Cold Caps Users Past and Present, to Save Hair
Comments
-
For anyone who is blonde (via highlites) and has dark root regrowth - you may find dusting a bit of gold eyeshadow on your part helpful in making it not as obvious.
0 -
So I take it powders are ok if everyone is using some sort of powder to disguise the hair. I'm going to try the Jonathan's and let you all know how I make out.
Thanks Hope!
0 -
Raindew - I had cradle cap also. I found that softening it by wetting my hair and gently working the shampoo through it then allowing the shampoo to sit on it for five to ten minutes before rinsing was helpful. That way it could soften up enough to gently lift off the scalp and after several shampoos it went away. I think I struggled with it in late June or early July 2012, so my posts on here might have been around then.
0 -
I'm using this to cover my grey roots. It works well for me. It'll get harder when my grey hairs grow longer....Got it from a Japanese market nearby. Looks like Amazon has it too.
0 -
thanks Hortense - will look for the old posts too. Pretty gross (and I'm worried if I can't solve it properly I will pick at it..disaster!!)
Just finished infusion 3. Sitting around capping :-) can't believe I only have one more after this!!!
0 -
this page has some good information on the hair follicle growth states and hair loss which align to my experience with chemo and cold caps, mainly repeated shocks, resting stages and regrowth of lost hair. I am guessing that since I lost more hair on my crown (as opposed to the sides and edges) after chemo was over, that those follicles just need some time to rest and then fill-in growth should happen.
Take a look:
http://www.americanhairloss.org/types_of_hair_loss/effluviums.asp
0 -
Rain dew - Try not to pick at your flakes unless you have them very moist and softened to the point that they come apart easily. I had some awful flakes, large and hard, but allowing them to soften with shampoo on them for 5 - 10 minutes helped them to break down. Your natural body heat will help to soften up the gunky oils.
Try using Nioxin shampoo #4 for "naturally thinning chemically treated hair" starting about two weeks to a month after you are done with your infusions. I have forgotten when I started it, but it was about then as I could no longer stand my hair. I found Nioxin did an amazing job of loosening the dirt, oils and build up on my scalp and hair and getting rid of it. Two shampoos and my hair looked far fuller and healthier. I would put it on using cool water, then let it sit a while, about 5 - 10 minutes, while I showered the rest of me before gently using my fingers to work it through my hair and to gently run my fingers across my scalp to help get it clean. I lost no extra hair because of using it.
0 -
thank you again!!
Omg, with only one left to go I am actually having fantasies about normal hair washing (I truly cannot bear the smell of this dermorganic shampoo, not to mention this weird disgusting scalp thing)..
(Also fantasizing about a haircut...I used to have a pretty clearly shaped bob. Much to my surprise it's kept growing (like 2-3 inches) during chemo.
Ah well, so many things that look crappy about my hair but guess what? I HAVE HAIR!!
Hoping the shedding doesn't accelerate over this chemo and the next :-)
Thank you all again!!!
0 -
Tonight will be my first hair washing since I started. Haven't washed since last Sunday. I have never been so excited to wash my hair. I'm waiting until I put down the baby for the night so I can really take my time detangling and washing. Even in cold water, I feel like it will be just luxurious. My hair is so greasy right now that the water will probably just bead off my strands.
To get is as clean as possible, should I let the shampoo sit for a few minutes before rinsing?
Agness - thanks for the article. Very helpful. I experienced significant hair loss after gallbladder surgery and then again after the baby. I used a product by Phyto specifically for this type of effluvium - these ampules that go right on the scalp. They worked really well. After I finish chemo, I plan on using Alterna Caviar for thinning hair. It's all natural and specifically for effluvium. I was considering using it during chemo but was told it might be too drying.
Praying you all are well tonight.
0 -
thank you! I await the blood results from today. Hope chemo does not have to be delayed...
0 -
thanks again Hortense - I think the apple cider vinegar may have helped...the big flakes seem to have mostly dislodged and I see far fewer new ones starting. will continue with it, terrific advice.
Will try the nioxin in a few weeks...cannot wait!! I think I will forever associate the smell of dermorganics shampoo with *ugh*. I will look for an alternative paraben/sulfate free brand when I am done with all this...
JenE - fingers x'd for ya!
Rain
0 -
RainDew - Glad to hear your situation is improving. I know I felt so much better when my flakes began to clear up. While I switched to Nioxin for a while after finishing chemo, I have gone back to DermOrganic and found with normal shampooing - being able to rub my fingers along my scalp vigorously again, my hair and scalp stay very clean. In fact, I get compliments regularly on how well my hair is looking nowadays.
0 -
Hi Guys- I'm 14 days post first cold cap round. I haven't noticed any more shedding then pre-chemo. At what point did most of you ladies experience the most shedding??
Thanks!
0 -
I started shedding exactly 14 days post chemo...but pretty light. Started shedding more after 2nd treatment...
0 -
Hair down south started shedding around 14 days....hair on my head started at day 21.0 -
Today is day 21 after AC chemo. No shedding yet, going for #2 in a few hours. I'll keep everyone posted. I still have all my leg hair, chin hair, underarm hair. Grrr. Working on a Brazilian slowly. Kinda afraid of having a mini-panic attack like last time when they pushed the Emend in the pre-Meds and put the cap on at the same time. It was so COLD. I almost ripped it off. It got better quickly, but I'm just scared today. I feel like I'm getting ready for battle. I go get the results of my genetic testing and then get whisked away to chemo. I already feel like I'm going to puke!
0 -
Gatomal - Hope the Emend works. I took it in pill form. It kept me from feeling sick, except when I had too much sugar in my drinks and popsicle during my first chemo (T/C) - I learned to avoid sugary items after that. I believe my chemo nurse, who was very experienced with cold caps, told me that shedding starts between the 18th and 22 days, and that's when mine started. It took while to get my chemo Brazilian, but I did get it eventually
I have to say it was nice not to have to shave my underarms and legs regularly. I did shave my underarms occasionally throughout chemo, but very carefully and with a disposable made for sensitive skin.
Chin hair disappeared during chemo! Yay!!!!! And, doesn't seem to have come back at almost two years later, which is nice.
The cold caps are surprisingly cold, but are bearable after the first 5-10 minutes. Are you taking Tylenol twenty minutes before using them? I did my best to drift into a semi-drousy state on the meds. I think it helped me cope with the cold.
Are you wearing enough clothing? I had many layers - long underwear underneath sweatpants and a turtleneck over a long sleeved T, plus a fleece jacket. I may have also had a vest, I no longer remember. And do you have an electric blanket? Pre-warming it before you wrap up in it helps you retain your body heat.
0 -
gatomal - good luck!!
Your MO should be able to prescribe a painkiller (norco or Percocet) if you need it for the caps and and Ativan. I take both an hour before capping (after first time, when I thought I might not be able to do it again :-)
I lost most of my body hair around days 18-21 - only Brazilian I will ever have ;-) and no need to shave, which is nice. I started shedding from my head around the same time, but honestly it's been pretty minimal - maybe 10% of my hair so far? I have one TC left to go, so who knows, maybe I will lose way more hair after that but right now I am a very happy cold cap poster child.
You got this!!
:-)
0 -
Thanks Raindew- SO gald shedding has been minimal for u! and cold capping has been so succcessful!
Gives me hope as I'm on the same chemo regime.
0 -
2 down, 10 to go. I have two more cap changes and I'm done for the day!
Taxol ladies, when did you notice your body hair or any hair shedding? I think I heard after treatment #4 but not sure.
0 -
So glad everyone is getting started--you're on your way to getting better!!
I starting shedding hair on legs and underarms and everywhere else at day 21 and was so glad the hair on my head was still there!! Everyone was so amazed and I was glad the caps were working! Going for my last treatment tomorrow---YAY!!! My hair has since thinned (no blade spots or anything--you wouldn't know I had cancer, just bad hair) I'm mostly concerned as you all know about the grey, but I guess it's better than having nothing at all--I think I would be totally depressed.
About the nioxin--not sure if I read the post about it, when can I start that? Is that for hair regrowth? Just wondering if I can start any types of shampoos for hair regrowth anytime soon!!
Thanks,
Gina
0 -
Daniella, I think there is only one other person besides me who posted here and had weekly taxol only . I can't remember her name but I don't think she checks in here often if at all. I hardly shed any hair from my head at all - maybe 5% at most. The body hair did go eventually, but not completely. I was probably half way through before I noticed it. The most noticeable thing for me was the hair "down there" - that went sometime in the middle of treatment. I lost my lower left eyelashes, but the others remained - weird! Never lost my eyebrows - maybe just a little thinning. I wish now that I had kept a diary so I could be more specific and helpful to others! Almost two years now since my first chemo.
0 -
good luck tomorrow, Gina, you are about to cross the finish line!!!!
0 -
1 week since my first infusion + cold caps. My hairs already driving me crazy! I became so self conscious with dirty ugly hairs. It's hard to go to work like this while I'm still struggling with SEs. I started questioning why I'm doing this... I should have just focused on treatment without adding more stress to keep my hair? I wonder if anyone quit cold caps in the middle. Sorry for whining....
0 -
Thanks PatinMN! Just wondering what to look for bc I know it's different for weekly treatment. The others wait until day 21 to determine if the caps are working. By then I will be having my 3rd treatment.
Hockeycat - get it. My hair is so nasty gross that I feel like why am I doing this - especially ever week. Then I remember all the reasons (privacy, dignity, no pity looks, no sick mommy scare) and I tough it out. Supposedly your hair will become less greasy soon so it won't look so bad. Don't give up!
0 -
Hockeycat - there have been a few who have quit in the middle of cold caps. The ones I recall were due to losing so much hair on AC, I think. There might have been one who just couldn't take the cold and quit.
If the caps are more stress for you than you find benefit from saving your hair, there will be no judgment of you if you decide to stop the caps. Just saying, allow yourself the freedom to choose to do what YOU want to do. That is what it is all about - women having a CHOICE in whether they save their hair or not during chemo.
But perhaps you are just feeling overwhelmed and need to get it out and will choose to stick with the caps. Give yourself a few days to think about it and feel what is right for you in your gut.
And, you are NOT whining. This is a very traumatic time in your life. We are here to support you and hear you. No one understands like your fellow breast cancer sisters. You will make it through...trust me, life is very good again when treatment is over!
0 -
P.S. Regarding greasy hair...I've been told putting baby powder in dirty hair makes it look cleaner and gives it more body - that that is essentially what "dry shampoo" is...BUT...I've never tried it myself, and I know it is not listed in the CC "protocol", nor do I know if anyone here has tried it on cold caps. But if you are desperate about how your hair looks and are not afraid to go off protocol, perhaps it is something you could try...but I make no promises about whether it would work or not...LOL
0 -
Hockeycat- I was extremely greasy for about 10 days. On my last wash (this past Monday) I did notice my hair was less greasy and more dry. It's Thursday and my hair is still on the "dry" side-not greasy side. I don't know if it's the chemo drying it out or not, but it's presentable. So hang on girl!
0 -
Hockeycat- I was extremely greasy for about 10 days. On my last wash (this past Monday) I did notice my hair was less greasy and more dry. It's Thursday (haven't washed since Monday) and my hair is still on the "dry" side-not greasy side. I don't know if it's the chemo drying it out or not, but it's presentable. So hang on girl-Im hopeful yours will adjust as well!
0 -
Hi ladies..... Just wanted to check in with you all. I have finished 5 of 6 treatments. THANK GOD!!!!!!!!!! I must say, I can't even look at the cold caps without becoming nauseated. My last treatment was a nightmare. I started feeling sick during my infusion, so they gave me something in my IV for it. BIG MISTAKE. NEVER AGAIN. It immediately made me so drowsy and it lasted for the next 5 hours. Changing the caps in a semi-conscious state was awful. I wanted to give up. I didn't. I came home and only capped for 2 hours post-infusion. I was so miserable and exhausted I couldn't do it anymore. I woke up the next morning thinking "great, I'm probably going to go bald now after I made it all this time". Then I started reading stories of people doing the same thing (not capping for the entire 4 hours post chemo). And I read in another country they only cap for 30 minutes after chemo. So I am holding on to hope I didn't mess this up.I am really really really happy I only have to do this one more time. I'm seriously dreading it but I need to suck it up and get it over with.
Now about my hair..... I have full coverage. Not a single bald spot (except above my ears)- but it is sooooo thin. No more thick beautiful hair like I had 2 months ago, but no one can tell as much as I can. I don't feel beautiful by any means, but I am so thankful I still have hair.
I just have a question about when the hair starts filling in. How does this look? I am just picturing sprouts of hair everywhere that are crazy and unmanageable.... LOL. Does anyone have any pics of what the newer growth looks like? I am so looking forward to this day
0
