Should I bother with cold cap ??

Hi I was like you in I didn’t want to loose my hair. Mine is short and pretty thick. I had a tidy up cut before I started. I gave I a go and am glad I did. Yes I still lost some around the sides and on top but I think that’s because I have a small head and it wasn’t tight enough. I found the first 20 minutes was hard but keep with it and you get used to it. Take a blanket with you to keep you warm. And a nice conditioner. I didn’t was my hair for around 3 days after. Remember you will have to keep it on after your treatment is finished. Mine was an extra hour. 

Hi, like many here my experience with the cold cap was worth it. I can’t lie, it was pretty horrible for me, I was very cold and unhappy during the treatment. I used one of those electric blankets which I plugged in at the beginning of the treatment to warm myself up and really thick socks. I did loose some hair but having enough to tie it back and look pretty much as I did before the chemo was worthwhile for me as it gave me a sense of normality and I didn’t have to engage into any conversation about my treatment with anyone who didn’t know (eg other parents at school gates, the people in the corner shop..). I just looked very tired but not ill. I hesitated to do my eyebrows before I stared (microblading) and decided not to. It was pretty hard to see myself without eyebrows but I used to hide it with my glasses. They grew back really quickly after the chemo finished. I hope this helps! It is your choice. My nurse said something helpful before I started, no one will judge you if you start and decide not to continue. 
Good luck with the chemo! It is not fun while you are on it but it seems a distant memory once you finish! 
Xx

Hi Mrs B23,

I had the cold cap for my first 2 sessions took 2 paracetamol 1hour before treatment + warm clothing, thick socks etc. as it makes you feel cold. After 10mins sensation plateaued and was tolerable for me unfortunately lost too much hair for any more sessions but just listening to Chris Hoy on the radio and it worked for him!

Very personal decision but I am still glad I tried it. Finished my chemo in Aug and 6 weeks later had my head shaved to remove chemo damaged regrowth, now growing much thicker sporting Sinead O'Connor style still wearing my wig in public until it gets a little longer. Delighted to have eyebrows and eyelashes back although Eyelure C lash false lashes were brilliant! Also wore dark nail varnish on toes and fingers to protect nails.

Good luck and hope you find things easier than you expect... all the nurses were lovely you can ask them anything xx

I'm sorry to hear of your diagnosis

and wish you all the very best going forward.

I chose to try the cold cap and was advised to make sure I wore it for every single round of treatment from the onset.

I do have short hair anyway so that may have made things less apparent. That said I found it useful with only a little thinning at the sides maybe.

I think it's well worth trying and you do get used to the temperature. J x

My daughter tried the cold cap but found it absolutely the worst part of treatment and by cycle 3 had lost about 80% of her hair anyway. She'd had a short bob cut before starting and, like you, had been devastated by the thought of losing her hair. But she decided to stop cold capping and her hairdresser took off what was left of her hair. She felt do much better having 'taken control' and without the dreaded cap every time. She was also far less traumatised than she expected - she didn't like wearing her wig and quickly created her own style with a wardrobe of the very pretty chemo headgear available (try Etsy) and statement earrings. 

That chemo completed, plus three surgeries and radiotherapy, she's now on a further year of a different chemo. Her hair has grown back healthy, thick ... and curly. 

Do give the cold cap a try, lots of people have a good result. But if you find it too hard or it doesn't work for you - you really will cope. Best of luck. xxx

Heyaa! About to.start my chemo similar to yours in the new year so I was interested in the replies in this thread even though I don't have personal.experience yet. I have fairly long.cutly hair but on the thin side. I asked about the cap extensively my BC nursem she said cut them shorter (as longer hair are harder to fit in the cap) with careful handling after care the chances of keeping your hair increase however each person is different. To add another positive note, my friend just fonished her treatment, she used the cap and she did keep her hair! It did get a bit thinner and the texture changed slightly but no one (that doesnt know her journey) noticed big differences. I am planning on givong the cap a chance as well

Few things, you don’t have to cut your hair and nb that cap fits well. I did hate the cap because the pressure was intense so by the end I was taking zanax to help me sleep through it. But I was determined to try and keep as much as I could.

The fit is the most important so take your time and don’t start until you are happy with the fit. Be careful if it’s too loose fitting. Also be wary of things nurses tell you as they are not always right. I was told there was no point in doing the cap with the chemo I was on. I was discouraged from using Daniel Field products (re a letter from Paxman posted in the hospital) and I was given the wrong cold cap timings once and I had to correct them. The nurses are brilliant but they are dealing with so much so nb to go in armed with the best info. This forum was v helpful.

Also thin hair isn’t bad as it freezes well so that’s a plus. Research on Paxman’s site and definitely worth a consultation with Daniel Field. His products made the Paxman cap work better. 

I kept my hair tied up in a ponytail to manage shedding and protect it and only washed once a week with paraben free shampoo.  I used a wide tooth comb and brushed once a day to prevent matting and I would monitor how much hair I was losing.

Shedding typically starts around day 25.  Lastly you will lose a lot but it is truly amazing how much hair is on your head. If you concentrate on the hair you have left rather than what you lose it’s a great help. Cold caps are not for everyone and many decide to stop depending on how they are feeling. So do it own way. I bought a wig before I started and all the headgear. In the end I didn’t have to use the wig and wore baseball caps when I was out and about. 

Wishing you the very best and if you have any questions do reach out.