Cryotherapy to Reduce Hair Loss During Chemotherapy
Hair loss is a common side effect of breast cancer treatment that can cause added anxiety and stress. That’s why we offer scalp cooling to patients who could benefit from it during chemotherapy. Your emotional and mental health is an important part of your overall health. The Paxman Scalp Cooling System uses cryotherapy technology to potentially minimize or prevent hair loss by lowering the temperature of the scalp, thus reducing blood flow to the area around the hair follicles. If you use a cooling system during chemotherapy, someone from your care team will help you set up and wear the scalp-cooling system.
Scalp cooling provides the opportunity for you to regain some control and maintain your privacy during treatment. There are many factors to determine if scalp cooling will work for you, including:
- Age
- General health
- Hair condition
- Hair type
- Type and stage of cancer
What Else Should I Know About Scalp Cooling?
Potential side effects of scalp cooling therapy are minor and may include chills, headaches and scalp irritation. Using a cooling cap during will add some time before and after your chemotherapy session. Ask your care team how long it will add to your appointments. Hair loss is different for everyone, and we can’t know for sure if you’ll be able to keep all your hair before trying scalp cooling.
If you’re interested in scalp cooling treatment, talk to your provider. Not all insurance plans cover scalp cooling systems. Check with your insurance company to see if they cover this treatment. Your care team can answer your questions about the cost of scalp cooling.