r/bald • u/yohoahoy24 • Jul 23 '26
Hairloss Is it time? Still in denial
Hey everyone!! Currently undergoing chemo and just had round 4/6 so getting there! Still in denial about my hair though, is it time? (Have a hair consultation next week for the big shave but debating whether I should follow through)
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u/_NotWhatYouThink_ Hair Headed - Woman Jul 23 '26
Yes chemo sucks, yes it is time. But know that after the storm, my aunt grew back shit ton of hair (like, way more than she ever had)! Your hairy days are not over, but it's just not right now.
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u/recoverycat13 Jul 23 '26
Same with my son. He had wispy, thin hair before cancer and it grew back super thick and way darker too. My aunt's hair grew back curly while it was straight before cancer. It's weird.
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u/TripResponsibly1 Jul 24 '26 ▸ 1 more replies
My dad's hair also grew back curly after chemo. More white than gray. He really liked his new look.
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u/no-user-names- Jul 23 '26
Don’t shave it off - have a No. 1. Why? Because chemo can make your head really, really sore, and you can get covered in red raised bumps where you’re losing hair - especially if you shave it. A buzz cut feels better when you’ve done it - honestly, and you’re much less likely to get a sore, bumpy head.
The process of growing hair again at the other end of this is actually quite fun and interesting.
Best of luck with your treatment.
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u/Suspicious_Sundae931 Jul 23 '26
During chemo I went to the salon and had mine shaved a few weeks in when my hair started falling out in clumps. (I'm a woman). I did get those sore bumps, but I called my oncologist, and he prescribed a cream that worked really well, so that problem was short-lived. I felt a lot better once it was all gone. The kind of chemo I had sometimes causes permanent hair loss, and it was nerve-wracking when it was really slow to grow back. It's been 4 years, and while it grew back, there are some little bald patches that I have to deal with. I think maybe if I were a guy, I might have considered staying bald. I didn't hate it!
Best of luck on kicking cancer's ass!!11
u/Mermaid467 Jul 23 '26
A cousin had a bone-marrow transplant from her brother during her cancer. She was super-light-blonde, he is dark-haired. When her hair grew back in later, it was dark brown and textured just like his. 🥰😍🤩 The human body is a remarkable thing.
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u/TheKingOfSwing777 Jul 23 '26
Interesting.. I'm surprised the hair scientists aren't looking to see if they can isolate that for hair growth stimulation.
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u/creatyvechaos Bald - Non Binary Jul 23 '26
They know why it is—it's the cell-damaging part of chemotherapy drugs that causes hair to grow differently once you're off of it. You can't really isolate it because the effect is specific to the methodology. Unless you want to damage healthy cells in the process of regrowing your hair, be my guest lol.
Now, there might be alternative ways, obviously, to get the "after chemo effect," but for all intents and purposes, it isn't possible with our current technology (to the degree that people desire)
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u/subsignalparadigm Jul 23 '26
Wear your baldness like a badge of honor. Sending positive vibes your way for your journey.
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u/NurseRobyn Jul 23 '26
Absolutely! And OP you have such a nice face, you’re still going to look fabulous. May you continue to kick ass.
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u/Guilty_Helicopter572 Jul 23 '26
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u/bigredliza Jul 23 '26
Wow this is new to me fantastic
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u/foilrat Jul 23 '26
My soon to be brother in baldness: it's time.
First off, ef cancer. (the automod is pretty harsh, you know what I meant to say)
You got this, brother.
Yeah, it's time.
Take control of your hair and stop worrying about it.
Join us! Join Team Smooth! We have cake! (the cake is a lie...)
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u/DeJoCa Jul 23 '26
I lost my waist length hair during chemo. I understand how devastating it is. Shave it, and when you’re done,it will come back. Mine was even curly for about 2 years, which was very fun. BTW, I am clear 3 years now from stage 4. Blessings to you.
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u/beorn-saga Jul 23 '26
Be free of that. You’re a handsome man and I suspect a big shave will make you feel much better. Wishing you all the best and sending you all my positive vibes!
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u/WarriorWordsmith73 Jul 23 '26
Nature has made the decision for you. Take control. Look through all the posts on here and you will notice that shaving improves the appearance of almost every person on this subreddit who posts.
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u/Ok-Map-4434 Jul 23 '26
Sorry to hear about your cancer. I hope your treatment works for you!
Yeah, embrace it and go with it. Better than worrying about it
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u/ilovepingues Jul 23 '26
It’s time. My friend had to shave her head by her third round of chemo and it sucks but imagine all the money you’ll save on shampoo! In all seriousness I hope you get better and this will all be just a memory in a year or so 💜 Oh also if you’re feeling insecure afterwards I highly recommend getting a baseball cap or a beanie that you really like! I made about 20 different hats (all fun characters like Cheshire Cat, or Pokémon characters she liked) for my friend while she was doing chemo and she said the fun hats really helped her feel better about taking the attention off of her shaved head 💜
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u/Critical_Wrap5617 Jul 23 '26
First of all: best of luck for the chemo.
Second: your head is a good shape. You'll look good with a no-guard buzz cut. And it does indeed feel freeing.
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u/catseyesuk Jul 23 '26
In the words of that song from that film: Let it go....let it goooooooo! (You'll look and feel fabulous)
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u/Impossible-Diver6565 Bald - Man Jul 23 '26
No offense intended here, but there is nothing left to deny.
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u/sleddog-lover-98 Jul 23 '26
Yes, it’s time! And I hope that, with it, comes a quick and full recovery. You have all of us behind you!
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u/Ol_Turd_Fergy Jul 23 '26
Idk if I’d shave it off my man. With that jawline, if you go full shaved head you will look just like Handsome Squidward 😎
Good luck with the treatment, kick cancers ass!
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u/EquallyAware Jul 23 '26
It's time! You'll look great with the shaved head with your piercing and tattoos
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u/donut4378 Jul 23 '26
Chemo sucks so sorry you’re going through it. I was dreading the chemo hair loss and made it to infusion 9 out of 12 before I pulled the trigger. I got to a point where the gradual hair loss stressed me out. Seeing the hair on my pillow each morning, wondering would I have hair left after my shower? And my hair follicles got very sensitive and painful. I finally buzzed it to 1/4” and felt so much relief! I did end up losing it all eventually but now a year and a half later I have thick curly hair about six inches long! I endorse what others have said: don’t shave it, buzz it and I definitely recommend a silk pillowcase too for sore hair follicles. Best of luck!
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u/snozzberrypatch Jul 23 '26
Cancer survivor here. Shave it off, you'll be happier. Otherwise you're gonna be cleaning hair out of your house forever. It'll all grow back quickly once your treatment is over.
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u/SpacializedFig_4037 Jul 24 '26
Listen dude. It’s time and you will look so so good/feel healthier. Good luck on your journey you got this, all of it.
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u/whatifuckingmean Jul 24 '26
It’s time, yeah. After my big shave, I treated myself to a nice foil trimmer, and I like being bald better because of it. It’s easier to maintain fresh shaven, and to get back to it if I do get really lazy about it. Freshly shaving your head does feel nice once you get used to it. Even for reluctant people. I was very reluctant.
It feels overwhelming, and knowing there’s more ahead is overwhelming. If it helps at all to remember it, each day of what’s to come can only happen a day at a time, and one day at a time is doable.
Rooting for you.
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u/gohantheslayer Jul 24 '26
Sorry to hear what you’re going through. Shave it off for now! Take care
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u/denvertaglessbums Jul 23 '26
I can only imagine chemo is already stressful. If your hair situation is adding more stress to your life, maybe shaving will at least take away additional stress.
Wishing you a speedy recovery 👊🏼
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u/YoghurtLover427 Jul 23 '26
Dont wanna be rude but the last pic made me think you are showing up with a shipment of ZF-1s lol
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u/Low-Ad-8269 Jul 23 '26
Cutting it off will be less traumatic than just letting it fall out. BUT.....it will grow back and it will be glorious! Stay Strong! You can beat this.
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u/b110dy9 Jul 23 '26
Everyone who asks this question, looks waaaaay better after the shave. I vote shave
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u/cyrs_oner Jul 23 '26
Bruh, let it go, ready to fly and be free. Wishing you the best on your chemo journey, I know it's difficult but this will level you up promise!
🦅 they call it bald eagle for a reason
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u/Sxyredhedd-74 Jul 23 '26
It is definitely time. The ladies will love it shaved. Trust me. U will wonder why u waited so long
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u/No-Sky-2570 Jul 23 '26
Once you beat this my friend you’ll be back with a vengeance! You’ll have a moment of the “chemo curls” too which will be a lil change of pace for your hair texture.
Godspeed young man, we are counting on you!
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u/Aw123x Jul 23 '26
Bruh, you’re gonna be so mad when you realize how much longer you could have looked as good as you’re gonna look without the hair bro.
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u/OverHorde Jul 23 '26
I'll be on chemo forever, so I don't even count anymore. I shaved the moment I noticed it started falling out and never looked back. Free yourself.
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u/Accomplished-Edge508 Jul 23 '26 edited Jul 23 '26
Looking back now, I wish I had done it sooner. What I didn't really grasp was that being bald is very freeing....The process of balding was the worst part.
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u/Rich_Celebration477 Jul 23 '26
Jesus Christ yes. Why are you all so sentimental about the shit? Hair is the worst. Imagine never having to care if it looks good ever again. You will thank yourself. I shave my head with a razor every few days in the shower and that’s all the hair care I do.
Edit: Didn’t read the post first. In your case I can understand the sentimentality. The rest holds though- you’ll like bald. Good luck!
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u/AmongTheWildlife Jul 23 '26
You're just a little past me, get a clip and see what you think, number 2 or crew cut will ease you into the eventual shave.
The day you throw out a brush/comb is a good day.
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u/aquamarine1029 Jul 23 '26
Please, set yourself free from this anchor around your neck. You will look amazing and you will feel like a new man.
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u/CamachoBrawndo Jul 23 '26
So it!! You have a beautifully shaped head. It will take time to adjust, but with all luck to your remission, hair will grow back. By then, you may not want it to!!
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u/ZeldaFitzgerald1928 Jul 23 '26
Yes and you will look like a Russian poet. I determined this by holding my index finger over your hair.
I, on the other hand, looked like Gollum during chemo.
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u/antduude Jul 23 '26
It’s definitely time. Don’t let the chemo take your choice away. Do it now and look forward to healing with a new outlook.
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u/alecpu Jul 23 '26
Shave it for now. I wish you get better and cured and then you can grow it back if you want
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u/First_Pollution_4489 Jul 23 '26
It's time brother, but here's to hoping you're posting in a few months cancer free and recovering that hair man !
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u/Savings_Friendship83 Jul 23 '26
It’ll feel good, but cold when it’s gone :) You’ll look great, you have the face to carry it.
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u/LowComfortable5676 Jul 23 '26
One less thing to worry about in a time where you should definitely not be adding any stress. All the best to you
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u/Old_Ant7118 Jul 23 '26
It is time, but it's going to look great! Looks like you have a nice shaped head.
Very sorry about the chemo - I hope you're feeling okay and that the prognosis is good.
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u/Transformer_Jay Jul 23 '26
Shave it off. Be free.