Cold Caps Users Past and Present, to Save Hair

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  • Leslienva
    Leslienva Member Posts: 489
    edited January 2015

    I took 3 Tylenol an hour before capping then took more about five hours later since I was still capping. It's really just the first one that really hurts. I was ready to pull the thing off my head but after about 10 minutes I was okay. So don't give in to the pain--it will go away. Just be careful helping your husband with the chin straps and bands because I dislodged my needle and the nurse had to stop my infusionand find another vein.

    I don't think a baseball cap will fit over that cap. I didn't put a hat or hood over it. I looked like Gazoo from the Flintstones but I went right to the car and then right into my house!

    Make sure you put the moleskin around your ears and forehead so you don't get frostbite. Good luck! You can do it!

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  • PatinMN
    PatinMN Member Posts: 920
    edited January 2015

    GoldenPaws - good luck!  For some reason I found the second cap to be the worst for cold/pain, but it doesn't last - maybe 5 really bad minutes.  Remember to drink lots and lots of water.  Take a neck pillow with you if you have one - helps to support the head with that extra weight.  I never wore anything on my head, but my chemo was in the fall so no really cold weather.  I think a scarf around your neck will be fine.  

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  • Warrior_Woman
    Warrior_Woman Member Posts: 1,274
    edited January 2015

    I started chemo one year ago. I experienced a perverse pleasure to whirl in today for my quarterly check-up with my hair looking as good as it does. Heh heh. So much for the sceptics, nay sayers and nonbelievers.

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  • goldenpawsKim
    goldenpawsKim Member Posts: 165
    edited January 2015

    Good morning girls! Thnx again for all the tips. This is it ... its go time :) I meant to ask if I can wear hats (baseball not knit) during my three months not on chemo day specifically. Not sure if an occasional hat or head band wearing will screw my hair up. Also, what about a little squirt of hair spray here and there? Sorry for all the questions. ... more nervous about saving the hair than the chemo itself :) I'll deal w SE! Warriorwoman, you sound AMAZING!!! where are you in NJ? We're close to Lambertville not sure if u know that area! LOVE THE ATTITUDE!!! Glad u could walk in looking proud & confident!! Soooo awesome ♡♡ Kim

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  • RainDew
    RainDew Member Posts: 305
    edited January 2015

    hi Kim,

    Just wanted to offer good mojo - from another TC capper :-)

    15 wk PFC and with a full head of hair. You got this!!

    Rain

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  • pch
    pch Member Posts: 218
    edited January 2015

    Hey everyone, I have a shampoo question. I am two days post-first round of Taxol/Carbo and very much looking forward to shampooing my hair tomorrow. The shampoo I bought is Max Green Alchemy and totally organic, paraben free, sulfate free (even gluten free, whatever that means for shampoo). But it has a ton of botanical oils in it to maintain a healthy scalp. Are botanical oils ok? Anyone have experience with this?

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  • barremom64
    barremom64 Member Posts: 191
    edited January 2015

    pch - I haven't heard of anyone using that product here. Most popular is the Dermorganic brand. - DaniellaD is the product guru here perhaps shes familiar with this one? Hortense is a good resource as well.

    Feel well.


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  • barremom64
    barremom64 Member Posts: 191
    edited January 2015

    goldenPaws- I wore a lightweight NYLON base ball hat (lululemon makes a great one) everyday at some point during and aftermy capping. running to grocery store, doctors, exercising etc. It had an adjustable back (without velco) and I had it on the largest 'setting". So it wasn't tooo tight on my head. I wear exercise gear everyday anyway so it fit my "look" (or lack there of!) perfectly while hiding greying, thinning and for me a bald spot at crown. I do not think it hurt or caused me to loose any hair. I would not wear any tight knit winter type cap.

    I never used hairspray-I was to paranoid.

    All the best, I'm in NJ too! Best of luck-you'll be fine!!!!

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  • JoeyJamesMom
    JoeyJamesMom Member Posts: 110
    edited January 2015

    Hi, Kim :-)

    I hope your holding up okay today.

    We all know how cold those caps are, but it is so worth it.

    Try to keep your focus on the end result.

    Eventually, your head will get numb and it won't be as bad.

    Personally, I was too afraid of using a hat, scarf, etc.

    I did everything I could to keep my head as cool as possible.

    And never used any hairspray.

    Wishing you lots of luck today and throughout the rest of your treatments!

    Lynda

    P.S. I am from NJ too. I am in Berlin.

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  • Leslienva
    Leslienva Member Posts: 489
    edited January 2015

    I wear ear muffs. It's 14 degrees here in VA!

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  • mdg
    mdg Member Posts: 3,571
    edited January 2015


    I wore a cute baseballish hat through chemo.  Some days it just needed to be covered up!  They have some cute/more stylish baseball type hats at Walmart and Target.  I never wore knit hats though.

     

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  • pch
    pch Member Posts: 218
    edited January 2015

    pch, back again. I read somewhere in the thread that Frank (I think) suggested jojoba shampoo to help clear scalp buildup. Has anyone tried it? Let me know. Thanks!

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  • dancetrancer
    dancetrancer Member Posts: 4,039
    edited January 2015

    I wore a bandana when my hair was oily and looking crappy. I wasn't working, so I didn't have to worry about making it too presentable for anyone, though. It's tougher for those of you going into work.

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  • Warrior_Woman
    Warrior_Woman Member Posts: 1,274
    edited January 2015

    PCH - I am going from my chemo memory which may be flawed. I seem to recall another poster recommending the jojoba shampoo & detangler. I used the detangler only and it was terrible for my hair. I threw it out after one use.

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  • HammettHaus
    HammettHaus Member Posts: 2
    edited January 2015

    Hi ladies, I'm new to the forum but have had two doses of A/C, and have my third infusion next Wednesday (so I am on day 23), and am using the Penguin Cold caps in dry ice. My treatment is four courses of A/C and four of Taxol after that. I'm pretty confident we are using them correctly, my husband is a scientist/engineer and is taking his job with the caps very seriously. However, I started shedding on day 17, and my hair is continuing to shed fairly signifciantly. I'd say 1/3 of it is gone, which would be ok if it would stop, but the real problem I'm having is that my hair feels very dry and 'dead', looks awful, and despite wearing a scarf and/or using a silk pillowcase, every morning I wake up and it is matted and snarled. I'm following Penguin's hair care instructions and gently combing through with a wide tooth comb and leave in conditioner, but the matting is making a lot more of the hair come out, and I'm scared that by the time I get to my third treatment, I won't have enough left to continue capping! I've heard the Adriamycin is the hardest to keep your hair with, and have reached out to my Penguin rep, but all she has said is 'shedding is normal', so I was hoping someone would have some advice or experience with how to minimize the matting?? Thank you!!


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  • DaniellaD
    DaniellaD Member Posts: 273
    edited January 2015

    Hammethaus - I am sorry you are having a hard time. I had issues with matting as my hair is long and fine. I used a very heavy conditioner on my length - Macadamia Nut Oil Deep Treatment Mask - and used the wet brush to detangle in the shower while the conditioner was still in my hair. If my hair gets matted while dry - and it still happens - I use corn starch. Put a generous amount in the matted portion, rub gently and carefully detangle with either a wet brush or the tangle teezer or some other very gentle combing device. Sometimes a wide tooth comb can be a little harsh because the teeth have no give.

    To minimize matting, and I don't know how long your hair is to give proper advice, but I would keep my hair in a loose braid - just the length. I am not working so it was easy for me to keep this look everyday. Hope this was helpful.

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  • HammettHaus
    HammettHaus Member Posts: 2
    edited January 2015

    DaniellaD - thank you for that advice. My hair is medium length, wavy, and very fine, but I used to have lots of it, so you could be right it could be because it's fine. It's layered so it doesn't stay well in a loose braid, but I will try the wet brush in the shower today. Thank you!!

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  • Leslienva
    Leslienva Member Posts: 489
    edited January 2015

    I rinse with a capful of applecider vinegar in two cups of water to help get rid of the build up. You can also add a little of the vinegar to the shampoo mixture.

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  • pch
    pch Member Posts: 218
    edited January 2015

    applecidervinegar. on the list. thanks all!


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  • goldenpawsKim
    goldenpawsKim Member Posts: 165
    edited January 2015

    I survived my first treatment. .. yay for me!!! Everything went much better than anticipated. Cold caps were a little crazy getting on in the beginning but after 3 or 4 my hubby became a pro! Yes the first 5 or 10 minutes was FREEZING but got much better almost didn't feel them anymore. Maybe my head was just frozen lol. Anyway thank you all for guidance and support. .. I did it. Only three more times then I can kiss this all goodbye hopefully FOREVER!! No SE yet. Got my neulasta injection today. ..taking Claritin hopefully it helps. Thanks also for the baseball hat tips. My hair looks greasy already & it's only been 3 days. Ha! Enjoy your weekend everyone ♡♡ Kim

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  • pch
    pch Member Posts: 218
    edited January 2015

    Clown show for the first three or four here too, gpk. Glad to hear we're not alone! First shampoo down. Felt divine. You'll make it.

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  • makingway
    makingway Member Posts: 799
    edited January 2015

    To de-tangle matted hair use cornstarch. Was it Dancetrancer who first shared this great tip?

    For a flaky scalp add some vinegar to water and rinse after shampooing. Tea tree oil has also been suggested.

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  • dancetrancer
    dancetrancer Member Posts: 4,039
    edited January 2015

    I wish I could take credit for the cornstarch tip, but it wasn't me! That tip came after my time - wish i had known it. My guess is Hortense? Maybe? Someone after my time (2012). :)

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  • goldenpawsKim
    goldenpawsKim Member Posts: 165
    edited January 2015

    Good morning pch - first hair washing tomorrow. ... yikes. I'm thinking maybe washing in kitchen sink instead of shower. I'm using organic shampoo but should I add water to it also? Do you massage it in or do u just kind of rinse it thru? Same w conditioner? So scared. I'm assuming it's too early to see shedding but don't want to disturb anything. Also when u take showers, since I have shoulder length hair, can I clip it up losely or leave it down? First time things always stink :( thnx Kim

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  • DaniellaD
    DaniellaD Member Posts: 273
    edited January 2015

    Hortense was the first person to suggest corn starch. It works great!

    Goldenpaws - a lot of us used a hair dye applicator bottle to mix water with shampoo. Then application is easy and ensures you gets shampoo close to the scalp without too much disruption. As for conditioner, just use on yours length, not close to the scalp. Rinse gently with either soft flow nozzle or even just a small jug of water. I found I could tolerate the cool water if my body was standing under a hot shower. Good luck

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  • jc254
    jc254 Member Posts: 439
    edited January 2015


    Goldenpaws,after alot of trial and error, this is what worked best for me.  I used a shower cap when showering and washed my hair in the kitchen sink.  Get a small plastic squirt bottle with a pointed tip, fill it with some shampoo and a little water and shake.  Use the pointed tip to apply the shampo all over your head. Gently massage or pat the shampoo then use the sprayer to rinse.  Water kind of goes all over the place so if you have someone to help you rinse it's easier. Hope you're feeling ok.

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  • goldenpawsKim
    goldenpawsKim Member Posts: 165
    edited January 2015

    Thnx girls. Great idea w shower cap! I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow. Feeling pretty normal today except tired. Not sure if I should be seeing any SE yet but nothing more than feeling tired which I can handle & no pain yet w neulasta. Just sad that I'm not up to going to see my 3 kiddos play their basketball games today but hey there is always another day :) thnx again!! Couldn't be doing this without you all. ♡ Kim

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  • pch
    pch Member Posts: 218
    edited January 2015

    GPK I'm just a few days ahead of you, but with a wall shower head you can get a very gentle tepid rinse if you get out of the main stream then dunk your head under the weak outer stream (then rush yourself back into the warm water after, except your head of course). A little longer than shoulder length here too. Someone many moons ago mentioned piling it on top of your head for a couple of minutes until the rinse and that worked for me. (And yes, shower cap for regular showers. Great.)


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  • goldenpawsKim
    goldenpawsKim Member Posts: 165
    edited January 2015

    Thanks. After dinner I'm going to wash hair for the first time. Once it's done, I guess I'll just pat it dry w paper towels or small towel?? Don't want to wrap my hair in towel. So different for me .... never leave my hair air dry. Maybe I'll like it better :) still feeling really tired. This too shall pass, right?? 1st treatment last Thursday. ... hoping to snap out of feeling so tired tomorrow. No other SE other than a little achy which isn't bad. just worried about the hair issues now. Ahhh. what did you all do about eyelashes and eyebrows. Did you lose them on TC? I think I've read tips but can't find the posts. Thnx. Neighbors brought pasta, meatballs salad bread & dessert. ... nice to feel loved. Hopefully its good cause I'm hungry! Have a great night ♡Kim

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  • Leslienva
    Leslienva Member Posts: 489
    edited January 2015

    I dried my hair with a large t-shirt. It was lighter and not as rough as a towel. Just blot your hair gently. I used a wet brush to detangle my hair. I also liked Kenra 's leave in conditioner. Then just let it dry naturally. Mine took at least 3-4 hours to dry

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