Paxman Cold Cap

Best of luck with the op, think mine will be Feb after chemo ends. xx

Thank you! You too for the rest of your treatment xxxx

Hi, I know your post is from 2 years ago, I'm starting chemo this Wednesday :-(

I will be using the cold cap and just wanted some feedback of possible. How did it go for you? What did you do about eyebrows, eyelashes etc. I'm just terrified of the changes to come. Thankyou xx

Hi I used the cold cap. I kept about 80% if my hair. My eyebrows did thin a bit. I suggest you take paracetamol before you start using cold cap  thet1st 20 mains are the worst but after that it's OK. I wanted to give up after about 8 I'm glad i didn't. If i had to do it again would definitely use cold cap againa Good luck take care

Jane 

Hi Jane, thank you for taking time to reply. How are you? Has your treatment finished? 

 I hope I am as lucky and keep most of my hair.thank you for the paracetamol advice I will definitely do that and hope for the best.

Don't know what to do bout eyebrows and eyelashes as I am completely useless with make-up, the only thing I can really do is foundation and mascara so I'm going to have to work sth out :-( 

Any tips or suggestions for sth simple and easy would be greatly appreciated. 

Thank you

Eirini

Hi I finished 6 cycles of TCHP chemo (last one 6 weeks ago). I used the cold cap with great results. Regarding your eyebrows Boots have trained Macmillon staff who can give you free eyebrow advice. I found it very useful. They talked me through using eyebrow pencils and drawing them/filling them in. Also go on a Look Good Feel Great make up course via Macmillian they are really good,again free. Regarding the cold cap I was advised paracetamol 1/2 hour before starting it. I found the first 10/15m uncomfortable but after that bearable.  I had very thick hair to begin and it had thinned but no one can tell any difference as such (more that I am aware of how its thinned).  Eyebrows sparce but hasnt bothered me as I use the eyebrow pencil. Eye lashes kept through out but I seem to have lost a couple of eye lashes on the top since I finished chemo ,but not too noticible   I am still losing strands when I comb my hair now 6 weeks on and think it takes several months to settle down. I  am continuing to wash my  hair minimum times a week,no hair dryer/straighteners,paraben free shampoo/conditioner etc as advised. Good luck with the cold cap and your treatment. 

Viv

Hi 

I used the cold cap throughout my 8 cycles of chemo. I kept about 80% of my hair. I got my long hair cut to a bob. I used to wash night hair twice a week and use simple shampoo and conditioner and never used hairdryer or straighteners.  

I lost a lot of eyebrows and eyelashes but now after 3 months they are back.

I used to drink fruit tea when the cold cap went on it help with the coldness.

Take care and good luck

Leigh x

Hi 

I’m starting chemo next week too and I’m very keen to try and keep hair with the cold cap. I’ve had my hair cut a bit as it needed it. 

Good luck x

Hi

So sorry to read that you also have to go through this. Good luck with everything for next bit. 

I used the cold cap. My results were not as good as the other ladies. I think this was because the nurse who did the initial treatment didn’t do it right ☹️ But didn’t know this until after 2nd & 3rd treatments. I have thick curly hair and the nurse just sprayed it lightly it didn’t wet it to my scalp. So tip - make sure hair is wet to scalp. As said before first 10 - 20 mins are the worst but stick with it after that it settles down. During that time I read a trashy magazine or watched a movie to distract me that helped. Take a scarf to keep your neck warm and a blanket (they have blankets at hospital but felt better using s fluffy one of my own). 

I had 3 x E&C and 3 x Docetaxcel which caused eyebrow and eyelashes to fall out ... on the plus side didn’t need shave my legs

I was lucky to have a friend who does semi permanent makeup and she tattooed my eyebrows before treatment for me it was the best thing! I didn’t need to worry about drawing them in. As the other ladies have said boots no.7 have trained Macmillan staff and look for a look good feel well course I attended one and found it helpful. There were also a tips online and videos.

I know it all seems so overwhelming but you can do it ❤️. Take one day at a time x

Good luck Hope all goes well

Hi I finished chemo 12 weeks ago! I done 15 cold caps 3 3 weekly AC the 12 weekly fec!! I kept 50 percent of my hair I used simple shampoo and bought silk pillow case and wooden comb! I did want to give up half way through! Glad I didn’t I had long blonde hair and losing my hair at 40 was most upsetting thing for me. I now were a topper as lost most on top but is growing nicely now even tho I do look like rod Stewart ha! I didn’t cut my hair short as was easier to cover bald patches with my hair being longer! It still extremely stress full not knowing when shedding will slow down my hair stopped shedding at 6 weeks after last chemo! It’s not for ever though it feels like it at the time! I bought scalp spray of amozon which hide the bald patches till my regrowth started! Xx Sara