Hair loss prevention

Hello JAnneN

I too am on chemo I wore the cold cap for the first 2 treatments then my hair started to fall out. My oncologist did say that if it starts to fall out after 2 treatments then its unlikely that you can save it.  So after 2 I gave up with the cold cap and have now lost all of my hair. My oncologist also told me that only 30 percent of people manage to keep their hair.  I have wigs but have never bothered to wear them I just use scarfs or chemo hats.  I wish you all the best you could be in the 30 percent and keep your hair.  I don’t think you can do anything specific to keep your hair but maybe others know?  Best wishes.

Unfortunately, if the cold cap hasn't worked, then there is nothing else to be done about hair loss.

I took control ahead of chemo and donated my hair to charity then shave it off. Felt great. I've had long hair most of my life and thought I'd hate it but I really suited it very short! I neve would have experienced that without chemo or all the short hairstyles I will not have as it grows out.

I ended up finding losing my hair the least bothersome of all side effects. I got a wig but never wore it, it never looked like me. I had loads of different hats.

Mine is now growing back really well, same colour and lots of it.

Good luck, you can do this!

I’m sorry, this is such a distressing side effect. I didn’t cold cap as I felt through anecdotal stories it would be fruitless but some people do manage it. Many find cutting their hair shorter and wearing a chemo cap in bed to minimise rubbing helps. I have lost my hair but I have (so far) kept much of my eyebrows and eye lashes and I believe this is because I stopped wearing make up on them specifically, no mascara or brow pencils, etc. I just use some eye shadow and pencil that can be washed off easily. I’ve found that helpful. The only positive I can find for my hair falling out that I have mentally tried to embrace is that people do socially distance from me in public which I’m very grateful for, my fear of infections outweighs my love of my hair at the moment but that’s not to say it’s easy cause some days it really bloody isn’t!! Big hugs x

Funnily enough, despite liking my wig, it’s ok, I don’t like it either, never been out of the box! I can be found mostly in a beanie x

Thanks Jgau, 

It has just started so only time will tell if I loose it all. I will speak to my Oncology team before my next cycle this week on whether to continue with the cold cap. I think knowing I've done everything myself in advance will help me accept it I loose it all (if that makes sense)?

Good luck with your treatment

JAnneN

Dear Beatthebreast,

I really respect your brave decision to cut off your hair, sounds like your kicking cancer, well done you 

JAnneN

Dear Anna12345

Thank you for your response and no make up tip for eyelashes. 

During covid I'm all for social distancing and mask up still when out and about. I guess until now I've not changed in my appearance and still don't consider myself as someone with cancer but hair loss gives that away to the wider world and especially to my 7 year old! 

My friends and family are great but it will be hard on them too I guess seeing the changes. 

Good luck with your treatment and staying infection free, you've got this x

Hi  I used the cold cap throughout my 8 cycles, reckon I lost about 50-60% of my hair although my scalp was covered and I didn’t have any bald patches. It just looked really thin. Most of it came out after Cycle 2 (EC) but after that the loss was minimal. It started to regrow during Cycles 5-8 of Docetaxol. Now nearly 6 weeks post chemo, I’ve had the longer straggly bits cut off and it looks really quite thick. I’m also loving my shorter hair and wondering why I never did it before! 

Based on my experience I’d say try persevering for at least one or two more cycles - if you can bear it - as it could support faster regrowth later. But don’t make yourself miserable by enduring it if it’s really hard, chemo is tough enough without added misery. I think I must have a thick skull

Wishing you all the best for the rest of your treatment xx

Hello JAnneN I'm currently having chemo and using the cold cap. At the start it was explained that it's likely that some hair loss and thinning will be experienced during the process, and like you I experienced hair loss of a couple of small clumps for the first time around 2 weeks after my first chemo session. I've now had my 3rd chemo session and although my hair has been 'shedding' and getting thinner I still have a fairly decent head of hair, with no need to wear a hat/wig. My hair is naturally thick though (and reasonably short) so that may have helped, and the nurse commented that she didn't see many people still with hair after the 2nd chemo cycle - I'm on AC which is particularly toxic - but suggested that I keep with the cold cap rather than stop part way through as it is having a positive effect. I've still got another 5 cycles of chemo to go and I'm taking the view that I'll stick with the cold cap for the time being but will stop if I start to lose most of my hair or it gets really 'patchy'.

In between chemo sessions I only wash my hair once a week in tepid water and use paraben free shampoo, avoid brushing it too often and leave it to dry naturally. The cold cap experience isn't particularly pleasant but I've found it bearable but it's a personal choice so good luck with whatever you decide to do and I hope your treatment goes well x

To be clear (sorry!) when I said try to persevere for one or two more cycles, I meant so you could see if it was worth carrying on to the end of your chemo - not just doing one or two more cycles.