Cold Cap to prevent alopecia – pro
Scalp hypothermia is cooling the scalp with ice packs or cooling caps (cold caps) for a period of time before, during, and after each chemotherapy (chemo) treatment to try to prevent or reduce hair loss.
Newer versions of these devices use a two-piece cooling cap system that is controlled by a computer, which helps circulate a cooled liquid through a cap a person wears during each chemotherapy treatment. A second cap, made from neoprene (a type of artificial rubber), covers the cooling cap to hold it in place and keep the cold from escaping. The theory behind scalp hypothermia is that the cooling tightens up or constricts blood vessels in the scalp. This constriction is thought to reduce the amount of chemo that reaches the cells of the hair follicles. The cold also decreases the activity of the hair follicles and makes them less attractive to chemo, which targets rapidly dividing cells. This could reduce the effect of chemo on the follicle cells and, as a result, prevent or reduce hair loss from the scalp.
The American Cancer society says:”.Controlled studies of older forms of scalp hypothermia (such as using ice packs) have had conflicting results. However, some studies of newer, computer-controlled cooling cap systems have shown benefits. Recent studies of women getting chemo for early-stage breast cancer have found that at least half of the women using one of these newer devices lost less than half of their hair. The most common side effects have been headaches, neck and shoulder discomfort, chills, and scalp pain.”
Generally, studies confirm effectiveness if reducing the degreee of alopecia and col caps are an available resource for those patients who want them
Belum VR, de Barros Silva G, Laloni MT, et al. Cold thermal injury from cold caps used for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced alopecia. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2016;157(2):395-400.
Hope S. Rugo et al,Association Between Use of a Scalp Cooling Device and Alopecia After Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer
JAMA. 2017;317(6):606-614.
Shin H, Jo SJ, Kim DH, Kwon O, Myung SK. Efficacy of interventions for prevention of chemotherapy-induced alopecia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Cancer. 2015;136(5):E442-E454.