sjgcbm's Cancer Blog
March 11, 2009
Advise Sought - problem with "new" hair....
Views: 1189
Silly, I know, but does anyone have advice about how to manage their hair as it grows back in? When I had no hair I ended up with cradle cap. Now that I have “short” hair I am having terrible dandruff/flaking, even when I use baby shampoo!
So an open call for advise on really dry scalp as I grow my hair back in. Any and all good advise would be appreciated.
Thanks
Posted on March 11, 2009 at 6:00:09 PM by Sarajane Garten (
Advise Sought - problem with "new" hair...., 
7 comments)
Advise Sought - problem with "new" hair...., 7 comments)
Thanks for your support - 
No advice for ya. Just wanted to say hi! Glad to hear from you! How was the cruise?
XOXOLisa
I guess the best advice is just to be patient. It will come back on it’s own schedule and I don’t think there’s anything you can do to speed it up. However, I was advised by another cancer survivor that shampoo and conditioner containing Biotin is very good for chemo damaged hair. There is a brand called Jason that is available at GNC stores. I have been using it for a few months now and I do think my hair is healthier. Although my hair has not completely filled back in, I have lots of new growth and even got brave enough to color it a couple of weeks ago. It was such a lift to not have all the gray. You might try this shampoo if you can find it, either at GNC or online.
Also, keeping it cut short while it is growing back in will definitely make it look fuller. My hairdresser made it look so cute and I don’t think I’ll ever let it grow long again.
My best to you—
Martha
Sarajane; No idea how to control the flaking or dandruff. I only know that my husband uses a special shampoo for psoriasis but he has not had any chemo or radiation since he is not a cancer patient. I wonder if you can ask anyone that you met at the hospital doing treatments, or the nurses that deal with this all day long. I’m sure someone has a suggestion. I would call the Oncology dept. at your hospital and simply ask. No harm in that?.
In any case, glad to hear the hair is coming back. Isn’t it wonderful to have the treatments out of the way? How was your cruise. details please and photos if you have any.
Weezie
corn rows…
thats all I will suggest…hehehe
Hugs
Mac
Thanks to all, especially Mac, who made me laugh.
I have actually decided to keep my hair short! I love the freedom it gives me, and, as my oncologist says: “You look so French!”
The cruise was a great experience; bad weather, no sun, but no phone, no computer, no doctor(s) and no work! Another honeymoon!
Not sure we would do it again (roush seas meant lots of Bonine – I didn’t think to pack any of my leftover Compazine! Unless, of course, we win anaother cruise! It turns out most cruise lines will post an online sweepstakes, and farily close to the sail date will announce winners – to fill up unsold staterooms (we assume).
It was a wonderful way to travel without over-doing it. We rented a cruise-width electric scooter (lik from the cruise line) and it was worth it.
The best part? A cooking class with the executive chef! He demonstrated Austrian strudel and a chicken dish that was just like something I learned from my Hungarian mother, who learned it from her Mom, and so on and so on. I suppose that shouldn’t surprise me, but what did surprise me was learning that Austrians ate Apple Strudel as a main course on Fridays back when Catholics were not supposed to eat meat on Friday. ANyway, since baking is my (non-paid) passion, it was lots of fun for me!
We met lots of folks we would never have met any other way, and I think we will stay in touch with two other couples – one from Phoenix and the other from Toronto. Who knows, though – I bet folks always think they will stay in touch.
I haven’t even unpacked yet. It was home on Sunday, back to work on Monday for me. Didn’t get through my work email inbox until Wednesday! :-)
Thanks for asking. I think everyone should consider a cruise after chemo! Perhaps we can get our insurance companies to pay for it as part of our mental health coverage. What do you think? LOL
Nice to be back with this group, that’s for sure!
Sarajane
You might actually be washing your hair too much and ridding it of all the oils that it needs to stay healthy. Most people over wash their hair in general. Hair only needs to be washed when dirty, and most products out there have chemicals and strip the hair and scalp of the oils it needs to stay healthy – then we have to use conditioners to put oils back in (and most conditioners contain chemicals too). What I use is by CTonics – found online at www.ctonics.com or go to Whole Foods. You need to learn how to use it as it is a nourishment for the scalp and supports healthy hair. It is not about ‘taking away’ but about ‘nourishment and support’. It needs to be left in before it is washed out. Also, there are NO chemicals in it.
Enjoy your european look!
Thanks! I wondered if I needed to cut back and perhaps only use shampoo every second or third day. I think it is just habit – and old habits die hard, as opposed to me with cancer who is fighting hard. LOL
Whole Foods is not so easy to get to, but I will do my best. If not, I will see if I can order it online – where I do most of my shopping these days.