posted by Whatelse
25 October 2022
Colouring hair
Last reply:
02 November 2022 16:47
Hi, new here. Sounds very fickle but finished chemo in the summer had surgery now waiting on radiotherapy. My hair thankfully has started growing but it is Silver/Grey..... not what I would choose. I wear a headscarf currently but I was wondering has anybody dyed their hair before the recommended 6 months or what did you use? I couldn't be in public with it as it is I'm in my early 40's.
Thanks
REPLY:
Dear ‘Whatelse’
Thank you for posting on our online community. I am hoping you will hear from others soon and what worked for them. Your query doesn’t sound a bit fickle!
You have had a hard year with surgery and chemotherapy and radiotherapy yet to come. I hope you are getting through it ok but do phone our support line and speak to a cancer nurse –we are here Mon-Fri 9-5pm at 1800 200 700. We can put you in touch with others who have been through chemotherapy and hair loss through our Peer to Peer support.
Meanwhile we can discuss your wish to colour your hair on our support line. It is unfortunate that after chemotherapy one’s hair is more fragile and can get damaged more easily. Also your scalp may be drier or more sensitive .This is why permanent and even semi-permanent hair dyes which contain strong chemicals are not recommended.
You could speak to an experienced hair dresser, health shop or pharmacy about henna or vegetable based hair dyes as these are gentler. Even these you would be advised to do a skin test prior to using them.
If you would like to discuss this further with us do not hesitate to phone us or speak to our cancer nurse in your local Daffodil Centre.
Kind regards
Cancer Nurse