Cancer cells, the lining of the intestine and mouth, and hair follicles are all chemotherapy targets because of their rapid and fast reproduction rate.
Hair loss is a known side effect of several chemotherapy medicines but not all.
This transient condition typically begins three to four weeks following the first cycle.
After 4–6 months, once chemotherapy treatment has ended, hair begins to grow back.
When hair grows back, it can have a variety of textures and thicknesses.
Hair Loss’s Repercussions
The psychological burden of a cancer diagnosis is immense, and the unpleasant effects of chemotherapy add insult to injury.
Damage to your hair is the most obvious influence on your daily life.
It causes drastic changes in how you look, which can hurt your sense of self-worth, relationships with others, and your success in the workplace.
Preventing More Baldness Using Scalp Cooling Technology
Reduced chemotherapy penetration into hair follicles results from chilling the scalp, constricting blood vessels.
Additionally, hair follicles that are colder become dormant and resistant to treatment.
Because of this, there will be less hair loss.
American and European authorities have given their stamp of approval to this technique after reviewing the results of different clinical trials.
Who Can Benefit From A Scalp Cooler?
It is available to both men and women who have chemotherapy for cancer and want to keep their hair. Patients with any solid tumor, especially those with malignant neoplasms of the breast, ovary, or testes.
The Effectiveness of Chilling the Scalp
The effects of cold capping vary from person to person.
The outcomes are conditional on the chemotherapy regimen, tumor type, treatment duration, and intensity. It is most effective when used from the very beginning of chemotherapy treatment.
In 30-70% of cases, the cool cap helps the patient keep their hair.
It is common to experience hair loss (shedding) in the first few weeks after beginning scalp cooling treatment, although this may not necessarily lead to permanent hair loss.
If you experience hair loss, scalp cooling can help you rebuild it more robust, healthier, and faster in as little as two months.
Does Scalp Cooling Have Any Negative Effects?
During treatment, most patients experience no adverse effects; however, between 25-30% may experience symptoms such as headache, cold, dizziness, and pain in the scalp.
These are only short-term drawbacks, and the body will recover fully. It has no adverse effects on the effectiveness of chemotherapy in reducing the tumor.
Tips for Getting Ready For a Scalp Colling Session
Use a gentle conditioner to keep your hair damp and clean before heading to the daycare. If you have thicker hair, this will help the cap fit more securely.
The cap is applied 30 minutes before the start of chemotherapy (during the premedication phase), worn throughout the infusion process, and kept on for an additional 2 hours after treatment.
During the scalp cooling process, you may take up to three bio breaks.
While receiving a scalp cooling infusion, you can drink hot liquids, use a laptop, and visit with loved ones.
Haircare during Scalp Cooling
- It’s essential to manage your hair gently when wearing a cold hat during chemotherapy to keep it in good condition and avoid damage. In the absence of such rules, the following advice should prove helpful.
- Don’t pull or tangle your hair; use mild shampoo and brush on it instead.
- To minimize the risk of heart damage, put off dying your hair until at least two months after chemotherapy.
