Before my breast cancer chemo I was desparate to keep my hair. Having only average plain looks and a lumpy scalp I knew that being bald would really not suit me. I also did not want to see a cancer sufferer looking back at me every time I looked in the mirror. So I tried the cold cap and for me it was very successful. I even had to have my hair cut and thinned out during chemo. I reckon I lost less than 10% of my hair but then, not every body loses their hair completely. My body hair everywhere else thinned and seemed to stop growing but strangely, I did lose all my pubes, although when and where they went is still a mystery. It was only after my 6th and final chemo that my eye lashes and eye brows thinned a bit. Another cold cap lady I met at the same time thinks that she lost only about 40% of her hair but she had no bald spots and she looked fine. Although she did lose all her body hair.
Now there are a lot of scare stories about the cap; headaches, unbearable pain etc which might put you off even trying it. But my advice is, if you are really desparate to keep your hair then try it.
So here are the facts:
You have to wet your hair and rub conditioner into it at the start of each chemo. This improves the freezing ability of the cap. The nurses will always help you with this.
Yes it is unbearable for the first 10 mins. I used to shuffle my feet around and squeeze my eyes shut and wring my hands, anything to take my mind off the extreme discomfort. But once your scalp gets used to it after those 10 mins or so, it no longer hurts. The cap freezes your scalp to -4 degrees I was told and ice actually forms on your scalp.
I took 2 paracetamol tablets an hour beforehand and I took 2 more 3 hours later, before the others had worn off. These helped to keep headaches at bay and also any irritation with the tight straps. Don't let the straps be done up so tight that you cannot bear them. Insist they loosen them a little and ignore the "it wont work" warnings. The straps need to be tight but should not be unbearable, especially the chin one. Ask them to put a little piece of lint under the chin strap if it irritates.
It does add an hour to the length of the treatment as the cap has to be on for at least 30 mins before the chemo is given and then you have to keep the cap on for at least 20 mins after the finish of treatment to allow your scalp to defrost although the machine is switched off as soon as the chemo finishes. Removing the cap before defrosting takes place can damage your hair.
As I say, for me it was very successful and it might not be for other people. But looking like yourself all through chemo and the months after can have a marvellous effect on how you feel. So, if you are thinking about it, give it a go and I hope you are pleased that you did. Good luck.
