Has anyone had success with cold cap therapy for chemo hair loss?

Cold cap therapy has shown varying results for different people, with some experiencing significant hair retention while others see less success. The effectiveness can depend on factors like the specific chemotherapy drugs being used and individual responses to treatment. Many community members have shared their experiences with cold capping, so connecting with others who've tried it during similar treatment protocols might help provide valuable insights for making this personal decision.

Heard about it on my first day of chemo 3/12 didn’t get one until a day or so later. Used it but it’s most affective if you use it the day of chemo. So about 5 days ago my hair started coming out in clumps. It was almost to my waist. It broke my heart. I finally cut it to about 2-3” long. Still coming out bad. My scalp hurt horribly last night. Was better today or I’d have used the cooling cap today. It might help with the scalp soreness but don’t see it saving my hair now.

Unfortunately, most insurance doesn't cover this expensive option. Cold caps need to be done the first day of chemo. My hair fell out by the handfuls after my first chemo treatment. Maybe the best advice or suggestions I can give is cut your hair while in a braid or ponytail as close to the scalp as your comfortable with and have it made into a wig. Do it before your first treatment. Losing all of your hair (mine was at my waist also) in clumps is heartbreaking. Because as women our identities are tied up in our hair. Also, you may lose all of the hair on your body including eyebrows, lashes, even nostril hair!

I have personally had not tried it;I had 1 cycle so far, on 3/19. I got the mitts and booties to help with neuropathy. I have not noticed any hair loss yet.

Good! Maybe you'll be one of the lucky few who don't lose their hair. My thoughts and prayers are for you on this journey.

I had very aggressive weekly doses of Carbo taxol 3 months and every 2 weeks Red Devil and Cytoxan and I lost my hair in 2 weeks. BRCA Triple negative invasive breast cancer. I was told aggressive chemo will result in hair loss no matter what. I believe it may help those with less aggressive therapy. I saw a few try it with little success. A year after treatments my hair is growing back nicely. Best wishes.

My docs discouraged me from trying it because they said it had only limited success. I shaved my head and used mitts and booties.

I didn’t have the cap for the first infusion and I used it on the second, but my hair started coming out after the second one. I wish I would have had it for the first. My scalp was sore and itchy so I had my hair buzzed off. It was falling everywhere. Got some nice shampoo bars from Humby organics. Also I’m using some essential oils with coconut oil for the rash on the back of my head. Very soothing if you get a rash. They said it’s common. They prescribed Triamcinolone cream as well. Best of luck!

I used to have very thick hair, however after after 3rd treatment and using a cooling cap I noticed my hair fell out in shower by the handfulls. I hated having loose hair all over me and near or around food or people. So after one particular shower and clean up of loose hair, I decided to cut it off. My scalp was hurting and sore and frankly I was just exhausted of the whole thing. I feel better now and my sister bought me a beautiful scarf to wear. I did notice at night I needed to wear a cap because my head was cold. I had high hopes that my hair loss would not be too bad but I am finding out that it’s only hair and it will grow back. Right now more important things are happening in my life so having this off my list for me is like a move forward. Hope this might help anyone out there worried about hair loss. God bless.

Dalia, Comforting comments. My hair loss was when I combed my hair and within 2 to 3 weeks max it was all gone. I wore a very nice, comfortable and natural looking wig that many felt was my own hair. I also wore nice comfortable caps for around the house and doing yard work and walking daily. I’m about 15 months past aggressive chemo and my hair is growing nicely. Best wishes to everyone. For most, hair loss is temporary. 🙏

My hair started coming out more about my second treatment. My scalp was very itchy and flaky and tender. I cut my hair with my girls help and then buzzed it down. I was not going to wash it once I started the treatments because I know that it was gonna come out in the shower and I would’ve been more messy for me. I also have to wear a cap in the house because it is very cold, but it does feel good to have no more hair falling all over the place.

I bought 3 wigs. All look terrible so it’ll be hats caps and scarves for me I guess. I use to be a cosmetologist and figured I could style at least one. But they just have too much hair on top. Ugh.