Hair

Eyelashes

Eyelashes can become wiry and grow in strange directions while I was on Avastin. They can grow inward toward the eye and thus can irritate or cause abrasions on the eyeball. Eyelashes can also become ingrown or infected. Call an ophthalmologist if you are having more serious or ongoing issues with these eyelash conditions.

Recommendations

• Gently scrub the eyelash line with warm, wet washcloth with a bit of baby shampoo to clean infected or ingrown eyelashes.

• Use twice daily warm, wet compresses for infected or crusty eyelids.

• Apply moisturizing eye drops approximately four times a day.

• Eyelash curler can help correct errant eyelashes.

• Mascara can help to control unruly eyelashes.

Hair Changes

My hair grew out to be quite coarse, dry, rather kinky, and was the texture of wet cotton when wet while I was being treated with Tarceva. I used very moisturizing shampoo and conditioner and a pre-styling moisturizing spray prior to drying it. I washed my hair once a week to keep it and my scalp from becoming too dry.

Recommendations

• I suggest the Amika hair product line both for shampoos and conditioners as they work well on damaged and dry hair.

• Shampoo: Amika, whichever products suits the type and condition of your hair.

• Deep Conditioner: Amika, The Cure. Intense Repair Mask. I use it after I shampoo my hair and let it remain in my hair for several minutes

• Power Dose, deep conditioner, applied in a hair salon after shampooing makes hair shiny, smooth and helps repair frizziness.

• Apply Argan or a light oil to protect; moisturize mid section, ends before drying or styling.

Hair Treatments (use with caution)

Be careful about coloring or treating your hair as it is rather delicate while undertaking several types of cancer treatment.

Recommendations

• Use products that are as gentle as possible. Baby Shampoo See what your scalp can handle.

• Choose Ammonia free hair color or better yet, semi permanent color if you can. Have your hair colored professionally as your hair can be rather fragile.

• Do not use hair straightening techniques or products (ie Brazilian Blow Out products etc) either over-the- counter OR at a salon. These products & treatments can be quite irritating. Breathing in the fumes during styling can irritate your sensitized lungs. 

• Use moisturizing, deep conditioning treatments instead to help maintain your hair’s integrity.