Don't laugh but I couldn't find any topic which suited what I wanted to talk about - hence me listing it under "Nutrition"!!!!
Those of you who already know me also know that I am full of positive vibes every step of my journey which just recently has seen me develop secondary tumors in each lung and I am back on chemo - this time it's "Alimta".
But I'm a woman and need to know if it is safe to have foils or any other color put in my hair whilst I am on Alimta - this is all part of "look good, feel better" which certainly works for me.
I have only had my first treatment of Alimta and the first few days were a bit rough - extreme tiredness and (lovely topic of conversation) constipation but if I am only going to have those few days that are not pleasant it is so so worth it.
In fact the choir that I am in begins rehearsals this Saturday for a big performance in 8 weeks and I think I will cope with all of that.
So friends - advice on the hair coloring please.
With love and prayers to all,
Margaret
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Hair coloring whilst having chemo
- By Musicmissmaggie
- Posted July 27, 2009 at 4:44 am · 25 replies
- In Nutrition
- Shared with the public
Explore topics in this discussion:
Cancer Constipation Chemotherapy Surgery Tarceva Avastin Lung cancer Cervical cancer
25 replies
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- By sheryl54
- Posted July 27, 2009 at 7:07 am
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i say check with you dr to see if the chem. will interfere. if not ..go for it....or maybe a hair rinse...i think they have them for pregnant women, so it won't mess with your system...i know i plan on dying my hair next month....i haven't had hair for so long...but it is about an 8th of an inch long..god bless
- By freebee
- Posted July 27, 2009 at 7:28 am
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I love this question because I am and ex hairdresser and I an dealing with lung cancer too and I wouldn't think twice about the hair color decision! Yes, girlfriend go for it!. I lost all my hair back in 05 with my first round of chemo but had a great wig. Then my hair grew back and it was all----------------- white on top and salt and pepper over the rest. It was beautiful until about a year later I just looked in the mirror and said this is not me, I look old and like my mother! So I put color in and so--------- glad I did. It lifted my spirits and made such a difference in how I precieved myself. I felt like me again. I was on Tarceva then and no problems. I too am on Alimta now! My hair is thinning somewhat but I have a hair color already scheduled for the 7th of August. So yes, it is well worth it. Hair colors these days are not as harsh as they use to be. Go to your salon and they will help you." So Color" is what I use at the salon and I just love it! Good Luck!
- By Pat8
- Posted July 27, 2009 at 7:33 am
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I've been on Altima and many other chemo drugs - have been on a clinical trial for the past year - I began having my hair colored when I couldn't stand the white/grey hair anymore that grew back. Only thing I would do is wait until I had a week when I didn't have chemo to color it. And I go to a hairdresser and have the best hair coloring put on -- even tho it's more expensive it is also milder (and I figure I'm worth it!). I've heard pros and cons about hair coloring while on chemo, but I can only speak from my own experience - and you're right - it sure does make you feel better!
Check with your oncologist and good luck to you whatever you decide --
With prayers -- and always with hope - Pat
- By cuddles53
- Posted July 27, 2009 at 8:20 am
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I had to decide on this also, I have colored my hair of course for years and then lost it all with chemo therapy, when it grew in I thought it was a beautiful white with salt and pepper on the sides but not me! I looked too old, so reluctantly I did color it, but every time I do, and it is not often anymore, I worry about it, I worry about all of those chemicals getting in through the pores, I don't care what anyone tells me, I do not think these can be good for you. I am trying my best to avoid all carcinogens, and yet my own vanity forces me to put this on my head. I will continue doing it for my feelings of self worth but I must say, I still am very worried when I do it, each and every time. I feel we put so much garbage into our bodies to heal us, and now this to make us feel good, just an opinion from an old girl who wants to look refreshed once again.
Sandy
- By cjtexas
- Posted July 27, 2009 at 9:41 am
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During chemo color your hair, boy are you brave. Their are at least 21 different chemicals that are known to cause cancer, some of these chemicals are already in our daily lives in very small amounts, food shampoo's, makeup, and etc. Why add more, you probably look just great the way you are.
- By mitziger
- Posted July 27, 2009 at 3:30 pm
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I am not taking chemo and have not for 7 months, my hair is almost long enough to perm but I put a couple pin curls in front of my ears last night and they did not do like they used to. I know when my sister-in-law had cervical cancer and was in treament, they told her no chemicals.......................................................
Seems like the new hair wants to do only what it wants to and it did not make a spit curl. I have a perm to put in but almost afraid to do it, afraid of the way it will stand up every which way since it is still pretty short at 2-1/2 to 3 inches long..... I never liked straight hair on me (many women look great with it) but you know it is really easy to take care of and I am tempted to have it trimmed up and let it grow and be straight. That is one advantage of being old you worry less about how you look.. As long as I am neatly dressed, coordinated, ( not wearing a red shirt and green slacks and clean, I should not have to fret.... lol I know many a time, I passed up a good time because my hair was not so,so. Was it worth that? no....So nice to wash and wear instead of rolling up and curling it all of the time. I am not worried about the gray as it is mostly in front on the top and I earned every last bit of it......Sometimes it comes in one color and then changes.....Mine is mostly brown but does not have the red cast to it, that it did before. I save some of mine when I cut it off....
I would just make sure I talked to the oncologists about it before I colored it while taking treatments. Life is fragile we know and need to protect it all we can....God Bless mitzi
- By Pitrel
- Posted July 27, 2009 at 3:54 pm
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I am on Tarceva 150mgs. My oncologist says its ok if I can tolerate it. I was able to tolerate it but I was scared when I was having it done. I have no scalp issues with the Tarceva so it all worked out well for me.
- By susie2
- Posted July 27, 2009 at 9:02 pm
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I highlighted my hair during my treatment with alitma for over a year and it worked great. It really helped me mentally to know i could still look alright even though i was on chemo. Look for hairdressers that have Aveda products, these have less chemicals and more of the natural side.
x
- By Marylou1
- Posted July 27, 2009 at 9:45 pm
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Hey, you bet as soon as I had hair long enough to color I did it! Dang, I may be 71, but I don't want to look like my own grandma :) Go for it.
Much Love to all,
Marylou
- By Mar24
- Posted July 27, 2009 at 9:50 pm
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If it is safe, go for it!!! Once my hair grew back my hairdresser was all over me to get it colored like we use to. I told her to go for it since my hair grew back with the same color as I had before! I love the fact I can do this again. Have fun and happy singing!
Maribeth
- By sunshine1954
- Posted July 27, 2009 at 11:56 pm
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Well Maggie this topic i know something about lol been a hair stylist for 21 years I always advise any client to ask the Dr. don't think it will hurt any thing but never know. My mom has had chemo 3 times over 9 years lost her hair 2 times the last chemo lost some and i gave her a perm with the Dr ok. It is so important as a women to feel good about ourselves. I may take my own advice and fix myself up tomorrow . i have been taking care of my husband for several months and ashamed to say let my self go so the hair and makeup go on tomorrow maybe I will feel better.
- By sunshine1954
- Posted July 28, 2009 at 12:01 am
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One more thing if you foil to bleach/color doesn't touch you scalp
- By Musicmissmaggie
- Posted July 28, 2009 at 12:54 am
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Thank you all for your positive responses to a woman's vanity!!!!! I am seeing my oncologist so will ask her tomorrow.
I had my hair cut really short a month or so ago and am due for another short cut because I simply don't have the energy to blow dry it every day - that's normal for me!!
So lets see what I am told tomorrow and if I can color well yeah!!!!!!!!!!!
With love,
Margaret
- By sunshine2gal
- Posted July 28, 2009 at 1:03 am
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I just called the cancer center where my mom is being treated on this very question last week. They said to wait 3 to 4 months after your last chemo treatment has ended, before coloring your hair. Something to do with the chemicals and how they could affect your system. I can't remember exactly now, I just remember they said wait 3 to 4 months.
- By -T-
- Posted July 28, 2009 at 1:21 am
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hi Margaret, have you considered using natural hair dyes? henna, indigo and cassia? if you'd like you can google henna to read up on it and/or go to www.hennaforhair.com/ they have a lot of imformation there. keep in mind you need to use a good quality natural dye if you go that route, supermarket henna is not the same as body art quality henna for hair. stay blessed, t
- By angelbrd67
- Posted July 28, 2009 at 1:59 am
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http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_1_3X_Hair_Dye.asp
Something to read before dying your hair
- By cosmogal_7
- Posted July 28, 2009 at 8:15 am
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I am a hairdresser and have been one for 18 years. My mom has recently started coloring her hair again and I will tell you what, it did wonders for her self confidence. She feels like herself again instead of a cancer patient. Anyway, I have alot of clients who have been through cancer and they would color or perm their hair with no problems at all. Its surprising to me how many do that now. There has never been any proof that hair dye is directly linked to any cancer at all. If so, don't you think they would have put some kind of disclaimer like they do cigarettes on hair dye? If anyone is concerned, I would recommend foiling in highlights or color that do not touch the scalp. Also if anyone is doing color, I would recommend that they not wash their hair prior to coloring because your natural oils can act as a barrier so you do not end up with an irritated scalp. There are also options such as low ammonia peroxide dyes that only deposit hair color and are very gentle. Anyway, lots of people color their hair. Thats mostly my clientele. My mom is on Gemzar, previously Alimta and has done well. She also looks like my mom again.
Good luck!
Paula
- By marilou122
- Posted July 28, 2009 at 8:50 am
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Since my husband had his lung surgery, and lost his hair during treatment after, I stopped coloring my hai! I grew it out (till no old color was evident) and trimmed the ends. Its been a year now and NO COLOR. Just my natural mousey brown with gray hair....I style it as usual. They say that permanent color and perms and chemicals used on hair cause cancer too. I feel healthier and I save tons of time, worry, and $$$.....and I now know what I really look like with natural color hair at 54. Many people color their hair upon the first sighting of gray hair. They never know how the gray looks when it fills in....I do. Mine came in evenly all over...not patchy....I can live with it and know it is not that bad....sure is healthier.
- By mevsm
- Posted July 28, 2009 at 4:48 pm
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Healthfood stores carry natural hair coloring products. One that I liked:
TINTS OF NATURE
Certified Organic Comfrey Extract
Certified Organic Roman Chamomile Extract
Certified Organic Aloe Vera
Certified Organic Orange & Grapefruit Extract
No Ammonia or Ammonia Substitutes
-MaryMac
- By Hopeful14
- Posted July 28, 2009 at 7:48 pm
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Hi, I am on avastin, olimpta and cisplatin. I am on my 3rd chemo treatment tomorrow. I did not lose my hair or have thinning at all. I did a touch up, highlights and even a brazilian treatment. I feel and look wonderful. Oncologist said it was fine to do and boy did it ever lift my spirits.
I have nscl stage 4 to my spine and I am 53. After just 2 treatments I have had over 30% shrinkage and am thrilled. Met on spine is even rejuvenating itself from the damage:0)
I think we are all becoming a little neurotic and paranoid about what does and does not cause cancer. We need to live also after all.
DO what makes you feel good as long as your doctor says its okay.
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