What Is Scalp Cooling?

Scalp cooling is a simple treatment that can prevent hair loss caused by certain chemotherapy drugs. The use of scalp cooling has been proven to be effective in preventing chemotherapy induced alopecia, or hair loss, and can result in women retaining much of the hair. Some women retain all of it. For people receiving chemotherapy, scalp cooling can mean the opportunity to regain some control, ensure some privacy, and maintain a positive attitude toward treatment.

Why Does Chemotherapy Cause Hair Fall Out?

Chemotherapy works by targeting all rapidly dividing cells in the body. Hair is the second fastest dividing cell, which is why many chemotherapy drugs cause hair loss. Chemotherapy damages hair follicles (at the root of the hair), resulting in hair loss about 2 weeks after the start of chemotherapy.

Does Hair Always Fall Out With Chemotherapy?

Many chemotherapy drugs used to treat breast cancer, including taxanes and anthracyclines, cause alopecia, or hair loss. Ask a member of your healthcare team if your specific chemotherapy drugs cause this side effect. This independent decision making tool can help you to get the best estimate of the chance of hair loss in your situation if you enter both your type of chemotherapy and the dosage.

How Does Scalp Cooling Work?

Scalp cooling reduces the damage that chemotherapy causes to hair follicles. It does this by lowering the temperature of the scalp immediately before, during, and after chemotherapy. This in turn reduces blood flow to the area around the hair follicles, which may prevent or minimize hair loss.

The Paxman Scalp Cooling System has excellent heat extraction technology, making it the most comfortable and tolerable scalp cooling method. In addition, the Paxman Scalp Cooling System is administered by healthcare professionals during chemotherapy.

How Will It Feel?
Tolerance of the cold feeling experienced while having scalp cooling varies widely from person to person. Patients often have an intense feeling of discomfort or pain from the cold in the first 10 to 15 minutes of treatment. This is transient and is likely to go away as you get used to the cold.

Deep breathing can help at the initial stages of scalp cooling. The benefits can include immediate relaxation as well as an improved ability to handle stress and calm down. Please continue to breathe deeply throughout treatment. Also be sure to dress warmly-in layers-even in warm weather.

If after the first 20 minutes of scalp cooling you are still finding the cold hard to bear, consult your healthcare professionals about taking a mild pain reliever, which may reduce your discomfort.