Scalp cooling

Hi Lisa, good for you getting through your first chemo! I never cold capped because I heard that cold capping may reduce hair loss, but it would thin anyway (it’s usually after the second cycle it starts to shed). Also, you can’t colour it during chemo, so I thought “oh bugger it” I’ll just let it fall out rather than have thin grey hair! However, I so wish I’d done it because even if it looks “different “ during chemo; you know, a bit thin, it definitely makes a difference afterwards. I met a lady in the radiotherapy waiting room who had a head full of hair just 6 or 8 weeks after her last chemo (can’t remember exactly), she said she’d cold capped, but still had wear wigs during chemo because it wasn’t the best, but it grew back quickly afterwards. I’m three months post chemo and, although my hair is coming back, it’s slower than I’d hoped. But at least cold capping seems to help regrowth. So stick with it xxx

Thank you for replying and well done you! 
I hope you continue to progress your journey positivity x

Hi Lisa, 

I am 2/3 way through Chemo, I have cold capped throughout. I take 2 Paracetamol about half hour before which definitely helps. 

I had 4 EC and I shed the most hair about 2-4 weeks after my first, I have lost about 60% volume quite evenly, but had a bald patch by my ear that to be honest looked like I’d shaved it! I had long highlighted hair. I think I get to about 6 weeks in before I started covering my thinning hair with either a bandanna or a light beanie. It did get very thin and you could see shine on my scalp. But I still had hair to frame my face. I then moved on to weekly Pax/Carbo and almost gave up Cold capping but after 2 weeks noticed regrowth on my bald bit so stuck with it. My hair is now thinkening up nicely and I had it cropped into a pixie style to try and match regrowth. I hate it but I have hair and am glad to have cold capped knowing I am near the finish line. Yes I shed loads to start, it really did get me down, it was shedding everywhere but it slowed down, I still notice the odd bit come out in the shower/bath, my scalp did feel odd, sort of burning, tingling sensation and still does a bit from time to time, which I can only assume is the hair follicles reacting. Some ladies shave to take control and I almost did get to that point. The extra time cold capping has been worth it to me personally. 

I have the NHS Wig and a couple I bought from Shein, it’s been too hot to wear them but I may embrace them as it gets cooler while my hair gets to a better length as I really don’t recognize myself with a short crop BUT I could go without covering it and I’m still on Chemo. 

I hope this helps, do what is right for you xxx 

Thank you for taking the time to share your story, it really helps.  Good luck with your final treatments. Lisa

Hi Lisa, I didn’t Cold cap and I had that burning itchy feeling on my scalp and 2 weeks after my first EC treatment I cropped it to my scalp and the next day it fell out I was quite attached to my hair but now I’m embracing it and I’m saving so much time in the mornings styling it. A lot of ladies do manage to retain a lot of hair cold capping. There is a site called look good feel better which is a cancer charity and it has online classes with advice on hair care through chemo and afterwards with regrowth. It also has scarf tying and nail care, meditation and much more. Sending hugs. Jxxx

Hi Lisa

This is normal and probably will be the start of shedding but don't be disheartened. i had 3 x EC and 3 Docetaxol and only lost about 25% of my hair. I am now 8 weeks PFC and finally had my hair coloured last week and the little bits on the crown are already an inch long (No big bald patches more like a slightly wider parting). I know it's fear of the unknow and this will be the worst point so keep going, I'm sooooo glad I did!

Good luck x

Hi Lisa, one down, well done.

I cold capped and although eyebrows started to thin, hair didn’t until treatment number 5. I then lost hair all over and above sideburn area totally. I had really thick hair and it started growing noticeably about 2 months after my first injection when I switched to immunotherapy.

This was when I lost all my eyebrows and eyelashes, but I did dye them, so that may of had an impact.

I did get an itchy scalp, and used the freezer packs you put in packed lunches (the sachet ones) to cool and relieve this.

if you can bear it, I’d definitely continue with it.

Good luck with it all.

T