Hair loss solutions?

[JudiB]

Despite believing that I wouldn't lose much hair with Folfox, I find my head becoming increasingly bare!! The Oxyplatin was stopped after 4 treatments, due to severity of neuropathy, and I wondered whether the hair loss would stop without it. 2 treatments on and I reached the point where I felt embarrassed not to cover my head about 2 weeks ago and started wearing a scarf or hat.
I love my scarves but feel as though I now wear a label "I'm having chemo!" I don't always want everyone to know so am thinking of a wig for times when I prefer not to stand out as someone having treatment. Not sure whether to cut or shave my head now as I keep it covered? What will be be most comfortable?
Seeing hairdresser /wig specialist next week but meanwhile wonder what those of you here who have lost your hair.... or most of it, did?

[sadysue]

I had long thick hair and probably lost 50% of it while on folfox. My hair loss was most noticable on top (like male patterned baldness) but the back stayed quite thick. I used a product called Good Hair Day and bought it from QVC. I think you can buy it from Amazon too. You use the product, which is a powder and applied like any makeup with a brush, on the scalp. It helped me a lot and I never had to wear a cap or scarf to cover my head. It stays on your scalp until you shampoo it out. You just have to rub it in well.

[teri3]

I just wore hats. I felt scarves screamed chemo. Wigs seemed to much of a bother and I heard they are hot.
Good luck,
Teri

[juliej]

One thought might be a hat-with-hair-combo. It's not as hot as a wig, plus a baseball hat looks really cute with summer clothes!

https://www.headcovers.com/headwear/womens-headwear/?type=14294

[Steph20021]

Ive been steadily losing hair on folfiri and I'm just wearing scarves I don't have to tie, but have an elastic band that hold them in place. I don't care if people see me and think I'm sick, but I'm more self conscious without them. Tried a loaner wig but is scratchy and hot and heavy and irritates me so I can't be bothered. Sometimes I'll just go out without anything on my head, and I care less and less about others. Eff it. Early onset cancer bit*ches, bit*ches be aware.

[JudiB]

Thank you for your suggestions. I'm not usually that concerned about my hair but, at the moment, it just feels like the chemo is stealing a little more of me with each treatment. Being able to look "normal" (whatever that is.... I've forgotten!), would just give me back a littke of what I was.
My hair is aweful now so I plan to get it cut really short this week. I find my scalp is very sensitive and more comfortable when covered.
I know I'll find wigs hot because I find a cap and scarves hot..... Summer will be uncomfortable!
I know it may seem vain to care about how I look but it would just be good not to stand out as a chemo patient and there's still a way to go yet as I'm only half way through treatment. Saw

[Sophy]

My solution is a bit ick - i stopped putting any chemicals on my head. No shampoo no conditioner. Allowed my hair to grow long and brushed it with boar hair brush many times each day.

[Stewsbetty]

I lost quite a bit of my hair on folfox. It was coming out in clumps so I decided to shave what was left. I used hats, scarves and wigs. My hair loss was in the fall and we have cold winters so I never ended up too hot. I have been off chemo since February and thankfully my hair is coming back in thickly. No one would know now that i was sick. Just look like someone rocking the pixie cut.

Beth

[waw4]

I switched to silk pillowcases while undergoing chemo and in fact still use them years later.

Less friction = less drag on hair when turning your head while asleep.

[Cathie]

I wore a cute straw hat I bought at target. $7.00 and I bought some ribbon from the craft store in a couple of colors to go with my outfits and I made my own hatbands I still have that hat a still wear it.

I was lucky that my hair lose was mostly on the top. my neckline had more hair so I let it grow, I did not cut it. when I felt like looking nice I'd use a curling iron and felt like I looked completely normal. sometimes I wore it and sometimes I didn't. it depended on how I was feeling that day. it's been 15 years and I still wear hats, I now have 7 hats and I get compliments every time I wear one.

another reason to cover our heads is summer is almost here and I remember feeling my skin burn, and I mean burn, if I was in the direct sun for only a few minutes.

blessings

cathie

[BeansMama]

I lost quite a bit on Folfox and folfiri so I shaved it and wore hats or bandanas. It all fell out on folfirinox. I have 2 wigs, I didn't wear them for a while but did start wearing them eventually. It was nice to go out without people staring, they didn't when I had a wig on.