Hair loss is one of the most emotionally challenging side effects of chemotherapy. While not all patients will experience it in the same way, it can significantly impact confidence and well-being during treatment.
Scalp cooling, also known as cold cap therapy, is a clinically used method designed to help reduce chemotherapy-induced hair loss. The Arctic Heat ChemoKit is a structured cooling system designed to support this process by continuously managing scalp temperature before, during, and after chemotherapy infusion.
How Scalp Cooling Works
Each hair on the body grows from a hair follicle supplied by small blood vessels. During chemotherapy, drugs circulate through the bloodstream and can reach these follicles, often leading to hair loss.
Scalp cooling works by lowering scalp temperature, which causes blood vessels to constrict. This reduces blood flow to the hair follicles and may limit the amount of chemotherapy medication reaching them.
As a result, hair follicles may be less affected by treatment, helping to reduce or minimise hair loss in some patients.
What the ChemoKit Is Designed For
The Arctic Heat ChemoKit is a structured cooling system made up of multiple cooling caps, typically in sets of 3, 4, or 5, depending on infusion duration.
Each kit includes:
- Cooling caps for rotation during treatment
- Designed continuous cooling coverage
- Flexible use based on chemotherapy length
This rotation system ensures scalp cooling is maintained throughout the full treatment cycle.
Why Continuous Cooling Matters
For scalp cooling to be effective, the temperature must be maintained consistently:
- Before chemotherapy begins
- During drug infusion
- After treatment is completed
This is because chemotherapy drugs remain active in the bloodstream during and shortly after infusion.
Typical protocol includes:
- 30–60 minutes pre-cooling
- Continuous cooling during infusion
- 30–60 minutes post-cooling
The ChemoKit is designed to support this continuous cooling requirement through cap rotation, helping maintain consistent scalp temperature throughout treatment.
Who Can Consider Scalp Cooling?
Scalp cooling is not suitable for all patients. It may not be recommended in cases such as:
- Certain blood cancers (e.g. leukaemia and lymphoma)
- Very high-dose chemotherapy protocols
- Continuous multi-day chemotherapy infusions
- Severe liver impairment affecting drug circulation
- History of severe migraines
Patients should always consult their oncologist before considering scalp cooling.
Effectiveness of Scalp Cooling
Scalp cooling can help reduce or slow chemotherapy-related hair loss, but results vary between individuals.
Important considerations:
- Some patients may still experience hair thinning
- Effectiveness depends on chemotherapy type and dosage
- Results are not guaranteed
Even in cases of partial hair loss, continued use across multiple treatment cycles may improve outcomes over time.
Practical Use of ChemoKit During Treatment
The Arctic Heat ChemoKit is designed for practical use during chemotherapy sessions.
Typical usage includes:
- First cap applied 30-60 minutes prior to the commencement of  treatment
- Cap rotation during infusion every 45 – 60 minutes
- Final cap used after treatment on the journey home for 45 – 60 minutes.
Patients are advised to:
- Keep caps in a cooler bag during transport
- Ensure tight scalp contact for effectiveness
- Coordinate cap timing with infusion length
Because chemotherapy sessions vary, patients are encouraged to confirm treatment duration with their oncology team to ensure adequate cooling coverage.
Activation and Preparation
To activate cooling caps:
- Soak caps in water for 5–10 minutes
- Gently remove excess water
- Dry thoroughly inside and out
- Freeze for 2–3 hours before use
During treatment:
- Caps should remain in a cooler bag with ice packs
- Rotation between caps must be quick to maintain cooling effectiveness
Storage and Care
Proper maintenance ensures product longevity:
- Store caps frozen when in active use
- For long-term storage, allow caps to fully dry before storing
- Do not store in a refrigerator
- Hand wash gently with mild soap if needed
- Air dry completely before reuse
Important Medical Considerations
Scalp cooling is generally suitable for patients with solid tumours such as:
- Breast cancer
- Colon cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Lung cancer
It is not recommended for:
- Hematological cancers
- Patients with scalp metastases (medical advice required)
Patients should always consult their oncologist before use.
Supporting Patients Through Treatment
Scalp cooling does not prevent all hair loss, but it may help reduce or delay it for some patients. For many individuals, this can provide emotional and psychological comfort during chemotherapy.
Hair loss from chemotherapy is typically temporary, and regrowth usually begins after treatment ends.
Conclusion
Scalp cooling is a clinically used supportive method that may help reduce chemotherapy-related hair loss by controlling scalp temperature throughout treatment.
The Arctic Heat ChemoKit is designed to support this process through structured, continuous cooling before, during, and after chemotherapy sessions.
For more information, contact:
admin@arcticheat.com.au
