Online Tik Tok women who had success keeping their hair made videos.

Kaiser had the machine and I paid for the treatments.

It wasn’t as uncomfortable as I thought it would be. My head went numb after 15 minutes. Then it was fine. It does add a lot of extra time to the treatment but it was worth it.

My husband was the best support. He came to my treatment appointments and helped me put the cap on tight and get a great fit. I couldn’t have done it without him. Also, the Paxman website was very helpful answering any questions I had.

It should be covered and I hope it happens in every state.

I feel it was well worth it! I looked normal at the most tragic time of my life. I thought I would be bald like the doctor said but cool capping allowed me to keep all my hair! It was the best decision and I would recommend it to anyone worried about losing their hair.

I had never heard of it before then the Nurse navigator explained it to me when I found out I needed chemo

I was scared! Was scared of entire thing! Scare of not putting it on correctly scared of it not working. But I am so so so happy I did it!!!! My nurses were unfortunately not highly trained with it, they said I was the first person to use it so my husband helped me with the cap. I loved the cold. Felt great during and after was good too.

My parents, my husband, my son, my family, my friends, my co-workers. The list goes on. I had a HUGE support system! They were all there for me, checked in, visited during chemo treatments my co-workers even made breast cancer scrub caps and wore them every Wednesday when I had treatment! That was huge for me. Just to know they were there meant the world to me

My insurance did not help at all and I plan to go to state house and have this covered for more people. Cancer is expensive enough this should be covered! Very proud of NY for being the first state to pass it. Hope all states in the US follow suit

Do not be scared! Do not give up! You got this! Be gentle with yourself and your hair. I would also tell people to look into the statistics for their type of chemo to see how much it might help before spending the money. Not cheap but for me it was worth it

I wasn't aware of this treatment prior my diagnosis. When I knew I had cancer I had to get a CT scan to see where we were at and while I was talking to the nurse giving me contrast I said to her that I was afraid of my kids looking at me bald and she told me that there was cold capping option, so she was the one that introduced me to this.

It was amazing, super smooth and very easy.
I was scared because I've read that some people had headaches etc but it was very comfortable for me

My husband, parents, and best friends.. they were amazing during this days and I can't thank them enough.

Its amazing, I believe this should be 100% reimbursed.. its horrible going through treatment and losing hair feels like losing yourself too .. so your fighting for your life and also not looking like yourself in the mirror, its HARD.

Everything is going to be ok, its a HORRIBLE thing to go through might as well go through this feeling good and feel pretty. Its so worth it even if you end up losing a lot of hair, the folicules don't die so it growths very fast. I remember looking at all the hair I was losing and thinking what's the point of cold capping but IT SOOO WORTH IT.

When I met with my oncology team, they told me about the Paxman cooling cap. I was fitted for it.

I applied for the HairToStay grant because my insurance does not cover the cap. I was able to get a grant for $1440 for the $1800 cost of the cap.

My scalp cooling experience was amazing! I was able to keep most of my hair throughout the progress. I had to cut my hair in order for the cap to fit on my head but the haircut felt empowering. It was something I could control in a situation I felt I didn't have much control over. During the treatment, it was a process. I had to take a shower and get my hair fully wet before going to a session. I would put the condition on as well. Then I would wear a shower cap to the hospital. I would wet my hair more right before the cap went on. During the sessions, I would get a headache from the tightness and cold but I learned to take a Tylenol before the session which helped tremendously. It was a lot process with the cap given I had to keep it on 90 minutes post infusion. However, I did it. I would leave the cap on until I got home so that it could defrost. I would then co-wash my hair (not using shampoo only conditioner) and style it. I would not do anything to my hair until the next week when I had chemo. This worked well. After chemo was completed, I had a few weeks where the shredding was still more than normal. However, my hair has remained intact the whole time. The cap was a Godsend.

My hair salon was super supportive. They were super supportive when I got my first cut before chemotherapy.

Also, I had a Paxman rep happen to help me during one of my chemo sessions. Jacqueline Olsen.

My nurses were helpful as well. I went to chemotherapy alone most sessions. They would help me re-wet my hair.

I loved my hair so much and the thought of losing it was scary. However, this cap gave me a possible option. So why not try? I tried and it worked! A lot of people doubted it would work because of my hair texture as a Black woman. I actually think that's what worked in my favor. I could go a week without manipulating my hair which is the recommendation. I did have to cut my hair to fit it into the cap. However, I gained a whole new confidence with a new look. I was able to play with my new look which was helpful during such a hard time.

I knew people who had used it in the past and it had been successful in retaining majority of their hair. However, I didn’t know anyone who had used it on the drug I was on.

My specialist nurse got in contact with Paxman after a persistent request due to being told I would not be able to use it by the hospital.

My experience was a positive one. It got harder the more chemotherapy sessions I had due to my hair thinning. I was anxious at the start that it was not going to be overly successful looking at the stats but as a 21 year old girl who always had her hair done, it was important to me to try. After chemotherapy I felt happy with the outcome but was conscious of 2 small bald bits at the front temples however this had started to grow back before I finished chemo and was easily covered with clips. The first 30 mins of cold capping was definitely the hardest but I adjusted to it after about a hour and was able to nap in it.

I was very supported by my family, especially my mum who put everything she could in place to help me feel as normal as I could and maintain how I looked before treatment as much as we could. My friends were very supportive. I was in my final weeks of university when I started my chemo and cold capping experience and had lots of end of term events coming up. They all helped with my hair and the health of it- different heatless styles for these events so I looked like everyone else at them. I wanted to best be supported by those who had the knowledge into cold capping and also people who didn’t treat me differently just because I was ill. This really helped me during treatment because as I had my hair, no one would have thought I was going through chemotherapy.

To definitely give it a go and try your best with it! Everyone has different thresh holds for pain but to look into how it will help you after you’ve finished treatment feel more like yourself and not the stereotypical “cancer patient”.

My oncologist

Scalp cooling was truly a game changer for me.

It gave me hope that I could still recognize myself throughout treatment - at work, at home, and in the mirror. More than that, it allowed my three-year-old daughter, who understood that my diagnosis, to see me without the visible reminder of cancer. That was an incredible gift for both of us.

The first ten minutes of each session were tough, but once I found my rhythm, it became part of my routine. As the weeks went on - and as I continued to keep my hair - it became easier, both physically and emotionally.

Scalp cooling didn’t just preserve my hair; it helped preserve a sense of normalcy, and control during one of the most challenging times of my life

My entire family was incredible - my mom, dad, wife, and children were all by my side through every step of treatment. But my dad became our family’s scalp-cooling expert - learning everything about the cap, the fit, and the process. He came with me to every treatment, double-checking the placement and making sure it was perfectly fitted each week.

Surprisingly, it turned something that could have been overwhelming into something we faced together — and that meant the world to me.

You can do this. The first few minutes will be uncomfortable, but you’ll find your groove - and it will be so worth it. Have faith that it works. Each session will get easier, and each day you’ll look in the mirror and realize you still look like you.

This isn’t just about hair - it’s about hope, confidence, and the gift of letting my daughter see you as the same mom she’s always known. Scalp cooling is an incredible gift, and you’ll be so proud you chose to try it.

I found out at the infusion center, MSK!

It was very challenging because it was so cold and added extra time to my treatment days. Even so, I was happy with the results. The delay and limiting of hair loss within the first months of treatment helped me feel “normal” when things were not normal at all!

My husband, Vinny and my mom sat with me through all 16 treatments!

After many, many hours on the phone, I did get reimbursed by my insurance company for the cold cap.

The challenge of scalp cooling was worth the normalcy it gifted me. I’m proud of myself for finishing all 16 cycles with scalp cooling!

I often tell the patients I fit for caps now that it is a very personal decision to cold cap or not, but I felt it was the right decision for me. The benefit of delaying and limiting hair loss put me back in control of my diagnosis and gave me the confidence I so needed while getting treatment.

I am so thankful for companies like Paxman that have gone above and beyond to present this awesome opportunity to retain and protect hair (because it’s so much more than “just hair”)!

I was not aware of scalp cooling prior to my diagnosis. I learned about scalp cooling from Dr. Lee, my oncologist.

I had a great experience! I went into chemo very well prepared. I watched the Paxman videos many times and practiced putting on my cap several times before starting chemo. I was nervous for the first chemo session. I found scalp cooling cold but manageable. As the chemo weeks progressed, I was confident I was getting a great fit on my cap. It continued to be cold but manageable. At the half way point, I had no significant hair loss and was so relieved! When I completed chemo, with my hair intact, I was so grateful to Paxman!

At the infusion center of Anne Arundel Medical Center.

Scalp cooling and Paxman has made a positive difference in my life!!! When I learned I needed chemo, my first thoughts were of loosing my hair. I’m an executive running a business and a mom. How can I do this with no hair!? I would have taken on that challenge because I had to, BUT when I learned of scalp cooling, I was thrilled to know that keeping all or some of my hair was a real possibility, it gave me the needed drive to get through this challenging time! Scalp cooling works!! All chemo patients should have access to it!

Each week of chemo I had a friend go with me. They watched the Paxman videos too and were prepared to help me get my cap on. I also joined several online support groups, including the Facebook Paxman support group. I found it very helpful to learn about others experiences.

My insurance company, Blue Cross/Blue Shield in Maryland, does not cover scalp cooling. I had to pay out of pocket for my scalp cooling. I have testified before the Maryland General Assembly on House Bill 1187, which would require insurance companies to partially or fully cover scalp cooling in Maryland. I continue to advocate for this bill which is up for vote in early 2026. I’m committed to helping other Marylanders going through chemo have paid access to scalp cooling.

I am active in several support groups. I always recommend scalp cooling! What I share with other women is that positive thinking is a game changer. If you think chemo and scalp cooling will be a horrible experience, that will be your experience. Likewise, if your attitude is one of positivity and get ‘er done, attitude, that will be your experience. I tell others to not go down the rabbit hole of others negative experiences but to go into it hopeful and grateful. We can do hard things! Take one day at a time! Be grateful for this hair saving technology!

I knew about Paxman scalp cooling because I work as a pharmacist at the Baclesse Cancer Centre in Caen, France.

Oui je connaissais votre casque car je travaille en tant que pharmacienne au CLCC Baclesse de Caen

I enjoyed it, despite the cold, which was certainly not pleasant, but with warm clothing (thermal layers), a hot water bottle, a blanket, a scarf and a hot drink, the cold was much more bearable. And once the first few minutes had passed, the feeling of cold was also more tolerable.

Je l'ai bien vécu, malgré le froid ressenti, certes pas forcément agréable mais avec des vêtements chauds (vêtements thermolactyl) une bouillotte, un plaid, et une écharpe, et une boisson chaude le froid ressenti est nettement plus supportable. Et une fois les premières minutes passées, la sensation de froid est également plus supportable.

At the Bayeux Hospital Centre (UCP)

Au centre hospitalier (ucp) de Bayeux

I enjoyed it, despite the cold, which was certainly not pleasant, but with warm clothing (thermal layers), a hot water bottle, a blanket, a scarf and a hot drink, the cold was much more bearable. And once the first few minutes had passed, the feeling of cold was also more tolerable.

Je l'ai bien vécu, malgré le froid ressenti, certes pas forcément agréable mais avec des vêtements chauds (vêtements thermolactyl) une bouillotte, un plaid, et une écharpe, et une boisson chaude le froid ressenti est nettement plus supportable. Et une fois les premières minutes passées, la sensation de froid est également plus supportable.

I had bought wigs, turbans, hairpieces... but as I didn't lose all my hair, I didn't have to wear them. I used keratin powders to cover up the thinner areas.

J'avais acheté perruques, turbans, franges...mais comme je n'ai pas perdu tous mes cheveux, je n'ai pas eu à en porter. J'ai eu recours a des poudres de kératine pour masquer les zones plus clairsemées.

If I had to do it again, I would do so without hesitation because it has greatly contributed to me keeping some of my hair and ensuring regrowth.

To anyone considering cooling: it works, and it can help you keep some of your hair, so go for it without hesitation! There are several tricks to keep you from feeling so cold.

Si c'était a refaire je le referai sans hésiter car ça a largement participer a ce que je conserve une partie de mes cheveux et a une repousse harmonieuse.

A quelqu'un qui envisage le refroidissement: que ça marche, et peut permettre de garder une partie de ses cheveux donc de foncer sans hésiter! Qu'il y a plusieurs astuces pour ne pas avoir si froid.