Cold Caps Users Past and Present, to Save Hair
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So I went to a place I had gone to last Oct, that is privately owned and sells wigs, hair pieces and coverings for anyone with hair problems--not just chemo pts. It's usually by appt only but I was in the area and thought if someone answered the doorbell (they keep it locked from walk-ins), then I could ask if they even do extensions and make a later appt. i was so lucky she remembered me as soon as I said I cold capped and said she could fit me in right then! She showed me some regular extensions and then something called a halo, It's a thin adjustable band on top and then hair on the bottom. Your sides cover the top of it but it thickens your existing hair. Long story short--I ordered it. She matched my hair color-about 15 colors to choose from, and that was that. She will call me next week when it's in and have me try it on and trim what's necessary. It came in 12 and 16 inch, but I was more a 12" was more than enough.
I don't know what brand I bought, but it's wig salon quality--cost just under $300 which you'd probably pay for getting hair extensions. It was matched to my ends and will be sized around my head and styled--so it's worth it! It looks like this:
https://www.hiddencrownhair.com
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Pamela I think a halo would be perfect for you! Can't wait to see how you like it. I don't think I have enough to make it work. I lost so much on the sides. I have a wierd Mohawk mullet
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Sonia- I think I am getting to where you are! Huge bold spot and little hairs around. I can't bring myself to wear a wig, my hubby says you can't tell , I can't trust him fully!! And I can't see up on top of my head! How did you decide?
I was told no viviscal until chemo is finished!
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Thank you for the link Pam. I am doing AC x 4 and ddtaxotere x 4. I have 2 more ddtaxotere to go. This is a pic after my 2nd ddtaxotere (July 27). I'm starting to get a little more balding at the top of my head due to shedding everyday. I'm using Penguin cold caps. I have not tried toppik yet. I bought the wet spray and was nervous about using it. Looking at Pam's link, I'm wondering if I should get a wig topper. So far I've been wearing hats. Any thoughts or opinions what I should do about styling/hiding the balding top? any recommendation for which brand of wig toppers? Thank you.
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oops. that pic was between my 1 and 2nd ddtaxotere. It's definitely gotten worse but I haven't updated my photos on my computer from my phone. thanks.
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rad monkey- you are doing so well ! It's just a little thinnning! I would use the dry toppik! I posted my pics on the picture board but mine is much worse now!
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rad monkey- you are doing so well ! It's just a little thinnning! I would use the dry toppik! I posted my pics on the picture board but mine is much worse now!
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hi everyone , I too finally ordered some clip ins. I found a place where u buy the hair and the lady measures he head and adds the clips in custom in to your head. I thought this was good because a lot of them come already made with the clips. It's Indian remy hair , I go today to pick it up. I'm hoping it works out. Pamela good luck with the halo. I thought about getting that too ,I was in between but then just went with the clips. I'm excited to see how they will turn out
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Here's another growth progression...
Thought some of you new you gals who wanted to try toppik might also want to see how it worked on me. The first two pics are taken the same day. Both at the end of march, just after my last chemo. Toppik works great.
My hair growth was super speedy at first. Then I had surgery, then radiation, and now tamoxifen....all are hard on hair, And I just got news that my thyroid is enlarged and not working right. So I've stared on synthroid...now I think my growth is slowing and I may be losing a bit. I may be losing some in the eyebrows again too. But there's a lot of new growth there! enough to keep me relaxed about my regrowth for the most part.
I'm super Impatient to get it styled and blond again for sure! It happens fast though
Below was at the end of chemo
Below Same day as above but with toppik
Below, My lowest point hair wise
Below 1 month pfc
Below 2 pics from Today after swimming in lake...4.5 months post chemo. Not really able to find a good style...but tons of new hair! Curly fro at the bottom near my neck. I did get a temporary darkish color treatment that is washing out a bit. No blonde highlights for a few more months at least
Wearing it down looks ridiculous I'm wearing headbands and hats.
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This is after my 2nd dd taxotere. Today. Definitely worse!!
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radmonkey- not bad at all really...I'm so glad you are capping with taxotere! Keep up the good work!
It's going to be so worth the effort. And toppik should work great but I think you have great coverage now.
Hugs e
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Thanks Elastogel! I do the most shedding during wash days.... so I don't really wash very well and I look like a greasy mess. You can see how greasy my hair is.... This is why I am nervous to try toppiks. I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to wash all of it out before the next capping. I will definitely take your advice and use it after chemo. Only 2 more to go... but I have pavlovian reaction to the cold capping and start to get nauseous thinking about it.
Do you think I should try a wig topper?
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radmonkey-I don't think you need anything. I think your hair looks pretty good. If you start looking at women I think you will notice many many gals in the regular world have really thin hair! I started noticing this when I was freaking out about losing mine. Now I also notice that the 'in' styles are not all clean and full either. Some styles are absolutely scraggly and greasy. People don't look at your head the way you do. And they probably can't relate to how much hair you've lost since you probabaly had quite a head of hair before. Most of us here in cold cap land had some really nice thick hair or we would not be so into saving it!
No I personally don't think you need a topper...but what ever makes you feel better about yourself will always help. I got a bunch of Botox and face fillers. It helps to feel good. I think wigs and stuff would feel weird to me. I think I look really bad most of the time! We are our own worst enemies!
The best thing to wear is a smile. I'm not great at remembering this but when I do it makes me feel better.
Hugs e
Ps I got nauseous just looking at my cold caps. I made sure to hide them until chemo day. I also started crying when we bought the dry ice. This whole thing is very tiring. Go easy on yourself
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argh, just realized my message didnt post with rhe pic 😩
I made this shower cape out of a 70" flannel backed outdoor tablecloth (yup, I REALLY dislike being cold😨). Its slightly longer in the back. I roll the front edges together to seal them and use binder or chip clips to hold it closed. I followed tips here to mix half my normal amount of shampoo with a couple cups of cool water in a squirt type water bottle. With the cape I can stand under the shower head on low flow (plus my water pressure sucks anyway), slowly pour the mixed shampoo all over my head, kind of pat it, then rinse really well under the shower. Hair is nice and cold so I can tuen the water temp up, take my cape off and wring it out, and finish my shower (hang it to dry). I"m using kenra clarifying shampoo, washing every 3 days, and it keeps my hair surprisingly clean looking.
Day 15 after my 1st TC treatment - starting to lose body hair, and scalp is a little itchy/tingly, so I have my fingers crossed that I don't shed too much next week!
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Pamela i saw the hidden crown halo and it looks great. Please share some pics when you wear it please, do i have to wait until i finish chemo?
I am starting next wednesday with the last 3 cycles of docetaxel, i guess this regimen is the same as taxol right?
I wash my hair every 4 days and i comb it only when i wash it, I lost only on the sides for now. I am afraid to loose more with the 3 cycles of docetaxel. I have read that some lost more with the AC and others with taxol what would i expect?
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Willow22--I think your shower cape is a GREAT tip! I tried a number of things--a hairdresser's waterproof cape, a raincoat, e.g.--as the cold water down my back was so painful. I think a paddle jacket would be the best, as you could Velcro around your neck to ensure a tight seal there. Good luck with everything as you move forward in this process
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Elastogelgirl...you've got so much growth, that's great. I know what you mean about those short pieces being hard to deal with, but at least your scalp is covered. That's got to feel good. I think what you're doing with the hats and headbands is your best bet. Glad to hear you have an amazing, supportive husband - I've got one too and it's such a blessing! Good luck to you. (And my hair looks like Ben Franklin now - not a good look!)
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radmonkey...your hair looks great! I know it feels thin to you, but really - you are doing great! I don't think you need a topper at all. A little toppik and you will be good. Great to see the cold capping has worked so well for you.
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Mari...I knew it was time to do the wig when I could tell I was not wanting to go places. One because of the trauma of fixing my hair and seeing so much fall out and two because I knew it looked bad. I've got the bald spot on top then the long part of my hair is so thin you can see straight through it. I was starting to look like a sick, unhealthy person. I'm still a little self conscious about the wig but I'm getting used to it and I do look healthier. It was a good decision.
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Made this pic last Friday...and I've lost even more since then...and almost all of my eyebrows.
Here I am in the wig...healthier looking!
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Sonia--it looks great! so natural!
Vivianlu--you could probably do a halo during chemo if it makes you feel comfortable. It'd be like a wig or topper, right? It's not pulling on your hair at all. I'll get it next week and will post pics. My hair is SO thin on the sides now that I hope I ca cover it. I'm like elastogelgirl with tufts of hair sticking in all directions. Been wearing a hat all weekend.
Willow--genius idea!
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Sonia-thanks for the pics. The wig looks great! Natural. I think your hair is going to bounce back really fast and will be more tolerable very quick. I'm so glad you found a perfect wig in the meantime.
Hugs
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Elastogelgirl, Pamela23, SoniaL, Meow0369---I keep trying to hold off on extensions. I ordered them from my stylist 2 months back and haven't gone in to have them placed. Keep hoping I'll have a major hair growth spurt and won't need them. However, today was another difficult day. Took me 5 minutes to wash, 5 to blowdry and 45 minutes playing with products and tools only for my hair to look like Rod Stewart again
I know it works for him but certainly not me. It's truly tough to deal with. At least I know I'm not alone in this struggle. The halo piece sounds interesting as do clip on extensions. I would go with a wig however I believe I'd melt from all the chemo/tamoxifen Hot Flashes.0 -
Sonia, I was told by my infusion nurse even if I lose a lot of hair it will grow back faster, I got a wig too just in case but will still be cold capping. Wig looks very natural, just like your own hair.
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I just noticed my post didn't post!
Sonia- I just wanted to tell you that I can't believe the wig looks so good! Like you said much healthier! I didn't know wigs could look so natural! I magnified your photo, and still love it
This next two weeks I am back at work on my normal schedule. I have to do something. Toppik it's not enough with the wider bold spots and white hair, and no blow drying!
I will gather my strength to look for a wig! Thank you all ladies for sharing your experiences, I have gotten so much info and support in this board! Thank you
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summer-have you tried a magnesium supplement for your hot flashes? I have been using magnesium for a while now at nightand my hot flashes have reduced to two a day. And the annoying night sweats are better too. I started tamoxifen about two weeks ago so I've got fingers crossed about my flashes. They were horrible during chemo and started getting slightly better during radiation.
I totally agree I would rip a wig off as well as my hats and headbands...all come off during a flash. I do think Sonia's wig looks terrific though.
I really think the capping makes your hair grow back much faster. I look at you tube hair growth after chemo progression all the time. My hair started growth at the normal rate 1/2 inch per month starting right after chemo. It looks to me that non capping gals don't get that growth rate for a while.
I also think our hair grows back super thick initially because it all comes in at once. Hair has a growth rest cycle it takes a while for our hair to get back into a cycle where all the hair is not growing or falling all at once. So it comes in super thick then becomes more normal after a long while. my eyebrows are doing this they were caveman thick now they are thinning a little. My face and neck fuzz is doing this too. Wow on the thick face fuzz nearer to my ears! Like fur.
😎😜
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Thank you ladies for the encouragement. I cried all weekend when I got the wig, but I'm making peace with it now. It is hot! But I just try to stay inside as much as I can. For those of you considering one, look for the shorter ones that have less hair. I really wanted a long wig since I wear my hair long now, but the extra weight would have been so hot!
Thank you also for the encouragement to keep cold-capping. I keep thinking that the chemo nurses must think I'm crazy to wear that cap when I have so little hair left, but hearing you all talk about the faster re-growth makes it worth it. Good luck to everyone managing thin crazy hair and prayers for healing too!
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elastogel- you are always a step ahead! Thank for being here!
I will continue w cold cap, get the wig! What about dying hair? I was told no viviscal until after radiation. I hear natural dyes but how long should I wait?
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Mari-as always ask your doc about viviscal. Someone here mentioned the iron in it was bad for post menopause..I'm down to every other day because of the iron and my new post menopausal status.
About hair dyes I did a henna rinse early on. It was like honey and I thought risky for hair loss in trying to wash it out. It did not cover much because I got a light blond color. It did cover the grey a bit. My latest hair treatment was from a hairstylist I'm sorry to say I don't know exactly what it was I just know it is temporary. She also put a keratin smoothing treatment in to tame the curls. The color was dark so it worked pretty well. It is starting to wash out so I don't wash too often. This lay on color is the way to go if you can stand not to be blond. It doesn't do so muchdamage and we need our length first right?
My hairdresser also cut off the ends off some of the new post chemo hair especially around my ears. She explained that our first growth comes in very weak like baby hair and she showed me how it was useless to keep it. I had heard the pathway back to a healthy looking hair cut is to trim trim trim. She also cut some if my old hair off...it all was for the better.
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