Did anyone keep their brows and lashes through chemo? (2025)

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CJDaisy Member Posts: 4 ✭

August 2021 in Tests, treatments and side effects

Hi all,
Looking for a good news story, I’ve progressed through 4 x AC and 3/12 paclitaxol… handling the chemo remarkably well so far.

Lashes are sparse and have been using eye-drops to hopefully keep what little I have.

Did anyone keep their lashes? If not, at what point did they fall out and how quickly did they return? Recommendations on false lashes? Anyone use magnetic strips?

Thank you!

Afraser Member Posts: 4,475 ✭

August 2021

@CJDaisy
I didn’t keep either. Brows went quite early (by paclitaxel 5) but the last eyelash went at about number 9. The good news is that when I looked really closely, after the last eyelash drifted ontomy cheek, there were two tiny lines of new eyelashes, just emerging!
Best wishes.

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Cath62 Member Posts: 1,531 ✭

August 2021

Hi @CJDaisy, I lost all lashes and brows. Can't remember when during chemo. I just remember looking in the mirror and realising I had nothing, no hair anywhere. But guess what my lashes are all back and brows too. My brows are better than before the chemo so I am pretty happy and I haven't used anything to enhance them. My lashes i did use some grow encouraging product my daughter in law gave me. Good luck with it all and best wishes to you.

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Locksley Member Posts: 983 ✭

August 2021

Hi @CJDaisy
No I lost brows and lashes. I did use an eyebrow stamp a couple of times that wasnt too bad. Purchased on eBay.. Thought about trying magnetic strips. There are a few conversations on here about eyebrows and lashes with other info. I did learn that eyelashes have a growth cycle and when they start growing again they may fall out and grow again. Can't remember the growth time frame just remember being happy to have them back. Good luck.

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noosa_blue150 Member Posts: 212 ✭

August 2021 edited August 2021

No I lost mine too (AC chemo then Taxcel ) They’ve grown back although maybe not as thick. I was getting ready to have eyebrows tattooed but oncologist signed me up for T-DMI /kadcycla chemo . Hairs staying put this time but no tattooing until chemo all finished . Hair regrowth has been very silver ‘grey so I’ve had to dye eyebrows . I’m trying to recall how long it took , think it was a few months after taxcel finished

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Mazbeth Member Posts: 199 ✭

August 2021

Hi @CJDaisy I wish I could say I kept them but I am just like the other girls here. However I definitely can confirm my brows were back at about 6 weeks after I finished chemo and lashes started at about the same time. I am pretty shocking at putting on false lashes and I did buy the magnetic type to try but couldn’t master them - that’s just me though. I used black eyeliner on the top lid and I used a light brown on the outside of my bottom lid - a trick I learned off YouTube - and it really does give the illusion of lashes and defines your eyes. I recommend YouTube for some great tips and tricks - I used to watch it late at night when I couldn’t sleep. The other thing I have seen since and I wished I knew about them were the temporary tattoo brows - they look great and I know you can order them online. My brows fell out completely at about the 4th taxol and a few lashes held strong for quite a while. I bought an eyebrow stencil in a little kit from chemist warehouse and it saved the day. It included all sorts of shapes and worked well.
I also went out and bought quite a few pairs of big earrings which I wore often - especially if I was wearing one of my caps.
One thing I can reassure you of, you will get your brows and lashes back and this is temporary. Take care 🌼
CJDaisy Member Posts: 4 ✭

August 2021

Thanks for all your responses. I’m bracing myself for the inevitable! I’ll check out some You Tube videos and try and have some fun with it all! X
colthul Member Posts: 20 ✭

August 2021

I am paranoid about losing my brows so I got them tattooed last week. I have a good friend who is an amazing cosmetic tattooist. Its the one thing I can control before treatment starts next week...plus I know I will suck at trying to draw them on

2
Ausmum2 Member Posts: 57 ✭

August 2021

Hey @CJDaisy
we must be at about the same stage. I’ve done 4ACs and 5/12 Paclitaxel and I’ve cold capped. I kept enough hair to “get away with it” but I had really thick hair and kept maybe 30% BUT my hair had started to grow back in with the Paclitaxel and no chemo frizz.
I also had thick eyebrows and eyelashes and I have some of those left too. I’m totally prepared to lose them also, as I’ve read a bit about them hanging on until the end and dropping out pretty much on the last cycle.
but, I also want to make sure you know about “Look good Feel Better”
https://lgfb.org.au/
I did one of their workshops a little while back and their tips for how to use product to “create the eyelash and eyebrow” illusion where absolutely priceless as was the incredible amount of product they give you and teach you to use to do it.
For me, it took out the YouTube and guessing which product and colour, and actually have someone invest in “teaching me what suits me, my colouring and skin type” was so valuable and I enjoyed the time with in workshop and the two beautician leaders(all COVID safe of course) worked perfectly to teach me, how to “still be me” with product.
Was awesome,
good luck,
CJDaisy Member Posts: 4 ✭

August 2021

Thanks Ausmum, I’m rural and haven’t quite found the time to book in for the workshop. COVID squashed that idea although I think you can do online workshops.
I put some fake tan on the other day and felt terrific. Roll on Summer!
My hair also is showing signs of coming back, I tried the cold cap twice and then zipped down to a No. 3 army grade buzz cut. Now it’s showing signs of sprouting back. Can’t wait. X
Abbydog Member Posts: 531 ✭

August 2021

CJDaisy,
I'm just a year from my last dose of Taxol.
Unfortunately my eyebrows have not grown back.
They were not thick before. I had them Tattooed before I started Chemo.
My eyelashes grew back quite quickly. Probably 6-8 weeks after Chemo.
I'm not sure, but Look Good feel Good was online with COVID for me.
It probably still is. They sent a lovely package of makeup goodies.
All the best

1
gumnut Member Posts: 1,154 ✭

August 2021

Hi @CJDaisy
Didn't lose all eyelashes but lost just about all eyebrows last, a long time after everything else and they have never really returned xx

1
bookworm Member Posts: 12 ✭

September 2021

Hi @CJDaisy
I had 4 x AC and 12 paclitaxel
I didn’t lose my
eyebrows but they became a little sparse - a good eyebrow pencil filled them in nicely.
I did lose my
eyelashes but not until around the 10th paclitaxel
treatment. I finished chemo two weeks ago so hoping they will be back soon!
Take care

2
arpie Member Posts: 8,324 ✭

September 2021 edited September 2021

Hi @CJDaisy - Welcome to the forum and the club no-one wanted to join! xx.
If you like, check out this post for other info on the forum - and a link to IPTAAS (NSW) about being reimbursed for travel & accommodation costs if you are rural & have to travel ..... and a heap of other handy stuff!! If you pop your 'region/town' in your Profile, then others will know where you are & may be able to help with support information that is specific to your area.
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/23477/a-big-welcome-to-all-our-new-members#latest
Well done on handling the chemo so well so far. Long may it last xx
Take care & all the best with your ongoing treatment.xx

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Did anyone keep their brows and lashes through chemo? (2025)

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