Scalp Cooling for Cancer Patients

Hair loss is a common side effect of chemotherapy. For people receiving chemotherapy for cancer, hair loss can have a significant emotional impact, affecting self-esteem and causing feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression.

At UPMC, we offer scalp cooling therapy to people receiving chemotherapy. Using a special “cold cap” before, during, and after chemotherapy treatment may limit damage to your hair follicles and reduce the amount of chemotherapy-related hair loss you experience.

What Is Scalp Cooling for Cancer Patients?

 Chemotherapy medications used to treat cancer attack and destroy all rapidly dividing cells in your body. In addition to targeting cancer cells, chemotherapy also affects hair follicles, which are the second-fastest dividing cells. As a result, many people start to lose their hair roughly two weeks after beginning chemotherapy.

Scalp cooling treatment, or “cold cap” treatment or therapy, involves wearing a special cap connected to a cooling system before, during, and after your chemotherapy infusion. The treatment reduces the temperature of your scalp by a few degrees.

How does scalp cooling therapy work?

The colder temperature causes blood vessels in your scalp to narrow, reducing blood flow. This reduced blood flow limits the amount of chemotherapy medication that reaches your hair follicles, preventing damage that can lead to hair loss.

Who’s Eligible for Scalp Cooling Services for Cancer?

Scalp cooling treatment is FDA-approved for reducing chemotherapy-induced alopecia (hair loss) in patients with solid tumors. If you are receiving chemotherapy as part of your treatment for cancer, you may be eligible for scalp cooling therapy. Studies show that patients with early-stage cancer who used the cold cap were more likely to keep at least some of their hair.

However, before receiving scalp cooling treatment, you should check with your health insurance provider to ensure it is covered.

How Effective is Scalp Cooling Treatment? 

Research has shown that patients who undergo scalp-cooling treatment are significantly more likely to keep at least some of their hair during chemotherapy. Studies have shown that nearly half of all women who used scalp cooling during chemotherapy treatment for early-stage breast cancer lost less than half of their hair.

However, the success of scalp cooling depends on the type of chemotherapy and other factors, such as hair thickness and density. Because thicker hair provides added insulation for the scalp, it may reduce the cold cap’s ability to lower scalp temperature. Therefore, individuals with thick hair may not achieve the same results as those with thinner hair.

What Can I Expect? 

Before chemotherapy starts

If you choose to use scalp cooling during chemotherapy, you will be fitted for a cooling cap before you begin chemotherapy treatment. You will need to bring the cap with you to each chemotherapy appointment.

At your chemotherapy appointment

Your care team will give you instructions for how to prepare your hair for scalp cooling.

When you arrive for your chemotherapy appointment, you will:

Put on your cooling cap.
Spend at least 30 minutes receiving scalp cooling therapy before chemotherapy is given.
Remain connected to the scalp cooling system during chemotherapy treatment, and for about 90 minutes after chemotherapy is complete.

How long does scalp cooling therapy take?

Scalp cooling therapy typically adds between 90 minutes and two hours to a typical chemotherapy infusion appointment.

What are the side effects of scalp cooling treatment?

People may have different levels of tolerance to cold, which can affect treatment success.

Common side effects of scalp cooling treatment include:

Chills.
Headaches.
Neck and shoulder discomfort.
Scalp pain.

By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2025-09-18.