Starting chemo soon

Hi,

I had very thick curly hair that was half way down my back and cut it to my shoulder. I did loose a lot but still had enough that I could tie it back and go out without need for scarves. As soon as I finished treatment I ironically cut it off as it wasn't in great condition but it got me through the treatment. The thinner my hair got the more uncomfortable it was but I would definitely give it a go. It is not for everyone but at least you can say you tried and don't have the what if I tried question going on in your head.

This time round having chemo, I wasn't allowed to use cold cap due to covid. I am 10 days after my second (out of 4) cycle and although extremely patchy in places I can still cover my scalp.

Tips when using cold cap is use gentle shampoo and conditioner- I was told to use the simple range. Not sure how true it is but was told to avoid baby shampoo which I assumed would be the most gentle you could get. Before using the cap absolutely plaster your hair in conditioner to prevent your hair sticking to the cap. Lost count of how many times I had icicles hanging over my head when the cap was removed. Get your hair in as good condition as you can beforehand. I was also told not to colour it within 4 weeks of starting treatment as it will dry it out and make it brittle.

I wouldn't recommend brushing, just gently comb/use fingers and you really want to prevent ant pulling on the hair root.

Hope it works for you.

Del x

Hello, I had a Mastectomy in December, I'm now currently halfway through Chemo of 6 sessions & then will go on to Radiotherapy. I've been using the Cold Cap as felt if I didn't try I would always wonder what the outcome would be. I trimmed my hair to shoulder length & have got thick hair. Been using the Aussie shampoo & conditioner. My hair has thinned out a little bit as you still lose some hair with the cold cap. The only patches where you can see my scalp is above my ears but the rest of the hair covers that. The cold cap is worth persevering with if you can get past the first 15 minutes & distract your mind. I put loads of conditioner on before they put the cold cap on. When I wash my hair I smooth the shampoo, rinse & then the conditioner but I don't rub either in. When I comb my hair I spray lots of the Johnsons Kids no more tangles spray on & this really helps to stop the hair tugging. Hope this helps! Good luck with your treatment. You will get through it.

I finished chemo on 1st April and through using the cold cap I have kept my hair (on my head at least !) which is a great morale booster.  I found the first 15 minutes or so were the worst and once through those it was okay.  It is well worth trying to see if you can tolerate it.  

Thank you for your advice, I didn't find the cold cap too bad at all and a week on, I have been very lucky with my side effects. I'm determined to remain positive! Best wishes to you.

Thank you for your advice, I didn't find the cold cap too bad at all and a week on, I have been very lucky with my side effects. I'm determined to remain positive! Best wishes to you.

I’m due to start chemo on Friday following a lumpectomy and have asked to try the cold cap. My hair is very fine but there’s a lot of it so I don’t know what sort of result I get and have bought a scarf and a few beanie hats. Thanks for the positivity xx

I'm a real believer in trying everything offered! No regrets and all that. The one thing I wasn't expecting, was the funny noise as the coolant runs in to the hat, just a gurgle but it made me chuckle. Don't forget to take a warm hat to cover your wet head as you leave hospital. All the best.

My hair is also very fine but the cold cap worked well for me.  I wasn't losing hair at all when I was using it.  I finished chemo on 1st April and after a couple of weeks started to notice that there was hair in my hairbrush which concerned me at first but my hair is still plentiful so maybe it is just going back to normal.  

Thanks jazz baby - may I ask what drug you had? I’m having 4 EC and 4 paclitaxel- oncologist said that even using the cold cap I’d probably lose 60-80-% of my hair so I’m not holding out much hope but want to try. Xx