is there anyone who has used cold cap got any hints/tips or comments? i have been offered this when i do my next chemo (pacitaxol)
Hi,
I used the cold cap in 2010. It was a real success. I kept quite a lot of my hair. It did look a bit thin but if you didn’t know me then I don’t think you would have realised. I had very thick hair to start with so I think that helped.
It can be a bit painful as it’s really cold, but the thing is you can try it and if it’s not for you then you can just stop doing it. The thing is once you stop using it you can’t start again.
I would reccomend giving it a try as keeping my hair made me feel much better. It’s not that I’m vain, because trust be it never looks like I’ve just steped out of the salon, more like dragged through a bush. It just meant I could get on with things without people giving me ‘the cancer look’ and having to explain myself.
I got my wig before I started chemo anyway as the cold cap doesn’t always work, so it was there if I needed it. Also if I decided not to continue with it.
Let me know how you get on if you do try it.
Kells
Hi,
I used the cold cap in 2010. It was a real success. I kept quite a lot of my hair. It did look a bit thin but if you didn’t know me then I don’t think you would have realised. I had very thick hair to start with so I think that helped.
It can be a bit painful as it’s really cold, but the thing is you can try it and if it’s not for you then you can just stop doing it. The thing is once you stop using it you can’t start again.
I would reccomend giving it a try as keeping my hair made me feel much better. It’s not that I’m vain, because trust be it never looks like I’ve just steped out of the salon, more like dragged through a bush. It just meant I could get on with things without people giving me ‘the cancer look’ and having to explain myself.
I got my wig before I started chemo anyway as the cold cap doesn’t always work, so it was there if I needed it. Also if I decided not to continue with it.
Let me know how you get on if you do try it.
Kells
Hi I am using the cold cap, and have my last tax on the 26th July, My hair has thinned but unless you knew me you would not know I was having chemo, so go for it, it does work. You will find that your your hair will thin, I had 3xfec and 3xtax. There is really useful info on the Paxman web site about how to look after your hair during treatment, and if you need futher info you can call them and a lovely lady called Alex, who is really helpful and understanding, will answer your queries. There is a thread already on the cold cap, look under ‘undergoing treatment chemotherapy’ for you to look at. it was started by me, and there is useful info there for you to look at. Good luck Elainexx
I highly Reccommend cold cap! I had 4xAc and 4x tax and only ha dthining as the ladies above. So worth it. It’s uncomfy and mad eke feel yucky but soon passes. A hot drinking and paracetamol as it starts helped me too! Go for It !!!
Cxx
I tried the cold cap but it didnt work for me, by day 15 it was starting to come out in handfulls and my scalp was extremely tender so my hubby shaved it off for me, yes it was very traumatic but i,m glad i tried it. I had my wig and hats ready just in case, good luck x
Studies have shown that scalp cooling is effective in preventing hair loss in patients treated with some chemotherapy drugs. Cooling the scalp to a temperature of +17 <sup>o</sup>C to achieve a subcutaneous temperature of +20 <sup>0</sup>C (68 <sup>o</sup>F) constricts the blood supply to hair follicles diminishing or abolishing their perfusion hence preventing high chemotherapy dose delivery during the initial phase of chemotherapy. Further, coldness itself reduces the availability of (chemotherapy) cytotoxic drugs to the cells of the hair follicles by directly reducing their metabolic rate. It is the combined effect of both these mechanisms, induced by cooling the scalp, that prevents or reduces hair loss (alopecia).
I used it for 3xFEC and 3xTax. Like others, my hair did thin, but many people didn’t notice. It was more getting the cancer look while my hair was growing back that i didn’t much fancy.
You can get quite cold during cold-cap (like going out on a cold day without a hat) so do take a thick cardigan (you can’t easily put a jumper on once you have the cold cap on). Also, chewing while wearing it is a bit tricky as the chin-strap has to be pretty tight. I could eat sandwiches, but biting an apple would have been impossible.
The other thing is to not handle your hair too much. I had mine trimmed to a shoulder-length bob, so that it would be less tangled and bought a wide-toothed comb. I would only wash my hair every 4-5 days and if i wasn’t going out I wouldn’t brush/comb it those days either.
I tried and failed! I have very thick hair, and by the time the last of it fell out, it was starting to grow back again, so it wasn’t really a problem, I just wore a scarf or hat when I went out of the house. Give it a go - it seemed to work for the other ladies on the unit. I just didn’t like the cold! Good luck with whatever you decide xx
I had success with the cold cap too… I had 2xFEC and 4xTax. Just before my second chemo a lot of my hair came out in the shower and I thought it hadn’t worked so I had my long hair cut short but no more fell out. I was really thin on the top of my head so still wore my wig to cover the baldy bits 
What I would say though is that when you’re hair comes to grow back it takes a huge chunk of time off of the re-growth time. My advise would be take a couple of paracetamol beforehand because the coldness is sore for the first 10 minutes and make sure they put the cap on really tightly. Good luck with it all, it’s worth a try…
Another fan here. Kept me sane during treatment and after keeping my identity and not looking too “cancergirl”. Until my eyelashes and eyebrows all fell out! But that was only for a very short period!
Sorry - posted twice! x
Hi there. I am 15 days post chemo 1 and am shedding quite a lot of hair. I used the cold cap and didn’t find it uncomfortable at all. The past two days have sent me into a bit of a panic as I wasn’t really prepared for the amount of hair to fall out… More like denial. Thankfully, I posted on this site and my virtual friends have reassured me to persevere. I have ordered my wig in just incase but am determined not to use it
I am due for cycle 2 next Wednesday so hopefully won loose too much more between now and then. Go for, you’ve got nothing to loose
X Hannah
Hannah
I shed quite alot at that stage too. And then after washing my hair one time, some got tangled in the towel and a handfull came away. After that, i was very careful with washing and drying and only washed it 1-2 times a week. Everytime I did, more hair came out, but even my onc had to double check that I hadn’t changed to wearing a wig (I hadn’t).
My wig only came out of it’s box to be shown to people and for my daughter to try it on.
Sue
thanks to everyone for your helpful comments…i am gonna try it !!! it wasnt available when i did first chemo (2008) which is why i really didnt want to lose ny hair again…kept all my wigs and scarves too, so have them just in case !! my hair is already quite short, and very very thick…so fingers crossed, lol xxx
Thanks for that Sue,
I haven’t fiddled with it as much today, but it Definately feels thinner underneath. I don’t appear to be loosing it from on top which is good. But am sure it’s only a matter of time before it thins.
How many cycles have you had Sue and what treatment are you having? I am having 6x FEC 75. relatively ‘mild’ according to the nurse! As if side effects of mouth ulcers, nausea, fatigue and hair loss are mild!! Lol!
Xx Hannah
Hi, I’ve stuck with cold cap through (so far) three FEC and one Tax (two more to go). I would say it has def been worth it as I still have plenty of hair and for me that has been worthwhile in feeling relatively ‘normal’ as treatment has progressed. I did shed quite a bit of hair after first Tax and wondered if this was it, but I don’t think anyone would notice. I have followed the Paxman advice such as only washing hair once a week if possible, using a silk pillow (look online, quite cheap), using the Naked range of shampoos they recommend. It has also helped me feel a bit in control which has been good.
The first 15 mins or so are cold but after that I find it fine and I’m glad I’ve stuck with it.
Having said that, if it doesn’t work for you, read some of the posts on forums such as Starting chemo in March/April/May and you’ll see that if your hair does go, it’s manageable.
Good luck!
Hi all, just wanted to post on here about my experience so far with the cold cap.
After being diognosed at only 24, loosing my hair and looking like a poorly person was my first and biggest worry, it sounds vein I know and I know my health and getting better is the main thing but I just didn’t want to loose myself completely to this cancer! It takes so much away from us as it is! I decided to use the cold cap and although I find it uncomfortable and such a drag to add 2 hours ochemotherapy time spent at the ward it has so far proved to be the best choice I’ve made! I am due my 4 th treatment on the 9th of January and although my hair has thinned considerably I still have a full head of hair. I’ve been washing it in a natural shampoo and although advised not to I have straightened it once a week ( I wouldn’t advise this as i was told not too but to me leaving it in the frizzy curly mess it is would have been as bad as being bald).
I would definitely suggest giving it a go if keeping as much of your hair as possible is something that is really important to you as it was to me. Also forgot to add that I’m having fec x 4 T x 4, not sure how the effectiveness varies from one chemo drug to the next.
wishing you all a wonderful healthy 2013 and roll on 2014, when this will be a memory. Happy new year. X
I’m with you, MrsR2B! I am so grateful for the cold cap.
Sorry you’ve joined us at the age of 24! Rubbish. I was 33 and that’s considered young. Hope you’re coping with the chemo OK.
For any other cold cap wannabes, I’ve posted about my experience with pics and tips on haircare during and after, if you’d like to take a look:
x
well, finally finished chemo with coldcap after a couple of setbacks…not lost any hair…woohoooooo. now on everolimus