For people who’ve undergone treatments for cancer, hair loss is a common but nevertheless stressful side effect.
And, contrary to popular belief, the hard part isn’t over when your hair starts to return.
This piece is part of our series onwomen’s experiences with cancer and hair loss.
Courtesy Susan Chinn
It was long prior to chemo, halfway down my back.
After my diagnosis, I cut it into ashoulder-length bobto prepare for thehair loss.
I grew it out and chopped off 12 inches.
Courtesy of Susan Chinn
Now I’m back to my tried-and-true bob.
I loved my fine, rabbit-soft hair when it first grew out.
My hair has been stick-straight since birth, so I was excited about the new [curly] texture.
Courtesy of Susan Chinn
But when it started to grow, the curls disappeared and my straight,coarse hairreturned.
My hair is now back to its original texture.
But believe me, I’m not complaining.
woman with a mowhawk next to a man
During my treatment, I chose to take time off from work.
When I returned to work, I tried the scarf thing.
And it was hot.
I wasn’t fooling anyone by hiding behind a scarf.
I decided to ditch the scarves and embrace thebaldness.
While I was growing out my hair, I met a woman who had alopecia.
“Chemo,” I said, pointing to my head.
“At least it will grow back,” she replied.
That was a turning point for me.
How I handled the awkward phase:Have you ever tried to tame Asian hair?
Talk about a growing-out phase!
I needed a product that would weigh down my hair, which tended to just stick out.
I used a great Aveda styling product that unfortunately they don’t make anymore.
I liked it because it was thick and worked its magic, and mademy bedheadlook intentional.
While I was growing out my hair, I met a woman with alopecia.
“Chemo,” I said, pointing to my head.
“At least it will grow back,” she replied.
Favorite hair milestone:I wanted myfirst haircutso badly.
I was so excited to have hair that was long enough to cut!
I don’t even think she charged me.
Pet peeve:I remember returning to work with my dome shining bright.
Daily activities like attending meetings were awkward and intimidating.
I was self-conscious and convinced that all eyes were focused on my bald head.
I remember a coworker saying, “You look cool, like aStar Trekcharacter.”
While my self-esteem was crushed, I held my head high and pretended it didn’t bother me.
After a while, I started to believe it.
Funniest moment:Living in Hawaii, the beach is our backyard.
While it was growing out, my hair had a mind of its own.
It was too short to lay flat.
It was too thick to lay down.
So it just stuck straight out.
Laughter is the best medicine.
Biggest lesson:Feeling beautiful while bald is powerful.
Advice for other women growing back their hair post-treatment:Your hair will grow back.
It may seem like itll take forever, but it will grow.
As told toJennifer Garam.
Survivor interviews have been edited for length and clarity.
Watch a woman’s hair loss journey:
