Patients letters
“When I discovered I had breast cancer in June of last year my biggest
fear was that I would lose my hair. I know that sounds vain but it was
the one thing that makes your illness so apparent to everyone and I
wanted my life, & that of my husband and children to go on as normal.
Scalp cooling enabled me to lead a completely normal life. I kept my
self esteem and dignity. My illness would have been 100% more
difficult for me if I had not used the system. I wouldn't have felt
confident enough to go out as much and my life would have taken
longer to get back to normal.
Quality of Life
Hair is important to everyone’s appearance and self-image.
You will probably feel shocked, anxious and angry when you
are told you may lose your hair as a result of chemotherapy
treatment. Some people feel that this threatens their feelings
of self confidence and ultimately their quality of life.
Hair loss with chemotherapy
Hair loss is one of the most well known side effects of
chemotherapy. Many people assume that chemotherapy
always causes hair loss but this isn’t true. Some drugs cause
none at all, however certain drugs do cause partial or
complete alopecia, which means all body hair is temporarily
lost – eyelashes, eyebrows, pubic hair and so on.
Hair loss may start within a couple of days of beginning
treatment or may not occur for some weeks.
Scalp Cooling
Scalp cooling is a method used to prevent or reduce hair loss
for patients receiving chemotherapy. Research and studies
have shown that scalp cooling can be effective across a
wide range of chemotherapy drugs such as; Epirubicin,
Doxorubicin, Taxol and Taxotere. Successful scalp cooling
depends on many factors - one very important factor is how
you treat and look after your hair.
Hair care during chemotherapy
& scalp cooling treatment
I finished my chemo on the 1st February 2006 and I cannot stress
strongly enough how I feel that all women who want to try to retain
their hair should be given the opportunity. I was able to have my hair
cut once during treatment and I continued to colour it with a natural
hair dye.”
Debra Wolfe
Bristol
“That moment of being told or realising yourself, that the next
stage in managing your cancer is chemotherapy is yet another
sickening moment along the journey towards overcoming cancer.
Then there's that awful realisation that having gone through what you
have already gone through, you are now about to lose your hair.
I suddenly realised when faced with chemo myself I didn't want
people to think that I was ill because my hair was gone. I also wanted
to continue to work through out my chemo. I'm a management
consultant and trainer how could I arrive at my clients bald - I mean I'm
not an eagle!?
Almost the first thing the oncologist and chemo nurses said was to
accept that I would lose my hair, but that of course that it would grow
back. Well excuse me I had - and still have after completing chemo shoulder length blonde hair........ Enter the Paxman cooling cap.....
I sit here with my hair now longer than ever and actually in far
better condition than it's been in for decades! I feel like a human
being, a woman, and my wonderful friends and family say I look great
and throughout my chemo I 'got out there' and amazed my clients".
Isobel Heaton
Cheltenham
When we are unwell or below par we often notice that our
hair doesn’t have the same bounce or condition as usual.
Chemotherapy can cause your hair to become dry and
brittle, therefore whatever treatment you are receiving, pay
special attention in caring for your hair and treat it as gently
as possible. Try to avoid applying any stress, aggression,
pressure or heat to your hair.
The following advice can be very helpful in achieving a
successful outcome.
Caring for your hair
when receiving scalp
cooling during
chemotherapy
International House
Penistone Road, Fenay Bridge
Huddersfield HD8 0LE
T: +44 (0) 1484 349 444 F: +44 (0) 1484 346 456
Email: [email protected]
www.paxman-coolers.co.uk
An information leaflet sponsored by Paxman Coolers Ltd
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Hair Care
Washing Your Hair
Colouring Your Hair
• Don’t be afraid to brush or comb your hair daily but
remember do it gently using a wide-toothed comb or
a soft hairbrush, such as one for a baby.
• When washing your hair always use neutral ph balanced
5.5 or natural herbal type shampoos and conditioners that
help nourish and encourage healthy hair.
• If you usually tie your hair back use ribbons or soft
scrunchies rather than elastic type bands which can
easily damage the hair.
• Avoid products higher in acids or alkaline such as baby
shampoo (alkaline).
Although it is not recommended to colour your hair while
having scalp cooling a number of patients have used a nonpermanent natural vegetable-based colouring product,
which usually last from 3-6 weeks. (Try to avoid some Henna
products which can contain ammonia and peroxide). This
type of colouring product can be obtained from high street
outlets or natural health stores.
• Don’t plait your hair as this may damage it.
• Always wash your hair with tepid not hot water.
• Don’t perm your hair.
• Gently apply shampoo and conditioner to your hair - do
not be aggressive.
• Don’t subject your hair to excessive heat, for example
hair dryers, hair straighteners, heated rollers etc.
• Let your hair dry naturally if possible or pat your hair dry
using a soft towel - do not rub it.
• Don’t use hair products that contain harsh chemicals,
such as hair dyes, perms, gels and sprays.
• If using a hair dryer use the cold air setting only and avoid
rubbing your hair as you dry it.
• Only use natural ph balanced herbal or vegetable
based products which nourish and encourage
healthy hair.
• Try and limit the number of times you wash your hair to
twice a week if possible.
• Sleep on a pillow fitted with a silk/satin type
pillow case.
• When having chemotherapy/scalp cooling treatment it is
recommended to wash your hair 24 to 48 hours
before treatment.
• If you have long hair use a silk/satin hair net to sleep in
to avoid your hair getting tangled.
• Try to not wash your hair for at least 24 hours following
chemotherapy/scalp cooling treatment.
If you do decide to colour your hair it is recommended that
you initially colour your hair at least one week before starting
your first chemotherapy/scalp cooling treatment cycle,
ensuring to use only a non-permanent natural vegetable
based product.
Thereafter for patients receiving 3 weekly cycles of
chemotherapy further colouring of your hair should again be
done the week before receiving your chemotherapy/scalp
cooling treatment. For patients on weekly cycles of
chemotherapy it is recommended that colouring your hair is
done 4/5 days after receiving your chemotherapy/scalp
cooling treatment.
Hairdressers
Visiting your hairdresser while receiving chemotherapy/scalp
cooling treatment is not advisable. However if you feel you
do need to go to the hairdresser, maybe to have your hair
cut, make sure they are fully aware that you are receiving
chemotherapy and scalp cooling treatment. Provide them
with this information leaflet as it may help minimise any
potential hair loss.
Please be advised that should you choose to colour your
hair or visit your hairdresser this may affect the success of the
scalp cooling treatment and lead to increased hair loss.
The key factor to help achieve a successful outcome is to be
as gentle as possible with your hair. Remember do not subject
your hair to any stress, aggression, pressure or heat during your
chemotherapy/scalp cooling treatment.
It is advisable to continue with the same practices for a period
of 6 – 8 weeks following your last treatment cycle.
Patient Debra Wolfe
following chemotherapy and
scalp cooling treatment
For further advice speak with your nursing staff or
help support group.