When Debbie Daniels finished chemotherapy in September, one of the things she was happiest about was something that didn’t change very much: Her hair.

Daniels was the SOMC Cancer Center’s first patient to use their new Cooling Cap, which help prevent hair loss during chemotherapy. Based on her experience, Daniels strongly encourages others to try it, too.

“I thinned a little bit on top, but I kept all the rest of my hair and my length,” she said. Daniels estimates she only lost 25-35% of her hair on top, but said it’s growing back and, in the meantime, can be masked with a “hair topper.”

“It just clips in and blends in with my hair,” she said.

Aside from largely preserving her hair, the Cooling Cap also proved to be an effective distraction from her treatment. “You’re concentrating more on the machine than you are the chemo,” she said. She noted that the machine helped distract her both because of how cold it made her scalp and because it was important to ensure it continued working as intended.

“There was a tech that showed you how to use it, then you’re on your own with it,” she explained. She said watching to make sure it didn’t come unplugged or shut down helped keep her mind occupied, though she also appreciated visitors who could help distract her from the machine.

“It’s not easy because it gets very cold,” she said, “but once you get used to it you kind of settle in… Once you’re about 30 minutes you just kind of become numb to it.”

The cold was worth it, though, and Daniels is thrilled with her decision to use the Cooling Cap. In fact, she said she is willing to talk to anyone who is considering using it so she could share her thoughts.

“I was surprised it did as well as it did,” she said. “I would definitely recommend it.”