I am due to start chemo on Friday, and was told that I will loose my hair in 2-3 weeks after first treatment. I would like to ask you all about your experience of hair loss and weather you opted for the scarf or wig route and how you got on. I have decided not to use the cold cap as I don't like the sound of it, did you use the cold cap? Could you share names of suppliers that you can recommend. Any help or advise greatly appreciated. Hope you are all having a lovely weekend.
Lyn xx
Hi Lyn. I bought several wigs and hardly ever use them. At first, I couldn't wear them because Taxol caused an inconvenient skin rash on my head. Now that the problem has been resolved (through dosage adjustment), I've gotten used to going out with a scarf. 
Mostly, I ordered Deresina bandanas and hats, because they are nice and soft to wear.
No cold cap here, although I do cool my hands and feet.
Good luck with your chemo. Maus
Hi Lyn - I used both wig and scarfs/hats. My chemo was in winter so I used the wig then if I was going out, but once we got to May and the weather got warmer and my hair was growing back I used a scarf. I think if you're having chemo in summer then scarves are much more tolerable! A wig can be very hot.
The cold cap is worth a try but adds time onto what is already a lengthy day of chemo infusions - you have to wear it for an hour before starting. I tried it and found it too painful to continue. Your hospital should put you in touch with wig/scarf providers and you should get a voucher for an NHS wig. My hats were from this company christineheadwear.com/about... but there are many out there if you look online. suburbanturban.com/headscar... annabandana.co.uk/
Good luck!
Hi Lyn
Wig every time for me.
1. It made me feel and look normal as I wanted to (scarves made me look like a cancer victim!)
2. could not be doing with faffing about with scarves
just me
a lot of ladies do both depending on the occasion
regards Fay
Totally with you on the wig thing! Hate it when my friends tell me to wear a cute head band and embrace the baldness! Nope, not me, wig every day!!
I am also a wig person and this little photo is me in my fetching wig.
Scarves and turbins made me feel like a cancer victim.
If you live in the UK, the MacMillan Cancer Charity will help you find and fit a wig. That’s how I got mine.
In other news, I was actually too sick during my treatment - because of the cancer, that I did not care about my looks and could not leave the house except to go to for treatments, but as soon as I got better, I started wearing my wig from morning til bedtime.
It made me look normal and that made me feel great!
One last thing, losing my hair helped me to realise how thorough the Chemo was, destroying fast growing cells from the tips of my toes to the top of my head and I found that reassuring.
I wish you good luck with your treatment.
Best wishes,
Laura
Hi Lyn
just to add to my earler reply. My wig was never hot or itchy and I wore it all through the summer. I would suggest a bit of research though to get the better type eg net front on top-lighter and cooler etc
kep us updated on your choices
Fay
I bought a wig but only wore it a few times-it looked too done and that wasn't me so felt it drew attention to my head anyway. I bought some light cotton skull caps in variety of colours off amazon and then wore a hat on top as it was winter- guess had it been summer I'd have done the scarf thing or wore a sunhat. Saw a lady in town last week just bald and really if you can carry it off, it looked great. x
Hi Lyn,
If this is double post, please ignore the first. I hit a wrong key I guess.
I wore a wig and loved it. I had my treatment in the summer and didn't find it too hot. At home, I went without a wig, and family and friends got used to my new look.
My head would get cold when I slept/napped, so I always wore one of those soft caps they sell in the wig store. I had one colour for sleeping and one colour when I prepared food in the kitchen.
I didn't do the cold cap so I have no input in that. And as for scarves, I never felt secure in them and was concerned about slippage.
Finally, I wanted to wish you good luck for what's coming up. While it seems to drag on, in hindsight, the actually treatment went quickly (in my mind).
XXOO
Hiya the turban type scarves helped me best at the start as so soft and no slipping around. Then wigs for going out, I opted for several lengths styles and colours and depending on mood wore them. They do get hot but you can go on Amazon for about 7 pounds best thing ever a bamboo cap! Keeps head cool or warm under hat scarf wig...best purchase I made. There will be times u can't be bothered with wigs as they can be hard to keep secure but best tip I can give for that is a stretchy hairband keeps it on and adds a lil style to a sometimes very artificial look. Trial n error sweety see how ya go xx
Hi Angie - I saw your previous post re Low Residue Diet which I am also on at the moment and thought this site might help vary your choices. wwl.nhs.uk/Library/All_New_...
Lyn
Bless u hun thanks xx
Hi, I had a lovely wig from the NHS but after about an hour I used to get a headache so only wore it a few times. I had loads of scarves and turban style hats , the hats contained an element of bamboo which is very cooling , they were from a company called wigs4u . XxJulia
Hi
I got a wig on nhs and a couple of scarves just in case but wore the cold cap successfully so didn’t need them .
My hair thinned a little on top by the last chemo but I have thick hair so wasn’t really noticeable .
It’s important that the nurses find a good fit which is tight to your scalp and wet your hair with conditioner first . If you can stand the first 10 mins whilst it gets to necessary temp then you get used to it . I had it on for around 6 1/2 hours . Adds 1/2. - 1 hour to your chemo time .
My friend also wore it for her breast cancer treatment and was pleased she gave it a go as the nurses had tried to put her off .
If the weather stays this hot it could even be a way to keep cool !
Hope your chemo goes smoothly and you have minimal side effects. Love and best wishes Kim x💜
My mom tried her wig and didn't particularly like it ( I think she wore it only twice). Instead, she opted for hats - primarily baseball style ones!
Hi Lynn never used the cold cap. But when I knew I was going to lose my hair, I got proactive and went to see the wig specialist. This weather is harsh on those of us on chemo as its too hot for head gear. I suggest a light base ball hat for now, Definitely get your hair cut up as short as possible. This way you feel better rather than waiting for it to come out and be fed up over it. All the best whatever your decide
Hi Lyn, Lots of good advice from our friends, It is a very personal choice, I wear hats and scarfs and it did not seem that lone and I had a nice pixie hair style.
Wishing you all the best with your treatment..Take care Lorraine xx
Hi Lyn with first line chemo I went bald and did buy a wig but found I couldn’t tolerate it for longer than half an hour it got too hot and itchy so that was a bit of a disappointment therefore I wore bobble hats all the time as it was winter.
I’m back on weekly taxol now and am using the cold cap. Today will be my 6th dose and I still have my hair on my head 😁 eyelashes are fast disappearing as are my leg hairs now!
I’ve found the cold cap ok to be honest and after the first 5-10 mins of mild discomfort it’s been fine as long as I’ve got my blanket to keep me warm. If you look through my posts you’ll see pictures of the cold cap in use x you could always try it out and if you can’t tolerate it you’ve not lost anything as you’re prepared for your hair loss already x
Good luck with treatment xx
Bev
Hi Lyn, I never had a wig, but bought some lovely scarfy-type hats from a website called Anna Bandanna. Lived in those and a couple of baseball caps, especially a white one with a neck-and-baldness-covering flap for whatever hot weather we had in summer! All the best, Deb x
Hi Lynn, I lost my hair around 16 days after first treatment, it just fell out in the shower. I got a wig before hand via the hospital, but I found it hot and itchy so I only used it occasionally, the rest of the time I preferred scarfs, much more comfortable. But a friend of mine wears her wig all the time, so I guess it’s what you feel more comfortable in. If you google wig suppliers in your area you should find someone that specialises for cancer patients. Good luck with your treatment. Xx
Hi Lyn. Although I went for wig fittings, I didn't get one as I knew they would drive me mad! Also, the fact that chemo caused pustules all over my head led me to wear scarves and chemo hats which I found soft and comfortable.Jenny
Hi Lyn
I had a wig but found it was ok in the beginning but as others have said I got a rash on my head so found it too itchy. My favourite headwear for comfort was a soft beanie type cap but I had a few different soft hats for going out. My head isn’t the right shape for going bare headed so only discarded the headwear at home!! I think it’s worth getting a wig for special occasions though if you can tolerate it! Xx
Hi Lyn - Lynne here! I have been through hair loss twice and my hair grown back twice. I did spend quite a bit on my wigs, but I also saved on hairdressing expenses. The best comment I had was when a lady asked me at the reception desk at the dentist "which hairdresser do you go to because I love your hair"!
You must do what you feel is best for you, but wearing wigs is good fun. Good luck.
Lynne
Hi Lyn .... yes, I agree with everyone - do what you feel comfortable with. For me, I just decided to go bald (although since it was winter I used to wear beanies too) but when going for a night out etc. I felt quite comfortable with my shiny head. I didn't want to wear turbans or scarves as in my head it would make people think "look at that poor woman with cancer", but for some reason being bald gave me more 'power'. I decided to shave to a no. 1 or 2 before I started losing hair, it gave me a little time to get used to it. I'm now 2.5yrs on since chemo finished and I still keep my hair really short as I love it (had long hair before then). Good luck with your decision! Ruth
I lost my hair over winter so was able to wear woolly winter hats when out and about.
However I chose to embrace the baldness with the view that I had nothing to be ashamed of and it if offended anyone then they could look the other way.
I was also quick to post a baldy pic on Facebook and this took the initial awkwardness away from meeting people for the first time.
My friends and those who love me were full of admiration.
😘
Hi Lyn, I decided if I lost my hair I'd go for the wig, although I've heard they can be very hot. I wanted to look as normal as possible. As it happens I used the cold cap and didn't lose much of my hair.
Other than a little pain when it's first on it disappears quickly and then you feel a bit cold. Have hot drinks and take a blanket. Sounds daft with this sort of weather. It certainly boosted my confidence. You can always try the cold cap you don't have to continue with it.
Good luck with whichever you decide. Let us know how you get on. Zena xx
Forgot to say. I got a wig from the hospital on the NHS and it was great. Zena x
I used the cold cap and would really recommend. Everything was supplied in the chemo unit for free so wondering if you are in the USA? I still lost a lot of hair but kept enough to look fairly normal though my husband called me Friar Tuck.
Hello Neona, thank you for your reply, I am in the UK
It deed seem to be a closely guarded secret that they had the cold cap machines in the chemo unit. I had to ask specifically and then keep reminding them - they have to book you in for extra time so I guess they hope that noone will want it.
Hello Ladies - Thank you so much for all of your invaluable replies! I think I am going to opt for the scarf/hat route and maybe a wig for going out in the evening. Still unsure about the cold cap, I have very thin fine hair, although shoulder length at the moment, short hair does suit me, so think I am going to have it chopped short.......nice in this weather!
Am still looking for a Legionnaire Sun Hat, but can only find men's or children's? here in the UK. Will keep looking.
Hope you are all having a lovely day
Lyn xx
Hi Lyn-
I opted for a wig as I kept working through chemo and wanted to feel as normal as possible. its scary when the hair starts to fall out in clumps but it just shows the chemo is working. I wanted to feel in control so I had my head shaved as hair started to come out. I had already picked out a wig and no one new the difference unless i told them.
I am in the states but i had a referral from my chemo nurses for a hair specialist that helped chemo patients with wigs. Best decision ever.
You will get through this Lyn. We are all here for you when you need us. chemo is a long journey but much better than it used to be.
Xx Carol
Hiya Lyn .. lits of answers here as always a personnel choice .. I went for it and embraced it .. Cut my hair off after 2nd lot of Taxol as found my hair falling out more distressing.. I did this with my adult children 18 yrs and 25yrs as also helped us go through the motions so to speak 😁😁. Funnily enough I like others got turbans and wigs and just made it a fashionable item mixing and matching my clothes. Turbans more comfy. Wigs when I went anyway special .. Bald when I couldn't be bothered or hot day .. Lyn you are more beautiful than your hair .. 😁😁. Luckily for me too my better half is bold too 😁😁xx lots of turbans on ebay x
I had long hair when I started, so straight away had I cut into a short style so wouldn’t be such a shock when it came out. I wore a wig, I like others have said, didn’t want to be labelled as a cancer sufferer. I went out and no one knew there was anything wrong with me, I wanted life to stay as normal as possible, without people fussing. I wore the wig from June last year till jan this year, I found it comfortable and no hotter than my ordinary hair. Just my personal choice
My experience mirrrored Elfed's. I wore the wig for the duration of treatment and did not find it hot or inconvenient. In fact, over time, I could put it on and get it styled in less than 30 seconds. I may be vain, but I too did not want to be looked at as a cancer sufferer.
Hi I used the cold cap and it didn't work for me, I bought a human hair wig and loved it it made loosing my hair that bit easier also I have young children I wanted to look like myself for them I also bought turban sleep caps for night time and sick days so what ever works for you its nice to have options. Hope all goes well for you take care
Yes I lost all hair after two treatments despite cold cap. I used wigs, had three which were great. Hair now regrown 17 months after last chemo. Still use wigs occasionally as they are so good. I had eyebrows and eyeline tattoed and was only charged half usual price because I had been on chemo. Effect really good. Good luck.
Hi, Lyn1987. I had my treatment in 2015. Went out and bought a wig, scarves, caps...anything that would cover my head. I never wore the wig as it was too hot and I was just uncomfortable. I would put a thin skull cap on and then jazz it up with a scarf. I got alot of compliments. This time around I knew it would be just caps, earings, a little lipstick. lol. I actually went and got my hair shaved off (it was way past my shoulders) as soon as it started falling out which was right on the 3 week mark.
I have heard mixed results on the cold cap. Not sure if I would opt for that. Wishing you the very best. I'm sure you will look fabulous no matter what you choose to do!
Best,
Marisa
Hair falling out!
Caelyx/carbo
Treatment plan questions
