What is a scalp cooling system used for?

The system uses a fitted cap connected to a cooling unit. It lowers the temperature of the scalp before, during and after selected chemotherapy infusions. Cooling narrows local blood vessels and may reduce the amount of some medicines reaching hair follicles. The cap must fit closely, so your team may check your head measurements and adjust the cooling settings during treatment.

Scalp cooling does not prevent all hair changes. Its usefulness depends on the medicines, dose schedule, treatment plan and how your body responds. Hair may still become thinner or break, and the cap may not be appropriate for some conditions or chemotherapy regimens.

Ask your oncology team whether your planned medicines are compatible with scalp cooling and how long you would wear the cap. Tell them if you have migraines, cold sensitivity, scalp conditions or difficulty tolerating cold. Bring layers, and report headache, dizziness, numbness or distress while the cap is on so the team can assess you.

During or after treatment, tell staff promptly about severe headache, persistent scalp pain, marked numbness, skin blistering or feeling faint. Outside the infusion unit, contact your cancer team for signs of infection on the scalp or any concerning chemotherapy reaction. Emergency symptoms such as trouble breathing, collapse or swelling of the face require urgent emergency help.

Could my chemotherapy affect whether scalp cooling is useful? When will the cap be placed and removed? How should I wash, brush and protect my hair during treatment?