Hair loss after chemo

Hi Marti-
I wore a wig immediately after I started to lose my hair. I still do 4 years later because, although I have hair now, it is terrible hair that refuses to behave. Everyone loves my wig and I constantly get compliments. I wear the Rachel Welch wig that is heat resistant, has a cap you can part in any direction and soft nylon at the hairline. My style is chin length and the color shaded biscuit. Nobody knew I was fighting cancer and the wig helped to keep it that way at least for quite awhile. If the wig does not have bangs, they can be cut. I always take my new ones to my hairdresser and she cuts bangs and styles it to suit me. So glad you are not sick and best of luck.

Here’s my hair.

Before I started loosing my hair, I had my family children and grandkids cut it quite short. But when it started coming out in clumps, I asked my husband to shave my head. I purchased turban style hats/scarves and wore them most of the time. I did wear knit caps as well. When my hair grew back in, it annoyingly started on my chin! I was lucky to have the hair on my head grow in quickly and evenly.
I started chemo in July and had hair in January. On the bright side, the hair on my legs and underarms grows slower and is thinner now.

Hi MG,
I was not supposed to have chemo until they found 6 nodes involved during lumpectomy. I also kept it under wraps until I knew I would lose my hair, I suppose eventually my lashes & brows, but it is what it is. I am so grateful that I feel pretty good for now.
Thanks for the wig info….I will look that up! Hopefully your hair will get better.☺️

Hi MJ, I had chemo many years ago & lost my hair too. I tried a wig but found it itchy, so I switched to little hats but not the beany kind since my head shape is small. I found I could tuck shoulder pads into the hat's spaces & it would look like I had I had hair under there. Sometimes I wrapped a scarf around the simple hat and it looked a little fancier. It was much more comfortable and looked pretty cute.
It's not easy but was only 6 months of no hair. What a joy when it started growing back!
Patty

I have recently started using a red light cap to encourage hair regeneration. It is supposed to take 3-6 months to work. I am going to start using castor oil which I just learned about. Once I get more hair I will probably dye away the grey and try a weave. My wig is nice but it is itchy and hot for summer.

Your hair will start growing on its own within the same time period. I believe that it would only grow as fast as it naturally would under red light cap. You could be wasting your money.
My hair grew back within four months after I ended chemo, so I speak from experience.

Can people tell you have had hair loss if you don’t wear a hair covering? I am furious that the percentage of post menopausal women on AIs, post chemo, with poor quality or little hair regrowth is not publicized. I have read that it’s as high as one-third.

At age 79 I had chemo for breast cancer. I became bald. My hair started growing in quickly and when it came back it was better than ever It was curly and lush and I loved it. After two haircuts I went back to straight, thin hair. I'm 83 now and i still remember those 'good hair' days.

I have just listened to a podcast by Dr Amy, she recommends head massages a couple times a day which helps with blood circulation.
She also recommends using rosemary oil so if you’re massaging anyway use the oil too!