Does hair loss slowdown? Doxytaxel

[winetimenow]

I'm hoping people who have tried the cold cap might be able to share some experience please?

I've got really thick hair and the cold cap was very manageable. I think my hair protected my scalp from the cold. And now (after only one treatment) my hair is shedding in handfuls.

Does anyone have experience of this slowing down/stopping or do I need to accept that the damage is done now and it will all come out?

I'm also seeing stuff about not washing hair too much. But I feel like while I have hair I would like it to be clean. Does it actually make any difference? I can't help thinking that if the chemo drugs have got to it inside it's not going to make any difference brushing or washing. If it's dead it's going to come out...?

Hi, I have been using the cold cap too. I did treatment 14 of 16 yesterday, paclitaxel rather than docetaxel, and after the first treatment I lost handfuls too. However this was the worst of it and in reckon I have kept 70-75% of my hair overall so I would recommend, from my experience, persevering.

Like you I thought ‘is this worth it’ but I have found that it is. If you miss one session of the cold cap you may as well she not dine any. And believe me there have been times when I could have ripped that bastard thing off my head!!

tips to make it better

• take 2 paracetamol about an hour before the cold cap goes on
• if your hair is looking thin, I found using a bit of coloured dry shampoo, i used boots own brand brown one, on my scalp helped to disguise the whiteness
• I usually wash my hair every day but have reluctantly stepped back to twice a week (so hard!) as my hair has become more fragile and I don’t want to damage/break it.
• i have been using Philip Kingsley’s no colour no fragrance shampoo and conditioner that he developed for his wife when she had breast cancer. Expensive but as I’m washing my hair less often it’s lasted quite a long time.

wishing you everything good for what I know is a physically and mentally gruelling process xx

Also, I’ve kept my eyelashes and brows. Started using these when I started chemo Liposourcils Eyebrow and eyelash serum - https://uk.talikacosmetics.com/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw6PGxBhCVARIsAIumnWbTwpIoLEGQnoqGQkkn4MdyQ-j1be5p9Sjb1fhOnVBIFysUTg_CHW0aAmZtEALw_wcB
(I have no affiliation to the company!)

after 5 months of chemo they’ve started to become a bit sparse, so I line the inside of my top lid black and it covers the gaps in my eyelashes and pencil in my eyebrows a bit. But I think these products have worked pretty well to get me this far!

happy to answer any other questions you might have xx

@Pixilicious1 thank you

I didn't cold cap, but in 2018 I had 3 x FEC chemo followed by 3 x docetaxol.
Although I lost all my hair during FEC, by the 2nd Docetaxol it was actually starting to grow back, as white fluff, although my eyebrows disappeared just as my hair was growing back as white fluff and never returned.

I did the cold cap and mitts and boots to prevent hair loss and peripheral neuropathy.Lost probably 80% of hair and all eye lashes and brows despite Revitalash use.Revitalash was developed by a doctor whose wife lost her lashes through chemo.Also have PN in hands and feet.Hair came back as did lashes and brows though thinner and sparser.Second time around I didn’t do the cold,lost all hair,and I mean all.Now I have decent hair,good lashes and lousy brows.It is worth trying everything,do the best for you.Good luck and positive thoughts to you all.

Thanks all. Seems I need to be realistic about things x