I’m due to start chemotherapy and targeted therapy in a couple of weeks for HER2+ breast cancer. I plan to use the cold cap, as I want to try everything possible to keep my hair, as I always think thin hair is easier to disguise than no hair at all.
My question to you lovely ladies is what shampoo and conditioner did you find worked well, or is working well for you. I normally just use a generic colour shampoo and conditioner (whatever is on offer in the supermarket generally), but want to find something gentle and nourishing. I did think about Plantur 39 as its good for hair loss? Would that be too harsh though? Thanks in advance xx
I use Shampoo, conditioner & leave in repair treatment. My friend bought me these from our local hair salon that specialised in all hair loss not especially chemo so I gave it a go and I can say I’m on session 7 next week cold capping and my hair is ok obviously I am loosing strands whilst brushing but nothing noticeable at this stage, check it out but I use the conditioner as a barrier to my cold cap any other questions give us a shout and good luck with your treatment journey xx
I use Faith in Nature shampoos when I wash my hair, I didn’t shampoo much whilst I was on chemo though. Most of the time I just would rinse with tepid water. Whatever you end up using, make sure it’s sulphate and paraben free.
Hi
Please take a look at the cancer hair care website as it has lots of advice and guidance
I personally used Tropic conditioner which ivebeen using for years as its vegan, palm oil and sulphate free and dmells gorgeous ( you wet your hair and slap conditioner on before using the cold cap )
Shampoo wise i washed once a week with Tropic or Aveno shampoo and once chemotherapy finished moved onto Watermens serum, Shampoo and conditioner to help it to recover and thicken
Look Good Feel Better website are very good too with lots of tips for scarves and turbans
Sorry you have to go through this but hopefully a few things that might help!
I was pretty obsessed about keeping my hair and this forum really helped me. So I will pass on what I learned and what worked for me.
Firstly, I was on AC-T the most harsh for your hair and what many nursing staff and doctors say not to bother with cold cap. Cold cap doesn’t work for everyone, but it works for many. I have just finished eight rounds of chemo and despite losing a handful of hair every day from day 25 I still don’t have to wear a wig and have a fairly ok head of hair. It has been a huge weight off my mind as it’s the side effect I have found the most stressful.
Firstly have a consultation with Daniel Field who makes products that make the cold cup work more effectively. He will do a WhatsApp consultation with you and there’s no pressure to purchase at all but you might find it really helpful in terms of the products. Paxman the manufacturer do not endorse any products however the largest manufacturer in the states does endorse Daniel’s products,
I wanted to do everything in my power to keep my hair and for me the cold cap was doing the heavy lifting, but I wanted to try and get all the marginal gains I could.
This is where the Daniel Field products helped. He has developed a system to help with the cold cap and also developed products for after to negate the effects of chemo. I am still using these products (as they are working) and his team have been very responsive all the way through.
Also recommended by him is you don’t have to cut your hair. To manage the loss I tied up my hair in a ponytail and then combed it once a day to get rid of loose hair. Otherwise you can get matting hair which will result in a lot more hair loss. What is really helpful is to concentrate on the hair that you have not on the hair that you are losing and it is amazing how this can really help you be more positive in your outlook…
Other tip is to get a silk pillowcase. I lost more hair on the side I sleep even with the silk pillow so the less you move at night the better.
Hope that helps boy and any questions please ask or pm me! Best of luck!
I used simple shampoo & conditioner as it was gentle on my hair.
Your BCN should be able to give you a Paxman leaflet (name of the company who make the coldcap machine) with tips.
Theres also a paxman facebook group with lots of information.
Good luck
I absolutely agree with this advice! I used the Daniel Field products and I’m convinced that’s why I’ve kept most of my hair and I had a very harsh chemo regime - 3 x EC and 3 x Docetaxel. The DF team is so helpful and despatched my products super quickly at no extra charge so I’d have them in time for my first chemo session. I’ve now finished chemo, lost about 30% of my hair but no bald patches and use their detox formula and active hair growth spray. I also use a rice water shampoo and conditioner. Good luck! Emma