Hey everyone I’m due to start chemotherapy on 3rd March (3 x EC and 3 x Docetaxel all 3 weeks apart)… I’m looking for literally ANY advice to help spare as much hair as possible.
-I plan to cold cap, do you have any tip on this? I’ve heard some people slick it back but some part it into ponytail style.
-Did anybody on this particular regime manage to keep any hair with cold capping?
-Would you recommend specific products or will any gentle products be OK? Are Daniel field products worth the money?
-Any pre and post chemo hair tips that you think worked whether it’s diet/products anything
-What is best to use to brush it?
-And if all else fails what wigs/toppers etc did you go for that looked natural?
I used the cold cap with 6 x EC years ago. I had long hair and cut it shorter and it was more manageable. The top tip is to make sure the cap fits snug to the scalp every time. If you get a cap that is not quite flush to the skin, it won’t work. I lost a flurry of hair every 3 weeks, but kept enough to get away with it. I never used a wig or headscarf. My hair grew back super quickly and curly for about a year. I didn’t use any particular products, but I suspect others may recommend some now that we not available when I had chemo. Best wishes
I’m not in the same regime as you but so far I’ve completed 5 out of 6 cycles of Doxetaxel and Carboplatin using the Paxman coldcap. I have shoulder length hair and my nurse always slicks it back before absolutely dousing it in Faith In Nature conditioner. It just needs to be as smooth and as close to your scalp as possible to ensure the cap can make contact all over and a ponytail style may not allow this.
The best thing I bought was a plastic detangle brush with wide-spaced teeth - like the extra gentle tangle teezer - so it doesn’t pull at all. You may also want to consider a silk pillowcase (or cap) to reduce friction while you sleep. I find mine also helps keep me cool during hot flushes.
I haven’t changed my usual shampoo and conditioner - I mainly use Bleach London Reincarnation stuff which is designed to be a gentle cleanser for damaged hair anyway. To be honest, I think any gentle products would be okay and the most important things are probably to wash it less frequently (I find I don’t actually need to wash it as much as usual), take care when drying it and avoid heat styling.
Good luck with the cap - I’m not finding it anywhere near as uncomfortable as I was led to believe it might be and forget about it quite quickly. I hope you find the same. All the best xx
I had 4 ec & 4 docetaxol & like others have said - when cold capping the fit is really important. I developed a ‘egg in a basket’ look as time went on, but am confident that the coldcap also helps with regrowth.
I can’t stand the smell of any shampoos used during chemotherapy - so maybe something to consider when you get to the end.
Post chemo, i have become a bit obsessed (i really loved my hair tbh and it was my thing) with products etc - anything with rosemary helps, I have always tried to go sls free so faith in nature is good. I use an oil at nightime that i brush through from l’occitanne or brush rosemary oil through. I have always taken biotin (my onc said it was fine but it may be worth checking) & brush a lot / have silk pillowcases etc.
I have kept going to the hairdressers as the top needs to grow down and catch up with the rest - it has come back very curly but regular cuts have helped. X
I’m on the same regime as you & had my first treatment (EC) this week with a cold cap
I washed my hair the night before & free of products. I was recommended Simple shampoo & conditioner. I took the conditioner with me & the nurse wetted & combed the conditioner through before putting a very snug cap on. I didn’t find it as cold as I’d built it up to in my mind - but was recommended paracetamol in case. I also took a soft merino headband and a silk lined woolly hat for afterwards.
The nurses recommended to me a once a week hair wash, silk bonnet to sleep in, & for during the day if needed. No heat styling & daily brushing from the ends up.
I’m only on day 3 now so can’t give you any longer term guidance.
I’ve had a wig provided by the NHS - had a lovely appointment at a local place & tried loads on - managed to find one very near my normal style - although very conscious with no hair dye then I will actually be grey (dark brown is my usual) - maybe this will be the catalyst to embrace that change
One other thing I’ve been advised is that even with loss you help the follicles for regrowth.
I have booked with a friends brother who works in a salon to come and cut my hair into a pixie-ish cut and I’m so nervous about it.
Ive got my wide tooth comb, leave in conditioner and silk sleep cap on the way, some beanie hats and taken a chance on an amazon wig haha
I don’t think there’s much else I can do to prepare
Chemo hair loss is so weird. I just had a little tug on my short side burns to see whats happening and they gave up without a fight and I could easily pull them out. But without touching the hairs they just sit there quite happily!!!
I’m due to start chemotherapy on 3rd March (3 x EC and 3 x Docetaxel all 3 weeks apart)… I’m looking for literally ANY advice to help spare as much hair as possible.