I’m finally posting about shaving my head during chemo – apologies it’s taken so long!
My last post was on the hair cut I had before I started chemo. I’d decided that since I might end up losing all of my hair, I would cut it as short as I could bear so that there would be less to lose.
During my first and second chemotherapy treatments, I did have a go at the cold cap which is used to try and prevent hair loss. It worked for the first cycle but by the second one, a lot was coming out on top so I decided to bite the bullet and get my head shaved.
It felt good to do and made me feel like I was keeping the control – I was losing my hair on my own terms rather than waiting for the day the final strand fell.
I’ll be honest though, it’s still taking some getting used to! I don’t feel upset about it though and it’s lovely to spend less time getting ready in the morning!
I decided not to shave it myself but to go to see Rick and Peter who run Wig Boudoir in Georgetown, Newcastle NSW. They are fabulous – just the loveliest guys who work with an array of clients including those who suffer hair loss through chemo and alopecia.
I had already had a consultation with them (they don’t charge for this!) and had purchased a wig so now was the time to get my head shaved which also meant I could get my wig cut to fit and suit me properly too.
I shook all of the way to the salon and there were tears that morning. I sat down in the chair and told them both how upset I was and to expect a meltdown. They were amazing, so lovely and gentle and allowed me to take my time.
Rick got the clippers out and explained that he would shave the back first, then the sides, the top and finally the front – so that it was a slow process I could gradually get used to it rather than have a big shock of being suddenly bald.
Something a bit weird happened. As the shaver touched my head it seemed to stop my nerves in a flash. I felt empowered and…happy! I was excited to see what I was going to look like with a shaved head – I was actually looking forward to it!
As the shaver did its work and the hair fell to the floor, I felt freer with every drop.
It took about 20 minutes for me to go from Mim, to Miley Cyrus to Sinead O’Connor and finally to the new Mim. The Mim for now – the Mim who will face this treatment with a smile and a little less hair!
Mr M was there to video the shave and complimented me through the whole thing. We all laughed and I didn’t feel like crying once!
After that, on came my new wig – it’s the Amore Stevie wig. I bought it to be cut shorter as it was very long but I wanted a style and colour that was as close to my natural hair as possible. It’s a double-monofilament wig and looks very natural at the roots and can also be parted any way I want it and it will stay in place.
Peter is an amazing hairdresser with so much experience in cutting and styling wigs too and he knew exactly how to cut exactly to my requirements.
It was a bit weird to sit there with a new head of hair – but I loved it!
I left Wig Boudoir with less real hair, a lovely new wig on and a million times happier than I felt in ages.
This was all down to the absolute loveliness and kindness of Peter and Rick at Wig Boudoir and I just cannot recommend their services and themselves highly enough. I was recommended to see them from so so many people, including my Oncology team – you don’t get a higher recommendation than that! You can find out all about their fabulous services here.
So, for those of you who would like to see the big shave – click here!
Related: Download my Chemo Appointment Reminder Stickers here.
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- Looking after your Skin during Chemotherapy
Disclosure: I paid for my beautiful new wig myself and I cannot recommend Wig Boudoir highly enough!
Oh Mim, I can’t believe you didn’t bawl your eyes out, because I have just sat here and sobbed like a baby. You look absolutely beautiful lady, and it shines from your inside out. I love the wig too! x
Aww thank you so much lovely! I totally thought I would cry but I ended up laughing more! x
You look fantastic but also that wig is amazing! Loved the video. Also loved the anecdote about the lady thanking God she wasn’t born ugly, sounds like something I’d say. Hope you are keeping okay, lots of love beautiful lady xx
Oh thank you so so much lovely Nat and yes, that was so funny about thanking God she wasn’t ugly! x
You look so beautiful! You strength of character and amazingly positive attitude is really inspiring. I am certain that you will have helped many people.
Thank you so so much Catie! x
You are an inspiration! You are beautiful huni and could totally rock the shaved head. Much love xxx
Thank you so much lovely x x
Ah you are so amazing you know that? I would have done exactly the same because hair grows back! For now, you look amazing with or without a wig. Huge hugs to you lovely xxxx
Oh thank you lovely Katy!!! x x
You are amazing and so brave for sharing this, I just know that so many people going through something similar will find this so useful. Your positivity is amazing and I have to say that you still look amazing xx
Oh thank you so much Lindsay x x
I watched the video and I really love it!! I have commented too. You look beautiful, so calm and happy. It actually brings me so much peace. You are such an inspiration and a strong woman!! You should definitely try different wig colours. That could be fun!! :-) xx
Thank you lovely lady! I will definitely have to experiment with wigs :) x x
Mim you look lovely!! Defo chanelling Sinead O’Connor. Love your positivity, so inspiring ???? The wig looks fab. My aunties has got some great ones, they are sooo realistic – you would never know. Love Alison (aka Tat) xx
Oh thank you lovely lady!! x
Oh Mim, you’re so brave and such an inspiration. Sorry to sound trite but it’s true! You’re incredible and I’m so pleased for you that you are smiling to the end. You still look gorgeous by the way (so up yours cancer!) Xxx
You are so lovely thank you lady!! x x
It should be a crime to look that beautiful with a buzz cut, man you have such a nice shaped head Mim. You are totally rocking it. The wig is amazing but to be fair you can more than carry this look off without it. B E A UTIFUL lady! Mwah xxx
Oh you are so lovely! Remember I did filter it to death ha ha! x x x
Oh Mim. You are just fabulous. I admire your positivity so much. I cannot tell you how much. You look stunning, Sinaed has nothing on you. Lots of love x
Thank you thank you lovely Hannah!!! x x
Ah Mim, you look absolutely gorgeous and I have to agree that you have a rather lovely shaped head. You are one Hell of a fabulous and strong lady and a true inspiration. Lots of love to you xx
Hee hee thank you so much Katy!! x x
Wow lady, you totally rock the shaved look. You still look so feminine. That wig is stunning, you really can’t tell xx
Thank you so much lovely, that’s so nice of you!! x x
An amazing video Mim, and so so brave. You look beautiful, hair or not. xxx
Aww thank you so much Rachel!! x x
You look as beautiful as ever Mim, always thinking about you xx
Thank you Hannah that means so so much! x x
Wow! Amazing video, your smile never left your face. The wig looks awesome and so you xx
Oh thank you so so much! x x
I am sitting here in floods of tears after watching your bravery. You did that with a beautiful smile on your face the whole time. You are one courageous lady. And can I just say what a beautifully shaped head you have. You look absolutely stunning. I have been keeping up with your story, and your dignity and positivism is truly inspirational. Sending lots of love.
Oh thank you thank you! Especially about me not having a dodgy head hee hee!! x x
Oh Mim. I know you didn’t cry through this but I have just sat here and cried my eyes out. You are such an inspiration, so strong and so beautiful! Your positivity is incredible and shaving your head is such a big – but necessary – step really. I’m so proud of you Mim – for being so strong and for sharing your story as you go through this. You will help so many people. Sending so much love x
You are – as always! – so lovely, Donna! I really did expect the tears to roll but something just kicked in and it was so fun and freeing in the end :) x x
You look beautiful! You totally rock a shaved head but I also love the wig. You are so brave lady. Love you xxx
Thank you lovely lovely lady!! I miss my real hair but a shaved head really isn’t all that bad :) x x
The video is amazing and so lovely to see you looking so happy. Weird as it sounds, your head is just the right shape for a shave head, you look gorgeous, and that wig looked lush too.
Well done you! xx
Oh thank you Em, you are so lovely! I was so scared of having a wonky head hee hee! x x