Does anybody know if loss of facial hair after radiation is permanent or not? I had 34 IMRT sessions which ended July 31st, and just wondering if this hair loss is permanent or not. Thanks.

Pierre,

My loss of facial hair seems to be permanent now after almost 14 months post Tx. The bulk of my IMRT radiation went to my right side of neck area for right side base of tongue Tx. Between the radiation and right side neck dissection, I have no beard or sense of feeling on my right side. The good news is that it only takes me about half the time to shave as it used to. Wish the whole beard had disappeared but no such luck. The odd thing is that during Tx last year almost all of my mustache fell out but then quickly returned although it is thinner than before.

Bill D.

Pierre,

I have seen this in my patients. The radiation can destroy the progenitor (hair producing cells) at the base of the hair follicle. They can regenerate but often times they do not. Depending on where the hair is not growing there are ways to replace it if it is desired. Ask your doctors the same questions and they can refer you to the appropriate person.

Cheers,

Mike

Hi Pierre,

I too have quite a bit of permanent facial hair loss, like Bill mostly on the side that took more dose. Some has grown back above the underside of my jaw - I now wear a goatee (I kind of like it too).

The hair loss on the back of my head has also come back, although it's thinner and finer than it used to be.

Best wishes,

Chris

Thanks to all the replies, I figured as much, and probably heard that from the doc but didn't recall.

How about salivary function? I received daily Ethyol, and am hoping it was worth it. Dr said it could take 6-12 months for salivary function to return, is this a typical timeframe? I much prefer to have this return than facial hair....thanks again.

Pierre,

Glands have a much better chance of recuperating post radiation than hair follicles. Dry mouth can be terrible, like sucking on sand all the time. There are many things you can do to help stimulate them to heal but time will be required. There are many products and home remedies that can substitute for saliva (minus the enzymes of course) that will lubricate and protect your mouth and make eating much easier.
Biotene has many such products http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/products/patients_products.htm and you can get free samples from there web site. Visit your dentist and explain your treatment and what you are currently experiencing. They should be able to offer some help and suggestions. They will also be able to provide topical fluoride and/or home gels and trays to protect your teeth. Saliva is your bodies natural cleansing and first line of defence against mouth ulcers, mucositis, and decay. Decreased saliva flow without topical fluoride can allow decay to destroy otherwise healthy teeth very rapidly. Avoid all products that contain alcohol. Read my post from August 2007, on the General Board entitled "Alcohol", to get some good info.
Drink lots, and I mean lots of water to keep hydrated. Your kidneys will thank you for the effort as well.

Simply adding a few lemon drops to every glass of water will help stimulate saliva flow and is a cheap and readily available product.

Hope this is of some use to you, e-mail me anytime.

Mike

Robin lost all his facial hair including his moustache except for a tiny area where he had a mouth hole in his mask.it was so funny because he looked like Adolph Hitler with a goatee beard.

The good news was that two months post Tx his moustache grew back,but none of the rest did.Also he lost all the pigment from his hair both on his head and in his moustache.at one time he was ginger but his facial hair changed to a mousey colour.I think regrowth depends on the intensity of the Tx.

liz

At this point I have essentially no facial hair left with exception of a a bit of sideburn on my right side. The other exception is the little bit of "mustache" right below the nose... not particularly attractive I assure you. I was planning to get rid of this thing under my nose permanently but I guess, just to be safe, I wait a bit longer. It it has only been 7 weeks since the end of the rads, although I doubt much will grow back.


M

Hey Pierre

I have some of my facial hair back, tho not nearly as heavy or thick as it was before IMRT. That I don't mind. Kinda nice nor to have to shave every day

My saliva is slowly coming back. The doctor put me on a drug called saligen (pilocarpine) which has made a difference. Not nearly normal, but hey, I'm only 9 months out.

Kevin

Thanks for al the replies. I do have several Biotene products that I use regularly (mouthwash and toothpaste), including a Rx strength fluoride rinse, so I am trying to take of my teeth/gums as much as I can. I appreciate the lemon drop suggestion Dr Mike, I will do that.

Kevin,

Pilocarpine is a great saliva stimulator.
Check out this website for complete information.
http://www.drugs.com/cons/Pilocarpine.html.
It is very improtant to drink extra fluids while taking it.

Cheers,

Mike

Many who try pilocarpine do not get much help from it. While it may get a bit more saliva for you, I think that the point that everyone ignores is that when the gland is dead, nothing so far brings it back to life and production. Pilocarpine's course of action stimulates ALL the possible moisture producing micro glands in your mouth (which are numerous -think thousands of tiny pores- and do not just include the major salivary glands but those single pores that cover much of the mucous membranes of the oral environment). Note though that it is not a localized effect, and plan on sweating like a bull in heat. My personal attempt at using this stuff left me with more than sweaty pits, palms, and more private parts. It was a genuinely uncomfortable experience for the minor oral benefit. I will spare you articulating the BO issue that accompanies copious perspiration. Your mileage may vary......

I have to say Brian, that has to be the most humerous post I have seen on this site! All true.
But your description nearly broke a few ribs, I haven't laughed that hard in years.

Take care,

Mike

Thanks Mike - I visited that site when the doc first told me about the drug. I keep my water bottle handy and I am still in the neighborhood of 4 liters/day.

I must be one of the semi-lucky ones. The pilocarpine has helped some, but some is better than none and the other side effects you mention Brian are not quite that out-of-control for me. <<BIG GRIN>>

Kevin

My husband completed his radiation on 12/05/06. He was told he would probably lose his entire full beard permanently, but it is back except for one tiny area. He was told that he would not lose hair on his head, but he did have quite a lot of fall out. That has also now seemed to have stopped. He has also been taking some vitamins to help with the hair situation. He had a follow up exam yesterday & the doctor indicates he looks great, he is gaining weight, his throat looks good. He has another PET scan coming up in October, but first CT and PET scans were fine - Great News. Good luck with your recovery

I'm curious if Evoxac works similarly or different to Pilocarpine. Does anyone have experience with Evoxac that they could share regarding the saliva issue?