COLD CAPS AND HAIR LOSS
Learn how cold cap therapy may help reduce chemotherapy-related hair loss, preserve identity and confidence, and support emotional well-being during cancer treatment.
EXPLORE
Cancer Care • Hair Loss • Supportive Therapy
Cold cap therapy offers some cancer patients a way to reduce chemotherapy-related hair loss—helping preserve identity, confidence, and a sense of control during treatment.
Quick answer: Cold caps are scalp-cooling devices that may reduce hair loss during chemotherapy by limiting the amount of medication reaching hair follicles.
Cold caps are specialized scalp-cooling systems worn before, during, and after chemotherapy treatments. By lowering scalp temperature, they constrict blood vessels and reduce the delivery of chemotherapy drugs to hair follicles.
Definition: Cold cap therapy is a supportive treatment used during chemotherapy that cools the scalp to help minimize hair follicle damage and reduce hair loss.
Hair loss is one of the most visible and emotionally difficult side effects of cancer treatment. For many individuals, preserving hair can help maintain a sense of identity, privacy, and emotional stability during a challenging time.
Did you know? Cold cap therapy has helped many patients reduce or partially prevent hair loss, though results vary depending on treatment type and individual response.
While not effective for everyone, cold caps represent an important option for patients seeking to manage one of the most emotionally impactful aspects of chemotherapy.
This page explores how cold caps work, who they may benefit, and important considerations when discussing this option with a healthcare provider.
Growing to Give does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The information shared is for educational and community-support purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical care. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical condition or treatment decisions.
The caps are filled with a cold gel or use a cooling system connected to a machine. Patients typically begin wearing them 30–45 minutes before chemotherapy, continue through the infusion, and keep them on for a period afterward. The entire process can last several hours, depending on the type of treatment.
1. Hair Preservation
• Studies show that cold caps can help patients retain 50–80% of their hair, depending on the type of chemotherapy.
2. Emotional Well-Being
• Maintaining hair helps many patients feel more like themselves and less defined by their illness.
3. Privacy and Normalcy
• With hair retention, patients can sometimes keep their diagnosis more private and continue daily life with less disruption.
1. Effectiveness Varies
• Cold caps are most effective with certain chemotherapy drugs and less effective with others.
2. Cost
• In many cases, cold caps are not fully covered by insurance. Costs can range from hundreds to several thousand dollars over a course of treatment.
3. Discomfort
• The process can be physically uncomfortable due to prolonged cold exposure, causing headaches or chills for some patients.
4. Commitment
• Caps must be worn for extended periods during and after each chemotherapy session, requiring time and endurance.
Many patients describe cold cap therapy as empowering, giving them a sense of control in an otherwise overwhelming journey. While not everyone experiences full hair preservation, even partial retention can make a significant emotional difference.
1. Hospital & Cancer Center Programs
• DigniCap Scalp Cooling System. An FDA-cleared system available at many hospitals and cancer centers across the U.S. and internationally. Use their interactive locator to find a facility near you.
• Paxman Scalp Cooling System. Another FDA-cleared professional system deployed widely, with a global location finder available for patients.
• Amma Portable Scalp Cooling. A 2023 FDA-cleared, self-contained, dry-ice-free portable cooling system that clinics may offer.
2. Manual Cold Caps (Rental & Self-Use)
• Penguin Cold Caps. FDA-registered manual caps shipped to patients for home or clinic use. Recommended by several major cancer centers like Yale, UCSF, MD Anderson, and UCLA.
• General Manual Cold Caps. These can be used anywhere with dry ice, though they’re not FDA-cleared and must be rented privately.
3. Nonprofit & Financial Assistance Programs
• HairToStay. The first and only national nonprofit dedicated to making scalp cooling treatment affordable. Offers need-based grants for eligible U.S. residents.
• Sharsheret. Provides subsidy support for Jewish women and families facing breast or ovarian cancer.
• Hope for Hair. A partner of HairToStay focused on assisting patients in North Carolina.
• Cold Capital Fund. Offers financial assistance to patients in DC, Maryland, and Virginia.
• Cap and Conquer. Provides support for scalp cooling patients in Southeast Michigan.
• The Rapunzel Project. Raises awareness, tracks vetted cold cap providers, and lists locations with machine systems or freezers for manual capping.
1. Medicare
As of 2022, offers a one-time benefit up to $1,850 for automated (FDA-approved) scalp cooling systems. Proposed 2026 physician fee updates could expand payment coverage starting January 1, 2026.
2. Private Insurance & Self-Pay
Coverage is expanding. Some facilities can bill insurers directly. Manual caps generally lack coverage.
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