Cold capping, a non-invasive and drug-free approach, employs scalp cooling to mitigate chemotherapy-induced hair loss.
Chemotherapy drugs target cells with a rapid division rate, including cancer cells. However, other cells in the body also exhibit rapid division, such as hair follicles. This shared characteristic makes these cells vulnerable to the effects of chemotherapy drugs, leading to hair loss.
To assist you in locating the most affordable dry ice providers, we have developed a dry ice locator. If there are no nearby locations, refer to the tips on our page for alternative search methods.
Regardless of whether you opt for a Dry-Ice Freezer kit, where the caps are chilled in a cooler with dry ice, or a Bio-medical Freezer kit, where the caps are cooled in a designated freezer at the clinic, the outcome remains the same. As long as the caps reach the requisite temperature, the effectiveness is identical.
Before your first cold capping session, we recommend trimming your hair to remove any split ends (1-2 inches max). This will help prevent knots from forming later on. Hair knots can easily form when brushing, pulling on clothes, or even on your pillow while you sleep. It's important to avoid catching your hair to prevent pulling on already weakened hair follicles. There's no need for a drastic haircut!
Depending on availability, dry ice can be purchased either the night before or on the day of therapy.
Purchasing dry ice on the day of your treatment:
- Purchase 45-50 lbs. (20-23 kg) of dry ice in ‘slab form’.
- If the dry ice supplier only has pellets, ask them to put the pellets into 10 lbs. bags.
Purchasing dry ice the night before:
- Order 60 lbs. (27 kg) of dry ice.
Compassionate Cold Capping Cold Cap therapy is a manual cold capping system that offers the flexibility to cold cap anywhere. Unlike machine capping, you are not tethered to a machine to maintain cap temperature. This freedom of movement allows you to move around freely during your treatment.
You will receive:
- Compassionate Cold Capping Crylon Gel Cold Caps.
- Compassionate Cold Capping Crylon Gel-filled headbands (adds an additional source of cold along the hairline.)
- Velcro elastic straps that help secure the caps in place.
- Comprehensive User Guide and Hair Care Guide. (Emailed)
- Personalized Schedule of Use. (Emailed)
- Cooler if ordered.
No Compassionate Cold Capping Kits are only for rent.
