Hair loss prevention??

caroline26 · June 2003

My Mum is about to start a course of chemotherapy where hair loss is to be expected. She really wants to prevent this from happening! She's been told that you can wear a 'cold cap' just before and during the chemo which may prevent the hair loss. Does anyone have any experience of this?? Does it work? Side effects?
A big thank you from England!!

ryley · June 2003

Speaking as a hairless person -- I never heard of a cold cap. She could try it, I suppose it couldn't hurt, but for the record -- hair loss is the least of your problems when dealing with cancer. After a while it doesn't bother you and is much less maintenance!

Good luck to your mum.

JKAlley · June 2003

ryley said:
Speaking as a hairless person -- I never heard of a cold cap. She could try it, I suppose it couldn't hurt, but for the record -- hair loss is the least of your problems when dealing with cancer. After a while it doesn't bother you and is much less maintenance!

Good luck to your mum.

ryley's right, coming from another baldy, in reality it's just hair, it will come back, and getting ready in the morning is a breeze. I also have never heard of a cold cap. The wig lady did try to sell me some shampoo and conditioner that she tried to tell me would possibly prevent hair loss, and would help with growing back. I talked to my friend who normally does my hair - when I have it - and she had heard of it, but she said it was for helping it grow back, not really proven for preventing hair loss. Now the problem is I don't remember the name of the stuff. If you give me a couple days I'll see if I can get the name if you want it. I agree, if it's important to your mum, and she doesn't mind spending the money, why not try it. But, realize it's probably expermental and may not work. Good luck, Judy

jamjar62 · June 2003

One thing to consider is the reason the cold cap prevents hair loss. The cold cap (actually freezing cold cap!) constricts the blood vessels which minimizes the amount of chemo that makes its way into your head. Since breast cancer can spread to the brain I decided that I wanted the chemo to go to my head and everywhere else for that matter.

Karen

dikaras · June 2003

JKAlley said:
ryley's right, coming from another baldy, in reality it's just hair, it will come back, and getting ready in the morning is a breeze. I also have never heard of a cold cap. The wig lady did try to sell me some shampoo and conditioner that she tried to tell me would possibly prevent hair loss, and would help with growing back. I talked to my friend who normally does my hair - when I have it - and she had heard of it, but she said it was for helping it grow back, not really proven for preventing hair loss. Now the problem is I don't remember the name of the stuff. If you give me a couple days I'll see if I can get the name if you want it. I agree, if it's important to your mum, and she doesn't mind spending the money, why not try it. But, realize it's probably expermental and may not work. Good luck, Judy

JKAlley, I have heard of something similar and I believe the name of the stuff is Nioxin. I thought about buying some too (not to prevent but to grow back hair) but decided nature will do that for me.
Diana

cammie · June 2003

It depends on the type of chemo your mom is having. My stepmom had a full head of hair and did not loose all of it. She had a different type of chemo then I did. I had AC so here I am a baldy. I hate every minute of it and understand it as being a great concern. I don't find it easier, I just find it hotter to put the wig on. I have found a wig that is the best. In fact people love my "new hair cut". In other words, nobody knows. Get a great wig, No a Fantastic wig. If it bothers your mom like it did me get 3 wigs and pick which one you like the best. The American Cancer Society gives you one for free. I could handle the chemo I could handle the breast being removed, I could handle the rest but not my hair. Please give her my best and lots of hugs and kisses. She may not loose it, but if it bothers her get a wig.

jeancmici · June 2003

jamjar62 said:
One thing to consider is the reason the cold cap prevents hair loss. The cold cap (actually freezing cold cap!) constricts the blood vessels which minimizes the amount of chemo that makes its way into your head. Since breast cancer can spread to the brain I decided that I wanted the chemo to go to my head and everywhere else for that matter.

Karen

Karen has the answer and the reason why it is not used now - and wasn't used for long because it could affect the chemo and make it not as effective. Better to be bald now and healthy again later. Hair grows back.

bullfrog13 · June 2003

Caroline, I have not heard of a ''cold cap''... I feel your moms concerns, at that point in time I would have done almost anything to keep from being bald - i think it is the fear of the unknown, it passes! I cried when it all came out, much like many others I have spoke to, but you get over it. Like someone else said it grows back. Besides, I doubt very seriously if it the cold cap thing works anyway, and from the sound of jamjars description - it sounds WORSE than being bald!
Much luck to your mom..aaahh mum..i mean..LOL
jerilyn

blossomtime · June 2003

I have heard of cold cap but didnt think it was used anymore, besides didnt really work anyway. I lost all my hair starting 7-10 days after first treatment. Its just now starting to come back. I finished chemo in january and radiation in march. I had bought my wig before starting chemo and it is so natural many people dont even suspect it is a wig. If I see someone that I havent seen in a while they comment on darling haircut. It sure cuts down on time in front of mirror getting ready for the day and I never have a bad hair day!!! So help your mom by making a day of shopping and going to wig shops that are used to working with clients going thru this. And some insurance covers the cost since it is considered a prosthesis in this case. Good luck to you and your mother.

marysun · June 2003

Hello Caroline. I wish your mum the best in her course of treatment. As for the hair loss -- let me tell you that ryley is right. Although it is hard to get used to, it is a small detail compared with beating the cancer. My hair began to come out 2 weeks to the day after my first A/C treatment. I have a LOT of hair and it was everywhere: in my food , my bed, my clothes. A few days after that started, I had my friend cut my hair very short. I wore it that way for just 4 days as it continued to come out in handfuls. And it hurt, too. The night before my second treatment, my husband helped me shave my head. Oooh, it was SO different! I had a wig and it was winter so I began wearing the wig with a little scully cap beneath. Let's see, I shaved my head Jan. 5, then once more between treatments and then the last time Feb 16, the day before my last treatment. By then I was only wearing the scully cap. I almost liked the attention I received. After all, it was an advertisement -- I had cancer, but I was okay! We even had fun with my bald head when my artist friend painted designs on my head with henna. My hair began to grow March 28 and now I have about a half inch of (again) very thick, soft hair. So, take heart. The hair does come back. Keep smiling, keep your humor, and remember that you are Beating The Cancer!! (((hugs)))

p.s. -- what I don't see addressed here much is the fact that you lose ALL your hair. It grows back, too!

inkblot · June 2003

Hi Caroline:

Has your Mum spoken with her doctor about the cold cap?

As some of the other girls mentioned, there's a very good reason not to try to restrict the blood flow (some have even tried using very tight bands around the head, believe it or not) to the brain during chemo. The drugs need to go everywhere, literally. BC favours the brain, bones, liver and lungs, for mets, so nothing is worth risking that one area of the body doesn't get treated properly or with an adequate amount of the drugs.

Best of luck to your Mum and perhaps you can talk with her about reconsidering the cold cap idea and encourage her to discuss it with her physician if she hasn't. Her hair WILL grow back and probably sooner than she thinks.

Love, light and laughter,
Ink

JKAlley · June 2003

inkblot said:
Hi Caroline:

Has your Mum spoken with her doctor about the cold cap?

As some of the other girls mentioned, there's a very good reason not to try to restrict the blood flow (some have even tried using very tight bands around the head, believe it or not) to the brain during chemo. The drugs need to go everywhere, literally. BC favours the brain, bones, liver and lungs, for mets, so nothing is worth risking that one area of the body doesn't get treated properly or with an adequate amount of the drugs.

Best of luck to your Mum and perhaps you can talk with her about reconsidering the cold cap idea and encourage her to discuss it with her physician if she hasn't. Her hair WILL grow back and probably sooner than she thinks.

Love, light and laughter,
Ink

dikaras is right, it's called Nioxin. As far as being bald is concerned, the way I looked at it is when my hair fell out it ment the chemo was doing it's job and killing the cells it's supposed to be killing.

DeeNY711 · June 2003

jamjar62 said:
One thing to consider is the reason the cold cap prevents hair loss. The cold cap (actually freezing cold cap!) constricts the blood vessels which minimizes the amount of chemo that makes its way into your head. Since breast cancer can spread to the brain I decided that I wanted the chemo to go to my head and everywhere else for that matter.

Karen

Me too.

caroline26 · June 2003

Hi every1! I just wanted to say a BIG thank you for all your lovely messages - it's so nice to think that you all took the time to reply. My Mum's just read all the messages - and it has really set her thinking - and it has certainly lifted her spirits to hear from people who have been in the same situation! She had never thought about the fact that the chemo might be missing areas if she were to use the cold cap and is thinking of giving it a miss now. Anyway - tomorrow we're going wig shopping which should be fun! So thanks again for all your messages - lots of love and best wishes to all, Caroline ;0)

Hair loss prevention??

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