recently you'll be limited to what can be done. I went through the, 'oh you look like Annie Lennox, then I became Kath de Knight, Pru Acton, and lordy lordy Camilla. I'm now heading back to Stevie Nick's when she had IT long and curly, but I used to get called her when I wore it straight BC. Keep us updated when you, and if you can get it fixed.
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Karenhappyquilt
Member
6 years ago
Before cancer my hair was straight, greyish and short. I did not colour it. After losing my hair from chemotherapy I was surprised to find myself quite enjoying being bald, it was so easy. It grew back very soft and fine, first white hairs then dark so I was grey again. It was finer but after I stopped tamoxifen it became thicker. It is now just like it was before cancer, only greyer, which I don’t mind. I never got a curl which was a disappointment because I always wanted curls. My hairdresser said it usually takes two cuts to get back you normal hair and she was right in my case. I don’t mind being grey and I am grateful my hair is much the same as before.
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DebsSA
Member
6 years ago
I am 52 so accepting the grey but I cannot stand the chemo perm so I am keeping it cropped until that’s gone. I am loving not having to use products and straighteners. Short rocks!
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Nefertari
Member
6 years ago
@Lynnie1974, I can only hope my texture improves, my neighbours son said it's like shaun the sheep, the innocence bless. He meant it as a compliment baa baa
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Lynnie1974
Member
6 years ago
Thanks @Nefetari, that's very sweet. My hair is now brunette (so I suppose I should update my photo!) but who knows what colour it'll be in the next few weeks! I'm with you on the ease of short hair - it's so nice to not have to spend loads of time blow drying and straightening although I do miss how feminine I felt with long hair. It's so nice to know I'm not going through this journey alone!
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Nefertari
Member
6 years ago
Wow thanks for the encouraging stories of the hair regrowth and here's hoping my texture improves. I'm not keen on it at all, it looks great short but like fleece when it is a bit longer. It is so thick! I'm hoping that goes away, then I may consider a slightly longer style.
I went from long dark straight hair (dyed it for years) to bald, which I didn't mind after the initial shock. The regrowth is now grey with a little dark hair mixed in, looks okay with my dark eyebrows.
At first I thought I'd be horrified and have to wear a wig or hat all the time because I do not want to colour it and have not had short hair for years. Now I love the colour and the simplicity of a short do, hair dressers are shocked when I say a number two shave but I like it and I get lots of compliments.

@Lynnie1974 and @primek - you two girls look lovely!! Love the colour and the styles of both. Your texture looks better than mine haha
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Trying to get through the journey of growing my hair back

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