Anyone tried cooling systems with chemo to help prevent hair loss?

There is a discussion from last year about preparing for hair loss. @brinacarmen talked about using one of these.

Yes I did. I used penguin cold caps and got financial assistance from hair to stay.org. Penguin worked great per Penguin , it even works on Ac (red devil can’t stand that name btw) I had taxol Feel free to ask me anything

When I had it the girls called it red death, not markedly better.

Yikes !! I called it Sacred Juice ! I had to give it another name instead of poison !!!

I didn’t understand at first why they called it anything, after the first dose, with no real good anti-nausea meds, I was fully schooled. I agree that we need to have a little more care about what we call the poison that saves our lives. 😂

Exactly !!!!! I’m
So with you on that !

Dear @sisslotsss. Sorry your question got a little derailed here. Regarding hair loss, I did use the Paxman cold cap during my TC chemo (Taxol/Cytoxin). Things that I learned:
- It did keep me from losing my hair during chemotherapy. I have long, thick hair. I started to lose it a little after the second session, however, retained over half of it. So was delighted.
- On the first usage of the cold cap, however, it was tightened too much around the outside such that there was a little air bubble at the crown. I lost more hair in that spot where there was an air bubble. Try to make sure the cap is fitted properly. I was rushed into chemotherapy with no advance time to experiment with the cold cap fit.
- Unfortunately… although I retained most of my hair throughout the chemotherapy, I began to lose large amounts again after my surgery (double mastectomy). I had no further chemotherapy or radiation or additional treatment of any kind. Nonetheless, the hair loss began all over again, and I was left with just long strands. I wore a hat all the time for about a month, until I finally had it cut short. I don’t know why this happened. I have that question into the cold cap company. However, I’m pretty sure they’re not really going to know - it’s such an unproven science.
- For me, it was not covered by insurance. I paid $300 per usage. I had three treatments for a total of $900. It would be much more difficult financially to do this, if you have more treatments.
- Even though I ended up with short hair, the hair is growing back to its original thickness. It’s a little bit wavier and curlier. It’s a cute short cut. I was never bald.
- The hair loss was very emotional for me, and I guess I’m glad I tried to save it. However, I wish I knew why it was spared during the actual chemotherapy, but then lost later. If I find out I’ll update you here.

I wish you the best of luck. Blessings to you. Happy to answer any further questions.

Thank you so much for your feedback!

Sisslotsss, @ro_batista also may have some experience with cold caps. You might be interested in this blog post:
– Mayo Clinic Q and A: Cold cap therapy can reduce hair loss caused by chemotherapy https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/cancer-education-center/newsfeed-post/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-cold-cap-therapy-can-reduce-hair-loss-caused-by-chemotherapy-1/

I didn't try the cool caps, but, I must say that the hair that came back after losing it (it started growing back after a few months of Taxol) Is the nicest hair I have ever had. I am 80! It is as soft as a bunny and curly. It is so easy to take care of. That is your silver lining should you lose your hair.