Hi everyone. I know we get a lot of hair posts so apologies.
I had my second of three EC chemo on Monday (I have already had x 9 paclitaxal and carboplatin previous to this drug) and my hair has snapped off loads and I have bald patches. I have been cold capping throughout. Just wondered if anyone had any tips to help prevent too much hair loss for the next month whilst i get through the last session.
How often should I wash it? I’m so scared of washing it. My hair is curly and very dry. I know this drug can be drying so wonder whether this has done it. I don’t scrub when I wash. I sleep with a silk bonnet on on a silk pillowcase.
Anyone manage to get through x3 EC cold capping with a covering of hair still?
Also, how long after your last session did hair stop shedding? I’m finding it everywhere, it’s getting tangled in my toes from the carpets.
Hi Sparkle
I also did scalp cooling.
I understand the fear of washing your hair in case it causes more loss.
I would rinse my hair under the shower, tepid water on infusion day to rinse out any conditioner.
I would wash my hair once or maybe twice a week. I used really gentle shampoo, tepid water, no rubbing in. In between I would use a little dry shampoo. I also used Childs farm leave in conditioner.
No styling products, wide tooth comb, no heat. I let it dry naturally.
When you are in the shower and hair is seen- it is hair that has already shed, you are not making it worse and there is nothing that you can do to help, other than let it come free. If you do not then you risk it matting and becoming tangled with your existing hair- and that can put stress on the roots.
Hair shedding continued for me for a few weeks after chemo but then slowed down and stopped- from memory around 6 weeks. During that time and between chemos I did have some regrowth.
Once chemo was finished I washed my hair gently twice a week. No heat, no styling products- gels etc. I used conditioner every time.
Although it is hard when you do have shedding whilst scalp cooling, this is to be expected and not a sign it hasn't worked. I also believe that it helped to protect my hair follicles and the regrowth was strong and fast. I did not end up with any bald patches but had some very thin patches. These filled in quickly once chemo ended. Until then I used root sprays and hair fibres to disguise them.
You have done so well to continue with it through all the chemos, just one to go- I would say that it was around 4 weeks from memory- that the thinner patches were disguised by new growth.
I had some issues with my bloods after chemo and went straight to 5 weeks of radiotherapy so was quite unwell still- so it maybe that this slowed the regrowth for me a bit.
Good Luck
Jane
