Hair Loss in Women of Color

I want to quickly address the issues that inspired me to blog. Women of all nationalities loose their hair during chemo. However, I was able to find photos and inspirational blogs of women loosing their hair. Every photo or video I found was of a Caucasian or Asian decent. It appeared that there hair was growing faster and different than mine. As hair texture, curl pattern, thickness, density and porosity is different in each person and nationality the hair growth rate may differ also. While going through chemo and recovery I wanted to know what to expect as fair as hair growth. I assume that I was not alone in my despair.

My hair regrowth will probably be much slower than many. I did notice that my regrowth appeared to be much slower than my cancer surviving sister with fine hair. My dense and tightly cured hair was stubborn and regrew consistently but slowly. My hair returned a different color and texture. To date I am still wearing an afro puff.

When chemotherapy was over I wanted to quickly recover my physical appearance. The chemo has destroyed the previous diva within me! I was now a woman who did not recognize her own reflection. I do mean this in the literal sense. I would walk by mirrors in my home and be startled when I saw the stranger in my home–that stranger was me.

There are a few techniques I used to help my hair, skin and nails to return. Initially I found a good hair, skin and nail vitamin. I took it religiously. I went to the Vitamin Shop and they were so helpful. They were able to recommend probiotics, herbs, and vitamins that would not interfere with my medication. Also, they always asked how I was feeling, they always smelled, and without fail, they would make me laugh. It was during these times that I was pretty desperate for “normal” interactions.

For my hair I used the Max Hydration Method. This method is time consuming and

expensive for women who have a lot of hair. But, for me, it was like pampering my naked scalp on a daily basis. My hair grew back soft, manageable and thick. It grew back fast but not in comparison to non-African American’s in my same medical predicament. I also choose this method because it was all natural and did not interfere with my health. I only put ingredients in my hair that I would put in my mouth. I used all organic materials. And of course, No Perms or chemicals. I will post photos from my last chemo to present. Stay tuned……

I have attached a website of survivor who wrote about hair/beauty during chemo.

DisTres…African American Women, Breast Cancer Hair Loss

–TIP–

My eyebrows came back quickly. It was crucial for me to have eyebrows and eye lashes because eyebrows shape your face. With eyebrows I look less like a cancer patient. A young lady at the cancer center told me to mix castor oil, coconut oil, and vitamin E oil and put it on the area where my eyebrows used to be. This was a miracle.