Hello ladies. I start my chemo on Tuesday and will be trying to use the cold cap. Do any of you have any tips?
Do I wash the conditioner out when I get home or is it best to leave for a few days?
I normally colour my hair. Can I use a wash in wash out colour to hide my roots?
How often should I wash my hair? I normally wash every other day.
Hope you all have a lovely weekend.
Helen xx
Hi I had 4 cycles of Doxetacil & Cylophsphamide, I cold capped through out. After the first one I used children’s conditioner found it washed out easier. I washed my hair the same evening, then washed it every 6-7 days. Just let it dry naturally also didn’t use straighteners. I’m not sure if you can use wash out colours.
I lost no hair at all after the first cycle, did loose a fair bit after the second then it slowed down. I finished the chemo on 22/2 still loosing a small amount most days. I have kept about 60% of my hair, I also have new hair growing.
I took a ok a couple of paracetamol about 30 mins before, I must admit the last one was a bit painful, I wish I’d put gauze over the top & crown were my hair was the thinnest. For me it was worth it as I wanted to keep my hair.
Hope all goes well, it’s worth preserving, don’t panic if you start loosing some hair it’s normal.
Take care love Ann xx
Hi Helen, just seen this post. What system are you using? Paxman? You should’ve been given info on do’s and dont’s…
ive been using the oarsman and advised to wash and condition hair once a week. I use simple shampoo etc. Comb with wide toothed comb once day if possible?! Told I can wash when home after cycle if feel up to it and to be honest this is something I have to do as I can’t bare the smell anymore of the rubber and dove conditioner unit uses! I’m not sure about covering roots… My grey is very visible! Miss my trips to the hairdresser! Be very gentle with your hair, don’t pull or tug it and try avoid tying it up. I pat it dry then use hairdryer on a cool low setting, no products, straighteners or brushes. I’m a week past cycle 5/6… One more to go!!! My regime is/was
3 X FEC 3 X T. Hoped the T was kinder to hair but no. Eyebrows thinned and eyelashes disappearing fast. I started my chemo 18th December with hopefully last one on 1st April. Up to now I’ve lost about 60% of my hair but it’s still hanging on in there. Tonight my head/scalp is very tingly/fizzy as are my eyebrows and eye lids. All sounds bizarre, but true. I feel the T is really battering my follicles today. Good luck xxx Tina
Helen,
Good luck for Tuesday. I start my chemo the following Tuesday and will be trying the cold cap too.
Maureen
Hi Helen - I used the cold cap and was very pleased with the result as I lost all of my hair 6 years ago. { would suggest looking at the website www.cancerhaircare.co.uk which gives loads of advice about scalp cooling and how to care for hair during and after.
Make sure that the cap fits well against the head , esp on top. I found it useful to keep a note of the size of the cap and cover so I could tell the nurses each time.
A silky pillow case is a really great idea as hair skims over it and does not tug.
Painkillers before treatment and lots of hot drinks and layers during treatment.
Don’t panic if hair is falling out and decide to shave it off because it does slow down shedding. Wear something over your hair for the first couple of treatments when cooking.
Wear a towelling headband (the sort used when having a facial) over your ears and around your forehead and neck when using the cold cap.
You can buy coloured powder to help cover any thinning patches, available on Amazon about £6 in many colours.
Hair does start to grow quite quickly once treatment finishes.
Good luck with your treatment and the cold cap. Marli x
Hi I have just finished 12 weeks of taxol using cold cap. I agree with all advice given on here. Wash as little as possible, using something like simple shampoo, cool water and no heat or products on hair. Most people don’t notice that I have lost some hair - it has thinned. Strangers wouldn’t know difference. I had a wet cut at hairdressers after about 8 weeks and my hairdresser was impressed with how well my hair was doing. I also had silk pillow case. I found the cold cap uncomfortable for about 20 minutes and then ok if I had paracetamol first and lots of hot drinks during treatment. I used to leave the conditioner on overnight because usually didn’t get home until 6ish and wash out next day. I started washing hair 2x per week but then went to 1x per week during 2nd half of treatment. Hair was usually fine. It was worth the discomfort for the results I have had with it. Good luck to anyone else giving it a try and it’s worth persevering if you can.