Cold Capping?
At Mercy Infusion Center with Todd my cold capping hero.
Cold Capping? Yeah, Me Too... Until Breast Cancer.
Before my breast cancer diagnosis, I had never even heard of cold capping. Then suddenly, I found myself navigating a world full of new terms, overwhelming decisions, and "firsts" I never imagined I'd face.
When chemotherapy became part of my treatment plan, I went down the rabbit hole researching cold capping. Like so many people, I wasn't just trying to save my hair—I was searching for a way to hold on to a little bit of control when everything else felt completely out of my hands.
As a hairstylist and salon owner, my hair has always been part of my identity. It isn't about vanity—it's about feeling like yourself. So when I learned I had triple-positive breast cancer (ER+, PR+, HER2+) and would be starting weekly Taxol treatments, I knew I wanted to explore every option available. Thankfully, my treatment center, Mercy Hospital, offers the Paxman Scalp Cooling System, so I decided to give cold capping a try.
So, What Is Cold Capping?
Cold capping, also known as scalp cooling, is a treatment used during chemotherapy to help reduce hair loss. It works by cooling the scalp before, during, and after each chemotherapy infusion. The cold temperature constricts the blood vessels in the scalp, reducing the amount of chemotherapy medication that reaches the hair follicles. It also slows the activity of the follicles themselves, making them less vulnerable to the effects of chemotherapy.
Cold capping isn't a guarantee that you'll keep all of your hair. Some people experience minimal shedding, while others still lose a significant amount. Every chemotherapy regimen—and every person—is different. But for me, it represented more than just hair. It represented hope, normalcy, and the chance to recognize myself in the mirror during one of the hardest seasons of my life.
What I've Learned So Far
As I'm going through weekly Taxol treatments and using the Paxman system, I've learned that hair care looks very different than it did before.
Right now, my routine is simple:
I wash my hair just once a week.
I use cool or lukewarm water.
I gently detangle and avoid pulling on my hair.
I skip unnecessary heat styling.
I wear my hair loosely braided to avoid putting stress on the roots.
For someone who's spent years teaching clients how to care for their hair, learning to do less has been one of the biggest adjustments.
Why I'm Sharing This
When I started researching cold capping, I had so many questions.
How do I care for my hair during treatment?
Which products are actually gentle enough?
When can I safely color my hair again?
What does regrowth really look like after chemotherapy?
As both a hairstylist and someone living through breast cancer, I realized I could share a perspective that combines professional knowledge with real-life experience.
This blog is where I'll document my journey with Paxman cold capping, weekly Taxol treatments, and everything I'm learning along the way. I'll also share tips for caring for your hair during treatment, gentle product recommendations, what to expect after chemotherapy, and when it's appropriate to return to hair color and salon services.
My hope is that if you're sitting where I was just 12 weeks ago—newly diagnosed, overwhelmed, and searching for answers—you'll find encouragement, practical advice, and a reminder that you're not walking this road alone.
Whether you choose to cold cap or not, there is no "right" decision. This is simply my story, and I hope sharing it helps another woman feel a little more prepared and a little more supported.
Love,
Kate Colton