Paxman Scalp Cooling at SCC
Southern Cancer Center is happy to announce that we NOW have the Paxman Scalp Cooling system available to our patients! Ask your SCC provider if scalp cooling is right for you. www.paxmanusa.com
What Is Scalp Cooling?
Scalp cooling is a simple treatment that can prevent hair loss caused by certain chemotherapy drugs. The use of scalp cooling has been proven to be effective in preventing chemotherapy-induced alopecia, or hair loss, and can result in women retaining much of the hair. Some women retain all of it. For people receiving chemotherapy, scalp cooling can mean the opportunity to regain some control, ensure some privacy and maintain a positive attitude toward treatment.
Why Does Chemotherapy Make Hair Fall Out?
Chemotherapy works by targeting all rapidly dividing cells in the body. Hair is the second fastest dividing cell, which is why many chemotherapy drugs cause hair loss. Chemotherapy damages hair follicles (at the root of the hair), resulting in hair loss about 2 weeks after the start of chemotherapy.
How Does Scalp Cooling Work?
Scalp cooling reduces the damage that chemotherapy causes to hair follicles. It does this by lowering the temperature of the scalp immediately before, during, and after chemotherapy. This in turn reduces blood flow to the area around the hair follicles, which may prevent or minimize hair loss.
The Paxman Scalp Cooling System has excellent heat extraction technology, making it the most comfortable and tolerable scalp cooling method; and is administered by Southern Cancer Center staff during chemotherapy.
How Will It Feel?
Tolerance of the cold feeling experienced while having scalp cooling varies widely from person to person. Patients often have an intense feeling of discomfort or pain from the cold in the first 10 to 15 minutes of treatment. This is transient and is likely to go away as you get used to the cold.
Deep breathing can help at the initial stages of scalp cooling. The benefits can include immediate relaxation as well as an improved ability to handle stress and calm down. Please continue to breathe deeply throughout treatment. Also, be sure to dress warmly in layers-even in warm weather.
