I completed intense chemo for triple negative breast cancer this month. I cold capped for 6 months and lost a significant amount of hair, especially on top. I have noticed the top is very fuzzy (and very sparse), I have no idea if my hair broke off leaving this fuzz or if it’s new growth? I’ve never had any completely bald spots. I had my last EC chemo 2 weeks ago and surprisingly my brows and lashes started growing back around my second from last chemo. I’m 35 years old and I did have such long, thick hair which I miss so much! When my hairs pulled back, the ponytail part is probably 10% of what my ponytail used to be I have no idea what to do, I really didn’t want to shave my hair but the thought has crept into my mind. If I keep my hair, I definitely need to cut it shorter but as I’ve always had really long hair, I’d be too scared to brave a pixie cut so I think I’d try a short bob length and pray my hair grows back quickly. I guess once it starts coming in, the sparseness on top will become less obvious as my hair will be more dense, even if it is different lengths
Has anyone been in my shoes with a similar cold cap outcome and can you share your hair growth experience and any tips / advice? I’m also looking into shampoos so if anyone has any recommendations that would be great!
Hi Your hair will grow back, through cold cap i lost 50% of my hair, but continued to cold cap and now i have thicker hair with curls, although these get flattened with my riding hat.
As for shampoos just stick with your usual, you do not need anything special,
I use Garner rance the honey scented. But i Also use Stop it All natural in summer to keep the flying biting insects at bay. As for under the arm i’d recommend Sanex as do many of the information leaflets about having cancer treatment. If you look back around this time in 2022/3 there are pictures of post cold cappers whose hair has grown back curly. Some body hair never grew back ie under the arms, saves on shavers.
Keep positive, and patient, Love and light Moonsox xxx
I coldcapped but cut my bob into a short pixie as I was informed that longer heavier and thicker (which is me) hair may not work aswell. I lost two small patches and thinned but as I started with a lot of hair it wasn’t noticeable to anyone but me. Now over two years on my hair is back to a one length bob. I suffer with some issues of dryness due to hormone therapy and regularly mask and use oil.
I used this Strength – Percy & Reed and it really helped get my hair into good condition after chemo.
This is Paxman’s website with lots of help https://coldcap.com/ and you can contact for advice.
This charity work with the Look Good Feel Better charity and offer one to one support. They l so test lots of shampoos etc and offer advice of which works and does not.
I have no idea what to do, I really didn’t want to shave my hair but the thought has crept into my mind. If I keep my hair, I definitely need to cut it shorter but as I’ve always had really long hair, I’d be too scared to brave a pixie cut so I think I’d try a short bob length and pray my hair grows back quickly. I guess once it starts coming in, the sparseness on top will become less obvious as my hair will be more dense, even if it is different lengths 
