Aa
Hair loss
I am in the 6th week of tx and I am lossing patches of hair. One of my co-workers noticed today. He asked me about it I just kind of blew it off. I have been reading post here for 5 weeks and see some where people have lost hair. Just wondering if this seems like a short time on tx to be lossing hair.
Nioxin is a line of hair products that is supposed to help with hair loss. Since ours is related to the tx and not genetic or other cause, I am not sure if it helps or not but some recommend it. You can get it on line. I've heard of "ThymuSkin" also but know nothing of it.
I really had much better results for itchy scalp etc. by using the baby shampoo; it doesn't irritate the skin. I was bummed out that I couldn't keep my color up because I have a lot of gray and it looks bad. I didn't know to avoid it and the first time I tried to color as usual, it really burned my scalp. Learned the hard way on that one (and then read all the warnings about not coloring on tx - must have missed that fine print...LOL).
You can use deposit-only color though, and when my roots really get bad I have my colorist do some light foils. That way, it is still permanant color but it's not touching the skin at all (she's careful not to get any on me) and that works fine. Costs a little more but she doesn't do a whole head full - just enough to cover gray along the part and a few here and there. That works fine, and I fill in with the kind that fades in 5-6 washes in between to give a boost. I do that myself at home (looks good) and it is non-irritating. I sure wouldn't use any chemicals on the skin/scalp. Gentle, gentle, gentle is the word!
Luckily, it's *all just temporary*...that is my mantra! ;-)
Robin_Fla
I really had much better results for itchy scalp etc. by using the baby shampoo; it doesn't irritate the skin. I was bummed out that I couldn't keep my color up because I have a lot of gray and it looks bad. I didn't know to avoid it and the first time I tried to color as usual, it really burned my scalp. Learned the hard way on that one (and then read all the warnings about not coloring on tx - must have missed that fine print...LOL).
You can use deposit-only color though, and when my roots really get bad I have my colorist do some light foils. That way, it is still permanant color but it's not touching the skin at all (she's careful not to get any on me) and that works fine. Costs a little more but she doesn't do a whole head full - just enough to cover gray along the part and a few here and there. That works fine, and I fill in with the kind that fades in 5-6 washes in between to give a boost. I do that myself at home (looks good) and it is non-irritating. I sure wouldn't use any chemicals on the skin/scalp. Gentle, gentle, gentle is the word!
Luckily, it's *all just temporary*...that is my mantra! ;-)
Robin_Fla
very scary the thought of losing / thinning hair- especially as a female.
What is nioxin? and is it avail in Canada I wonder?
My thoughts were to try the baby shampoo as it is gentle, and stay away from hair dye's and straightening my hair for abit
so i been basically sporting a bun or ponytail pretty much constantly
am at week 9- and heard typically weeks 20 to 22 is where it starts
What is nioxin? and is it avail in Canada I wonder?
My thoughts were to try the baby shampoo as it is gentle, and stay away from hair dye's and straightening my hair for abit
so i been basically sporting a bun or ponytail pretty much constantly
am at week 9- and heard typically weeks 20 to 22 is where it starts
Wish I had known about the biotin earlier! I have been taking some b-complex and multi with Dr's ok but not extra biotin 'cause I didn't know it might help...
For me, lots of hair loss started at the classic 4 month mark, and has continued since (am at 9.5 mos now). It seems to be lessening slightly but it's still pretty thin and I have cut it shorter (always had longer, straight hair - very fine but lots of it). I also had to go on Synthroid a couple of months ago, and that can also contribute to hair loss (oh, great!). It seems to be stabilizing some.
I tried Nioxin but found it to be drying even with the scalp moisturizer. I switched to baby shampoo, deep conditioner and sometimes a spray on, leave in conditioner too if I need it. The baby shampoo really helped. I'm trying not to shampoo as much but when it's already thin, that looks really bad!
I have 10 weeks left to go with tx, and I am really looking to having my hair back after that!
Good luck all!
Robin
For me, lots of hair loss started at the classic 4 month mark, and has continued since (am at 9.5 mos now). It seems to be lessening slightly but it's still pretty thin and I have cut it shorter (always had longer, straight hair - very fine but lots of it). I also had to go on Synthroid a couple of months ago, and that can also contribute to hair loss (oh, great!). It seems to be stabilizing some.
I tried Nioxin but found it to be drying even with the scalp moisturizer. I switched to baby shampoo, deep conditioner and sometimes a spray on, leave in conditioner too if I need it. The baby shampoo really helped. I'm trying not to shampoo as much but when it's already thin, that looks really bad!
I have 10 weeks left to go with tx, and I am really looking to having my hair back after that!
Good luck all!
Robin
I have been taking Biotin for a few years. I heard about it doing research on HVC treatment when I was deciding to treat the first time....and, like many females, was very concerned about what might happen to my hair.
It's basically just a B vitamin.
My previous hepatologist knew I was taking it and had no problem with it AND I was OK'd to continue taking it by my current hepatologist at the University of Chicago. I am also in the Vertex trial. Vertex has to OK any supplements we take. They also allow it. My liver enzymes are in their 20's and I'm undetected.... :-)
And, through both treatments I have had no hair loss :-))))
But, of course, you should do your own research and decide for yourselves....
It's basically just a B vitamin.
My previous hepatologist knew I was taking it and had no problem with it AND I was OK'd to continue taking it by my current hepatologist at the University of Chicago. I am also in the Vertex trial. Vertex has to OK any supplements we take. They also allow it. My liver enzymes are in their 20's and I'm undetected.... :-)
And, through both treatments I have had no hair loss :-))))
But, of course, you should do your own research and decide for yourselves....
since my hair is long and curly/wavey it tangles very easily.
I do comb it out with a pick wide spaced comb, while WET in the shower,
but I grease it down with a Handful of conditioner first.
the knots then come out like butter compared to any other way I've ever tried.
then when all tangles are gone, just go ahead and shampoo gently but throughly without pushing the hair all around, just massage lightly the soap in, and you will not dreat new tangles.
this cuts my loss from dry combing by way more than half. Long curly is so hard to keep up.
I don't know about Nioxin,, but I'm going to start using olive oil one night a week to be massgaed into the scalp washed out in the morning. this is an ancient remedy and maybe will keep the follicles healthier as well as help the dry brittle breaks. they still use it in the middle east, and that climate is really hard on hair...
I do comb it out with a pick wide spaced comb, while WET in the shower,
but I grease it down with a Handful of conditioner first.
the knots then come out like butter compared to any other way I've ever tried.
then when all tangles are gone, just go ahead and shampoo gently but throughly without pushing the hair all around, just massage lightly the soap in, and you will not dreat new tangles.
this cuts my loss from dry combing by way more than half. Long curly is so hard to keep up.
I don't know about Nioxin,, but I'm going to start using olive oil one night a week to be massgaed into the scalp washed out in the morning. this is an ancient remedy and maybe will keep the follicles healthier as well as help the dry brittle breaks. they still use it in the middle east, and that climate is really hard on hair...
My hairloss didn't start until week 22, now it's coming out in chucnks, which sux and makes me not to want to go out in public.
I took my recharging complex from Nioxin to my doctors appointment yesterday. The doctor said it was fine to take it. Its does contain biotin and many other vitamins that are beneficial to your hair skin and nials! So I guess it good news for me I can keep taking my recharging complex and using my nioxin cleanser, scalp therapy, and scalp treatment. I am hoping and praying that it help help reduce if not stop any hair loss from happening
Best wishes to all!!!!!
Best wishes to all!!!!!
WOW! Have not heard biotin is bad for liver, have to check that out and will stop till then. Doing sublingual B complex and biotin. I know it is great for skin, hair, nails as you said.
So much we have to watch! I was about to start iron sup.'s, love spinach until reading here about iron, replication, etc.
AND...... been shedding a bit more past few days. Honeslty, my biggest issue loosing hair (besides don't wanna! and had so much for so long!) is my sons seeing it as it will bother them. We lost a dear friend at only 40 last year (Nov. 1, 1 year ago tomorrow) and they watched her loose hair, go down quick. Just think it will really upset them if my goes....make them worry more.
Washing my hair once a week also, don't leave house much right now, so don't care :}
LL
My mother is cosmetologist who works will alopecia patients. She deals with all kinds of cases of female hair loss....
If your folicules (spelling?) are being destroyed...there is not much you can do. You must however use the proper shampoo and treatment to strengthen what you have. Make sure any products you uses (outside of shampoo) is from the Nioxin line. Those products are specially formulated.
Don't EVER brush your hair wet! haha use a "pick" as I would call it and pick gently! Also blot your hair when you get out the shower...don't rub...less stress placed on the folicules.
If your folicules (spelling?) are being destroyed...there is not much you can do. You must however use the proper shampoo and treatment to strengthen what you have. Make sure any products you uses (outside of shampoo) is from the Nioxin line. Those products are specially formulated.
Don't EVER brush your hair wet! haha use a "pick" as I would call it and pick gently! Also blot your hair when you get out the shower...don't rub...less stress placed on the folicules.
Hi, also try taking biotin (a tip I got here). ....
I heard that biotin is VERY bad for the liver...never asked a doctor...but please be careful!
I heard that biotin is VERY bad for the liver...never asked a doctor...but please be careful!
I don't know what percentage of hair I've lost in the past 45 weeks but it became so noticeable I cut it quite short and had it layered to give the illusion of fullness.
I also don't shampoo more than once a week, use a hair-pick instead of a comb or brush and apply hair products sparingly.
The worst spots for me are the back-of-the-head-dome area and the sides above the ears.
I noticed the loss about a month into TX, mostly coz I found clumps of hair in the sink or shower.
Everyone says it comes back once you stop TX.
wyntre
I also don't shampoo more than once a week, use a hair-pick instead of a comb or brush and apply hair products sparingly.
The worst spots for me are the back-of-the-head-dome area and the sides above the ears.
I noticed the loss about a month into TX, mostly coz I found clumps of hair in the sink or shower.
Everyone says it comes back once you stop TX.
wyntre
Nioxin's recharging complex has biotin in it, im just not sure if I should be taken the vitamins now. I guess I'll bring them with me to my dr's visit and ask. If it is ok to take them that is a huge bonus because of the extremely great effect they have on your hair skin and nails.
Hi, also try taking biotin (a tip I got here). going into week 6, and hairs feeling fine thus far. Also really coating with 'Chi' after washing cond. Also washing much less and like most, looking in that brush every time, LOL.
We're all vain in some way, loosing our hair is not a 'light' thing to take, whether worse things to worry about or not. (mines long/thick, hoping to keep most :} My sister in chemo most of 7 !! years now with 'chronic' cancer, bless her :{ , never lost her hair until the last trial last year, she said that is when it hit her the worst, to walk by every mirror and be reminded of being so sick. And she is VERY tough and not that vain. We all don't want to :{
best to you, LL
We're all vain in some way, loosing our hair is not a 'light' thing to take, whether worse things to worry about or not. (mines long/thick, hoping to keep most :} My sister in chemo most of 7 !! years now with 'chronic' cancer, bless her :{ , never lost her hair until the last trial last year, she said that is when it hit her the worst, to walk by every mirror and be reminded of being so sick. And she is VERY tough and not that vain. We all don't want to :{
best to you, LL
I see that you mentioned using Nioxin. What parts of the nioxin line did you use? Did you take the recharging complex? I am a hair stylist and was recently dx with Hep C. I know that this is extremely vain and I feel completely horrible that I am so unbelievablely concerned about my hair when obviously there are other things to be concerned about. I am also a Nioxin educator I use the entire line but I have stopped using the recharging complex(vitamin) because im not sure what effect it would have on my liver and the Hep C.
Don't know yet ....week 5 and like you....waiting and looking in the brush a lot.
I had a customer that wanted to trim my hair for me, while in tx. Did it....had waste length, thick, dark hair and let's just say I lost too much before waiting to maybe loose too much :{
That was just WRONG :{
good luck to you, LL
Yeah that sounds about right. I lost about 40% i'm guessing. It was very thin and you could see my scalp if I didnt style it right. I had thick long hair when I started, past my butt. I cut it to my shoulders and donated it. Now at 4 months post it is filling in bueatifully and it is back to the center of my back. So it does come back. Hubby on tx too and his got thin, he just says less trips to the barber shop ;-)
Thanks to all of you, your post make me laugh a little and learn a lot. I have always told my barber to take a little off the sides to put on the top I am glad she did not listen to me there would not be anything left to watch fall out.
Grandma my doc says the same stuff to me. I think he knows how bad it is and will do whatever it takes to keep me on track.
Nygirl several years ago my younger sister had a kidney transplant her hair had always been thin and blonde. After the transplant her hair got so thick that in was hard to manage and turned black as coal.
Grandma my doc says the same stuff to me. I think he knows how bad it is and will do whatever it takes to keep me on track.
Nygirl several years ago my younger sister had a kidney transplant her hair had always been thin and blonde. After the transplant her hair got so thick that in was hard to manage and turned black as coal.
hmm think of the possibilities, one day you could go after the russian dudes, next day do a dreadlocks, then go emo for a punk to reel in.....(jk) : )))))))))))))))
at least if your skull isn't perfectly round it'll be nice to be called lumpy, and not have that nickname referring to other anatomical areas...(grin).
at least if your skull isn't perfectly round it'll be nice to be called lumpy, and not have that nickname referring to other anatomical areas...(grin).
I lost about 50% of my hair. Started after a couple months and stopped about week 30 or so. I did 51 weeks of INF/RIBA. I wore a little turban or scarves. I felt like a babushka. A Russian guy on the street thought it was attractive. It made me feel good. I retired at week 33. I wasn't sleeping very well. I was glad I could stay home and get enough rest. Everytime I tried to get my doctor to put me on temporary disability she said I was doing great. She didn't see the vomiting and lack of sleep. I got in 2 minor car accidents. I'm so grateful they were minor.
I noticed hair loss at week 18 or 19. I treated 24 weeks. At around week 9 or 10 post treatment, it stopped. I had fairly thick hair, but fine and wavy. No one else noticed, but I did. It seemed to get very, very dry. I am now 14 weeks post treating and it is better.
It happens to most of us. Like NYgirl said, it will come back. Mine came back almost exactly as it was pre tx. I had probably lost 50% of my hair and what I had was very fine.
I don't think mine started falling until I was at 12 weeks and after 24 or 30 weeks it let up some. You can try various products, - I used Nioxin for thinning hair - but in the long run it is probably going to do what it is going to do. It was interesting to me to deal with fine straight hair. Not bad, just interesting.
Mine seems to be thinning again (to a much lesser degree) but I don't think it has anything to do with hep C (I completed treatment 14 months ago) or the treatment. My guess is stress.
frijole
I don't think mine started falling until I was at 12 weeks and after 24 or 30 weeks it let up some. You can try various products, - I used Nioxin for thinning hair - but in the long run it is probably going to do what it is going to do. It was interesting to me to deal with fine straight hair. Not bad, just interesting.
Mine seems to be thinning again (to a much lesser degree) but I don't think it has anything to do with hep C (I completed treatment 14 months ago) or the treatment. My guess is stress.
frijole
I lost about 75% of my hair during my 72 weeks of treatment. It was horrible I hated it so much. I never really thought I was that vain until I watched it go down the drain in the shower every day.
Since I am a girl I went out and bought all sorts of wigs to cover up the mess on my head and they helped me a LOT. I'm still wearing them now but my hair is growing back like crazy, nice and healthy and straight which is insane because I always had curly hair.
It's very hard to deal with and you aren't alone in your feelings at all. Many of us have gone thru it, I'm very sorry that you are too. It WILL come back is the good thing! :)
Since I am a girl I went out and bought all sorts of wigs to cover up the mess on my head and they helped me a LOT. I'm still wearing them now but my hair is growing back like crazy, nice and healthy and straight which is insane because I always had curly hair.
It's very hard to deal with and you aren't alone in your feelings at all. Many of us have gone thru it, I'm very sorry that you are too. It WILL come back is the good thing! :)
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