I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, around the same time as the first drug approved by the FDA. cold cap came out. I heard on the news about the possible hair-saving helmet and crossed all my follicles thinking it could work for me as I prepared to start chemotherapy.
Unfortunately, he was not a candidate for scalp cooling therapy. At the time, cooling devices were only approved for early-stage breast cancer and less potent types of chemotherapy. I was stage 3 and taking doxorubicin, also known as the “red devil.” So, yeah, pretty powerful stuff.
Although I was disappointed that I couldn’t try cold protection to reduce hair loss during chemotherapy, just knowing it existed gave me hope for advances in cancer treatments. Hair loss may seem insignificant when it comes to illness, but it can be truly devastating. A recent report cited up to 14% of women I will not consider chemo due to hair loss.
Cold caps don’t work for everyone and results vary from person to person depending on many different factors. But new research shows that wearing cold caps can help some people keep a good amount of hair during chemotherapy, even people with red devil: in one study71.4% of people taking doxorubicin achieved successful hair retention. That’s a hair twist in the right direction.
If you or someone you know is interested in cold caps for chemotherapy-induced hair loss, here’s what you need to know.
What is cold protection?
Cold protection involves the use of a helmet-like device to reduce scalp temperature during chemotherapy. Cold temperatures decrease blood flow, which can reduce the amount of chemotherapy that reaches the hair follicles and may reduce hair loss in some people.
What are the types of cold hats?
Scalp cooling therapy includes two types of devices:
- Automated: The insulated cool cap is connected to a machine that circulates cooling liquid or gel inside the cap. Once the device is connected, the cooling system will keep the temperature where it needs to be. Automated cold caps are regulated by the FDA.
- Manual: Frozen gel capsules are stored in the freezer or with dry ice. Because the gel will begin to heat up once it is on your scalp, a new frozen cap will need to be replaced every 30 minutes. Manual cold caps are not regulated by the FDA.
How do cold caps work?
Both types of cold caps work by reducing scalp temperature before, during and after chemotherapy.
Typically, the person giving your chemotherapy will help set up the automatic cold cap machine and make sure the temperature is right and the cap fits snugly around your head.
People who use manual caps also need an outside pair of hands to help with the caps, although this does not have to be a nurse: family or friends can help during treatment.
Who can wear cold hats?
People with solid tumors (breast, colon, lung, gynecologic) can use cold caps to help reduce hair loss during chemotherapy.
Who shouldn’t wear cold hats?
Cooling caps are relatively safe in general, but some people with certain health conditions should not use them.
For example, people with blood cancers such as leukemia or lymphoma should not wear cold caps because restricted blood flow can prevent chemotherapy from reaching where it needs to go.
You should also not wear cold hats if:
- He has cancer of the central nervous system.
- They are receiving chemotherapy for a bone marrow transplant.
- You received radiation to your head or will receive radiation to your scalp.
Cold protection is not recommended for people who have cold agglutinin disease, cryoglobulinemia and post-traumatic cold dystrophy.
What are the side effects of cold caps?
Cold caps live up to their name, so if you are sensitive to cold temperatures, you may feel uncomfortable during sessions. Other side effects of cold protection may include:
- dry skin
- Feeling of claustrophobia when wearing the cap.
- Headache attacks
- Nausea
- Thermal cold injury (burn) from manual caps
Do I need a prescription for scalp cooling therapy?
Whether you need a recipe depends on the type of cold cap you want to try. Automated systems require a prescription and manual systems do not. Always be sure to consult with your healthcare provider before using any type of scalp cooling device.
Does insurance cover protection from the cold?
Manual freezing caps are not covered by insurance, but automatic freezing caps are covered by Medicare and may be covered by other insurance plans.
If you need help paying for cooling therapy, nonprofits like HairToStay and The Rapunzel Project can help you cover the cost of cold protection.
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