Scalp Cooling

Scalp cooling is a method of preventing hair loss as a result of chemotherapy.  Hair loss as a result of chemotherapy is not inevitable. The scalp cooling treatment can reduce or completely prevent hair loss.

Cold cap treatment has a high success rate and is completely different from the gel cap regime that is also available to prevent hair loss.

Cancer chemotherapy affects the rapidly dividing cells of the hair follicles. Cooling the scalp during selected chemo regimes restricts the blood flow to the hair follicles and reduces the amount of chemo that reaches them.

The cold cap is a lightweight cap made out of silicone. Coolant passes through the lightweight, silicon cap, extracting heat from the scalp. The caps are linked to a compact refrigeration unit which circulates at -6°C through coolant lines and into the cooling caps. The cold cap is worn before, during and after chemo. Click here to learn more about the treatment.

Although successful scalp cooling depends on many factors, research and studies, many of which have shown that scalp cooling can be effective across a wide range of chemotherapy drugs such as; Epirubicin, Doxorubicin, Taxol and Taxotere. Click here to access a range of research and clinical studies.

Many patients experience great concern over the possibility of hair loss during what is already a distressing time and scalp cooling provides the only real alternative to hair loss with the use of many chemotherapy drugs. It can result in a high level of retention or complete hair preservation which can improve patients’ self confidence leading to positive attitudes towards treatment. Click here to learn more about the treatment.