Meet Jo, an ovarian cancer patient who discovered scalp cooling through carrying out independent online research. She began using the Paxman scalp cooling system after she had started chemotherapy, initially using mobile cold caps that she had to self-freeze. During a two week break to get her port fitted, Jo started looking into better scalp cooling options and came across the Paxman system. She feels that if she had used Paxman from the start of her chemotherapy treatment, she would have achieved better hair retention than 50%. 

Jo reflects that the scalp cooling process wasn’t nearly as uncomfortable as she had expected. She says that “as soon as I started using the cap, my shedding slowed down considerably”. Her hair even began to grow back prior to her completing treatment. Overall, Jo’s scalp cooling experience was just as she had expected, and even though she found the first 15 minutes of the scalp cooling process the most uncomfortable, she does go on to say that “it gets easier.” 

Often, when patients are going through chemotherapy treatment, many can feel the need to wear a wig or head covering to maintain their identity. Jo did wear hats and hairbands during her treatment, but she tells us, “I only had to wear a wig if I wanted to for special occasions”. 

When asked whether she has any scalp cooling haircare tips for other cap users, Jo says that she “didn’t know at first that I should brush my hair twice a day,” which she feels may have contributed towards matting and increased hair loss. Additionally, she wishes she had bought a silk pillowcase from the start, as this would have avoided waking up surrounded by hair. Post-chemotherapy, Jo is washing her hair as little as possible, using only gentle hair products. 

Drawing on her responses in this case study so far, it is clear and obvious that Jo feels extremely positive about her scalp cooling experience, another indicator of the psychological benefits scalp cooling can have for patients. When asked if she would recommend scalp cooling to others, Jo gave an enthusiastic reply of, “Absolutely and I have been!”