Hello Ladies hope you're all doing well . I've got one chemo session left and although have used the cold cap I have lost around 40-50% of my hair . Does anybody have any tips on how soon after chemo finishes I can start using products to help my hair start growing back and can anybody recommend any products . Thank you in advance 
Hello Smith72
I also used the cold cap (Paxman) through my chemotherapy (May-Aug 2022) I had thinning all over once I had finished chemo.
One thing that surprised me was that I had a fairly big shed after the last chemo and continued to shed for around 6 weeks after. Then the shedding slowed down and one day I noticed it had pretty much stopped.
I had new hair growth between cycles of chemo so never had any bald spots but even now my hair is at different lengths. I continued with the hair care guidance I was given by the hospital until shedding stopped. Washing hair twice a week, sulphate free shampoo, no rubbing and letting it dry naturally. I used hair dryer on a cool setting to tame my fringe.
I used a child's leave in condition on my hair as after chemo it was very dry and the texture had definitely changed. This really helped. I only used a wide tooth comb and did not tie it back or anything that would stress it further.
After chemo finished I had 5 weeks of radiotherapy and I would say during this time my hair was at its worst. Dry, still shedding. Couldn't do a lot with it. After that I slowly reintroduced more normal hair care. The shedding stopped and I bought some thickening/volumising shampoo and conditioner- tried different brands until I found one that helped. I then started washing my hair every other day- still being gentle.
3 months post chemo hair was looking a lot better- lots of conditioning still. I used a weekly banana conditioning treatment- there's loads that you can chose from. My hair was growing well and slightly wavy in places.
I used a home hair colour on my hair at around 4 months post chemo. It was looking dry and grey and made me look older. It made a huge difference to how I felt.
Now my hair is looking a lot more like it was before chemo, still shorter but due to the scalp cooling (I believe) it has grown in quickly and seems a lot thicker. I don't have any chemo curls but there are waves which I don't mind.
It's now a year since my surgery and I am due my first hair cut. The ends are a bit dry still from the chemo. So far have only trimmed my fringe .
As soon as I had finished chemo I would be checking my hair daily, looking for regrowth and then it almost happened without me realising. I took photos each week and they helped because I could see it for myself. After the shedding stopped it pretty much changed weekly with the regrowth and I do believe that the scalp cooling helped protect my hair follicles.
Hope this helps
Jane
