Scalp Cooling
The Eisenhower Lucy Curci Cancer Center is proud to offer the only full-service scalp cooling program in the Coachella Valley - a leading product for hair loss prevention during many chemotherapy treatments. Scalp cooling is FDA-approved for breast center and solid tumor types. Please discuss this program with your oncologist for more information and to find out if this program will work for your type cancer and chemotherapy treatment.
What is Scalp Cooling?
Scalp cooling is a simple procedure that can prevent hair loss caused by certain chemotherapy drugs. The use of scalp cooling is proven to be an effective way of combating hair loss and can result in a high level hair of retention. For patients, this means the opportunity to regain some control, maintain their privacy, and encourage a positive attitude toward treatment.
Why Chemotherapy Makes Hair Fall Out
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 about two weeks after the start of the chemotherapy treatment.
How Scalp Cooling Works
The damage that chemotherapy causes to the hair follicle can be alleviated by using scalp cooling. It works by reducing the temperature of the scalp by a few degrees immediately before, during, and after the administration of chemotherapy. This in turn reduces the blood flow to hair follicles, which may prevent or minimize hair loss.
Cooling causes blood vessel vasoconstriction, which has been shown to reduce blood flow in the scalp to 20% to 40% of the normal rate. This results in less chemotherapeutic drug being delivered to the hair follicles, minimizing overall hair loss.
Resources
For more information on scalp cooling, visit the resources below:
