Hi all, I started TC (docataxel/ cyclophosphamide) two weeks ago and had the scalp cooling PAXMAN. My hair is naturally curly and long, just past the shoulders. On day 15 post first chemo half of my hair came out as I combed the conditioner through in the shower. I've tried so hard to only wash my hair once every 5 or 6 days and do not brush it at all. Have others in this situation had their hair cut to a short bob length, or gone straight to a very short hair style?Are there any specific brands of shampoo and conditioner that are gentle enough that are also moisturising enough to comb the conditioner through the curls without causing more pulling? Has anyone had success with keeping some of their hair?

So sorry to hear of your hair loss .... I don't know what the statistics are on long hair vs short hair re cold caps and keeping your hair .... I am guessing that long hair might have a shorter life? Check out this thread where Rhonnie had success keeping her hair - maybe you could have a private chat with her - or make contact via the thread below:Ice Caps to prevent hair loss | BCNA Online Network Rhonnie had a series of 5 'ice caps' that she would wear before, during & after her treatment & had great success in keeping her hair xx. You may yet be able to keep the rest of your hair, tho I suspect that as you've already been on your treatment for some time, it may (or may not) work. :( Wishing you all the best xx

Let it goo, let it goo... Nope, most people cut it short and by second chemo it all falls out anyway. But it grows right back once chemo is over . SLow and fresh , short pixie cuts for a while - it can be liberating once you get over the shock and grief. Syntheitic wigs are great now a days and easy to wear. Much easier than doing cold capping and all the fuss and straggly hair bits and unable to wash and style. There are some stories around of some people keeping some hair.But everyone is different and has different resiliance. You can't predict who it will help and who will just get a lot of pain for nothing. Only you can decide what your willing to endure and look like. It is heartbreaking to see all the hair in the shower. Every woman sobs at that. AC chemo is the most common for Bc chemo is the one that most known to cause baldness and kill healthy hair cells easily, not all chemos do that. Lucky us- not. But killing the cancer is more important. We want hair to regrow , but not the cancer. Hang in there. Look after your self, preserve your energy .its a marathon of treatments.

Hi Robyn, as arpie mentioned Ronnie recently posted about her experience, and I hope you have been able to connect in with her. Also lilys started a discussion about the same product 9 months ago, so you may be able to chat about her experience - https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussions/chemotherapy-and-radiotherapy/cold-capping-and-hair-loss-experience-with-tc-chemo/180549

Hi Daina, I am denied access to this link that you posted. Are you able to copy it and send it to me somehow please?

Scalp Cooling - long curly hair | BCNA Online Network

10 Replies

Violet123
Member
2 months ago
That sounds very upsetting but it is probably best to let it go. I had a long bob, had it cut to 1/4 inch all over as it began to fall out and within a week had it shaved. I have ordered a wig which I feel strange about but have some lovely cotton and silk scarves (coolest thing) and cotton headwear. I am an older woman and acutely aware that had this happened when I was younger it would have been very hard, and we are all different. Short and fresh pixie cuts post chemo sound good to me , but in the long run, hair will grow back. Do look after yourself and be very kind to yourself, it is a very hard experience.
Kristen
Member
3 months ago
Let it goo, let it goo...

Nope, most people cut it short and by second chemo it all falls out anyway. But it grows right back once chemo is over . SLow and fresh , short pixie cuts for a while - it can be liberating once you get over the shock and grief.

Syntheitic wigs are great now a days and easy to wear. Much easier than doing cold capping and all the fuss and straggly hair bits and unable to wash and style.

There are some stories around of some people keeping some hair.But everyone is different and has different resiliance. You can't predict who it will help and who will just get a lot of pain for nothing.

Only you can decide what your willing to endure and look like.

It is heartbreaking to see all the hair in the shower. Every woman sobs at that. AC chemo is the most common for Bc chemo is the one that most known to cause baldness and kill healthy hair cells easily, not all chemos do that. Lucky us- not. But killing the cancer is more important. We want hair to regrow , but not the cancer.

Hang in there. Look after your self, preserve your energy .its a marathon of treatments.
- Violet123
  Member
  2 months ago
  I am about to lose my hair and plan to shave it off as soon as I see it fall. I think that must be very very distressing and I am just trying to prepare myself for this next phase. Thanks Kristen for your words 'killing the cancer is more important'. It helps to keep that in mind...
  - Violet123
    Member
    2 months ago
    Yes. Killing the cancer is the most important thing and I hold on to that thought. Chemotherapy is hard. I am now bald but I am strangely as 'ok as I can be' with it. Possibly age related (60s) and I know that at another time/chapter in my life I would have been grieving the loss. I love clothes and have two beautiful scarves, which at the moment are more comfortable than even the cotton chemo hats, etc. It is wonderful that some people have not lost their hair. Stay strong. I love the supportive nature of these posts.
- Robynredbreast
  Member
  3 months ago
  Thank you Kristen :)
Daina_BCNA
Community Manager
3 months ago
Hi Robyn, as arpie mentioned Ronnie recently posted about her experience, and I hope you have been able to connect in with her.

Also lilys started a discussion about the same product 9 months ago, so you may be able to chat about her experience - https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussions/chemotherapy-and-radiotherapy/cold-capping-and-hair-loss-experience-with-tc-chemo/180549
- Robynredbreast
  Member
  3 months ago
  Hi Daina, I am denied access to this link that you posted. Are you able to copy it and send it to me somehow please?
  - Daina_BCNA
    Community Manager
    3 months ago
    Here it is again - not sure why you were getting that message.
    Try this link - Cold Capping and hair loss experience with TC chemo | BCNA Online Network and let me know how you go.
arpie
Member
3 months ago
So sorry to hear of your hair loss .... I don't know what the statistics are on long hair vs short hair re cold caps and keeping your hair .... I am guessing that long hair might have a shorter life?

Check out this thread where Rhonnie had success keeping her hair - maybe you could have a private chat with her - or make contact via the thread below:
Ice Caps to prevent hair loss | BCNA Online Network

Rhonnie had a series of 5 'ice caps' that she would wear before, during & after her treatment & had great success in keeping her hair xx. You may yet be able to keep the rest of your hair, tho I suspect that as you've already been on your treatment for some time, it may (or may not) work. :(

Wishing you all the best xx