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.