Jenna Fischer Feels Confident Post-Chemo—Here's How You Can Too
- Jenna Fischer, 51, says she’s “borderline obsessed” with her new post-chemo hairstyle: short, “uncontrollably” curly bangs. She’s celebrating three months of hair regrowth after finishing up chemotherapy treatments for breast cancer in January.
- “The Office” actress was diagnosed with stage 1 triple positive breast cancer on December 2023. Triple-positive breast cancer is a type of breast cancer where the tumor cells have estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors and a larger than normal number of HER2 receptors on their surface, typically referred to as ER-positive, PR-positive and HER2-positive. Fischer beat the disease after completing surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.
- Changes to the physical appearance like hair loss associated with chemotherapy can be a huge emotional burden. Wigs, head wraps, and hats are some of the options to consider; your insurance may even be able to cover the cost of your wig.
- Microblading can help with sparse eyebrows.It’s a semi-permanent tattoo technique that’s meant to offer more realistic brows. Service costs can range anywhere from approximately $200 to $1,000, but unlike wigs, insurance likely won’t cover the cost.
The 51-year-old star proudly showed off her “uncontrollably” curly bangs in an Instagram selfie on April 15.
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Resources on Finding Self-Confidence After Chemotherapy
- ‘Acknowledging the Grief’ – Losing Your Hair During Chemotherapy
- If You’re Looking For Ways To Deal With Hair Loss During Cancer, You’re Not Alone
- Brave, Bold, and Beautiful in the Face of Cancer — Reclaiming Confidence Through Makeup And Skincare
- How to Find Your Confidence and be Bold
- Living With Cancer: Coping With Hair Loss & the Anxiety it Brings
And positive comments she received. Dozens of fans and even former colleagues showered her with comments.
“I loooove it!!!!” said actress Angela Kinsey, Fischer’s former co-star on “The Office”
“I’m so happy you’re loving it now! I am too!” actress and breast cancer survivor Olivia Munn said, capping her comment with a heart eyes emoji.
A commenter named Mary Elizabeth perfectly summarized the positive reactions: Fischer’s confidence is the most beautiful part of her style switch-up.
“Your confidence is what’s the best, Jenna!!!” she wrote.
“You are ROCKING this look, the bangs are amazing no doubt, but your self assurance is shining through and that’s what I’m obsessed with!”
It’s been wonderful to see how Fischer is embracing the changes to her style post-chemo. She took time to reflect on her year-long journey with breast cancer in January as she finished up chemotherapy treatments and celebrated her hair regrowth. It’s a small but significant win that can be comforting to survivors, as hair loss is often reported as one of the most stressful side effects that women will go through.
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Coping With Hair Loss
Hair loss, a side effect of chemotherapy treatment, usually begins about three to four weeks after chemotherapy and continues throughout treatment. It happens because this treatment targets quickly dividing cells throughout the body.
“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.
Most patients can expect regrowth four to six weeks after treatment. However, it is possible when your hair grows back, you may notice some changes in its color and texture (sometimes for the better!).
Changes to the physical appearance like hair loss associated with chemotherapy can be a huge emotional burden. It can be difficult to adjust when you’re struggling to feel like yourself because you don’t look like yourself.
To cope, Dr. Boardman suggested reaching out to other survivors who have been through a similar situation if you feel comfortable doing so.
Dr. Elizabeth Comen explains the standard treatment for early-stage breast cancers.
“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.
For those who can’t stand the idea of being seen without their hair, there are plenty of options available, such as wigs, head wraps, and hats. Some survivors have even created products specifically for people with cancer so they can feel comfortable in their own skin.
Feeling Confident in Your Own Skin
For many people who lose their hair during chemotherapy or radiation, part of regaining confidence can be getting a wig.
The American Cancer Society (and this SurvivorNet guide) explains where to find them and how to purchase one through your insurance company or at a low cost. Ask your insurance company if you have coverage for “cranial prosthesis” or “hair prosthesis” for cancer treatment-related hair loss. Those are medical words for wigs and the terms the insurance companies use.
Whatever wig you choose, remember it’s only temporary!
“Once chemotherapy is completed,” gynecologic-oncologist Yvette Williams-Brown tells SurvivorNet, “your hair will grow back. It may change color or texture, but it can regrow as normal.”
Eyebrows can sometimes be affected by chemo-related hair loss but microblading can help with achieving a natural look. It’s a semi-permanent tattoo technique that’s meant to offer more realistic brows.
Microblading costs can range anywhere from approximately $200 to $1,000 but unlike wigs, insurance companies aren’t likely to cover the procedure. But an encouraging number of microblading salons do claim to offer free services to people with cancer or alopecia (hair loss).
It’s important to note that during chemotherapy, patients usually are told not to get any sort of tattoo or piercing. Chemotherapy drugs can often weaken or wipe out your immune system, making you susceptible to infection. It can also make it harder to heal.
Laura Woodward, a UK-based beautician who offers free microblading services to cancer patients once a month through her business GirlBoss Permanent Cosmetics, told SurvivorNet that most of the clients will come see her either before their treatment begins or somewhere around six months after it ends, once their doctor has given the green light.
While gentler and less permanent than a traditional tattoo, the technique still uses needles. It’s important to talk with your doctor before deciding to go for the microblading technique.
Celebrity Makeup Artist and Cancer Survivor Ramy Gafni on Makeup and Skincare Tips for People Going through Cancer
During treatment, many people experience very dry or dull-looking skin, while others have periods of acne. Celebrity makeup artist and cancer survivor Ramy Gafni’s advice is to keep an open mind when it comes to skin care products and to expect some trial and error.
“Your skin is not your own when you’re going through treatment,” he says. “People who were never sensitive before, suddenly their skin becomes sensitive.”
One type of product he suggests you try: baby products. “Johnson & Johnson baby wash, baby lotion, etc. You can use the baby wash on your face — it’s very gentle,” he says.
“One of the things that I personally experienced when I was going through chemo … people were like, ‘Today you look green, today you look gray,’” he said, adding that it undermined his confidence.
“It was exhausting to have that conversation of, ‘Oh, how are you feeling today?’ 50 times a day. I started doing make-up just to look like myself.”
Gafni says he has a “minimalist philosophy” — don’t go overboard with makeup, and be strategic about your application. See his advice for looking your best.
Cancer survivor Bianca Muniz explains how she learned to feel comfortable in her own skin again.
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
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