An interview with

Krystal Ababao-Enabe

A professional Penguin Cold Capper who supports patients throughout their chemotherapy treatment.

When people think about cold capping, they often picture the practical side of the process – frozen caps, dry ice, careful fitting and precisely timed cap changes.

All of those things matter. But there’s another side to working with a professional Penguin Cold Capper that’s harder to see until you experience it for yourself.

Your capper is there to guide you through the process, answer your questions, make sure everything is done correctly and provide a familiar, reassuring presence throughout your chemotherapy treatment.

For professional Penguin Cold Capper Krystal Ababao-Enabe, that support begins before a patient even arrives for their first session.

Support starts before your first treatment

One of the biggest worries Krystal hears from new patients isn’t surprising:

“Is it going to be too cold? Will I be able to handle it?”

It’s why she likes to speak to patients before their first treatment.

“I call them before their first treatment and walk them through what the day will look like,” Krystal explains. “I let them know that yes, the caps are very cold at first, but most people adjust after those first few minutes. I want them to feel prepared and not walk in feeling anxious about the unknown.”

For Krystal, those conversations are about giving patients an idea of what to expect and the opportunity to ask questions before treatment begins.

More importantly, she wants them to know they won’t be navigating the process by themselves.

“I’m there to answer their questions, make them as comfortable as possible, and support them through the process.

My hope is that they leave their first appointment feeling reassured, cared for, and thinking, ‘I can do this.’”

Taking care of the technical side

Cold capping is a precise process.

Caps need to be maintained at the correct temperature, fitted securely and changed at the appropriate intervals. The recommended protocol and hair care guidance also need to be followed carefully throughout treatment.

For someone already dealing with chemotherapy, having an experienced professional take responsibility for the cold capping process can mean one less thing to think about.

“There are a lot of details that need attention – from timing the caps correctly, making sure they fit properly, and keeping the right temperatures,” says Krystal.

That’s a fundamental part of a professional capper’s role.

But Krystal believes doing the job well also means paying attention to the person underneath the cap.

Knowing when to talk – and when simply to be there

Treatment days aren’t all the same.

There may be days when a patient wants to talk, laugh and take their mind off what’s happening. On others, they might feel tired, worried or simply not feel like talking at all.

Part of Krystal’s role is learning to recognise what each patient needs.

“Sometimes they need someone to talk to, someone to reassure them, or even just someone to sit quietly with them during a difficult day,” she says.

“For me, it’s not only about helping them preserve their hair. It’s about making them feel supported, cared for, and reminded that they don’t have to go through this experience alone.”

It’s that combination of technical expertise and personal support that Krystal believes is so important.

A relationship that develops over time

Professional Penguin Cold Capper Krystal Ababao-Enabe with Dana.

Chemotherapy treatment can continue for weeks or months, which means patients and their cappers may spend a considerable amount of time together.

As the sessions pass, the capper who was a stranger at the first appointment can become a familiar face and an important part of the treatment-day routine.

“Over time, the relationship I build with my patients becomes something really special,” says Krystal. “Many of them start looking forward to treatment days – not just because of the cold capping, but because it becomes a time for us to talk, laugh, and share the experience together.”

One patient even told Krystal that having her there felt like having a mother and a sister by her side.

For Krystal, being trusted in that way is something she takes seriously.

“When a patient trusts me, I don’t take that lightly. I feel a responsibility to honor that trust by continuing to show up with the same care, compassion, and support throughout their journey.”

That support can continue between appointments too.

Krystal previously supported Penguin client Dana throughout her chemotherapy treatment, and would text before treatment days to remind her when she should wash her hair and help her stay on track with the recommended hair care routine.

Dana later credited Krystal’s consistency, guidance and support as an important part of her experience.

Read Dana’s cold capping story →

Helping you protect something that’s personal

Cold capping is designed to reduce chemotherapy-induced hair loss, but Krystal knows that the reasons people want to keep their hair are deeply personal.

For some, it’s about privacy. For others, it’s about confidence, identity or simply wanting one part of their appearance to remain familiar when so much else is changing.

“Hair is such a personal part of who we are, and being able to preserve it can bring so much relief and a sense of victory after everything they’ve been through,” says Krystal.

That means the small milestones along the way matter.

Seeing a patient become more comfortable with the process, hearing that they’re pleased with how much hair they’ve retained or simply watching their confidence grow can all be rewarding.

But there’s one milestone that means more than any other.

When your capper tells you not to call

The relationship between a patient and capper might begin with uncertainty and questions, but Krystal hopes it ends for a very different reason.

The patient doesn’t need her anymore.

“At the end of treatment, I often say, ‘Don’t call me! You don’t need me anymore!’” she laughs.

Behind the joke is a moment Krystal never takes for granted.

“The most rewarding part of being a Penguin Cold Capper is seeing my patients reach the end of treatment feeling stronger, more confident, and hopeful – especially when they are able to keep their hair.”

Get in touch

If you’re considering cold capping, speaking to a Penguin Cold Caps representative before treatment begins can help you understand what’s involved and decide whether it’s the right option for you.