Scalp Cooling Cap
Scalp cooling or cold capping is a way of reducing or preventing hair loss from chemotherapy. The cooling effect of the cold cap reduces blood flow to the scalp, which also reduces the amount of chemotherapy medication that reaches this area. This can help to prevent hair loss.
Some hospitals are able to provide scalp cooling, but if your hospital doesn't offer it, you might want to consider purchasing your own Cold Caps.
We have conducted extensive research into the Cold Caps that are available for purchase and we import these Cold Caps from Acrtic Heat in Australia because in our opinion they offer the most effective 'at home' cooling technology.
Scalp cooling during chemotherapy aims to reduce hair loss, but it's not a guaranteed solution, and there are potential risks and side effects to consider, including headaches, nausea, and in rare cases, scalp metastases.
Cold Caps come in one size which fits most heads.
Blue and White Cold Caps are available. Random colour will be sent.
Scalp cooling doesn't guarantee complete prevention of hair loss, and some people may still experience hair thinning or loss.
Arctic Heat Cold Caps are made using Acrtic Heat's proprietary Body Cooling material.
Arctic Heat Body Cooling Products are lightweight and designed specifically for body cooling. They work by mimicking the body’s natural cooling process of keeping the skin dry and cool. They are made from two body cooling fabrics, a polyester interlock inner and a Micromesh outer, which provide a wicking effect. This wicking effect transfers moisture from the skin to the front of the garment keeping the skin almost completely dry.
A crystal is sewn into strategically placed pockets, which activates into a gel when soaked in water. This specially designed gel is completely non-toxic and has the ability to retain temperature for extended periods of time.
Testing conducted by the CSIRO has proven the effectiveness of these products in all their applications. For the longest period of continuous cooling, the gel inside should be frozen. The products are also very effective when placed into a slurry of ice water.
The number of Cold Caps you will need is dependent on the length of your infusion. Arctic Therapy Cold Caps remain cool for approximately 1-1.5 hours.
Prior to Treatment:
Cold Caps should be worn approximately 45-60 minutes prior to your treatment - Pre-Cooling Time.
During Treatment:
Rotate the Cold Caps when they have lost their cooling effect. Cold Caps must be worn for the entire treatment.
After Treatment:
Apply last remaining Cold Cap for about 45-60 minutes once your treatment has finished - Post Infusion Cooling Time.
One size fits most. Fits heads 22.5" to 25.5".
The cap must fit snugly around the head to work properly.
Activation and Useful tips:
- Initially soak in water for 5- 10 minutes so crystal in pockets swells into gel form. (pockets should be firm but not bursting).
- When removing from water gently twist in opposite directions to remove excess water.
- Vigorously wipe inside and outside of the product with a towel. (some gel/slime may escape simply wipe it away).
- Hang inside out till material is completely dry.
- Place dried caps in the freezer, after 2-3 hours maximum cooling is achieved. If the caps are stiff (frozen) when taken out of freezer (after a longer period than 3 hours) simply leave them out to defrost.
- Use a Cooler-Bag to transport caps to your Chemotherapy. Caps should be covered with an ice block. Cool remaining caps until they are needed.
- Product must be applied 45-60 min. before drug-therapy/infusion starts (Pre-Cooling Time).
- Product must always have a close contact to scalp.
- You always have to change caps after max. 1-1.5 hours – cooling time per cap 1 to max. 1,5 hours.
- Cap change must happen as quickly as possible to avoid dilation of the blood vessels.
- Caps must be used during the complete therapy-session (Infusion Time).
- Cap must be applied for 45-60 minutes directly after infusion (Post Infusion Cooling Time).
- Please consider applied drug and required Pre-, Infusion- and Post-Cooling Time – 2 – 5 Cooling Caps will be required.
- Product must be used during every therapy-session.
- If you notice a partial hair loss, prolong post cooling time.
- A few days before your chemotherapy and a few days after do not wash, blow-dry or dye your hair and other actions that will increase circulation of the scalp.
- Store caps in freezer and remove them the day before your next chemotherapy to thaw the gel pockets (hang product). Cool caps again for 2 to 3 hours in the freezer (before going to the treatment) to ensure that the required temperature is reached.(see point 5.)
Partial hair loss, e.g. after the first treatment can be stopped with continued cooling therapy.Therefore, you should not resign after a possibly less successful 1st treatment – always go through two to three treatments to achieve a positive result.
Use of cooling caps is suitable for malignant, solid tumors such as breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer or lung cancer etc.
Contraindications – Use of a Cooling Cap is not recommended with:
- Hematological malignancies (leukemia, non Hodgkin’s and other generalized lymphomas)
- Manifest scalp metastases. Please ask your doctor.
When the crystal/gel pockets start to dehydrate and become flat start activation from step 1.
Storing
- Whilst in activated (gel) state, product must be stored by hanging in a ventilated area
DO NOT STORE IT IN THE FRIDGE!
- If wishing to store for long periods, allow item to completely dehydrate (returning it to crystal) then put it into storage
- To re-activate, start from step 1.
Washing
- Simply hand wash in warm water with mild soap for no more than 2 minutes
- Hang to dry
- Occasionally beads of gel may appear, this is not a fault simply wipe away with a cloth
Please Note: Gel crystals are non-sensitive to skin and mucous membranes, are not absorbed by skin and are non-toxic.
Scalp cooling is not suitable for everyone.
It isn’t suitable:
• with hematological cancers, such as melanoma, leukemia and lymphoma, as there is a high risk of cancer cells surviving in the blood vessels of the scalp and causing the cancer to come back after treatment
• for some people who need very high doses of chemotherapy, as scalp cooling is less likely to work with very high doses of the drugs
• if you’re having continuous chemotherapy through a pump for several days, as this makes it impractical to have scalp cooling
• for some patients whose liver isn’t working as well as it should – this may lead to the chemotherapy drugs circulating in the body for longer than usual, and it may not be possible to keep the scalp cold for long enough
• for people who have severe migraines.
For scalp cooling to work, your scalp temperature needs to be kept low for the whole time the drugs are circulating in your blood.
This means that your scalp needs to be cold for about 30-40 minutes before your chemotherapy drugs are given, throughout the time chemotherapy is given and for about 30-40 minutes afterwards.
When using the Arctic Heat Cooling Cap you are usually free to walk about once your chemotherapy has been given. However, your cap will need to be changed during treatment to keep your scalp cool, so you can’t go too far from the chemotherapy department.
Using a cap that is attached to cooling machines means you will need to sit by the machine while the cap is in place, so you won’t be able to walk about freely with this method.
You’ll probably feel chilly when having scalp cooling and may need to wear warm clothes. Hot drinks will help you feel warmer. Rarely you may get a headache during scalp cooling, especially in hot weather.
At CancerPal we're committed to soucing effective products that offer good value for money. We have conducted extensive research into the Cold Caps that are available for purchase and we import these Cold Caps from Australia because in our opinion they offer the most effective 'at home' cooling technology. However, it's important to note that they have recieved mixed reviews and at CancerPal we want to be completely transparent about the negatives as well as the positives.
Stefan Vogel (via Amazon.de - translated from German)
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"It worked, after much doubt I have to say that it worked and my wife still has her hair after 4 weeks of chemo. It would be good if there was a video as a tutorial."
Horman G (via Amazon.de - translated from German)
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"The description isn't very detailed; after soaking, dry to 400-450g and freeze for about 2-3 hours. Change after approx. 45 to 50 minutes."
B.W.U. (via Amazon.de - translated from German)
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Chemo hair preservation!!
Tanja S (via Amazon.de - translated from German)
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"It works partly! Recommended purchase!!!!! I have used these chemo cooling caps for 16 (!) chemotherapy sessions!!!!! I have to say I'm happy and would do it again. Of course my hair falls out - BUT there are also weeks where it doesn't fall out at all. For me, it was very extreme after the 4th and 5th chemo sessions, and then almost none at all up until 12! After that, I had 4 stronger treatments, but even then, I have to say, they held up! Of course, I don't look good like this and have to go out with a hat or wig. BUT I can get a haircut faster :-) And the best thing is that my hair has actually grown back in between treatments (which, from what I've observed, wasn't the case for patients without cooling). The cooling did what it promised - a 50/50 chance! And that's exactly what happened! For my chemotherapy, you need at least 4 caps, which the oncology nurses even put back in the freezer between treatments. One stays cool for a MAXIMUM of 45 minutes!!!!!!"
Ackermann Ewa (via Amazon.de - translated from German)
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"The cooling caps did absolutely nothing. After the second chemotherapy treatment, almost all of my hair was gone. Cooling caps don't achieve the temperature drop necessary to preserve my hair. A truly utter and expensive disappointment. I find it particularly nasty to make money off of other people's suffering."
Husband of former patient (via Amazon.de - translated from German)
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"A great hope for all chemo patients but...
1 What I liked.
If you have questions, the provider is happy to provide friendly information.2 What I didn't like: You shouldn't indulge in the hope that you won't lose any or very little hair. Of course, this varies from patient to patient. However, the handling is relatively complicated, and the hoped-for success is doubtful. Even the hospital departments that have treated the caps are skeptical about their success. Nevertheless, hope remains, and who knows how things would have turned out without the caps?"
Silvia G (via Amazon.de - translated from German)
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"I've used these caps for three chemotherapy treatments now. Unfortunately, the cooling agent in two of the masks is wearing off significantly, so they only keep me cool for 15 minutes!!! I wouldn't recommend this product. By the way, despite wearing the cooling caps, my hair fell out after the first chemotherapy treatment... almost completely!!!"
