Anyone abandon the cold cap?

Hello KellyCol, I will be on my 5th cycle tomorrow. Whilst I have lost a lot of my hair, each session I think do I stop but then I take advice from the nurses on the chemo unit. I also think the longer I persevere it will also help with regrowth. Not sure if you have a Paxman machine but this is their website. I found it very interesting. Maybe it will help you to decide.

https://paxmanscalpcooling.com/

Hooe some others also give you their feedback too.

Hugs from cuffcake x x x x x

Hi KellyCol  I have had 6 cycles so far using cold cap. I have lost quite a lot of hair (about 80%) but I have decided to continue as it does help preserve the follicles meaning regrowth can come sooner than If you don’t.

If you do get bald or very thin patches, it’s still ok to continue (some nurses say not but I’ve just been on a course where that was quashed!) just make sure they use a surgical cap before putting on the cold cap to protect your head! 

I lost about 80% of my hair finishing at the beginning of November but persevered with the cold cap and I think it has helped regrowth which actually started while I was still shedding hair in the final cycles - I had very short hair by Christmas and ditched the wig by mid January.  Now ready for a second “tidy up” by the hairdresser.  It has comeback thicker.  

That’s useful to know, thanks everyone. Can you wear a wig over patchy hair? Will the process of putting it on and taking it off not make hair fall out?? 

I did cold cap all through treatment.  First 3 treatments, minimal loss but next 3 treatments I lost a lot, I would say about 70%.  I nearly gave up on 5th treatment but nurse encouraged me to continue so I did.  I lost most of my hair from top so used a wide headband and tied the hair I did have up.  Could still see patches at back of head but wasn't too bad and hair grew back quite quickly.  The first 10 minutes of cold cap is the worst so I used to squeeze a stress ball to get me through it x

I cold capped all the way through  8 weekly Paclitaxol before chemo was stopped due to unexpected illness.  I lost 70% of my hair which started to shred in bulk around about after 3rd chemo.   I preserved because if you suddenly stop you cannot go back again to cold cap.  Also without the cold cap you risk your hair falling significantly at a worse scale than without cold capping which can be traumatising.  My oncologist said he recommends cold cap to all his patients.   Hope this helps and good luck.

Hi KellyCool, I’ve been scalp cooling and have done this over 5 cycles so far. I have lost quite a lot of hair (look like Gollum from Lord of the rings) but want to continue as long as I can to help with the regrowth. I do wear a wig. I put a wig cap on first and then the wig over the top. If I’m honest I notice maybe 1 or 2 hairs on the wig cap when I take it off but definitely not loads. I loose more when I comb my hair just to try and make it look less scruffy. 

Wishing you all the best for your journey.

Hugs from cuffcake x x x x x

Hi KellyCol  I wear a wig sometimes and have a net I put over my hair. It doesn’t cause your hair to fall out. There’s a really good zoom course that’s dispels all the myths and helps understand hair loss. It’s really good and I’d highly recommend it - 

https://lookgoodfeelbetter.co.uk/hair-loss-scalp-care-new-growth-workshop/

I’ve only noticed the odd strands after wearing my wig, like Cuffcake says, I lose more when I comb my hair! 

Hello. I gave up the cold cap after the second session as it was distressing wearing it, my hair was falling out all over the place anyway so didn’t see the point in prolonging the agony. I shaved my hair short as didn’t want bald patches and wore pretty scarves when it all fell out. It started growing back within a month of finishing chemo and is now thicker than ever and curly, which is a nice surprise. I personally found the cold cap to be rather oppressive and heavy and it almost doubled the time I was sitting there for. I’m glad I made that decision, it was the right one for me and it gave me some control back and a sense of relief. 

Everybody is different I know so ultimately I would say go with your gut instinct. I hope this helps and good luck with it all.

Hi

i capped 8 times , very difficult but am so glad I did it. Lost around 80% but no bald patches and hair is thick healthy and started to grow back after the 7th cycle.  Of course you won’t have the chemo hair as the follicles are still in tact and surely will grow back quicker if you are not bald.

xx