Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi, I was recommended to get a silk pillowcase as it helps keep your hair & a side benefit is no face creases in the morning! Worked for me. Never wore a cap in bed x ... View more

Hi Amanda, I'm so glad you found my experience helpful, it makes it so worthwhile using this forum! If you need any other tips/support do please let me know. Wishing you all the best in your treatment, and let me know how it goes. If you do need chemo remember it's zapping all those nasty cancer cells!!   🙂 Take care xxx ... View more

Hi Ladies, My chemo nurses advised me not to use a dry shampoo between washes as they contain lots of chemicals. I found I could manage anyway with twice weekly hair washing. x   ... View more

Hi I shed the most hair two and a half weeks into the first cycle of TC using Paxman cold cap so thought it wasn't going to work, a bit depressing, but I've just finished chemo and I've kept most of my hair, it's just thinned. unless you knew me you probably wouldn't even know! Hair won't grow much during chemo as the hair follicles are the second fastest growing cells so get zapped! i was recommended to buy a silk pillowcase which is so soft! After using baby shampoo the first couple of cycles I had a chat with the chemo unit manager about my hair and she said to ditch it as it's full of chemicals to make it non-sting which is probably why my hair would get so matted after washing as it wasn't lathering, and I had stopped using conditioner. She recommended using Palmer's coconut butter/oil shampoo &conditioner or Dove or Simple. Palmer's is great my hair immediately felt better and wasn't tangling or matting. Hope this is helpful to you. All the best. ... View more

Hi everyone, I have just finished chemo, x4 cycles TC and used Paxman cold cap throughout, as I was dreading losing my hair with the Taxotere. I'm very fortunate that it worked for me. I started with quite thick hair, and I had it cut shorter to a mid shoulder bob to reduce the weight, as advised by my breast care nurse.    Two and a half weeks after my first chemo I shed the most which was quite upsetting, and it was very matted after washing so took ages to untangle with my husbands' help, but after that it the hair loss slowed and although my hair is a bit thinner it isn't noticeable really unless you look carefully. I've since found out that the hair follicles in the growth phase are attacked and as hair follicles are the 2nd fastest dividing cell in the body it's quite normal to shed 2-3 weeks after 1st cycle!   It's really important to have a tight fitting cap. Mine was put on for 30 minutes prior to starting the drugs, and left on for 20 minutes after being switched off at the end of treatment, if it's removed any sooner the ice crystals sticking to the hair will pull the strands. I had conditioner applied before the cap was put on, and bought an empty tiny spray bottle in Wilkinsons to spray warm water before the conditioner in my last two treatments as that's what Paxman suggest. My breast care nurse suggested using a wide toothed comb - I got a cheap plastic one by Mark Hill in Boots which has been fantastic at detangling in the early days when I used baby shampoo as advised. DON'T!! I was told by the Chemo unit that baby shampoo contains lots of parabens & chemicals to make it non sting, and to use  Palmers, Simple or Dove. Since I switched to Palmers (I got mine in Wilkinsonss) my hair stopped getting matted & tangled after washing, felt much softer and the shedding lessened considerably. I stopped wrapping my hair in a towel turban to dry it and just pat it,  and let it dry naturally, wash only twice a week.   Yes, cold cap is uncomfortable at first, but with lots of hot drinks and chatting to others, plus my husband and something to read I kept myself distracted, after the first session I got paracetamol prescribed and took that as needed. The last two cycles I took 2 xParacetamol 30 minutes before I knew the Cold Cap was starting which worked for me.   Hope this helps. I only saw a Paxman leaflet halfway through my treatment, the website is: www.paxman-coolers.com   Good luck to everyone with your Chemo!   Gill      ... View more