Hair Question?

[cynnycal]

I know i've asked about hair before...and this is of course, not the biggest concern ever...but i figure i'd get some insight from people who'd probably know.
now i know that the chemo recommended for colorectal cancers doesn't normally make all your hair fall out. but it can thin the hair out considerably.
now, i was thinking of cutting my hair shorter (right now it's about an inch or two past my shoulders. but i NORMALLY...i.e. PRE-cancer, i often had shorter hair, since my hair is naturally very thin and baby fine, shorter just looked better.
but now that it is also thinned alot from the chemo, i was wondering if cutting it short would make it actually look worse?
as in, would you be able to see more scalp? right now i'm able to just pull my hair loosely back in a clip.
but i wonder.
and also, i've got about two or more inches of dark brown roots, and the rest is old grown out blonde (i went through a phase where i thought i'd try blonde...bad idea).
now, when i was on the chemo (i've been off it for a little over a month) my doc and hairstylist said No to dying it, as the chemicals can interact with chemo chemicals, etc.
but now that i'm off (until after surgery at least) my doctor says I can go ahead and try and get rid of this grown out color.
But does going all dark make any diff. in thinning appearance? like, if you have dark hair, again, can you see more scalp than if you had light hair?

i know it's all vanity questions, but they all say i should go into surgery feeling as good about myself as i can. so for me, that'd mean having a bit of style to my hair once again (as this past 5 months i've pretty much put that on hold)

[maria]

Hi Cynnycal,
I totally understand where you are coming from - I too am trying not to be vain about my hair loss but it is difficult . I was shedding very badly (half way through chemo 6/12) as well. My hair is very thick little past my shoulders and brunette. I recently had cut long layers (prior to cancer diagnosis). My stylist recommended protein treatments since the hair is not really coming out of the root but rather breaking midway. I went last week and had about 3 inches cut off (additional layering) and another protein treatment. To date, I've noticed the shedding is much more managable. I actually wash and style it daily - something I was always dreading. I'm not sure about the dye - my hair is natural although the grays are popping thru. I'm going to continue with the protein treatments and hopefully give it the nutrients it needs to bend rather than break.
PS - when my bathroom was covered with hair I told myself each strand lost represented an extra day I will have on this earth with my husband and children - I hope this helps! Maria

[cynnycal]

wow, good way to look at it Maria.
What are these 'protein' treatments you're talking about?

I'm not sure, but i think that my hair isn't breaking off, it seems to be teh full strands when it comes out. if that makes a diff.

[Lee]

When I was going thru chemo, I was losing alot of hair, and it was breaking off midway. I have thick long hair and it turned into a mass of frizz. My daughter was embarressed to be seen with me. I was just glad to have my hair. I kept it up all the time, because I was always hot.

I believe they recommend you don't color your hair on chemo. Getting it shorter has merit, I would just avoid getting it too short.

I've not heard of protein treatments. My hair did come back after chemo, but I still lose alot of hair today.

[maria]

I have an appointment next week for a treatment - I'll ask my stylist what he is using - he typically applies is after washing and sits me under a dryer for at least a half hour or so and then rinses.

[Laurie]

My hair-stylist gave me a product called Nioxin to use whle I was having treatments. I started prior to treatments and am still using it even though I have been through for 3 months. It was developed for people who were being treated chemically. It is supposed to help keep the pores open. This has worked quite well for several of her clients, one of whom is a pediatrician. There is a shampoo, conditioner and leave in treatment. You can buy a generic brand at Sally's Beauty Supply stores. My hair thinned just a bit but it was never a real problem. Good luck!

[Holly]

Cynnycal,

It is unlikely that any other person will notice the thinning issue. My stylist noticed but she is a hair specialist and works with chemotherapy patients ALL the time (look better feel better). Cynn, not to fret. My stylist and I decided if it became an issue, I would shave my head and wear a bandana. There are in fact bigger issues in the world!

Go be bad ass and kick a little cancer ass!

You Rock!

Holly