Hair

Hi Millie123  yes my hair started growing back on the 6th out of 8 I think. When the nurse was putting the conditioner on she said she could see baby hair growing. So by the time I’d finished, all bald patches were covered! It helps having it in winter cos I just wore hats or a wig which I’m not sure I could do in the summer!! 

They’re usually disposable so prob come in a pack. Good idea to have one! 

I was 43/44 going through mine & the chairs were so far apart from others that there was no chance of talking even if there had been someone my age! The unit was so understaffed that the nurses didn’t have time to talk either. I found it quite tough, glad you’re doing well with it! 

Hi, I honestly did not find cold cap uncomfortable. I think the stats are 40% of women keep 60% plus of their hair. Even if hair is lost, it grows back faster. Cancer hair care is a great charity for support and advice. An Alice band to place across your forehead is useful.Mine did not work because the cap was badly applied the first time, despite my pointing out that was so. There was a bubble between the outer cap and the inner cap over my crown. Accordingly a huge amount of hair fell out in that area. I would recommend being particular about the fitting between the inner and outer cap.

There is other advice like using nonscented shampoo, wash with tepid water, comb from the ends very gently and work towards the scalp.If your hair is really long, the weight will stress your hair follicles, so worth considering a shorter style. Thicker hair may have less success than fine hair. You need to spray your hair with water and rub in an unscented conditioner before the cap is applied. Apparently a sillk pillowcase applies less friction to your hair as you move in your sleep as does a bamboo sleep cap.

Is worth remembering that hair will grow back sooner even if it does fall out. 

Thank you for all that advice! I do have thick and long hair so that’s made me question how successful my cold cap journey will be.
I am preparing for the loss by having a wig made to look as close to my natural hair as possible but if I can hold onto my hair I find it would be easier for me personally. 
I will look into the conditioners and silk pillow cases etc though as well as the application of the cap. Thank you again xx

My chemo team told

me cold cap was only 40% effective. So I didn’t bother with it. Had my first chemo in April noticed significant hair loss week later. So just shaved it off. Now in December and it is growing back 

First hair wash post cold cap… wish me luck

Hi Millie,

Absolutely not superficial at all and a very justified concern.

I've had one round of chemo so far, round 2 will be next week and found the cold cap was fine.  Make sure you take a cotton hair band with you to protect the forehead as that's where the cold pain receptors are.  This little hack really made the difference for me.  Also noone told me but take a little spray bottle with water and conditioner in it and a comb too as they'll  all you to comb and wet your hair.

I've attended one online haircare and scalp care course with Look Good Feel Better which was really helpful and i am booked on a wig and head scarf course next month. Other helpful websites have been cancerhaircare.co.uk and another website called The C-List.  I also went on the website for the company who manufacture the type of cold cap I'm using, that was helpful too.

When i was diagnosed on 1/12/23 I asked for a referral to the NHS wig clinic which my Macmillan Nurse did for me and I'll be going for a wig fitting in 2 weeks time. 

Wishing you all the best with it.

Hi, how have you found your hair after 1 cycle? I’m on day 11 and nothing yet, but after reading everyone else’s experiences I’m expecting some loss any day now? My next round is on the 9th of feb xx

Hello! How have you found your hair journey so far? I’m one round down and yet to experience any change but I anticipate it’s coming xx

Hi Millie I'm going in for round two tomorrow.   I've not really noticed much hair loss yet.   I did notice the first few washes seemed to have a lot of hair loss when I combed the conditioner through but I always have that so wasn't sure if it was more than usual.   It does feel dry and thinner and when I tie it up there's less pony tail.  But it still looks like a fill coverage on my scalp that I can see.