Advice on cold caps

[KitKat29]

I am 29 years old and due to start chemo in the next few weeks. I am very apprehensive about losing my hair. I have been to visit the 'wig lady' and it wasn't as bad as I expected and still an option. But the more I think about it I don't know whether to try the cold cap. Has anyone else tried and how successful was it?

[Beth25]

Go for it! I used the cold cap with great results - hardly lost a strand more than usual. You need to smother your hair in conditioner beforehand ( my team recommended Simple) and keep the cap on for 10 mins or so after they switch the machine off to give the hair that is in contact with the cap a chance to thaw. If not, some of the still frozen hair can break off when you lift the cap off. It's really really cold for the first 10 minutes and you might wonder if you can stand it but truly after that it's fine. I think your head just goes numb so you don't notice so much. I got wrapped in blankets, with a heat pad and was very cosy. Make sure the cap fits snugly - there are different sizes so ask to be fitted for the right size before you start your chemo. I found I needed a medium inner (the bit that freezes) and a small outer cap ( the bit that keeps it snug). Some of the nurses are better at putting them on than others but in my experience anyway there was always someone around who had the right touch. I was given a leaflet produced by the manufacturer (Paxman) which gave advice on hair care while using the cold cap - basically simple hair products, no over brushing and avoiding washing the hair for 24 to 48 hours before and after using the cap. It was all very easy and I'm so glad I gave it a go.

Best of luck. Beth x

[ANDE-Wales-UK]

Hi,

I used the cold cap and kept most of my hair, it just thinned on top, but was easy to cover up, it is very cold to start with, but you do get used to it, definitely worth a try

Best wishes with your treatment,

Andrea x

[ellseybellsey]

Hi started treatment yesterday and had the cold cap I fount it a little painfull for the first ten mins but they gave me paracetamol 30 mins before the cap and everything was fine. I intend to keep going with it if I can retain some of my hair, you also get the leaflet Paxman to help you look after your hair,

Ellseyxx

[Beckyjh]

Same as above really. I used the cold cap and just went thin on top. Definitely smother in conditioner. I only washed my hair once a week to leave it as much as possible. Satin/silk pillowcases don't rub your hair so much when sleeping. Paracetamol was great - as with the other ladies it was painful (like severe brain freeze!) for first 10 minutes but then was fine. Just got very cold - fluffy bed socks, woolly cardigan and blankets a must!!! Good luck x

[Bev155]

Good advice above IT DOES WORK. To re emphasise make sure you get the right size cap and make sure you take a hat or scarf with you to wear home as you will have soaking wet hair.

At 29 you do not need to be bald.

If your hair does thin Viviscal hair fibres are brilliant for covering the scalp and giving a good visual boost to your hair.

Good luck

[Susan3]

Hi  agree with the other ladies , go for it. Worked brilliantly for me..hair thinned a small bit but no bald patches . It's just uncomfortable for first ten mins fine thereafter ..I got a present of a lovely aveda thickening conditioner from my sister and used that as a barrier throughout . You need something to protect hair from damage from cold. Was told not to wash your hair too much and I didn't ..maybe once or twice a week. I had dose dense chemo  so had cold cap every week for 18 weeks and it was so worth doing to keep my hair . I was 37 with two toddlers so didn't need the hassle of upsetting them , mind you they would probably would have been fine .good luck with your treatment .x