Understanding how Scalp Cooling works
Chemotherapy works by targeting all rapidly dividing cells in the body. Hair is the second fastest dividing cell in the body and this is the reason why many chemotherapy drugs cause hair loss. The hair follicles in the growth phase are attacked, resulting in hair loss approximately 2 weeks after the commencement of chemotherapy.
Scalp cooling is a simple treatment that can prevent hair loss caused by certain chemotherapy drugs. The use of scalp cooling or ‘cold caps’ is proven to be an effective way of combating chemotherapy-induced hair loss and can result in a high level of retention or completely preserve the hair. It works by lowering the scalp temperature to 18-22°C just before, during and after chemotherapy infusion. This in turn reduces the blood flow and the amount of chemotherapy drug reaching the hair follicles which may prevent or minimise the hair loss.
Paxman Scalp Cooling System (link to Paxman website) is the leading global experts in scalp cooling, a clinically proven treatment available throughout the world to help patients keep their hair during chemotherapy.
Many thousands of patients throughout the world have retained their hair using the Paxman Scalp Cooling System when receiving their chemotherapy treatment. Successful scalp cooling depends on many factors such as type and stage of cancer, age, hair type, hair condition and general health.
Research has shown that scalp cooling is very effective across a wide range of chemotherapy regimens. Typically, patients start to experience hair thinning around 14-21 days after the first chemotherapy session. Scalp cooling therapy is most effective if it is started from the first chemotherapy treatment. The therapy is considered effective as long as you do not require the use of a hair wig or head cover throughout your chemotherapy treatment.
If some hair loss is experienced during scalp cooling, we would encourage you to persevere with the process – many patients report hair growth during their chemotherapy treatment whilst using scalp cooling, as new hair growth is also protected from the chemotherapy.