Question:
I am 3 years post op. Can I get a perm/coloring?`

HI all. I am 3 years post op. My hair is still kinda fragile. I went from having a thick mane on my head to a thin ponytail. However, it is not falling out near as much as it use to. I have been careful with my hair, and have not had it colored or permed since long before surgery. Can I get it done now? Will my hair fall out? Is it too fragile? What damage could the chemicals do to my hair? I am really anxious to do SOMETHING and very soon. Any advice from hairdressers/medical professionals/others is very much appreciated. Thank you    — enjo4 (posted on October 4, 2003)

October 4, 2003
My hair is also coming out by the hand fulls . Im sure I have lost half . I am scared to perm but I do color and have every month since surgery , I think it helps it , better texture and makes it feel thicker . Godd luck ..when does this hair loss stop ? any of you older posters know ? I might end up needing a wig :( Ruthie IN Sc
   — ruthie

October 4, 2003
If your hair is still falling out at 3 years PO then I think you need to be reviewing your nutritional supplements with your surgeon as this would only be occuring is you are lacking some important things. Your hair can thin and fall out with age, but that should be a very slow process. I am 8 months PO and have colored and highlighted my hair 3 or 4 times since surgery. I do not have hair falling out any more than it did before surgery, anymore. Maybe you need higher levels of protein. Are you getting in your two multivitamins a day? I would be finding out what is up as this is not normal this far out. Good Luck!
   — zoedogcbr

October 4, 2003
Hair loss and whether to perm or color three years post-op should not even be an issue anymore. I completely agree with Chris in that you should find out if your hair loss is due to aging or if you are seriously malnourished or missing something (like protein) in your diet.
   — Kristen S.

October 4, 2003
I HAVE BEEN A COSMETOLOGIST (HAIR STYLIST TO YOU LAY PEOPLE..LOL)FOR 33 YRS & HERE IS MY ADVICE...IF YOUR HAIR IS THAT THIN,STILL,I WOULDN'T LET JUST ANYBODY PERM MY HAIR BECAUSE SOME OPERATERS HAVE A TENDENCY TO ROLL TOO TIGHT & THAT COULD CAUSE BREAKAGE. AS TO COLORING I ALSO RECOMMEND SOMEONE WHO KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE DOING BECAUSE IF YOU DO IT AT HOME YOU TEND TO DUMP THE COLOR ALL OVER INSTEAD OF A RETOUCH (THE SECOND & ALL CONSECUTIVE TIMES)WHICH AFTER A WHILE ALSO BREAKS YOUR HAIR. ONCE YOU BREAK YOUR HAIR NO AMOUNT OF CONDITIONER CAN *MEND* IT...
   — BLSLIM77

October 5, 2003
I also have to agree with Chris on this one. I'm a little more than a year out, but I have not had problems with my hair since about month 6. In fact up until last month, I would use a straightening iron on it DAILY. Pretty harsh. I didn't stop because it had started damaging my hair, I'm just too lazy to do that anymore!! Definitely get with your M.D. about it, have some labs run. 3 years out is too long to be having hair issues, esp. if you didn't have them pre-op.
   — Ali M