Scalp Cooling

Scalp cooling is a technique that makes your scalp very cold. During chemotherapy treatments, a cap with cold liquid is placed on your head along with a cover to keep it in place. This technique can help to reduce chemotherapy-induced hair loss by slowing blood flow to your scalp making it less likely for chemotherapy medicines to affect your hair during treatment. Reach out to a member of your care team to see if this technique is right for you.

What is scalp cooling?

Scalp cooling is a technique used during chemotherapy treatment to help prevent hair loss. This type of hair loss is better known as chemotherapy-induced alopecia.

An FDA-cleared, portable scalp cooling system cools a water mixture to a specific temperature and cycles it through a silicone cap fitted to your head. The cap is held in place with a wrap to evenly cover your entire scalp.

Who can have scalp cooling?

If you will have or are having chemotherapy treatment, speak with a member of you care team to see if you are eligible.

How is scalp cooling delivered?

Scalp cooling brings a circulating water mixture temperature to 0 degrees Celsius. Due to the low temperature, you may feel cold while wearing the cap. To help keep warm, bring warm clothing, such as a jacket and/or blanket, socks and shoes.

Cooler Heads is The University of Kansas Health System’s scalp-cooling company. Their customer care department will support eligible patients by providing required accessories, education and resources including digital resource library and virtual support during infusions.

What are the risks of scalp cooling?

Scalp cooling may cause you to be very cold or have a headache. You should speak with a member of your care team about the risks of scalp cooling. Some hair thinning even with scalp cooling can be expected, but if successful, the treatment may limit your hair loss.

How long does scalp cooling last?

The scalp cooling system is used continuously – beginning 30 minutes before chemotherapy, during chemotherapy and for 2 hours after completion of a chemotherapy infusion. You will be shown how to prepare for scalp cooling and how to care for your hair, to achieve the best result.

Does insurance cover scalp cooling?

While scalp cooling can be billed to Medicare and other insurance providers, coverage may vary. You may apply for financial support through Hair to Stay, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping low-income cancer patients afford scalp cooling.