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Wigs! Hair loss with TC chemo

Posted by brighterdays @brighterdays, Apr 30, 2023

Two weeks after first round of chemo, my hair is starting to shed. Needing all your input on wigs. Is it worth getting one with real human hair? What are the must haves to keep your scalp comfortable? What materials are the softest? Any other pointers?

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Mentor
Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Jul 18, 2023
In reply to @brighterdays "Thank you. I did cut my hair to shoulder length prior to starting chemo. I wear..." + (show)
@brighterdays

Thank you. I did cut my hair to shoulder length prior to starting chemo. I wear a wig only when I really need to. I have some hair left at the bottom of my head and tie it to the hair on a hat wig to keep it in place.

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Take heart, it will grow back. It might not grow back the same color or texture that it was before.

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mossa | @mossa | Jul 19, 2023

I lost every hair on my body-started 5 days after first TC chemo. Eyelashes, nose hair, “down below”-all gone. About a month after chemo finished all started to grow back. I once had dark blonde wavy hair, it came back almost black with bits of brown and gray and very curly. I don’t recognize myself in mirror! It was easier to just wear a ball cap-wigs were itchy and irritated already sensitive scalp

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1 reply
mossa | @mossa | Jul 19, 2023
In reply to @mossa "I lost every hair on my body-started 5 days after first TC chemo. Eyelashes, nose hair,..." + (show)
@mossa

I lost every hair on my body-started 5 days after first TC chemo. Eyelashes, nose hair, “down below”-all gone. About a month after chemo finished all started to grow back. I once had dark blonde wavy hair, it came back almost black with bits of brown and gray and very curly. I don’t recognize myself in mirror! It was easier to just wear a ball cap-wigs were itchy and irritated already sensitive scalp

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I must admit, I feet more like a “warrior” without wig

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jknows | @jknows | Jul 19, 2023

I bought a human hair wig…my insurance reimbursed the full amount with a script from my doctor for a “cranial prosthesis.”
My hairdresser cut and styled it and it is very close to my own style and color. I am just too vain to wear scarves and hats so I wear it every day. I have triple negative breast cancer so my treatment is lasting a long time and I am happy I got it.

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dolphina3 | @dolphina3 | Jul 19, 2023
In reply to @conk "Yes. I'm on week 10 of weekly treatments. I have almost no hair, but it is..." + (show)
@conk

Yes. I'm on week 10 of weekly treatments. I have almost no hair, but it is still falling out.

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My hair started growing back even during last taxol. Had lost part of eyebrows and all eyelashes. I wore a wig once in awhile but found some cute chemo caps on Amazon very comfortable and cute and I wore them alot . My hair came back more course.
Good luck on your journey. Before you know it your hair will grow back.
I am 2 years out from surgery had TNBC, full head of hair now.
Sending hugs.

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drummergirl | @drummergirl | Jul 19, 2023

Make an appointment at a wig store and go try some on. The shop owners have a good sense of what will look good on you. Plan to spend $200-400 for a good wig. You need a nylon stocking cap and a rubber headband to hold it in place. The wig also needs this to stay in place. Your hair stylist can cut bangs or shape to your liking. Ask about heat resistance because they can get frizzy if you are putting your head near a very hot oven. Don’t bother with real hair. Buy the spray, shampoo and conditioner made for wigs. If you wear it every day, it may start to look less fresh after about a year. Nobody would know it is not my real hair. I feel it may be a couple of more years or maybe never, before I will get my old hair back.

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