My sister in-law who is an oncology nurse told me about it. Then I asked my Oncologist about it

I was fortunate to have a wonderful Paxman Rep that helped me try on different sizes 

II expected it to be uncomfortable but for me it felt like a clarifying shampoo. At first I had a mild headache in my forehead however my Paxman rep added two panty liners to my forehead which helped to remove the headache. 

Great. I was used to the routine as it always felt coldest in the beginning and eventually I didn’t feel the coldness at all! 

I ended up keeping about 99% of my hair. I lost some hair above my ears where the cap did not touch and I could feel my scalp more but it was not noticeably visible.

No. I bought two nice wigs but ended up not needing them.

Yes! The mornings of treatment I’d rinse my hair with cool water and then coat it with leave in conditioner to make sure it stayed slick and wet to allow the cap to stay very closely pressed against my scalp. I’d put my hair in two low braids behind my ears. After the treatment, that night I’d gently wash my hair with a good shampoo and conditioner, detangle and then put in six twists with leave in conditioner only. I’d take the twists out two days later and wear it naturally.

I feel grateful. I know the Taxol treatment tends to work well with the cap however I have wondered if I would’ve lost all my hair without the cap. I did lose my eye brows and lashes after the treatments. Fortunately they’re back now!

ABSOLUTELY! Keeping my hair made me feel more normal and allowed me the choice to tell people or not tell people what I was going through at that time. I was able to look normal to my children as well. Every appropriate patient should have the access and option to use the scalp cooling cap. This is not about vanity, it’s about mental health. What I wanted more than ANYTHING was to live my life as normal as possible. I was able to continue working and go to my kids sports events, chorus concerts and more while looking normal. 

My oncologist and nurse highly recommended Paxman and the cold cap and fitted me for my cap the day we discussed my chemo treatments.

Yes, better actually. The nurses at West were trained to use the Paxman machines to help me. I followed the videos Clair posted on instagram and Paxman website for instructions on how to use the cold cap, how to take care of my hair during treatments, and I followed them. I was able to retain 70-80% of my hair.

No. I did wear a hat if I felt my hair was greasy but not because of hair loss.

Follow Claire’s video on how to use the cold cap. I also followed their instructions on how often to wash my hair and used their recommended products. I brushed it in sections very gently.

I’m so grateful my oncologist told me about it because I had never heard of it. I am thankful I had help and support from nurses and family. I am thankful I was able to use the cold cap. Being able to keep my hair during treatments and after gave me some normalcy during an unknown and fearful time of being diagnosed with cancer.

Yes, 100%.

Initially through a friend of mine who had been diagnosed with breast cancer just a few months before myself. She was using the cap at the time then through my oncologist.

Yes, although I found more tolerable than I expected.

Yes, apart from close family and friends I kept my diagnosis a secret. Once I started losing my crown I needed to wear a wig.

Persevere and make sure the cap fits properly. Although I lost the majority of my crown (due to a badly fitting cap I suspect) as fast as it was falling out it had started growing back. I had a full head of hair (albeit short) before my second to last chemotherapy infusion. It made a huge positive impact to my mental health. I had surgery 6 weeks after finishing chemo and was asked so many times by different medical professionals at the hospital if it was my real hair.
I’d also like to had that I had one session where I struggled with it but carried on, I worried that the next session was also going to be bad but I was determined to give it another go and was pleasantly surprised to find that it was absolutely fine.

I feel so utterly grateful, I hated wearing a wig. I felt so self conscious and was trying to hide my diagnosis. My daughter started school when I was midway through treatment and I didn’t want anyone to make any comments to her, She was so young I tried to protect her from my diagnosis in every way possible and being able to discard the wig so soon after finishing treatment and everyone thinking I had just had a my hair cut short was a huge relief.

Absolutely, the time it adds to your treatment is a drop in the ocean. Cancer treatment takes so much from you which includes your physical appearance and the change is a constant reminder. My hair regrowth has been a huge part of my moving forward and feeling better and the cold cap has given me a piece of myself that cancer had stolen much sooner.

I was diagnosed with prostate cancer and started with hormone replacements almost straight away to bring down my PSA levels, which at the start were 379, but just after a month later this figure had come down to 30 and a couple of weeks later this figure dropped even lower to 16. My consultant was then happy for me to start chemotherapy treatment as the cancer had spread to my lung, kidney and my bones. I had this every 3 weeks for 6 months. I decided after it was explained to me about the cold cap to go ahead and try it as I have a full head of thick hair.

I must admit, the first time I had the cap on it felt really strange, but once I got used to the cold sensation I didn’t find it uncomfortable at all really.

I have a moustache and this did thin out significantly and I didn’t have to shave as much, so this did prove to me that without the cap I would definitely have lost my hair. This made my decision for me, that I would always wear the cold cap for any future Chemo treatments. Although my cancer went into remission it has now returned so I am now back having chemo treatment.

I did lose a few strands of hair but this wasn’t noticeable. After the 6 month period I still have a thick head of hair so I am really happy that I decided to try it out.

I am really happy that I decided to try scalp cooling out. I understand after seeing the new caps that the feeling of cold would be alleviated somewhat, so I myself can't wait to try the new one to see if this is the case.

I would definitely recommend the cold cap to other sufferers and would tell them to persevere through the first 10 minutes, as after this time it does feel more manageable.

My friend told me to ask about it but before I mentioned it the Oncologist team were fitting me for it! So I learned about it onsite at MSK.

Yes, I am so thankful. I had done Cryotherapy before in the past for sports recovery, so I was expecting it to be cold. I did not take any pain medication at any point. I just added blankets and told myself that cold is that absence of heat - therefore it was nothing. It worked for me mentally.

I did not at any point. I will say that my type 4 hair made it easier to hide my spots, and then I just figured I would embrace it. I am lucky. Even my oncologist is shocked with how much hair I have.

YES! I would LOVE to help you improve your Type 4 prep video. It is great but could be INCREDIBLE! My mother braided my hair onsite and did more rows as that it what helped the cold reach the full scalp. Otherwise with less braids the device doesn't get to the scalp. Also where I lost hair was my edges because the cap didn't reach, Perhaps I should have braided my hair for the fitting (insane day of information and crying - I did my best) and had I done that maybe I would have saved my edges. Also I only washed my hair on treatment day, after. I also kept my hair as moisturized as possible between. We used conditioner and water after the braiding before adding the cap to my head. I also massaged rosemary oil onto my scalp daily.

I am eternally grateful. My motivations were not wanting to be bald and feeling like I had some kind of control in a situation where most of the decisions were made for me by doctors. To me it was worth trying even if it didn't work. I was and am so thankful to have had the option.

YES! Hands down! You have everything to gain from it!

My friend who is an oncology nurse informed me about it.

Yes, but even better I kept all of my hair.

No

I used moleskin on my forehead and had a tight fit with the inner and outer cap. The testimonials really helped!

Best thing I ever did going through a really hard time already. Made me feel like myself during a tough time.

I would highly recommend it to others!