How the Paxman Cold Cap Helps Chemo Patients Keep Their Hair

It feels like adding insult to injury. You learn you have cancer, you go through surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy—and your hair falls out.

Of course, you can wear a hat to protect your head from the cold or sunburn. However, hair plays a big role in many people’s identity. The thought of hair loss is so unpleasant that 14% of women who need chemotherapy refuse it due to fear of alopecia, or losing one’s hair.

Why does chemotherapy make some people lose their hair? And what can be done about it? Reasons for chemo-related hair loss are complicated, but Capital Health Cancer Center offers one possible solution: the Paxman Scalp Cooling System.

Why Does Chemo Make You Lose Your Hair?

Chemotherapy kills cancer because it targets cells that multiply and spread quickly: in other words, cancer cells. Unfortunately, the cells in your hair follicles also grow fast—think how fast hair comes back after you shave! This makes hair a prime target for chemotherapy agents.

In fact, not everyone loses their hair during chemotherapy. Different types of chemotherapy result in varying degrees of hair loss, ranging from complete loss to none at all. The American Cancer Society lists types of chemo that are more likely to cause hair loss. Different people also respond differently to chemotherapy in terms of hair loss.

Fortunately, many people regrow their hair after undergoing chemotherapy. Modern technologies like cold caps can reduce the chances of you losing your hair.

What Is a Cold Cap?

A cold cap consists of an automated cooling system and a cap worn on the head. A cooled liquid or gel circulates through the cap, lowering your scalp temperature by a designated amount. You use a cold cap immediately before, during, and after chemotherapy sessions to keep your scalp cool for the duration of your infusion.

Other scalp cooling systems include manual scalp cooling, somewhat like wearing a cap containing an ice pack. These systems are not FDA-approved. Capital Health uses automated scalp cooling.

Do Cold Caps Really Work?

Cold caps use a technology called scalp hypothermia to slow blood flow to your scalp. Because chemotherapy drugs travel in the bloodstream, extreme cooling can limit the amount of chemo that gets to your hair follicles. As a result, your hair experiences less chemotherapy-related damage.

Depending on the type of chemotherapy you receive, success rates for cold caps can range from extremely effective to slightly effective. For some common chemotherapy drugs, cold caps can reach 100% effectiveness. However, people may still experience some hair loss or hair thinning when using a cold cap. The order in which you receive different chemotherapy medications also affects how well scalp hypothermia works.

The effectiveness of cold caps depends heavily on many factors. Your best approach is asking your doctor whether cold-cap therapy makes sense for your particular type of cancer and chemotherapy.

What Is It Like to Use a Cold Cap?

Before you use a Paxman cold cap, you’ll receive a home kit containing a cap and a hair preparation kit. Each time you go for chemotherapy, you’ll treat your hair with special conditioner and protect your forehead with a headband. At the treatment center, you’ll dampen your hair, then put on the cap. A staff member will attach the cap to the cooling system. You’ll undergo an initial cooling before your infusion starts.

You’ll wear the cap, which has two layers, throughout your treatment. After your infusion, you’ll have one more cooling stage, then wait for your scalp temperature to warm up before removing your cap. Be sure to bring a warm hat for the drive home. Just like after a winter stroll, some people notice ice crystals on their hair after scalp cooling treatment!

Do Cold Caps Hurt?

Cold caps are not generally considered painful. Patients may feel cold or get headaches while using the cap, but one study found that only about 4% of people quit using a cold cap due to discomfort. Other side effects include claustrophobia, nausea and dry skin.

Using a cold cap can also add time to your infusion center visits.

Will Insurance Pay for a Cold Cap for Chemo?

Medicare pays for treatment with automated scalp cooling systems. If you have private insurance, check with your carrier about coverage. Your nurse navigator may be able to connect you with nonprofits that help pay for scalp cooling during chemotherapy.

Will My Hair Grow Back After Using a Cold Cap?

Scalp cooling focuses on helping you keep your hair during chemotherapy. It’s not a hair growth product, but the caps might help your hair grow back faster.

Most of the time, you’ll regrow your hair after chemo—with or without using scalp cooling. If you experience hair loss issues that persist after cancer treatment, doctors can prescribe medications to encourage hair growth.

Conclusion

If you’re worried about hair loss due to chemotherapy, talk to your care team about the Paxman Scalp Cooling System. While it’s not for everyone, the cold cap offers:

• Ease of use: You do scalp cooling on the same days you have your infusions.
• Nonpharmacologic solution: Scalp cooling doesn’t add to your list of cancer medications.
• Positive results: While it may not work for every patient or chemotherapy treatment, scalp cooling is highly effective in limiting hair loss in many cases.

Explore the Paxman Scalp Cooling System and other Cancer Support Services at Capital Health.