I’ve just jumped over from June 2016 starters forum. I am day 14 into second cycle of FEC and cold capping. I reckon I’ve lost about 50% of my hair and it does look a bit thin, especially on the top. I was recommended a great product by my hairdresser - BOUFFE - it is £5.99 from Boots. It’s a spray which comes in a variety of colours to match common haircolours and it colours the scalp and hair where it is thin and also adds volume. It worked for me! I was on the verge of giving up on the cold cap but have now decided to persevere. I will be doing one more cycle of FEC then three of Docetaxel (Taxotere) and hopefully the hairloss will slow down. I did wear a wig to a wedding at the weekend but it felt very odd and I was aware of people giving me funny looks. I have another wedding to go to this coming weekend and will try without the wig!
Hi ladies. I will have my 9th chemo (Taxol, Herceptin and Projeta) treatment today July 22. I am cold capping and still have a full head of hair. I have lost less than 10% of my hair. Its not noticeable because my hair is very thick. It is worth trying and gives you some control. I’m very thankful because this allows me to have normalcy and privacy as I go through this journey. I decided to rent my cold caps from polarcoldcaps.com. www.rapunzelproject.com has great info on cold caps.
The cold caps do not bother me even at -36c. However I’m also doing cold hands and feet with Elasto gel mitts and slippers to prevent chemical induced neuropathy and prevent nail lost. My hands get so cold until I don’t think about the cold cap.I keep the caps, mitts,and slippers in the freezer until morning of treatment and transport in cooler on dry ice to infusion center. Just like cold caps you need several depending on the length of your infusion. I’ve read where some women soak there hands and feet in ice water to get the same results without the cost. Please do your reach on the varies tips and tricks available to help through this process. Many blessings to everyone.
So I had my first round of chemo and cold cap tester day… It really wasn’t that bad you forget it’s there after 10mins! I used a lush hair mask and am leaving it in for the 72hours many women have recommended then will rinse with tepid water… Am on the FEC-T so not looking forward to the eyelash/brow loss am hoping the cold cap saves a good majority of my hair… A lot of the ladies that used it had a good coverage even towards the end of treatment. So I’m remaining positive ? The staff and people there are so lovely ?
Hi Stacey M,
I gave hunted high and low for the Brian Joseph’s lash gel in the uk with no luck can’t even get it delivered here!! Are you in th uk? If so where did you get it from please? Xx
Hi,
Looking for some advice/info. I’ve just been told, after they found cancer in the sentinel node biopsy (only one node taken) that the chance of chemo is now on the cards.
I had always intended cold capping if I could, but now hearing that you can’t colour your hair for 6 months after treatment I’m wondering what to do, I’d there any point keeping my hair when half will be grey and the other half brown? I’ll end up covering it up anyway.
How have other ladies dealt with this?
I really wanted to keep my hair, more so for my littkr boy, he’s only, and his first question when I told him I had cancer was an I going to lose my hair. My hair is just past shoulder length and even when I got it cut to a shorter bob a few years back he didn’t like it. I know he’s going to have to deal with the changes, but if there is a way around the grey issue of love to hear it.
I did buy one on those spray on colours that L’oreal do now to cover my roots when my colour is needing done, only tried it the once, not sure I was that keen, and that was just a little showing of the roots.
TIA
Marli,
Oh thank you very much for replying. No I haven’t started chemo yet, still to have mastectomy, but surgeon has said now chemo is found in one node they will do a full clearance and that it could now mean chemo, still not definate but it helps me if I am prepared. I have had plenty time to prepare, was diagnosed initially on 3rd May!
I just use Nice n Easy at home and yes my intention would be colour as close to chemo as possible. It was just a friend who had chemo (but didn’t cold cap) said you can’t dye for 6 months till after chemo ends - it may have been because she lost her hair?
I’m still concerned about the grey though, I really have to colour my hair every 4-6 weeks, so if chemo itself takes around 18 weeks, I am going to be pretty white up top- or will my hair not really grow anyway?
Marli,
Oh thank you very much for replying. No I haven’t started chemo yet, still to have mastectomy, but surgeon has said now chemo is found in one node they will do a full clearance and that it could now mean chemo, still not definate but it helps me if I am prepared. I have had plenty time to prepare, was diagnosed initially on 3rd May!
I just use Nice n Easy at home and yes my intention would be colour as close to chemo as possible. It was just a friend who had chemo (but didn’t cold cap) said you can’t dye for 6 months till after chemo ends - it may have been because she lost her hair?
I’m still concerned about the grey though, I really have to colour my hair every 4-6 weeks, so if chemo itself takes around 18 weeks, I am going to be pretty white up top- or will my hair not really grow anyway?
Thanks, my hair is thick too. I don’t suffer from any headaches and usually can bare freezing cold ok.
If it comes to it I will cold cap, at least then I don’t have to wait till my hair grows in grey and maybe I’ll cope with the inches of grey roots knowing that I’ll be able to colour sooner!
Hi powdow.i lost all my hair twelve yrs ago fec…most recent chemo docetaxol I used cold cap only lost some hair not noticable to others.i coloured my hair again about six weeks after chemo had no problems…but you can buy brown powder that would cover the roots.in most chemists obviously not permanent but would help and also covers any thinning bits.sharon.x
I endured 16 rounds of cold cap during chemo for triple negative . Although it was very uncomfortable and I was shivering during most sessions, I was happy with keeping about 1/3 of my hair.
However. I knew something wasn’t right when the hair didn’t seem to be growing 4 months after chemo finished. Whereas, The hair that had fallen out was coming back. Over the last 2 weeks, all the hair that had been preserved has decided to exit my head- by the handful. It seems like a really cruel blow given that my chemo and radio are finished and I should be moving on. The hair that had been preserved was mostly from the top of my scalp, so now I have considerable bald patches appearing.
This was never given to me as a possibility by my oncologist or nursing counsellors.
4 cycles of chemo. Kept 60% of hair. One length long bob is good style to camouflage patches - sideburns thin where cap doesn’t reach, and a thin patch near top of head common with cold cap. These can be covered if you have long enough hair and a side parting. Feels great to be able to walk dog or pop to corner shop looking nearly normal! Did not feel cold for long, no headache.adds 2 hrs onto your chemo day. See cancerhaircare.com
I used the Paxman system, and was doubtful if it would work. My hair is very fine anyway and I was dreading having to wear wigs and scarves. The good news is my hair has held on quite well, it is slightly finer but starting to get strong again. I had my last chemo six weeks ago. The cold cap is bearable, I took paracetamol beforehand ( check if this is ok for you), wore warm layers and got the padding at the forehead and nape of neck. It does add time to your stay in the chemo ward but it’s well worth it. I know not every Hospital has them, as they had been fundraised for in my Hospital. I’m now two weeks into the radiotherapy and I’m taking the Femara ( which can also thin hair). So you have nothing to lose by trying the cold cap. Good luck with your treatments.
Hello. I finished my last chemo 4 weeks this Friday & I used the paceman cold cap. I lost ALOT of hair, but I’ve managed to maintain is say about 40% full head with it patching underneath. I can cover the thin parts. I was was wondering to all you fellow ladies who’ve coldcapped, how long after does it stop shedding as I’m still shedding now, I understand that I’m only 4 weeks post chemo, it’ll be nice to know when it slows down and stops. Thank you xxx
Sorry for my late reply I have been having in the world of chemo an amazing time I aware this could change but I’m positive in myself that I’ll be fine. After the first I lost a bit but nothing major I naturally shed a lot and have a ton of hair!!! I did mindful breathing for the first ten mins of the cap them can’t feel it. During session two the room was so hot I was sweating in a tshirt with no shoes on with an ice head that was bizzare!!! I had one day after the second FEC (I left the conditioner in for six days and didn’t brush it as I was terrified of it dropping out I was told by my fellow cold cappers round two is the worse) when I washed it I sobbed I lost probably half a handful or less I’m Aware this is pretty awesome with FEC but it was my first huge shed!!! I cried with my mum for probably an hour that was my first and last emotion with chemo!!! I’ve heard the shedding slows after two and stops after three as a general hoping this to be the case! I cut my hair into a long layered short style do I think this helps as there’s little breakage! I use the paxman shampoo and conditioner and my hair is pretty soft. I think it maybe growing yet it maybe my mind playing tricks on me!!! I still have full lashes and brows although my armpits and lady garden are bare very strange!!!
If my hair drops out tomorrow I’ve had six weeks extra I wouldn’t have had of normality!!! I sleep on a silk pillow with a jersey sleep cap in and am taking biotin, hair growth tablets and sea kelp all have been approved by my oncologist but I think they are helping?
I’ve had a total of three bad days (they weren’t that bad even) in six weeks two FEC mostly due to being on my period and constipated I though I was going to pass out!!! No sickness, no loss if appetite and very little tiredness. I walk the dig for two one hour walks and do 30mins yoga and twenty mins mindfulness a day so feeling healthy oh and water my two ltrs of water a day keep things flushing through me I sware this helps!
Sorry this is crazy long but the best bit… My lump has already shrunk it did after the first one and the second I guess this is the beauty of having a huge lump you feel progress. Btw my surgeon tried to put me off the cold cap and my onc said I wouldn’t feel a change yet I have so far proved both these facts to be incorrect for me!!! Oh and the two ladies on FEC-T cold capping at the same time as me one has done six rounds of each said she had thin hair to start with and had loads of hair left. The other lady who will now be on round four of FEC has full hair really long and lovely… I’m aware this isn’t everyone’s journey but I do think people get scared off of cold capping. So far so good!! I use a wife combed wooden comb and use cocnut oil on my skin as its a little dry! Sorry if I over shared I’m back in on Thursday so will let you guys know how it goes and if I ever dare wash my hair again!!!
I can say after my third round of FEC out of four with four T’s to go try the cold cap and get in touch with Paxman on Facebook the manufacturers for the cap. I speak to a lady called Kathryn she is wonderful that lady has gone above and beyond!! Also the nurses will pull you through as well as your chemo crew as we call it in the ward we chat and get each other through the not so good bits!!!my friend had fine hair used a cold cap dud her eight FEC-T regime and still had lots of hair in fairness if she already had find fair as she said I can’t see she lost a lot!
As others have said try some relaxation and yoga helps… I say this awake at 1:45am but it’s my steroids days and I don’t really sleep then!!
Make sure whatever you do you try to eat before chemo I was rushing last time so didn’t and was so sick!!! Speak to people who are there they go make it so much more manageable I weirdly look forward to going to chemo and chatting to them every three weeks!!
Every session completed is one to tick off the done list me and the ladies and gents do this every time it’s lovely to see people be on their way after the final treatment it makes your soul smile…
You are clearly a strong lady and this will make you even more so:)
Hi Lesley. I did carry on with the cap for 5 and 6. It was horrible but has definitely been worth it. I am now 11 months after last chemo and have loads of hair, a chin length layered bob. I have had it cut several times too. Although I hated the cap and was frustrated at how much hair I lost in comparison to those who didn’t use it I have loads of hair. Also my hair is normal. It is not fine, fluffy or curly like some people get. I did have a Nioxin dermabrasion after the last chemo and then used Nioxin products for a few more months and then Fast shampoo. The Fast shampoo and conditioner has just run out and I am not going to buy anymore. Hope this is helpful xx