Hair coloring

[Desiree1]

Can you dye your hair while your on meds.  Pegayas and Ribivin.

[Tippyclubb]

I did  for the first two months but once my hair started falling out I stopped coloring, blow drying, and hot irons.  The hair became so dry I washed it only once a week and sometimes once every two weeks.  Not a drop of oil on my scalp.  

The one thing that did help with the hair dryness is a glossing polish with oils and aloe.  I put on  a few tablespoons and the hair was shiny and soft, not dry.

I didn't want to risk doing more damage to the hair by coloring and my roots are over two inches long now.  I never leave the house without my hat now.

[charm27]

I colored my hair the week before I started tx and didnt do it again for almost 70 weeks. I txed for 55 weeks lost most of my hair- so I had to wait untill it grew
in addition I had major scalp issued while on tx. I stopped 55 weeks of tx 12-12-08 and did my hair for the first time 4/20/09

[meakea]

I colored my hair just before I started TX and I haven't done it again since then and I'm currently in week 44 of 48.  TX is very hard on hair so coloring is just another stressor for the hair.

[Kim63]

I am in week 16, of treatment, and this last month, my hair is coming out in small handfuls. I really hesitated to color it, but I figured it was falling out anyway...I think if I continue for many more weeks, it will be nearly gone. I did read somewhere where natural dyes, like Henna, are better to use. I have seen several alternative dyes at "whole Foods".

[all_is_well]

I have been coloring my hair all along the treatment. Well, I am only at week 31 and still don't have any serious sx. My results are not the best, but still UND since week 16. I may go for 72 week tx (1b).
My hair is normally dry. After I've started tx it become dryer, but doesn't fall too much, compared to before tx.
But then again, everybody reacts differently.
Who knows, maybe because of that I couldn't get UND by week 12 ?!!

[Annie222]

I'm on week 63, only 9 more to go.  I've colored my hair throughout treatment.  I've have all grey hair, I'm 43.  I started turing grey at a very young age.  The strangest thing with my hair is that I have very very very curly hair.  The really tight curls.  I lost a lot of hair, but have a lot of hair so it's not too noticible.  All the growth from the time of starting treatmen is straight.  I mean straight.  I've never had straight hair in my life and I really like it.  Does anyone know if it will stay this way.  Or when I stop treatment it will them begin to come back in curly again.  I kind of hope not.  I read on a cancer treatment site that a lot of people had their hair grow back in different, but then after about 6 months it started growing back in the way they it used to be.  

Hey along with my SVR (I'm seriously praying for), I finally have the hair I've always wanted.

[Isobella]

I just finished 48 weeks of tx and I colored my hair throughout.  Every 4 weeks. I had some hair loss during weeks 17 through 22, but not enough for anyone to notice but me.  

I did wash only once a week.  Sounds gross, but your scalp stops producing oils so it really isn't so bad.  I also stopped blow drying.  But I used a flat iron daily.  

I used Nioxin shampoo and conditioner.  And I worked really closely with my hairdresser.  She was awesome and lots of times she would do my weekly shampoo.  I felt like one of those little old ladies you see at the salon (and I was)...but I think her pampering helped...who knows.

On the other hand.....if my hair had fallen out, I was going to use it as a time to try some fun new looks with wigs.  I've been married 24 years....tryin to keep things fresh, lol!!

Good luck to you.

[epiphiny]

My hair and scalp was a nightmare throughout tx, dry, breaking, falling out, itching.  I gave up coloring and drying it and wore hats, scarves, bandannas etc.  I also spent a small fortune on different hair products to stop the itching but nothing really worked.  I just gave up in the end and realized nothing was going to stop what was going on but finishing tx, so got layers cut in to it that got rid of most the driest itchiest hair and prayed for patience and April 17th to arrive as soon as possible!

Now I'm 12 weeks post and I am happy to report that it is growing like wildfire, and is producing oil as usual.  I have a lot of fine baby hairs growing straight up on my part line, hilarious.  It seems that all the non-use of the drying and irritating products has actually left my scalp in good shape and the hair that is coming in feels really healthy. I'm also in no hurry to get it dyed again which has been a surprisingly refreshing change as I don't think I would have stopped dying it if it wasn't for the tx.

I have heard about people's hair changing from straight to curly and vice versa but I have also heard it reverts to normal after treatment in most people.

All the best, it sure is a tough time for those of us that love their hair...

[annieCinMD]

I just used box highlights on mine. My treatment was stopped for 2 weeks and I got to feeling good again and decided to do it. I wasn't going to waste my money on salon haircolor. I did get a haircut a couple weeks ago to do a little fix since it's falling out. I washed it at home and put it up in a clip. I didn't want to clog up their sink! One of my friends said her hair wouldn't take hair color while she was Txing, so I didn't want to take a chance with $100. Mine actually took it a little too well. It's very blond, but also still falling out. I started back on Tx yesterday and just did my shot...waiting for the train to come...the one that's going to hit me like a ton of bricks.

[Desiree1]

Thanks for all your advise I will keep all of it in mine.

lol
Desiree1

[hippygem]

Interferon can cause hair thinning, hair loss, hair breakage, and can change the texture of hair. However, some women are under the impression that interferon therapy will cause them to lose all their hair. (Well, that’s what Pamela Anderson stated as one of her main reasons for not starting therapy!). This is a total misconception. In fact, hair loss while on interferon therapy is infrequent. If it occurs at all, the amount of hair lost is often minimal and usually unnoticeable to others. Women on interferon do not experience hair loss in the way that a cancer patient on chemotherapy does. Hair loss from interferon appears to be most frequent in Caucasians with black hair, and in Orientals. It typically occurs around the third or fourth month of therapy. Hair loss may continue for up to three months after treatment is discontinued. Hair loss is more common among women then it is among men (as well as less socially acceptable).

If hair loss does occur, there are many steps that women can take to minimize this side effect. Women should refrain from dying or bleaching their hair while on interferon therapy, since this may exacerbate hair loss. A mild hair rinse may be used as an alternative to coloring. Avoid permanents and hair straightening procedures while on therapy. Many women have found the vitamin biotin (a B vitamin) to be helpful. It is advisable to take this vitamin daily a few weeks prior to beginning therapy and to continue while on therapy. A mild shampoo and a detangling conditioner are advisable. Nioxin shampoo, Nioxin conditioner and Nioxin hair growth promoter can help keep hair loss to a minimum while on therapy. Nioxin hair loss treatment should be started about a month prior to starting antiviral therapy. Other recommended shampoos include Tricomin, Revivogen and Nizoral. Minoxidil (Rogaine) liquid topical medication may be of some benefit. It should be applied only to the scalp and not ingested. It may stop hair loss and thicken the remaining hair, but continued use twice daily for at least 4 months is typically required before obvious results are noted.

Other tips for diminishing hair loss include: the use of a wide tooth comb, avoidance of curling irons and rollers, and avoidance of daily shampooing. Avoid cornrowing, tight braids and pulling hair back in a ponytail with tight rubberbands. A short haircut may be in order. If hair loss becomes a major problem, medical insurances will typically cover the cost of a wig or a hairpiece. Often a doctor’s note or prescription along with a receipt of purchase is all that is required for insurance reimbursement.

Fortunately, any hair loss induced by interferon therapy is temporary, and regrowth typically occurs within three to six months from the drug’s discontinuation. The color and texture of hair may differ from the person’s original hair type. In fact, many women have noted that their hair grows back thicker, straighter, and shinier than before!

http://www.liverdisease.com/womenhcv.html

NIOXIN: http://www.nioxin.com/en/home.aspx

[aquarius121]

I am a hairstylist and a Salon and Spa owner. I went through 48wk tx last year. I did have hair loss, and very dry hair during tx. I chose not to share with my staff or clients that I was HepC pos and on tx. I decided to find a hairpiece that would help me and make me feel better. I went to a hair show and discovered Top Secret Haircessory. They are 100% human hair clip in pieces that add fullness, volume, color and shine. They are undetectable and will help while not coloring during tx. The sliverlining is now I carry this product at my salon and have helped so many women that suffer from fine thinng hair due to all kinds of health issues. I have just started 2nd round of tx and am so thankful that I can wear my top secret. Anyone can check out the wed site and do a salon locator for your state and area and go in and try one on. They come in different lenghts, colors, with or without highlights.Its hard enough being on this tx if you can feel good about your hair it might help, at least it did for me.