Used cold cap, had 2nd EC dose 3 days ago, just lost a LOT of hair. Need advice?

Hi 6 years ago, when I was having chemo, another patient advised me to use Waterman's Grow Me shampoo and also their conditioner. She had a good head of hair. I used it, and although I would say I did lose about 50% of my hair, I never needed to wear my wig. I used a wide-tooth comb and I only washed my hair about twice every 3-week cycle. Also make sure the nurse is pulling your cold cap down sufficiently. I had a trained cold cap nurse and she always did this. I looked hideous but it was worth it. x

Did you find the watermans made a difference and sped up hair growth? I feel mine isn’t growing back very fast, although bald patches filled in quick it’s very very short still and no real thickness yet. I use a growth serum once a week and a thickening (supposedly) conditioner. My hair is only like a cm long

I can't say for sure. I didn't get any bald patches, but overall, I kept good coverage. My oncologist actually asked if it was my own hair; he was very impressed. I have carried on using it and even in my 70s get compliments on my thick hair. It is my one positive, as generally even 6 years on and now off the aromatase inhibitors, I feel much older than my years, whereas before cancer, I felt and was generally regarded as young for my age. I used to colour and highlight my hair, but now I have just let it go to its natural grey platinum colour, and that has worked really well for me. Someone asked who my hairdresser was. 

Thinking about your query re helping growth. I lost my eyebrows and regrowth has been poor. I get them dyed and also my now stubby eyelashes. I have tried eyelash serum with no success. The only non-head area of growth is, unfortunately, my hairy legs. Lack of leg hair during chemo was one positive!!!

I’m glad you did well with your hair and it’s so thick now it sounds amazing. 

I must admit I was lucky with my lashes and brows as they grew back 2 wks after finishing chemo but I did use a lash serum every morning and night. 

Thanks for all the insights all. Which lash serum did you use? I'm starting chemo after Christmas and trying to prepare for the reality of it. Have a second operation tomorrow after the first lumpectomy didn't get everything. So have to get through that first, but for some reason I'm most worried about losing my hair! 

Was worried too, so went for the cold cap. Consultant said its 50/50 for success. As I'm having EC then Doxetaxel I was basically told at my 1st dose it would only slow the loss & it *would* go. But read that cold cap can still improve hair coming back after so stuck with it. Had 2 doses, and as said lost a chunk after the 2nd. I don't think my cap was making contact with the top of my head, and stupidly I didn't say anything as I already felt queasy & was distracted.

I had been really "hair grows", cut it short to prempt lots of hair on pillowcase, bought a load of fun wigs, and thought i was being pragmatic. Reality is ... am still sad   Can prepare physically and mentally as much as possible, but I like my hair and its going to be sad to lose it. I am just trying to keep saying that the fact that my hair is dropping means the chemo drugs are going to the other main place that I need them to go, and that's all this is for. 

Thanks lovely. Sorry to hear that.  Having read about it and watched vlogs (overnight - thanks for all the time insomnia!). I'm now feeling I should cut it very short and buy some wigs. I'm still going to try cold-capping, but it sounds like it's more of a 'you never know'/wish on a star type situation where perhaps the medical community want to give you a little hope, rather than something that you can rely on. On the plus side - it seems to grow back beautifully - so one year on you will be you again (if shorter than you like). And as you say it means the chemo is working. Sending you so much love and a massive hug. We'll get through this and then come out the other side with hair and relief! Btw LOVE your name! So fun xx

The lash serum is called lipocils. I was most worried about losing my hair also but having come out the other side I can honestly say it is what it is and it’s a small price to pay for life saving treatment. Hair growth is slow but I’m looking forward to new hair that I can start again with. 

Wishing you well with your op today xxx

Defo a "you never know" ... i think it's a bit of a numbers game, and how well it works for people probably depends a lot on their hair type, chemo drugs being used, how well the cold cap is fitted, and goodness knows what else.

I didn't find the cap too bad so am going to stick with it as long as I can.

Maybe check more replies on the forums before cutting your hair as, after I'd hacked mine off, I did read from people who said it was easier to pull back longer hair to cover loss ... which obvs I can't do now.

Thanks for the compliment on my name. It's from The Good Place, bit of a guilty pleasure tv programme :) Love the sparkle in your name x

Thanks. The re-op is this weekend. I’m speaking to my oncologist today about the plan. In a way at least I now know the road ahead. I had just been a bit over-optimistic before. Think I was kidding myself it was  all a blip rather than a big old road bump! 

Did you do anything about eyebrows or just pencil it!? I’m slightly imagining myself as a modern day Barbara Cartland after all this!