Anyone used anything that helps with chemo hair loss?

Posted by drummergirl @drummergirl, Nov 17, 2022

Has anyone used anything that has been effective for chemo hair loss? Mine is coming back, but slowly. It is patchy and frizzy and right now seems like it will be years before it is presentable.

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Unfortunately it does take awhile to come back. You can investigate vitamins and supplements but in addition to those, my integrative medicine doctor recommends rosemary essential oil. You must mix it with a carrier oil (like jojoba oil or any that you like) because it is too strong on its own. Just mix about a half teaspoon of carrier oil and five or six drops of rosemary oil in your hand and apply it to your scalp.

Patience is required! Best wishes to you, Cindy

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@cmdw2600

Unfortunately it does take awhile to come back. You can investigate vitamins and supplements but in addition to those, my integrative medicine doctor recommends rosemary essential oil. You must mix it with a carrier oil (like jojoba oil or any that you like) because it is too strong on its own. Just mix about a half teaspoon of carrier oil and five or six drops of rosemary oil in your hand and apply it to your scalp.

Patience is required! Best wishes to you, Cindy

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Yes on the Rosemary essential oil and the carrier oil. I also put a few drops of the Rosemary in my Plant Based Shampoo and Conditioner. Cosmetic companies haven’t been regulated by the FDA since the 1970’s and can put anything in their products. Stay away from items with fragrance and parabens (the parabans act as estrogen).

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Did your insurance cover this procedure? I lost mine to chemo, grew back slowly but in a year I at least had a full head of hair. Had cancer again 9 years later, no chemo just radiation but then got alopecia. Ugh. Now I’m completely bald again. Sick of beanies, hate wigs.

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The hair was slow in coming back after chemo but sadly during taking Aromisin (an AI) some hair loss which my dermatologist prescribed minoxidil and finasteride which is applied to the scalp every day after washing. It took almost 6 months for new hair to start up but better than being bald.

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@drcvs

Did your insurance cover this procedure? I lost mine to chemo, grew back slowly but in a year I at least had a full head of hair. Had cancer again 9 years later, no chemo just radiation but then got alopecia. Ugh. Now I’m completely bald again. Sick of beanies, hate wigs.

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Understand. I have been ok with wigs. I wear a nylon stocking cap held in place by a rubber headband. The wig stays in place well over top of that. I live in FL and it is not too hot. I found several wig stores where the owners worked with me to find the right wig, matching my natural hair color. Many friends like it better than my own former long hair. I took several wigs to my hairdresser and she cut and shaped them. I am ok with this option until my own looks better. Nobody would ever know it isn’t my hair. Good news is your cancer sounds under control. Hope you find a hair solution you are happy with.

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I swear by a good multi-vitamin and Nature's Bounty Hair, Skin & Nails Gummies (with Biotin). Hain thinned on Verzenio, thinned more on 24 weekly chemo taxol BUT never completely went away so glad I did not shave off pre-both treatments. Now back as thick as ever with same texture and color - okay a few more grey hairs! Did get a wig for my daughter's wedding but ended up wearing a great hat. Weirder was losing eyelashes and eyebrows. Eyeliner and a good eyebrow pencil helped. Good luck everyone!!

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@drummergirl

Thanks, Mari-
A friend had success with HERS, but reading the cautions, it looks like it is associated with a breast cancer risk. I only want something that does not have any kind of cancer risk.

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The last Tim in 2018 when I had chemo my hair grew back kind of fast but so thin you can still see my scalp. It was so thin that I can’t do anything with it. It literally makes me look like a witch or an old hag. I’m ok with it because I wear hats when I go out. Now I can’t wait to see if any grows back at all after my treatments are over😂
I’m almost bald now😂😂
I hope my laughing about it doesn’t offend you. It’s just God is giving a new outlook on this. Now of course I would never laugh at anyone else. My heart goes out to all.😊♥️♥️

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Four years in tratment thus far. I've used cooling caps along with daily a mix of vitamins A, B complex, C, D and E and 2 grams of fish oil. Thus far I still have my hair albeit it is a tad thinner than when I started chemo. Your results may vary depending upon your chemo regimen and intensity but it mat be helpful to you.

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I have heard people with thicker hair have done well with the cold caps. My hair is thin and fine, so I just shave it and sport the no hair look. I wear a lot of hats and scarves. the back of my head seems flat, so I don't like to go out bald, but around home I let the baldness shine! I just started my fifth bought with cancer, so yesterday was my first chemo of this fight.

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@davidwrenn

Four years in tratment thus far. I've used cooling caps along with daily a mix of vitamins A, B complex, C, D and E and 2 grams of fish oil. Thus far I still have my hair albeit it is a tad thinner than when I started chemo. Your results may vary depending upon your chemo regimen and intensity but it mat be helpful to you.

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You are right about the chemo regimen. When I researched cold caps, it appeared that they didn't have good results with certain chemo drugs. As the first two chemo drugs I was given were on the list, I didn't pursue them further.

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