Does anyone know of a good product that can help baldness?

SFGiants13 · Senior User Joined: 21 Feb 2005 Posts: 126 Location: CA SF

Does anyone know of a good product that can help baldness?

If you've read my profile or not, I've been through 3 yrs of Radiation of the Brain and or spine since 02', 04', and 05'. I have a slight bald spot like the size of a small apple at the top back center of my scalp. When I look in the mirror, with another mirror I can see in the back that there's a bald spot very clearly. I've been researching a lot online looking for hair restoration products that could possibly help me. I'm looking for something that doesn't have dangerous chemicals or causes side effects but if possible no harmful ingredients or natural would be a great.

Here's a list that I researched and thought about so far:

-Rogaine
-I heard it irritates your scalp and doesn't seem like a right choice.

-Scalpmed
-I think this one has chemicals.

-Advecia
-The customer service told me it's not specifically designed for chemotherapy patients and don't know for sure if it'll work.

-Beauty 4 Ashes
-This is a Christian Health Beauty Company and their email service isn't so great on responding to my question.

I can use some advice on what others use or recommend on hair loss for someone like myself who's been through a lot of chemotherapy and radiation for 3 yrs: 02', 04', 05'. Sometimes I would look in the mirror and show my mom my bald spot and she would say, "don't worry about it, it's okay, you're fine, so and so is also losing their hair too." Then I would say to her saying, "yeah but I really miss my hair the old way like it used to be." It has been somewhat hard for me daily to try and comb my hair in a certain way that I like it to be but it still comes out fine I guess. I know that it's not a big deal since there are a lot of people out there like myself with the same problem and I'm just overall glad to be alive. If it wasn't for the chemotherapy/radiation therapy, I wouldn't be here today and overall glad to be alive.

I still would like to hear if anyone knows of a product or ideas, thanks.

ChemoMan

Hi SFGiants13

Rogaine is the only one that really works there. Other than that you can have hair plugs put in and I think there is a laser treatment now. If it was the chemo that caused this your hair will come back, but you have to entertain the idea that you might have been going bald naturally ! It sounds like normal baldness because chemo does not usually leave patches. I don't know if you like the idea of surgery ,if you don't, Rogaine would be the best alternative, as i doubt the others will work. Rogaine is not magical in its effects either and you may have limited success with it but it does work. If your hair loss was caused by the chemo then it will come back eventually. The best thing is that you are alive to worry about this ....Good on you and well done !

Good luck Smile

_________________
Age 52
Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma
Stage 2a
Finished six cycles of R chop 21 26th May 2008
Officially in remission 9th July 2008
Remission confirmed 1st October 2008
Remission confirmed 17 June 2009
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=9620
RULE NUMBER 1.....Don't Panic
RULE NUMBER 2..... Don't forget Rule number 1

SFGiants13 · Senior User Joined: 21 Feb 2005 Posts: 126 Location: CA SF

It wasn't the chemo but the radiation which was a full maximum dose that actually caused the small patch area right on the top lower center of my head in order to shrink the tumor.

Both of my grandfathers had full sets of hair, unfortunately one passed away when I was very young but the other is still alive and living strong with a full set. Surgery transplant is of course out of the question. I guess I suppose Rogaine may be possible, overall yes I am glad to be alive and I probably shouldn't worry about it.

ChemoMan

Hi Again

I didn't say don't worry Smile

I said its good you can worry about this. Naturally if you had a good head of hair you would want it back. Besides its really cold without hair ! I'm not sure what happens to hair that is lost to radiation. I suspect that it will grow back but slowly. Perhaps someone who is reading this who has been through radiotherapy can help.
_________________
Age 52
Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma
Stage 2a
Finished six cycles of R chop 21 26th May 2008
Officially in remission 9th July 2008
Remission confirmed 1st October 2008
Remission confirmed 17 June 2009
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=9620
RULE NUMBER 1.....Don't Panic
RULE NUMBER 2..... Don't forget Rule number 1

SFGiants13 · Senior User Joined: 21 Feb 2005 Posts: 126 Location: CA SF

I'm sorry I got confused and got too ahead of myself.

It can be hard sometimes for me to comb my hair in a certain way and it frustrates me just a little whenever it comes out messy, but I just wish there was a miracle product out there that help.

Yes I know very well how cold it feels to shave all my hair off bald, especially during the fall season I have to wear a beanie cap to stay warm. The good thing about being bald, no need to deal with combing, and some people say I look good bald but I miss my hair overall. I actually shaved my hair bald about more than 8 times for the past couple years and the bald spot has stayed the same since. Well I still keep my hopes high, eyes, and ears open...=)

In

Hi Guys-

As a Hairdresser and Beautytherapist- there is some help and advice i can give.... Though Aussie- so maybe different.

Zinc-Calcium and other natural vitamins will help the hair to reform. Try a chemist(pharmacy) for a hair and nail vitamin in one. (normaly they have a bottle with 3-4 vitamins to help)

Also Redken, used to have a shampoo and conditioner +treatment for men with natural hair loss. It would help remove the build up on the scalp and help stimulate the hair follicle for cell and hair renewal... so, try a hair Salon. These products do have some chemicles in them, but all pretty harmless and less evasive then others.

Scalp massage and rubbing gently will help- if you can (head sensitivity) this will stimulate seb oil and hair bulb.

Hair transplant is another option- plugs. Not alot of chemicles and works quite good- a good result and % of sucess- expensive, but one go normally works good.

Worse comes to worse- sounds stupid, but good for special occasions. depending on hair colour, but a similar shade or A dark matte eyeshadow on a sponge. (makeup or sea sponge) lightly pat it onto the balder area and blend out..... IF it's put on soft and blended well, doesn't look too bad- like hair growing back.

Let me know how you go.

In
_________________
Thinking of you Inica

~Nose Cancer~
~Car Accident- Broken Back, Ribs, Spleen
Sternum~
~Continous Cervical Cancer~

My Story-
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=6731

Smile

9 Lives and still kicking Smile

SFGiants13 · Senior User Joined: 21 Feb 2005 Posts: 126 Location: CA SF

Thanks for the tips, I'll look into Zinc-Calcium and Redken, but I think I'll pass on hair transplant or scalp coloring which sounds like that silly GLH hairspray formula on TV.

dano

Not sure what effected my hair the most, the 2 weeks of whole brain or the chemo. but my hair came out patchy so for several months I'd have my hair shaved off. Now I'm trying to grow it out slowly and keep it trimmed. Still not all that comfortable being bald or having really short hair like it is. The hair quality right now is definitely being effected by the chemo treatment, though having any hair is better than nothing.
_________________
55 year old male, Diagnosed Nov. 9,2007 with NSCLC IV with Mets to the lymphs and brain
Had full brain radiation treatment in Jan 08 treatments now every 4 weeks with Alimta, taking Lovenox for blood clots, Now working full time
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=9993

In

Lol good call... I perfer men to shve or keep short or just let it come back- rather than go to the extreams Wink

_________________
Thinking of you Inica

~Nose Cancer~
~Car Accident- Broken Back, Ribs, Spleen
Sternum~
~Continous Cervical Cancer~

My Story-
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=6731

Smile

9 Lives and still kicking Smile

hairfax · New User Joined: 11 Aug 2009 Posts: 1

Hi there,

happened to find your message when browsing.

You may consider a hair piece as another option. You can pick up a color really close to your own natural hair or custom make one, which will perfectly fit your patchy area on the scalp and hard to be noticed by others. Easy to take care, too.

Other products are more a long-term thing. There is no miracle product to let you regrow you hair overnight or over a short period.

Most of the time the hair can come out when your treatment is over, but between the treatment periods, hair piece or hair system can be a good solution to give you an instant fuller look without worrying about side-effects of Rogaine (minoxidil).

If you like, check out [u]pai medical group.[/u] They have a number of options for treating baldness.
_________________
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