Scalp cooling

Hi, I had it and retained about half my hair, never had to wear a wig but I have thick and reasonably coarse hair. I also only washed my hair every 2-3 weeks and used Watermans Grow me shampoo and conditioner. My oncologist was really surprised I kept so much of my hair but there you are. It was important to me. I was coming up for 70 and I felt it was about my only good physical attribute. Good Luck xx

Hi Tessdog, I have been using the scalp cooling cap since I started chemo. I have had 4 cycles so far of EC. I do have some hair loss and a bald patch but everyone is different. My next 4 cycles are Docetaxel  and I will continue to use the scalp cooling cap for as long as possible. I don’t know what machine your hospital use, mine have a Paxman machine. The website is very informative and gives an idea of hair loss for different chemos so I have included this for you should you wish to have a look. 
https://paxmanscalpcooling.com/ 

I always have paracetamol a bit before the session starts as it does help. It does get cold but after about 10mins you do get used to it. It is a strange feeling but doable. You would need to take a leave in conditioner with you as the nurses will put this on your hair to help apply the cap. I take a snuggly cardigan and blanket with me too just incase I get a bit chilly but I only needed to use this so far on my last session. 

Wishing you all the best on your journey.

Hugs from cuffcake x x x x x

Hi Tessdog  I had originally completely discarded the idea of trying the scalp cooling because of my history of migraines and I thought I wouldn’t be able to tolerate it but after a discussion with the chemo nurse  at the eleventh hour the day before I was about to start chemo this week I decided to give it a go at least once. I was quite surprised by how well I tolerated it and I hadn’t expected that at all as I was quite nervous about it. But I’m really glad I did so, and will continue with it as long as I cope, in the hope it helps regrowth of anything I do loose. I took 2 paracetamol about an hour before and another 2 about an hour into wearing it for back up

I’m planning to have my long hair cut in a nice short style anyway in the next week to donate it to the little princess trust, which will hopefully take the weight out and make what I do manage to retain a bit stronger too.  But let’s see how it goes, trying to be quite matter of fact about it I suppose. Xx 

1. Hi rozalia like cuffcake i was weary of the cold cap as i hate the cold and suffer with headaches i thought i would give it a go as what was there to lose and if i didnt like it i would just take it off! I had my first ec session last Friday and used the cold cap which i tolerated well the first 10-15 mins being the worst whilst it gets to temp. For you to be aware your sessions will be longer as it needs to be on 30 mins before, during and 45mins after, i will defo be trying again x

Definitely! I had 3 EC & 3 Docetaxol and only lost 30% of my hair which was mainly thinning and a slightly wider parting/crown which I could cover with Topix. I also lost the hair over my ears where the cap didn't quite reach but have a medium bob so it was easy to cover. I finished my chemo in June 22 and had surgery in July 22 and the anaesthetist actually took her glasses off and looked at my hair twice when I told her I'd had my chemo .  To be honest, now my 'missing' hair is growing back (About 3inches now) it's only now with the different lengths that I can see how much I did lose. But people who didn't know me couldn't tell.

I also took paracetamol before hand but you get so use to the cold it's very very manageable!

Good luck x 

Hi, I tried it for my first cycle of chemo, but my hair starting falling out a week before my second cycle.  The nurse told me there was little point in having the cooling cap again as it was clearly not working.  I have fine hair and not a lot of it.  A week later I shaved my head as I had gone so bold on top I could do nothing to hide it.  I am now wearing my wig with pride.  Good luck xx

Hi Tessdog  I have been cold capping but have lost about 80% of my hair so hasn’t worked as well for me. However, I’ve kept a lot of the front enabling me to wear hats pulled back a bit so it looks like I have hair which had given me more confidence. On my Wednesday session, there was a lady in who only a few weeks before was virtually bald but continued and now has almost full coverage. It does encourage re growth quicker as well so not just about keeping existing hair! 

id def give it a try, doesn’t work for everyone but might do for you! 

Thank you for your reply and warm wishes to you too. Hopefully, I will be able to try the cap next week, if the unit can accommodate. X

Thank you for your reply, sorry it didn't work for you. I've heard that the wigs can be very good. Hope your treatment goes well. X

Thanks for your reply, I'm hoping to give it a try and see how it goes. Hope you feel better soon. X