Embracing Hair Loss
- Real Housewives of Miami star Guerdy Abraira, 46, is finding comfort in her new shaved head after beating breast cancer, deciding she will continue rocking the ‘do as her “empowering” fierce new look.
- The Haitian model has come a long way in accepting the sexiness of her look. Her husband, Miami firefighter Russell Abraira, 44, is also a big supporter of her style.
- For many people going through cancer treatment, changes to the physical appearance like hair loss associated with chemotherapy can be challenging.
- Each individual is entitled to their own choices when it comes to how they handle their appearance. For women who don’t feel as comfortable going bald, they can discover personal expression with wigs, head wraps, and hats. Scalp cooling is another option for women to preserve some or most of their hair should they choose.
“We are keeping the hair! It’s official!” the event planner told the outlet while out at Spago in Los Angeles for DIRECTV’s Streaming with the Stars Oscars viewing party.
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The Haitian model has come a long way in accepting the sexiness of her look. Her husband, Miami firefighter Russell Abraira, 44, is also a big supporter of her fierce style, which she jokes has been a bit of “foreplay” in the bedroom as he is “obsessed” with her smooth head.
RELATED: Miami ‘Real Housewife’ Guerdy Abraira Shows Off Her ‘Bald Barbie’ Look from Cancer Treatment
“So the hair stays,” she affirmed while speaking about her high school sweetheart, who she’s been married to for 18 years. The couple shares two boys.
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Earlier in the interview, Abraira spoke of how “empowering” the move is, and surely inspirational for so many women out there, though the choice is personal to every woman’s individualized journey.
“And honestly, I’ve saved, like, over $50,000 just not having the wigs and the waves and the this and the that,” Abraira said.
Plus, South Florida’s blazing heat helped in her decision. “Summertime is coming too by the way. So you know it’s hot as monkey’s balls in Miami.”
Guerdy’s Breast Cancer Journey
The TV star first learned of her breast cancer while vacationing in St. Barts in the Caribbean in spring 2023. Her doctor phoned her to tell her that her mammogram revealed she had breast cancer.
Mammograms are used to screen for breast cancer. Women who haven’t gone through menopause are encouraged to get a mammogram annually between the ages of 45 and 54. If you have experienced menopause, you can get a mammogram every two years.
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The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends women begin screening for breast cancer at age 40. Women should talk with their doctor to learn about their cancer risk and assess when a good time is to start annual mammograms, as many women are starting to get earlier diagnoses.
“I am lucky that this breast cancer was discovered at an early stage. It is still scary, of course, but I have love and support from those around me, and that alone is the fuel that I need,” Abraira previously wrote in a May 2023 Instagram post.
Hair Loss During Cancer Treatment
For many people going through cancer treatment, changes to the physical appearance like hair loss associated with chemotherapy can be challenging. For many, it can be difficult to adjust when you’re struggling to feel like yourself because you don’t look like yourself.
“For cancer patients, losing one’s hair can be unbelievably stressful. To start with, the dread of losing one’s hair can lead to some sleepless nights and feelings of anxiety,” Dr. Samantha Boardman, a New York-based psychiatrist and author, told SurvivorNet. To cope, Dr. Boardman suggested reaching out to other survivors who have been through a similar situation if you feel comfortable doing so.
“Talk to people who have been through it, get their advice, voice your concerns to your caregiver and see what they can do,” Dr. Boardman added. She stressed that anxiety over hair loss doesn’t just affect women, as men going through cancer often struggle with it as well.
Each individual is entitled to their own choices when it comes to how they handle their appearance. For women who don’t feel as comfortable going bald, they can discover personal expression with wigs, head wraps, and hats.
Scalp cooling is another option for women to preserve some or most of their hair. According to breastcancer.org, the scalp cooling system consists of cold caps, or helmet-like hats, filled with a cold gel or liquid that you wear during infusions.
Dr. Boardman also noted that some people may not feel comfortable talking about hair loss, and that’s OK, too.
TikTok’s head-shaving compilation
“To encourage them to bring that up, to encourage them to talk about it, I think can be very helpful,” she said. “But also, for patients it might be something that they don’t talk about. [And they should] feel good and strong about saying, ‘This is something that I don’t feel like discussing right now, and I’ll let you know when I do.’”
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
- Is it likely that I will lose my hair due to treatment?
- Is there anything I can do to reduce these side effects?
- What can I do to reduce anxiety I am feeling over hair loss?
- Are there any products you recommend?
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
