Cold cap

Hi!

I had shoulder length hair and didn’t cut it at the start of chemo, and used the cold cap.

While I did lose a lot of hair from around 2 weeks after the first session and then throughout the whole time I ended up with around 60 percent left.  So a lot thinner but not bald.

I got a couple of baldish areas, where the cap didn’t quite cover eg just above the ears and at the bottom of hair at the neck but the hair length from above covered it, in the end I had enough hair to feel confident enough not to wear a hat to cover it.

I bought a wig for just in case, but it is still in the box unworn!

It actually started to grow back in during my last few cycles of docetaxel and started to fill in the thinner areas!

It is not very pleasant sitting with the cap on, especially the first 10 mins but I am so, so glad I carried on.

a few months after my chemo treatment I did cut it short due to the bald or thin areas and different lengths.  It is all growing in quite thickly now, and curly! But luckily I never went totally bald which helped my confidence levels.

good luck with your treatment

Thank you so much you give me the confidence to give it a go when i start in 2 weeks time x

Hi

I had my first chemo almost 3 weeks ago (EC) and I used the cold cap and so far so good.  Had a bit of ‘root ache’ yesterday and a little hair came away when I ran my fingers through but today it seems ok again.  As Bailey said if you can stand the first ten minutes or so it does get much easier and I was able to forget I had it on though it does add quite a lot longer to each session but it will be worth it if I keep most of my hair.  I also took a couple of paracetamol beforehand.  
Good luck x

Hi, I have used the cold cap for my 2 chemo sessions so far.  I didn't lose any hair from the first session but did for about 5 days from 2nd.  My hair feels thinner and my parting looks a little wider but not noticable.  The first 10 mins of the cold cap is the worst but after that it's ok.  Does put about 2.5 hrs on the treatment tine though x

Thank you for that good luck with your treatment take care x

Thanks yes they told me it will take about 2 hours more but if i can keep my hair it will be worth it take care x

This is me with cold cap - the glamour!!! Towel is because they wet your hair (& you need to take conditioner with you to help get the cap on and off as it’s very tight fitting) 

I lost quite a lot of hair after the first session, less after 2 & 3. Still got a full head of hair now although it is considerably thinner than before all this. The way I look at it is, if I end up bald eventually, it’ll be for a shorter amount of time than if I hadn’t used the cold cap. Give it a go! Good luck x

Thank you i am going to give it a go as you ladies all give me confidence to do it and as you say if you have some hair at the end it will be worth it good luck with your treatment x

HI, I had 12 sessions (weekly) of chemo with Taxol (which granted is a lot more tolerable than EC) and used the cold cap and lost no hair! Some may find me a bit strange but I actually enjoyed the cold cap albeit the first 10mins could be a bit overwhelming, but after that, I found it soothing!  I finished chemo in October, lost other body hair, and some of my eyebrows for a few weeks, but all other body hair now making a return. You have nothing to loose by giving it a go!  Good luck!  x