QueenyCC

The Hair Journey

When I received my diagnosis I wanted to learn more about hair regrowth. I quickly learned that my hair did not grow back at the rate of my fellow pink sisters. As an African American with kinky hair my hair did return slower. Here I will show and document my journey to regrow my hair.

My hair came back more slowly that most other non African American women. AND, it came back a different texture and curl pattern. I had the most beautiful chemo curls and the texture was softer than it was before. After years of regrowth, the grain is still softer than before cancer. As you can see below my hair came back a blond, reddish color. My hair before cancer was always brown. But this color I have is brand new to me. My friend suggested that I die it black so that I can see the hair better. It was the best idea of all time!

  • Hospitalized during radiation treatment. Totally bald
  • December 21, 2014
  • Processed with MOLDIV
  • January 1, 2016
  • January 26th
  • Processed with MOLDIV
  • Processed with MOLDIV
  • Processed with MOLDIV
  • Processed with MOLDIV
  • Processed with MOLDIV
From wearing a scarf with a bald head to rocking chemo curls and the scarf occasionally. I never received a haircut but around June 2016 I got a barber to shape up my hair. He could tell were the scarf had impeded my hair growth. So after this last photo I had to rock my little short afro!! It took some getting used to…but hey, this is my life! I will learn to love it.

My short afro took about 6 months to grow. It was disheartening for me because I had watched some other cancer survivors document there hair regrowth and they were getting haircuts in 4-6 months. And here I am with my little afro!

The photos were my hair appears about 1-2 inches long took about 1 year of hair growth. I did not put any chemicals in my hair and only used natural products to promote healthy hair growth. Around January 2017 I started to wear crochet styles so that I could get the feeling of having hair again. It did help me to embrace myself.

  • July 2016- 7 months post chemo
  • April 2016- 4 months post chemo
  • IHOP to celebrate having port removed
  • Approximately 16 months post chemo
  • Finally embracing the little afro and going out in public without a scarf!

This is the basis of my hair journey. Being bald, battered and bruised came with challenges but I had to learn to appreciate the life I had been given. I was able to live a happy life during radiation and surgery. My friends constantly showered me with love, attention and non judgment. I had the privilege of finding people who were perfect companions for this journey.

Embrace wigs, hair extensions and anything you think will help you to feel good about yourself. Get your eyebrows done with henna so that your face has shape. I have learned to embrace every version of myself. I have attached pictures of me with my first wig on. I also wore crochet braids to allow my hair to grow out.

I have about 3/4 inches of hair under the braids.

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