Cold Capping is a noninvasive treatment to help prevent hair loss during chemotherapy. It works by constricting blood vessels in the scalp and decreasing the metabolic activity of the hair follicles. These combined actions can help preserve hair follicles and minimize hair loss.

The caps are made with a gel-filled interior that needs to be kept at a specific temperature. Dry ice is used for cooling; the caps are changed every 20-30 minutes before, during, and after infusion to maintain cold temperatures. Proper fitting of the cap is important for optimal results.

My name is Karen Hirdes. I am an experienced medical assistant, breast cancer survivor, and successful cold cap user. Saving my hair during chemotherapy improved both my mental and physical health. It gave both myself and my family a sense of normalcy during this challenging time in our lives. Because of cold capping, no one could tell I was going through chemotherapy. I did not want anyone to treat me differently because of cancer. I never felt sick or looked like I was sick, which improved my outlook and attitude, and ultimately helped my body fight cancer. I was able to maintain my image and self-esteem throughout the process. Capping also gave me something else to focus on besides the fact that I was receiving chemotherapy. It was a much-needed distraction on treatment days.
After going through this experience myself, I began thinking of ways this process could be made easier and less stressful for others. My desire is to take away the extra stress and burden that capping can be for patients and caregivers. Chemotherapy is stressful enough, saving your hair shouldn't be. It is my goal to educate patients and physicians about cold cap therapy, so that every patient with cancer would be offered the chance to save their hair.