Shaving your head because you're about to undergo chemotherapy. It's a moment many women dread. But what does it really feel like when the clippers start buzzing? For some, choosing when to shave their hair off brings a sense of relief. For others, the tears start flowing. And sometimes, there's even laughter!

11 Rosette la Vedette customers openly share what it was like to shave their heads before chemo. From sadness and uncertainty to unexpected relief. Because there's no right or wrong way to feel about this moment.

 

Elly (photos below): “On the advice of my mother-in-law, who had also had cancer, I went to the hairdresser before starting chemotherapy. My hairdresser suggested a short, fun haircut to make the transition a little easier. Between my first and second chemo sessions, I shaved my head with clippers. I felt sad that day, but my sons, aged 14 and 17, really helped me through it. They had grown their own hair longer so they could shave their heads alongside me, as a way of showing their support. With some great music, plenty of jokes and my husband stepping in as our hairdresser for the day, it turned into a beautiful moment. Thanks to my sons, we even made a little celebration out of it! I'll be forever grateful for my wonderful family.”

Evelyne: “Two days after my second chemo session, my hair really started to fall out, so I shaved it into a very short buzz cut. A week later, it was completely gone! I’ve always had long hair, but I was happy I shaved it! It made the hair loss much less noticeable. Now I have a bold, short haircut, and I wouldn’t want it any other way!”

Kelly: “When my hair started falling out, my kids got to cut it. My husband did the final touch with the clippers. I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. If I was going to lose my hair anyway, I preferred to make it fun with the kids. They thought it was amazing to play hairdresser for once! This way, we turned something painful into a lovely memory.”

Gezina: “I’ve always had long hair, but in the end, it was falling out so much that I started getting bald spots. That’s when my partner and I decided he would shave my head. It was a very sad moment, but also very beautiful and meaningful to do it together. I’m glad we did it this way.”

Corine (photos below): “I knew straight away: I wanted to shave my head myself rather than wait for my long hair to start falling out. Having a little control in a situation where so much was out of my hands. That's probably the best way to describe it. A week after my first chemo session, we did it together as a family! It was a mix of nerves, laughter and light-hearted moments, thanks in no small part to our three children. Our middle child happily cut off my ponytail, our eldest took some beautiful photos, the youngest was running around, and my brave husband had the challenging job of shaving off the rest. It felt good. What a special experience to share as a family! And there I was, with my freshly shaved head. It took me right back to my younger days, when I always wore my hair that short. It definitely took some getting used to. But more than anything, what I felt that day was pride, strength and a sense of control!”

Bianca: “I decided that as soon as I noticed the first locks coming out (or pulling them out — I tend to fidget with my hair), I would grab the clippers. In the third week after my first chemo, it happened: I was sitting at my computer when suddenly my hands were full of hair. I called my friend and told her, ‘The clippers are coming out!’ Ten minutes later, she was at my door — we live on the same street. My partner shaved my head, and then he shaved my friend’s head too. We had agreed to go bald together! My partner didn’t need to — he was already bald. It turned into a beautiful, funny experience and, honestly, such a relief.”

Marina: “After my third chemo session, my then-long hair first started turning lighter, and soon after, it began falling out. My hairdresser suggested we shave it off, so we did. Now that everything is behind me, I have a short haircut — and I want to keep it that way!”

Kathleen: “I knew right away that I wanted to have my hair shaved. Three weeks after my first chemo, my niece shaved my head, and then I started wearing your lovely hats.”

Elly (photo below): “My 5-year-old granddaughter helped shave my head. She absolutely loved it. For me, it was a truly special and precious moment.”

Maria: “My hair started falling out after the second chemo session. My hairdresser came to my house to shave it all off. Now, a month after chemo, it’s growing back — pure white! I’ve decided to keep it short and not dye it anymore.”

Inge: “When my hair started falling out, we decided to cut it together as a family. My three oldest kids, my husband, and I were crying as we shaved it with the clippers. Then my youngest, who’s only two, started laughing hysterically, and soon we were all laughing through our tears! It turned into a beautiful family memory that we now look back on with a smile.”