Cold cap therapy involves the use of special caps, frozen to a very cold temperature, and worn for a period of time before, during and after each chemotherapy treatment. The cooling of the hair follicles prevents chemotherapy toxins from reaching them, preserving the follicles and therefore preserving the patient’s hair. This process has been in use in Europe for 15 years. Individual patients in the United States have learned of and successfully used cold cap therapy in the last few years.

Cold caps are manufactured by a number of companies. For more information on the cold caps that Shirley successfully used, please visit the official website of Medical Specialties of California.

The cold cap process requires any freezer that can maintain a temperature of -30°C (-22°F). (Note that each cap has to be stored in its own box to ensure uniform temperature throughout.) To learn more about the Nor-Lake Scientific freezer we purchased, click here.

A new smaller (individual) freezer has become available. Specifications are as follow:

Model Number 34/9/PCC, white chest style freezer

Contact Medical Specialties of California for cost and availability.

1.  Use only cool water in shower 

2.  Wash hair no later than 3 days before and no sooner than 3 days after chemo 

3.  Use a gentle shampoo and dilute it

4.  Use Kenra® Classic Daily Provision (spray-on conditioner)

5.  Drink as much water as possible during chemo day

6.  Keep hair straight down during chemo; do not bunch or pile on top of your head

7.  Don’t pull on the roots

8.  Hold hair when combing so not to strain the roots

9.  Sleep on a satin pillow case

10.  Do not use curling irons, electric rollers, or hot air hair dryers

11.  Use adhesive-backed moleskin**, cut to the shape of the forehead, to protect skin when cold caps are on

12.  Have warm blankets, an electric blanket, or heating pads on hand to use, especially during and right after each cap change

13.  Sit in a chair without a high back – otherwise working at the back of the head during cap changes is difficult

14.  Find out if you can have lab work done the day before chemo, because this shortens chemo day waiting time considerably

15.  Find out if you can call in and request to have your chemo order sent up from the pharmacy before you leave home the morning of chemo – saving you up to an hour

16.  Be sure to change the hair part line with each session of chemo. It helps to protect the scalp

*Click here to find a location in your area that carries Kenra Professional™ hair care products.

**Moleskin Plus is a Dr. Scholl’s product that can be found in any drug store. Purchase the padding roll so you can cut it to the size needed for your forehead

Dignitana, a Swedish company, has begun clinical trials of its DigniCap at the University of California at San Francisco (UCSF) and Wake Forest University. At this time Dignicaps are not available to other U.S. patients. The Dignicap system involves circulating a very cold gel through a single tight fitting cap which is worn for the duration of the chemotherapy session, as well as for a period of time before and after chemo. For more information go to www.dignitana.com.

To view research and results for the cold caps that Shirley successfully used, please visit the official website of Medical Specialties of California.