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Topic: Cold Caps: Success Stories with Photos here!

Forum: Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment —

This is a place to discuss concerns, tips and strategies for all types of side effects from all types of medications and treatments, (chemo/rads/hormonal/targeted/pain meds/etc.

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Posted on: Oct 14, 2015 10:49AM - edited Nov 27, 2015 08:13PM by dancetrancer

dancetrancer wrote:

Hello! You asked for it, here it is. A thread for cold cappers to post their success stories with pics.

Please list your regimen (if not in your signature) and a brief description of what the experience was like for you along with the type of caps you used. PLEASE include pics - a picture is worth a thousand words and is very encouraging for newbies and those currently going through treatment.

My regimen was TCH. I saved my hair with CC's. I am SO glad I did it! I used Penguin brand. I shed during and for a long time post (4 months post!). However, I never shed enough that others could tell I was in treatment. A link to my pics is listed in my signature.

For questions about the process/tips to get started, etc., please see other threads.

The thread for FAQ's for newbies is here: Cold Cap FAQ's - newbies - how to save your hair from chemo

The thread for posting questions, where the majority of cappers congregate, is located here: Cold Cap Users Past and Present, to Save Hair

I would like to keep this thread focused upon sharing success stories with pics. I don't want it to get sidetracked or it will become WAY too long and hard to navigate.

Cold caps work! coldcapphotos.shutterfly.com/p... TCH: 4/10 - 6/13/12; 33 rads; BMX w/fat grafting; DX: 7/29/11 @ age 43: Stage 1A on L (3 mm IDC w/ 6 cm DCIS, Gr 2 ER/PR+, HER2+) 0/3 nodes; Stage 0 on R (2 mm DCIS); see bio.
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Sep 18, 2016 10:01PM Angiel wrote:

Jiffrig - I did AC/T also and used PCC. I had good results. I estimate I lost between 30-40% of my hair. My pictures are posted on Page 1 of this thread. Good luck

Dx 1/7/2015, IDC, 4cm, Stage IIIA, Grade 2, 3/14 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- Chemotherapy 2/9/2015 AC + T (Taxol) Chemotherapy 4/7/2015 Taxol (paclitaxel)
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Sep 29, 2016 02:43PM Jgab wrote:

  • Pre chemoHalfway through after 6 treatmentsAfter 5th chemo8 weeks pfcWhen I found out I was going to have chemo treatments, I had hoped I would someday share a cold cap success story. My pictures begin with pre chemo. The pictures are through out chemo and the final two are after chemo. The last two are taken Eight and nine weeks post final chemo. The last picture was taken right after I had extension put in to plump up my hair.
  • I was fortunate that I had great support from my family and a great cold cap therapist that got us started on my first treatment.
  • Although I still cry and get scared most days, I am happy to have my hair and feel somewhat normal in my crazy new life. Cold capping isn't for everybody, but if you are interested, it can work. It definitely isn't everything when you are working to save your life. But it does keep a bit of normalcy in a foreign new place in your life.
Dx 2/8/2016, LCIS/ILC, Right, 4cm, Stage IIA, 0/2 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-
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Sep 29, 2016 02:49PM Jgab wrote:

sorry...my last photo didn't load. Here is my hair after my extensions were applied:)


Dx 2/8/2016, LCIS/ILC, Right, 4cm, Stage IIA, 0/2 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-
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Sep 29, 2016 07:54PM dancetrancer wrote:

Looking great Jgab!

Cold caps work! coldcapphotos.shutterfly.com/p... TCH: 4/10 - 6/13/12; 33 rads; BMX w/fat grafting; DX: 7/29/11 @ age 43: Stage 1A on L (3 mm IDC w/ 6 cm DCIS, Gr 2 ER/PR+, HER2+) 0/3 nodes; Stage 0 on R (2 mm DCIS); see bio.
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Oct 12, 2016 11:04AM tshire wrote:

I just wanted to share that I was featured on the local news with my cold caps success story! Getting that word out!!

keyetv.com/news/local/cold-cap...

Tiffany, dx age 31. Neg for all breast cancer genes tested. Oncotype 20. Ki67 34%. Saved my hair with Penguin Cold Caps! Dx 6/12/2015, IDC, Right, 1cm, Stage IA, Grade 1, 0/3 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- (FISH) Surgery 7/13/2015 Lumpectomy: Right Dx 7/16/2015, DCIS, Right, Stage 0, Grade 2 Surgery 7/26/2015 Lumpectomy: Right Chemotherapy 9/30/2015 Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), Taxotere (docetaxel) Radiation Therapy 12/30/2015 Whole-breast: Breast Hormonal Therapy 3/10/2016 Tamoxifen pills (Nolvadex, Apo-Tamox, Tamofen, Tamone)
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Oct 12, 2016 11:11AM BBwithBC45 wrote:

Great job, Tiffany! ThumbsUp


Saved my hair with cold caps. Dx 1/4/2015, DCIS, Left, Stage 0, Grade 3, 0/2 nodes, ER-/PR- Surgery 1/12/2015 Lumpectomy: Left; Lymph node removal: Left, Sentinel Dx 1/17/2015, IDC, Left, <1cm, Stage IA, Grade 2, 0/2 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2+ (FISH) Surgery 2/2/2015 Mastectomy: Left; Reconstruction (left): Tissue expander placement Targeted Therapy 3/3/2015 Herceptin (trastuzumab) Chemotherapy 3/3/2015 Taxol (paclitaxel) Surgery 6/1/2015 Reconstruction (left): Tissue expander placement Hormonal Therapy 6/8/2015 Tamoxifen pills (Nolvadex, Apo-Tamox, Tamofen, Tamone) Surgery 9/30/2015 Reconstruction (left): Silicone implant Surgery 3/8/2016 Reconstruction (left): Silicone implant Surgery 6/6/2016 Prophylactic ovary removal; Reconstruction (left): Fat grafting Surgery 10/10/2016 Reconstruction (left): Fat grafting Surgery 7/17/2017 Reconstruction (left): Fat grafting
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Oct 12, 2016 01:18PM dancetrancer wrote:

What a great story!!!!! Way to go Tiffany!!!

Cold caps work! coldcapphotos.shutterfly.com/p... TCH: 4/10 - 6/13/12; 33 rads; BMX w/fat grafting; DX: 7/29/11 @ age 43: Stage 1A on L (3 mm IDC w/ 6 cm DCIS, Gr 2 ER/PR+, HER2+) 0/3 nodes; Stage 0 on R (2 mm DCIS); see bio.
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Dec 4, 2016 08:48PM dancetrancer wrote:

bump for newbies

Cold caps work! coldcapphotos.shutterfly.com/p... TCH: 4/10 - 6/13/12; 33 rads; BMX w/fat grafting; DX: 7/29/11 @ age 43: Stage 1A on L (3 mm IDC w/ 6 cm DCIS, Gr 2 ER/PR+, HER2+) 0/3 nodes; Stage 0 on R (2 mm DCIS); see bio.
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Dec 4, 2016 11:21PM IL311 wrote:

Wow, thank you all for sharing, I have my third TC treatment on Friday...and final one before new year. You all give me strength to keep plugging along.

Dx 8/29/2016, IDC, Left, 3cm, Stage IIB, Grade 2, 0/4 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- Surgery 9/29/2016 Lumpectomy: Left; Lymph node removal: Sentinel, Underarm/Axillary Chemotherapy 10/28/2016 Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), Taxotere (docetaxel) Hormonal Therapy Radiation Therapy
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Jan 5, 2017 12:09AM Meow13 wrote:

Tiffany, love your story and your message. So many think it is all about vanity and that hair is not important.

I sure hope we can ditch the bald head as the symbol of a cancer patient.

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Jan 7, 2017 10:58AM dancetrancer wrote:

Bump for newbies

Cold caps work! coldcapphotos.shutterfly.com/p... TCH: 4/10 - 6/13/12; 33 rads; BMX w/fat grafting; DX: 7/29/11 @ age 43: Stage 1A on L (3 mm IDC w/ 6 cm DCIS, Gr 2 ER/PR+, HER2+) 0/3 nodes; Stage 0 on R (2 mm DCIS); see bio.
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Dec 2, 2017 02:22PM LizabethM wrote:

I just found this thread and WOW! this is so encouraging! Please keep posting pics, ladies!

Stage 1 but "High Risk" on Mammaprint-so chemo! It is well, with my soul. Using Dignicap cold cap to save my hair. Dx 9/15/2017, IDC, Right, 1cm, Stage IA, Grade 3, 0/1 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- (IHC) Surgery 10/12/2017 Lumpectomy: Right; Lymph node removal: Sentinel Chemotherapy 11/15/2017 Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), Taxotere (docetaxel) Radiation Therapy 2/13/2018 Whole-breast: Breast Hormonal Therapy Tamoxifen pills (Nolvadex, Apo-Tamox, Tamofen, Tamone)
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Jan 24, 2018 07:35AM 248A wrote:

Hi! Thank you for sharing, such amazing success story! Do you mind sharing more on the HairRenew supplement? I’m currently taking Biotin, and wonderinh if I can add the HairRenew. I’m getting into my second TC in a few hours, but shedding since day 14 from the first session. I feel like it just doesn’t stop- I’m using PCC and would like to think I’ve been following the instructions carefully. I also have a few bald spots know although good thing they are still covered. Thank you in advance

Dx 10/2017, DCIS/IDC, Right, 4cm, Stage IIA, Grade 3, 0/2 nodes, ER+/PR-, HER2- Chemotherapy 1/4/2018 Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), Taxotere (docetaxel)
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Mar 21, 2018 11:45PM - edited Mar 28, 2018 10:47PM by Cali58

I hope these pictures are useful to anyone interested in cold capping. I used Penguin Cold Caps while on Taxotere/Cytoxan. In my opinion, the brand of cold caps you use doesn't guarantee good results. I paid for new PCC rental, PLUS I paid additional $350 to a "Penguin Cold Cap Technician EVERY TIME I cold capped" and still lost 80% of my hair. I finished chemo on 5/30/17. Here are my results:

Before chemo


PFC - May 2017


3 months PFC - August 2017 - my hair continued to shed quite a bit for at least 3 months PFC


9 months PFC - February 2018. The bottom of my hair is fluffy, but thin.


My tiny pony tail


I will update after I color my hair on April 17, 2018. I will be using Oway HColor (Italian hair coloring), as it is supposed to be better for my health.

3/21/18 - I am adding the amount of hair I shed during major sheds in response to PM's I have received. the following pictures show my worse shed days when washing my hair. The first bag (day 19 after first TC infusion) shows my first big shed after washing, the second bag 2nd wash, etc. I tried not to wash often because it frightened me and made me cry every time I washed. I also noticed that my hair kept shedding quite a bit during 2 or 3 days following every hair wash and then it would stop shedding. It was the SAME PATTERN, no matter how often I washed. Sometimes I waited 2 weeks between hair washes or even longer. The hair in the bags is as tight as an SOS Steel Wool soap pad — very tight, but THICKER! I continued to shed large amounts of hair for more than 3 months PFC. I don't have more pics, but it doesn't mean that this is all I shed. Also, I didn't save the hair I shed during 2 or 3 days post wash


I placed a JUMBO EGG next to the bags of hair for comparison purpose.

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Mar 22, 2018 09:29AM dancetrancer wrote:

Hey Cali! That's a lot of hair loss and stress and money spent! Your story is a good example to show that some women do not have an easy time of this nor have excellent results, despite doing everything right. I'm curious - would you do it again knowing how the process went for you, or would you just go for a wig?

Cold caps work! coldcapphotos.shutterfly.com/p... TCH: 4/10 - 6/13/12; 33 rads; BMX w/fat grafting; DX: 7/29/11 @ age 43: Stage 1A on L (3 mm IDC w/ 6 cm DCIS, Gr 2 ER/PR+, HER2+) 0/3 nodes; Stage 0 on R (2 mm DCIS); see bio.
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Mar 22, 2018 01:15PM - edited Mar 22, 2018 01:16PM by Cali58

hello, dancetrancer - I am not sure if I would cold cap again. I got very nauseous as soon as I sat on the infusion chair during the last treatment. I would shake during the infusion, as I not only had the cold caps, but I was also applying ice to my hands and feet to prevent neuropathy. For sure I would cold cap again if I needed to be treated with Taxotere. The fear of permanently losing my hair is greater than all the inconveniences I went through while cold capping. I have been wearing a human hair wig and I love it when it's not hot. It looks so beautiful and real, nobody realizes it's a wig.

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Mar 22, 2018 02:22PM dancetrancer wrote:

That's great that the wig looks so awesome!

I agree, the fear of permanent Taxotere associated hair loss would make cold capping worth it to me, too, even if I had poor hair retention from the caps.

Cold caps work! coldcapphotos.shutterfly.com/p... TCH: 4/10 - 6/13/12; 33 rads; BMX w/fat grafting; DX: 7/29/11 @ age 43: Stage 1A on L (3 mm IDC w/ 6 cm DCIS, Gr 2 ER/PR+, HER2+) 0/3 nodes; Stage 0 on R (2 mm DCIS); see bio.

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