Chemo hair growth. It’s slow. I can’t pretend I’ve loved it.
Chemo hair growth.
Here is the last 18 months in a few seconds.
I hadn’t realized before having cancer how much I was self-defined by my long, blonde hair. I have always been sporty and tomboyish, so it didn’t matter that I dressed head to toe in black sports kit. I always felt feminine, confident, attractive - I felt like me - because of my long, blonde hair.
It shouldn’t be like that. We shouldn’t be defined by societe’s norms but that’s how I felt. So losing my hair was a really big deal.
But weirdly, I got used to it very quickly.
Bald and in the middle of chemo. I actually quite liked being bald. It’s weird.
I actively loved the ultra short Sigourney buzz cut. It made me feel badass and invincible. Running your fingers over a few millimeters of stubble feels really nice!
The pink phase was fun. It was the first ‘hairstyle’ I chose. I loved it. Until it got too long, too wild and flopped.
Which left me with a choice of David Beckham 90’s curtains or a ridiculous Boris Johnson mop. Both of which were bloody awful.
I’m now in a sort of Posh, early 2000s era. I’m trying to grow the front out so I can tuck it behind my ears, while keeping the sides and back short and neat. It’s been a process. I nearly like it. I’m not sure where I’m going with it.
The Pink phase was fun. But hard to manage and it wasn’t long before it flopped.
I’m frequently tempted to just shave it off again. A 1cm buzz cut feels amazing and is so easy. I seriously loved that phase. I’m pretty sure I’m not about to pull a Brittany, but who knows. Patience is not my strength and it would be really, really satisfying.
Growing out my hair is painfully slow. It’s now been 18 months since I finished chemo and Im not sure what my end goal is.
Currently, I’d just like to be able to tuck it behind my ears … and get rid of the grey and the frizz. Maybe a funky, surfy bob? It’s definitely time for something new.
This is me, today. My hair has been growing for over 18 months now …