Topic: Cold Cap Users Past and Present, to Save Hair

Apr 30, 2012 10:38 AM Laura5 wrote:

Hortense,  Several ladies on this thread recommended DermOrganic shampoo and conditioner. I purchased it from Amazon, but I think many salons carry it as well. Dance, I also purchased the Kenra spray on - leave in conditioner from Amazon but never needed it.  I ordered a satin pillowcase from Amazon as well, good old Amazon! I never used any of these products ahead of treatment, but I did follow Penguins protocol throughout treatment and had great success.

tc9876, I am so sorry to hear that you are losing so much hair. Can't help but wonder if the new machine doesn't work as well as using a freezer or dry ice. I also wonder about the higher temperature they recommend for the machine. Hang in there, you are still so much better off than you would be without the caps.

Apr 30, 2012 11:30 AM dancetrancer wrote:

Alright ladies.  I notice that I'm finding little white flakes in my hair that look like dandruff.  (I've never had dandruff.)  Is this because I'm not washing my hair very much?  Is this normal for the cold cap process?  It's a bit itchy and annoying.  

Apr 30, 2012 12:01 PM dancetrancer wrote:

What is it about the shampoo that is causing it?   I'm using Nature's Gate shampoo.  Standard sulfate/paraben free.  Why does that cause dandruff? 

Apr 30, 2012 03:50 PM sebm9 wrote:

dancetrancer: that flakiness is the drying effects of chemo (made more noticeable because you aren't washing your hair as often). Mine lasted for about a week, then really slowed down after my first hairwash, and went away totally after my second hairwash. Everyone is different. I hope it improves soon!

Susan 

May 1, 2012 02:17 AM luckyjnjmom wrote:

Dancetrancer,

I guess my experience was like Susan's , I didn't have much of an issue with white flakes. Frankly, I found that the Kirland (Costco) paraben, sulfate-free worked as well as anythign else I tried.

on an earlier post - you asked, when do you start feeling confident that you won't lose your hair - for me - the weeks PFC were the hardest - because I lost so little hair during chem. I shed heavily PFC for about 11 weeks - week 12 it started slowing down - I'm nearly 15 weeks PFC and it's virtually stopped. I would say I lost about 30% of my hair - never any bald spots - but definitely thin. I've had it short (just below the chin) for a while - but I hated the texture so much and the thinness that I got it cut even shorter two weeks ago - definitely increased the look and feel of fullness -

Hang in there - you'll keep your hair - it won't be the hair you started with - but it'll be pretty far from bald - I know it's hard to believe this when you're going through it - I had a hard time believeing it when others told me the same thing - but here I am - 15 weeks PFC with a full head of hair. Lucky 

p.s. sorry to say - your brows and lashes - if you've kept them through chemo - which I did - will thin significantly post chemo - mine really thinned out about 8 weeks PFC (and I used Latisse throughout chemo). I have to say though that they grew back very fast.

May 1, 2012 10:18 AM dancetrancer wrote:

Ouch is right TLG!!!  Yikes!  

Thanks to all for helping me to mentally prepare for either situation (or both?) -shedding a lot during chemo or shedding a lot post chemo.  I still think it is going to be tough watching a good portion of my hair fall out, but it would be A LOT tougher if I didn't know to expect it.  So again, thank you.  It is also good to know there is no standard pattern, so I can't keep telling myself it will be "x" way or "y" way.  I will just have to take it day by day and hope for the best.

Geralyn asked me if I was talking Silica compound.  She seemed to think that it would help, but that I need to get my onc's approval, of course.  I need to look into it.  I am taking a TON of stuff already, not thrilled with the idea of introducing more stuff into my already whacked system.

I asked her about adding vinegar and her response was "just a few drops".  

May 2, 2012 12:47 PM Hortense wrote:

I'm preparing for chemo now and have ordered the caps. While speaking to a nutritionist at my health food store today about probiotics capsules and silica tablets a memory of using Knox gelatin for my nails came back so I mentioned it. He said that gelatin would be very good for hair as well as nails, so I plan to take it daily. I used to drink it as a broth, disolved with a boullion cube, every day and my nails grew long, healthy and beautiful. It can't hurt and may help.

May 2, 2012 02:31 PM Mamacath wrote:

Did anyone use cold caps with Adromycin and Cytoxin? I will have that for 4 cycles every 2 wks and then Taxol every week for 12 wks. In Park Ridge, IL

May 3, 2012 02:39 AM mdg wrote:

Mamacath - I did not do TAC so I can't answer your question with any experience.  I know some girls on here did that chemo though.  I also wanted to say "Hi Neighbor!".  I am in the west burbs!!!

May 3, 2012 08:42 AM Laura5 wrote:

Leveled, What shampoo and conditioner are you using? I used DermOrganic shampoo and conditioner and it worked very well. Many on here have used Kenra spray on leave in conditioner and said it helped. Are you using a REALLY wide tooth comb?

May 3, 2012 08:28 PM Laura5 wrote:

Leveled, I ordered DermOrganic from Amazon, although many salons carry it. I purchased the Kenra, but never ended up needing to use it. Several on this thread did use it though. I might have ordered my comb from Amazon too, or maybe picked it up at Target, I can't remember. It is made by Goody and "ouchless" is on the handle. It is really wide and worked pretty well. I started at the bottom and combed very carefully.

May 4, 2012 02:44 AM CousinItt wrote:

Hello everyone! I've been reading these posts from the beginning and figured I better get to the end a little sooner as my caps are due tomorrow or Monday.  I will schedule round one of TCH x 6 after we've practiced.  I've been rooting for all of you.  It's great to see so many positive results, not only surviving BC chemo but with a lot of hair intact.  It sure has given me a more positive attitude.  You see, my hair is also my Halloween costume, Cousin Itt.  I'm hoping it will still work this year!  Everyone knows who Cousin Itt is though.  Looking forward to chatting with you all.

Kathleen

May 4, 2012 03:36 AM CousinItt wrote:

Just read your bio, Dance.  I'm surprised you need the caps...I would've pulled my hair out in frustration!  Dang, what a stressful time for you.  Speaking of stress...that's already caused me some hair loss in the past couple of months.  So try to think good thoughts and don't forget to breathe!

May 4, 2012 08:33 AM Leveled wrote:

Thanks all, I will try to getter a larger comb and follow your instructions. I am also going to buy the kenra spray on conditioner, as my hair is really dry. Anyone know how long after chemo you can color your hair with a vegetable dye and get a trim.........provided its still on my head.

Wow Kathleen, you have one head of hair......I don't think I had that much my whole life.

Lisa

May 4, 2012 01:28 PM CousinItt wrote:

maureeno:  wear regular freezer cold caps a couple hours per week.