One of the questions we get asked most frequently is ‘what products can I use on my hair when I am scalp cooling?’ It’s a completely understandable question, as a large majority of us rely on products to do the hard work with your hair on a normal day, and the thought of not being able to use them can be pretty unnerving. The good news is that it is not a complete no go when it comes to products, but there are some very clear bits of guidance that we can provide.
First and foremost, we are not able to recommend specific products for use when scalp cooling. It’s not because we don’t want to endorse other company’s products, but simply because there isn’t any clinical data out there to say that the products are safe or effective when used in conjunction with scalp cooling. That doesn’t mean that certain products are unsafe, or not suitable, we just don’t have any proof to show that they are.
What we can do is give you some information that will hopefully help you to make some informed choices as to what is going to work for you.
Shampoo
There is a Paxman shampoo that was developed to be used when scalp cooling, and has been used in trials, so we do know that it is safe. But if you would like an alternative, any shampoo product that is sulphate and paraben free, and if possible color and fragrance free, is completely suitable for use while scalp cooling. What is key to know, is how to wash your hair safely while scalp cooling – you definitely want to be avoiding circular motions and piling your hair on your head. Find out more on washing techniques below.
Conditioner
As with shampoo, we do have a Paxman conditioner available, but you are looking for a sulphate and paraben free product, that would ideally be color and fragrance free. Hydrating products are great, as they will help to manage the condition of your hair as the chemo process begins to dry it out.
If you have curly or coily hair, a thick textured conditioner is great. All hair types can also consider a leave-in conditioner that you can add as and when you need it (a spray in one makes this an easy process), but make sure you are only leaving conditioner in if it is specifically designed for this, otherwise it can make your hair more difficult to wash and manage.
Oils
Pure and natural oils can be a great addition to your hair care, but do make sure that you are patch testing before you use anything all over your scalp. Oils can help with a dry scalp and ends of hair, and can be an invaluable part of curly and coily hair as a way to manage frizz and flyaways. You can find out more about using oils below.
Dry shampoo
Dry shampoo can be a useful tool when you are transitioning towards washing your hair less frequently, but should be used with caution. If you have curly or coily hair it should be avoided as it can block your follicles and cause more trouble than it is worth. If your hair is straight or wavy, a spritz here or there is fine, but make sure you aren’t creating a build-up of product that is hard to wash out. Again, make sure you patch test first, as your scalp can be really sensitive as a result of chemo.
There has been some information in the press recently about dry shampoos being recalled due to them containing benzene, a known carcinogen. Please do check your products for benzene and avoid accordingly. There is more information on benzene in dry shampoos here
Thickening sprays, mousses, styling pastes, hair sprays and gels
We would advise avoiding these products if at all possible when you are scalp cooling. They are likely to make your hair a little or a lot sticky, which will make it more difficult for any shed hairs to be liberated. Often these products may need heat and a blow dry action to be activated, which is also problematic. Fundamentally, these products are probably going to contribute to making your hair more difficult to manage and to wash.
Hair growth products
We would always recommend that you wait until you have finished your treatment until you use any products that ‘promote hair growth’. They generally work by increasing the blood flow to the scalp, which is of course the opposite of what you want to be doing while scalp cooling. The vast majority of these products are designed to be used in other hair loss situations, and there is no product or active ingredient under the sun that is going to prevent or slow down chemotherapy induced hair loss – only scalp cooling can do that. In all honesty, you may as well save yourself the money.
There are some active ingredients that can make a difference to hair regrowth once your chemotherapy is completed – look out for minoxidil and procapil, but they will need several months of consistent use (due to the nature of the hair growth cycle) until they make a difference.
There is no doubt that while you are scalp cooling there is going to be some (potentially big) changes to your hair care routines. It’s a lot to cope with on top of everything else, but if you can embrace high moisture and conditioning approaches, and avoid those heated styling approaches your hair is going to be as easy to manage as possible during your treatment and your retained hair will be in the best possible condition once you are finished.
How can I buy your shampoo and conditioner? You don’t have a store to go to.
Hi Debra, our store link is here: https://shop.paxmanscalpcooling.com/
I used the cold cap during 4 cycles of chemo. I estimate I am lucky to have kept about 70% of my thick hair. I now have about an inch of pure white roots on my normally dyed dark blonde hair, when is it safe for me to dye my roots?
Hi Anita, we recommend waiting at least 3 months post-final chemo before dyeing your hair.We would recommend going to a hairdresser who is aware of your situation. It’s not always better to use something other than permanent dye. Though there are many ‘natural’ dyes out there, the likelihood is you will have to use them more often than permanent hairdye which is in reality, a higher level of exposure to chemicals.
Make sure you patch test before getting your hair dyed, as your scalp and skin will be more sensitive than it was before chemo.
Hope this helps!
Hi, in the same hand with Anita’s question, shouldn’t I use any kind of dye? I mean, I wanted to know if a free ammonia dye could be an option. Thanks in advance
Hi Mariela, during chemo we don’t recommend using any kind of hair dye. Whether that be vegetable dye, ammonia free dye or anything like that. The reality is, they are still chemicals and they could still cause a reaction.
It’s always best to wait until at least 3 months post-final chemo and it’s not always best to use something other than permanent dye after this time – even though they are ‘calmer’ dyes, the reality is you will have to use them more which means more exposure to chemicals. Your hair will have been through an awful lot, and so will your skin and scalp, it’s best to wait and speak to an experienced hairdresser who is aware of your situation. Hope this helps.
We don’t have a Paxman so I need to order caps. Will this be beneficial with other cold caps?
Absolutely, this guidance is helpful for anyone who is scalp cooling, whether that be manual or mechanized.
Is Organic Castor Oil safe to use?
Hi Janet, we don’t recommend the use of castor oil. As it promotes hair regrowth, it can increase blood flow to the scalp. We recommend natural oils such as argan, olive, jojoba and almond. Please patch test before using as your skin and scalp sensitivity may be much different to what it was before chemo. Hope this helps!
I had my first chemo and cold cap cycle 3 days ago. Is it too soon to gently wash and condition my hair in the shower? My hair is quite oily and I am keen to freshen it up. But I’m keen to follow your guidance. I have organic shampoo and conditioner that I can use. Thanks.
Hi Claire, all we recommend is that you wash your hair less frequently than you did before chemo, no more than twice a week. When you choose to do this is completely your choice, Find a routine that works well for you.
Can I get a haircut/trim while using the paxnan
Hi Karen,
Manageability throughout treatment is the thing to concentrate on. Having a trim is a good idea to get rid of any damaged or dry hair as this is more likely to tangle or knot. If possible, go to a hairdresser with experience of your circumstance. Hope this helps.
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Hi,
Since my breast cancer diagnosis end of January I stopped dying my hair. Normally I have dark brown hair, right now a thick brilliant grey hair is coming out which does not really look nice.
Before starting chemo yesterday and using the Paxman cooling cap I used a coloring spray to cover the grey hair. Can I continue using it now?
Another question, I have curly hair and after washing I used to straighten it with a hair dryer and round brush.
Is it correct that it is recommended only to let it air dry or with cool dryer, no heat and no styling products?
Of course, I will follow all recommendations not to loose my hair. I will have 6 cycles of Docetaxel and Cyclophosphamide. I am living in Germany and Paxman is not so common here. It is not so easy to get some good and helpful recommendations.
Thanks in advance!
Elisabeth
Hi Elisabeth, if you have type 1 or 2 hair (straight to wavy) you should be fine to use a root touch up spray. Please patch test before using. However we don’t recommend you dye your hair during this process.
Absolutely right, no heated styling. You can use the hair dryer on the cool setting, but air drying would be best. Hope this helps!
I am using the digna cap. They are saying to only shampoo twice a week. My scalp and hair are very oily.to the degree that on the 3rd day of not shampooing I am ashamed for anyone to see my hair. Would it make me loose more hair if I shampoo every other day. It is thinning and I have bald spot at crown.
Hi Mary, we recommend washing your hair no more than twice a week. What we’re trying to do is keep your hair in the best condition possible, which means we need as many of your natural oils in your hair as possible. If you have type 1 or 2 hair (straight or wavy) you can use a spritz of dry shampoo inbetween washes. Hope this helps!
Hi, normally, I have curly hair and wet my hair every day in the shower and pull a little conditioner through the ends. I shampoo only once a week, is it okay to continue this routine with paxman products or should I only get my hair wet on shampoo days? Thank you for your guidance.
Hi Jenna, we don’t recommend wetting your hair daily, however if you need to please make sure you use a spray in/leave in conditioner to help keep it as manageable as possible. Hope this helps.
Is it safe to use a powder root cover up during cold capping?
Hi Beth, yes absolutely. Try not to use too much as we want to avoid a build up of product on the scalp. It is also worth patch testing first as your skin and scalp sensitivity may be much different to what it was before chemo.