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Prevent hair loss during chemotherapy with DigniCap™

Prevent hair loss during chemotherapy

Can Chemotherapy Cause Hair Loss?

Chemotherapy and hair loss are commonly linked. This treatment targets rapidly dividing cells, affecting not only cancer cells but also hair follicles. The result can be chemotherapy hair loss, usually occurring within a few weeks of starting treatment. The chemotherapy hair loss timeline varies among individuals; some may experience gradual thinning, while others may lose hair more rapidly.

This side effect can be distressing, impacting self-esteem and emotional well-being. However, not all chemotherapy drugs cause hair loss, and the extent of loss can differ based on the medication and dosage. Understanding the possibility of chemotherapy and hair loss empowers individuals to explore preventive measures and consider options like scalp cooling to minimise hair loss during treatment.

Many patients say hair loss is one of the most devastating side effects of their treatment. But hair loss can often be reduced or prevented through scalp cooling. Our chemotherapy department now offers the newest of these scalp-cooling technologies – DigniCap™.

DigniCap™ provides better results and is more comfortable than other common scalp-freezing methods. It has shown to help more than 80% of patients keep their hair in a way they did not feel they needed to wear a head covering or wig.

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Cooling prevents hair loss during chemotherapy

Chemotherapy impacts hair loss due to its effect on rapidly dividing cells, including both cancer cells and hair follicles. The treatment's primary aim is to destroy fast-growing cancer cells. However, since hair follicles are also composed of rapidly dividing cells, some chemotherapy drugs can inadvertently lead to hair loss. One method to potentially mitigate this is by cooling the scalp, which causes blood vessels to constrict, reducing the flow of blood carrying chemotherapy drugs to the hair follicles.

As a result, the exposure of hair follicles to the effects of these drugs might be lessened, potentially minimising hair loss during treatment. Understanding the connection between chemotherapy and hair loss timelines can empower individuals to explore scalp cooling and similar strategies aimed at preserving hair during their medical journey.

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Cancer patient benefits from new scalp cooling system

Among the first patients to receive DigniCap™ treatment at the Integrated Cancer Campus was paediatric nurse Charlotte Reeves.

“On the last day of my mother Penny’s radiotherapy treatment for breast cancer – just when our family thought we were coming through one dark period – I was diagnosed with breast cancer, too. It was June 2011, I was only 39, and had two children under five. It didn’t seem possible.”

One of the aspects of chemotherapy she dreaded most was losing her hair: “To me losing your hair is an obvious sign that you are having cancer treatment and I also didn’t want to scare the children with my appearance.”

But Harriet Kennedy, the hospital’s breast care nurse consultant, explained that the Cromwell had a new type of scalp cooling system called DigniCap™ which greatly increases your chances of keeping your hair.

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‘It enabled me to stay positive’

“I can’t deny the cap was uncomfortable to wear; it looked like a water polo cap and contained a gel pack which gradually got colder and colder the longer it was on my head,” Charlotte explained.

She advised other patients to, “Take paracetamol and have a hot drink just before you put the cap on, as that makes it less uncomfortable.”

Charlotte lost very little hair and even her hairdresser couldn’t believe she was having chemotherapy: “Keeping my hair is a small thing I know – but it enabled me stay positive during treatment and feel normal. It really helped me psychologically that I didn’t look physically unwell. I even managed to carry on working part time during my chemotherapy.”

Read more about DigniCap™ and Charlotte's experience on the Mail Online (opens in a new window) >

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Why Choose Us?

At Cromwell Hospital, we prioritise comprehensive care, recognising the emotional impact of chemotherapy-induced hair loss. Our approach goes beyond treatment by addressing the concerns surrounding chemotherapy and hair loss timelines. We offer specialised support, including innovative scalp-cooling techniques that aim to reduce the impact of chemotherapy on hair follicles.

Our dedicated team understands the distress associated with chemotherapy and hair loss, providing personalised guidance to navigate this aspect of treatment. We stand out for our commitment to empowering patients, offering solutions and support systems that focus on preserving dignity and self-confidence throughout the chemotherapy journey. Choosing us means choosing holistic care that acknowledges the challenges of chemotherapy-induced hair loss and strives to minimise its effects, ensuring a more comfortable and confident experience for our patients.

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