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Scalp Cooling

Scalp cooling is a technique we use during chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer to help prevent hair loss, known as chemotherapy-induced alopecia. It works by limiting blood flow to the scalp. Scalp cooling involves placing a silicone wrap under a tight-fitting cap on your head for each chemotherapy treatment. The silicone wrap cools your scalp, which helps prevent hair follicles from absorbing chemotherapy and may reduce hair loss.

How does scalp cooling work?

The FDA-approved, portable scalp cooling system cools a water mixture to a specific temperature and cycles it through the silicone cap on your head. You wear the cap for 30 minutes before your chemotherapy treatment, during treatment and for up to 2 hours after each treatment.

What should I expect from scalp cooling?

Everyone responds to scalp cooling differently. Talk with your physician or a member of your care team about the risk of hair loss. Even with scalp cooling some hair thinning can be expected, but successful scalp cooling may limit your hair loss.

Scalp cooling lowers a circulating water mixture temperature to about 0 degrees Celsius. You may feel cold while wearing the cap, so we recommend dressing in warm clothing, such as a jacket, socks and shoes and bringing a blanket. We will show you how to prepare for scalp cooling and how to care for your hair to achieve the best results.

Cooler Heads is The University of Kansas Health System’s scalp-cooling company. The company’s customer care department supports eligible patients by providing required accessories, education and resources. This includes a digital resource library and virtual support during treatments. As a patient, you are responsible for purchasing your cap kit from Cooler Heads and bringing it to each chemotherapy treatment.

How much does scalp cooling cost?

While scalp cooling can be billed to insurance, coverage varies by insurance type. As of January 1, 2026, Medicare provides coverage and will pay for the initial cap fitting, patient education provided by your care team and for the cap kit. Unfortunately, most commercial insurances do not cover scalp cooling.

Our health system will provide the necessary cooling system equipment. Patients with commercial insurance will be responsible for signing an Acknowledgement of Liability before they start scalp cooling. This states that they are aware the cap kit is a noncovered service, and they agree to pay for the service once they are invoiced by the health system. The health system is charging a discounted fee, which includes the initial cap fitting, patient education and cap kit.

You may request a payment plan in MyChart by selecting Billing and sending a message to customer service. Hair to Stay, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping cancer patients afford scalp cooling, also offers financial assistance based on a patient’s financial need up to $1000. You may apply for financial support through Hair to Stay.

Regardless of whether you choose to use scalp cooling, our team will work hard to provide you with the very best cancer care.

Frequently asked questions

  • Scalp cooling should be performed as prescribed. If you do not follow the recommendations (time length, frequency), scalp cooling may not be effective at preventing chemotherapy-induced hair loss.
  • It is your responsibility to bring your cooling cap to each treatment appointment. If you forget it, we can’t provide you with a new cap and your treatment will proceed without your cooling cap, as your appointment may not be able to be rescheduled.
  • It is your responsibility to complete the training and set up for your cooling cap. The health system will set up and provide the cooling system that attaches to your cooling cap, but we will not assist in placing the cap on your scalp.
  • If the cooling system device malfunctions or stops working during your infusion, and another device is unavailable to use, you will need to complete your infusion without scalp cooling therapy.
  • If you change your mind or choose to stop scalp cooling, you will not be refunded for the cooling cap and you may experience chemotherapy-induced alopecia.

  • We encourage you to follow these hair care tips once you start chemotherapy and scalp cooling:

    • Don’t cut or color your hair while receiving chemotherapy and scalp cooling. 
    • Wash your hair on the 3rd day following chemotherapy and limit hair washing to a few times a week. 
    • Consider a non-sulfate shampoo and conditioner and massage your hair strands gently. 
    • Blot your hair dry and avoid rough toweling against your scalp. 
    • Brush or comb your hair gently, starting at the ends and working your way up.
    • Avoid pulling the roots by holding your hair away from your head when brushing or combing. 
    • Avoid braids, tight ponytails and hair dryers or styling tools that may heat your scalp. 
    • Avoid tight hats and hair accessories that may pull your hair away from your scalp. 
    • Consider opting for workouts that will result in less scalp sweat. 
    • Avoid swimming in pools or other bodies of water while scalp cooling, as pool chemicals and salt may impact your hair retention.
To learn more, visit Cooler Heads.

 

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