Use a lint remover roller to test for chemotherapy hair loss

Not quite sure if you’re losing your hair yet? One way to find out is to use a masking tape lint remover roller on your head. If you end up with hair on the sticky side of the tape, most likely you’re losing your hair.

A couple of weeks after my buzz job I mentioned to my sister, Diane, that I didn’t think my hair had started falling out yet because I hadn’t seen any short hairs on my pillow or clothing. I told her that maybe I should use some scotch tape on my head and see if any hair comes out on the sticky side of the tape. She said, “Why don’t you use a lint remover instead? It would be easier and faster.” What a great idea! I got out my masking tape lint remover roller and began rolling it all over my stubbles. Guess what? There were short hairs all over the tape. Then I became obsessed with removing all of the hair that I could, so for the next half-hour and 20 strips of masking tape later I ran the roller over my head, each time pulling out more stubble. Then I began to worry that my hair may not grow back at all if I continued pulling it out by the roots, so I put the roller back in the drawer. This ended up not to be true, in fact my hair grew back thicker after chemotherapy.

There might be other ways to determine whether or not you’re losing your hair, but the above method worked for me. If you have another process that worked for you, please share it.

Try a new radical hairstyle before you start chemotherapy

When I found out that I was definitely going to lose my hair because of the chemotherapy cocktail that I would be given, I decided that I wanted a new hairstyle --- something radical that I would be afraid to try under normal circumstances. I scheduled an appointment with a hairstylist and told her that I wanted her to cut my hair short and dye it red.

It may seem silly, since I would be losing all of my red hair in just a few weeks. Actually there was no better time because what if I didn't like my new do? Not to worry! I wouldn't have it very long.

My hairstylest performed her magic and after the initial shock wore off I found that I really did like my new short curly red hair, in fact I loved it! It wasn’t auburn or strawberry blond, burgundy or chestnut with red highlights. It was pure red, bright and warm red-red. I couldn't wait to show it off. It gave me something to look forward to, for a change.

My advice to other breast cancer patients who are facing chemotherapy:
If you have ever wondered what you would look like in a different hairstyle or hair color, now is the time find out. What have you got to lose besides your hair?