Chemo and haircare

[missnurselady]

My mom just finished chemotherapy in August and relaxed her hair soon after. She went from shoulder length to above the ear length. We are in two totally different states so I dont have any pictures to show you all but she said that when she curls it, that it "melts". I didn't know that she had relaxed her hair since she began chemo but she is the type of person who will slap a relaxer on at the first sight of newgrowth. Im trying to help her build some type of regimen, this is where I need your help. She needs something simple(she also is suffering from neuropathy in her hands and feet), and not very time consuming. She has been complaining about not being able to do anything to her hair and that she is tired of wearing scarves, I told her to get a wig but she has never been a wig, braid or extensition type of person. If you could recommend a regi, including products, I would greatly appreciate it. Im off to do a search to see what I can come up with.... Thanks in advance

 

[naturalgurl]

I see you say she went from shoulder to ear length. She didn't lose any hair from the scalp? I work in a cancer hospital and have had relatives that had chemo. They all said that when their hair grew back it was a different texture. Lots of them also like to use sea breeze on their scalps instead of shampoo, which is said to be harsh. I should have listened back then when I was told that. Sorry I didn't help much with giving you a regi...

 

[trenise]

I don't have a regi for your mom, but when my hair started growing back after chemo (stem cell bone marrow autogolous transplant) I was told not to use a relaxer for at least a year. It was pretty healthy for a while when all I did was wash, condition, and put "Short Looks" gel in. Then I started texturizing and it still was okay, then I messed it up with over processing the relaxers before the year was up.

 

[missnurselady]

Yea, she said that her new growth is really soft, not like it use to be but she said after she relaxed her hair each time that she curled it, the hair just melted and broke off.

I see you say she went from shoulder to ear length. She didn't lose any hair from the scalp? I work in a cancer hospital and have had relatives that had chemo. They all said that when their hair grew back it was a different texture. Lots of them also like to use sea breeze on their scalps instead of shampoo, which is said to be harsh. I should have listened back then when I was told that. Sorry I didn't help much with giving you a regi...

 

[missnurselady]

I already told her not to relax her hair anymore, especially after this ordeal. Im thinking maybe she should get braids or something just to let it be but then again since her hair is in such a fragile state maybe she should just cut it off and start over which I know is easier said then done but if she is covering it with a scarf what difference will it make????

I don't have a regi for your mom, but when my hair started growing back after chemo (stem cell bone marrow autogolous transplant) I was told not to use a relaxer for at least a year. It was pretty healthy for a while when all I did was wash, condition, and put "Short Looks" gel in. Then I started texturizing and it still was okay, then I messed it up with over processing the relaxers before the year was up.

 

[missnurselady]

I was considering purchasing this kit for her: http://www.komazacare.com/heal.html
or maybe getting her some megatek.... im not sure

 

[trenise]

From what you are saying, I take it that she did not totally lose her hair (go bald) from the chemo? Since she still has some hair, then perhaps she can just style a short cut. People who don't know what's up will simply think that's how she wanted her hair. Wearing a scarf is what's going to bring attention.

 

[trenise]

I'm using OCT now with good results. The site says it is good to use with people who are even still going through chemo.

 

[missnurselady]

No she didnt lose her hair during, only after she put the relaxer in and began to curl it. I think I will get her some OCT or Megatek for xmas. Im trying to find her a good hair care line as well. any suggestions????

I'm using OCT now with good results. The site says it is good to use with people who are even still going through chemo.

 

[lila_baby]

DAMN! I'm happy for you that's she's out of chemotherapy now and you trenise and I hope you guys remain well. What about some head massages to get the circulation going. maybe u should be using natural products bc as trenise said she wasn't supposed to relax her hair for up to a year. But seriously a wig sounds like the best option. Get her to chill out and recover from what her body has been through.