For scalp cooling to work, the cap needs to be fitted about 30 minutes before your chemotherapy drugs are given – and for some time afterward completed drug infusion time. Your scalp temperature needs to be kept low for the whole time the drugs are circulating in your blood.



Before beginning scalp cooling treatment, a nursing staff will apply an inner cap made of silicon to your scalp. For first-timers, the nurse will usually try various sizes of this inner cap to ensure the right fit. This inner cap is equipped with temperature sensors to monitor and regulate the temperature on the front and back of your head throughout the entire treatment. In addition, a third sensor on the cap ensures that the cap temperature will never go below 0°C to avoid feelings of being chilled. The cap is then attached to the cooling system which will pump in liquid coolant to circulate in special channels molded within your cap.

Prior to actual fitting of the cap, the nurse will wet your hair to improve thermal contact between the scalp and the cap. Sometimes, a no-rinse or leave-in hair conditioning spray is also used in addition to wetting of the hair. Once the inner cap is properly fitted so that both ears are left free, an insulating outer cap made of neoprene is applied over the inner cap and fixed under your chin to ensure that both caps are in place. The cap should fit like a second skin around your scalp.

You will need to sit or lie by the machine while the cap in place. You can be disconnected from the machine for short periods (max. 8 minutes) if necessary, for example if you need to use the toilet. Once you are reconnected to the machine, a valve will automatically regulate the amount of liquid coolant to the cap to compensate for any differences in temperature. The cap does not need to be changed during treatment as the machine is continuously cooling the liquid circulating round your scalp.

During the entire treatment, the temperature of the scalp area is maintained at between of 3°C to 7°C.You will probably feel chilly when having scalp cooling and may need to wear neck or leg warmers or warm your body with a blanket. Hot drinks will help you to feel warmer. As our caps do not cover the ears, you can also listen to music or chat with others.

When the cooling treatment is finished, you may have to keep the cap on (with no cooling) for approximately 15 minutes to diminish any discomfort. Let the hair dry naturally after the cooling treatment. Do not use hair dryer for the next few hours to avoid reducing the effect of the treatment.

Please note that the success of this hair loss prevention treatment depends on a number of factors including the kind of drug, the concentration of the drug and the way the drug is applied. In addition, each patient is unique and could experience a different side effect. Most patients tolerate scalp cooling well though some discomfort such as cold sensation, headaches, and transient light-headedness after cap removal can happen. In general, less than 2% of patients discontinue treatment due to discomfort.