Cold cap yay or nay?

[Notjustabrunette]

Hello, I’m waiting to start chemo for breast cancer. There aren’t any free slots for the cold cap. My question is, is it worth it anyway? I was told that there’s a 50% chance of it working, it’s uncomfortable and extends the treatment time. On the other hand, I love my hair and don’t want to loose it all. Would love to hear both food and bad experiences please .

Is it worth it?

It is a very personal decision. There is no one right answer. My oncologist was v matter of fact about inevitable hair loss. I was v resistant to the whole idea of chemotherapy. I didn’t want be at the unit a moment longer than I had to be. I didn’t fancy the process. Didn’t want whispy hair. The decision took itself.

It’s tough that you’re not getting to choose.

Hair loss started v rapidly, I had a buzz cut 10 days after starting chemotherapy.

Didn’t get on with wigs.

Had an extensive hat wardrobe

Others will be on to tell you that it was worth it for them. Yet others will say that wigs were good news

Today, eighteen months after treatment has finished, my hair looks bloody good!

So tried the cold cap but yes v uncomfortable and didn’t work for me - pretty much lost all hair - had scarfs and wigs - that said my hair grew back pretty quickly and I really like how it is now -

Thanks ladies, this is what I needed to hear. Will start looking into hats and wigs.

Hi there, I’m sorry to hear you’re in this position. I cold capped, but still lost all my hair. I had long hair which I cut into a bob beforehand. It worked very well for the first type of chemo and I barely lost anything, you couldn’t tell at all. Unfortunately as soon as I went on to Paclitaxel everything started going, eyelashes, eyebrows and clumps of hair so I ended up shaving the last bit off to speed up the inevitable.

I do think, in hindsight, although it was really painful in the first 20 mins or so until you get used to it and ultimately I did lose all my hair, I wouldn’t change my decision. I had only just had a baby so I was all over the place anyway and I was utterly petrified of chemo, so still looking like “me” for 2 months or so despite it all gave me time to calm down and accept things.

Mine did not grow back in “chemo curls”, or weirdly fluffy/different. My hairdresser thinks that is due to the cold cap, and that also helped me as I could see my own hair growing back rather than something I didn’t recognise.

I would recommend microblading before losing your eyebrows. I didn’t realise how awful losing my eyebrows would be as I was focussed on the hair but it really changes your face. I felt better once I had that done. I wore scarves and beanies as I never found a wig that suited me. Good luck ❤️

Thanks the feedback, if a cancellation comes through, I’ll go for it but I don’t want to delay by a few weeks and the chemo not to be as effective as it could be. Funnily enough, have just emailed someone about microblading.

@Notjustabrunette

I cold capped and kept all my hair.

I had EC and Pax and Carbo.

@Notjustabrunette

Forgot to say using the cold capped also makes your hair grow back faster etc.

Even if you lose your hair there are benefits.

I didn't.
I felt somewhat pressured into trying it, as though I wasn't trying hard enough if I didn't even give it a go.
I didn't want to make the process any harder than it already was. Breast cancer, 13 weekly paclitaxel.
When I told DH and DC my feelings they were very supportive. I had a crop before starting and buzz cut after 4 weeks. Bought many, many hats and a couple of wigs.
I only wore the wigs when I was dressing up, maybe a handful of times. Lost all body hair, eyebrows lasted until the end but then fell out. My hair thinned but there were patches left.
I really didn't care that much about my appearance. If you do then it might be worth trying.

Hair loss was temporary, started growing back as soon as that first half of chemotherapy stopped. Wasn't that bothered by wearing a scarf for a few months, found the wig too uncomfortable. Other longer term effects of chemo were far worse, ie early menopause, so wouldn't do cold cap if doing it again.

My oncologist said that it can work but usually you have thinning and hair loss even with it I didn't have it. I got a great wig I really didn't mind me bald too much , it grew back fairly quickly afterwards

I didn’t have it. Weighed up options and decided I couldn’t deal with hair coming out in bits, so as soon as it started coming out, my lovely hairdresser came round and she took it all off for me. Not sure if you have DC, but she got mine involved in the shaving which I think helped him process it.
Also wanted to say that, four years post-treatment, my hair is the longest and in the best condition it has ever been in my life - so whatever you decide it won’t be forever. ❤️

Hi all, thanks for all your feedback. It has put a lot into perspective for me. Started looking at hats a wigs etc and made peace with the fact that I’m going to loose my hair. Anyway, the chemo booking lady just called to say that a cold cap slot has become free (I’m guess long that someone wasn’t getting on with it). So, I’m going to give it a go.

Just to add my experience, I cold capped over 16 cycles (12 paclitaxel and 4 EC) and kept my hair.

I had my eyebrows microbladed by Karen Betts ahead of chemo and love them - I’ll keep that up for the future.

Wishing you well, whatever happens with the cold cap.