The Garde tes cheveux Foundation's [https://gardetescheveux.org/en/a-propos/](mission) is to inform, equip, and support. The Foundation does not offer the rental or sale of cooling cap systems. In Canada, the only company that offers this option to individuals is Penguin Cold Caps. It is the only company certified by Health Canada that provides manual cooling cap rentals to private individuals. This is why we direct you to this provider. Paxman is the second company certified by Health Canada. However, it serves hospitals exclusively. To date, only the Gatineau Hospital has two of its devices. In addition, the use of this type of system does not meet the autonomous handling conditions imposed in Quebec, which explains why these systems are very limited in availability across the province. Cooling caps that are not certified by Health Canada should neither be used nor sold in Canada. While some U.S. companies do exist (see the “The Method” section of our website), it is essential to make an informed decision when selecting a provider. Several factors should be taken into consideration, including compliance with Health Canada recommendations, eligibility for insurance reimbursement (which typically requires a certified product), delivery and customs clearance timelines, exchange rates, rental duration, speed of replacement in the event of breakage or malfunction, availability of French-language support, and familiarity with the local hospital environment. **Placing your order** You may place your order with *Penguin Cold Caps Canada* directly <a href="https://www.penguincoldcaps.ca/order" target="_blank">on their website</a>, which is the first step. This is the first step in the process. **Delivery** Although the provider offers fast delivery, generally within 24 to 48 business hours, no deliveries are made on weekends or statutory holidays. When possible, we therefore recommend placing your order four to five business days before the start of your chemotherapy in order to familiarize yourself with the contents received. At the time of ordering, you will have the option to enter your mailing address. Delivery times and UPS shipping fees will then be calculated automatically based on your postal code. Please note that delivery to urban centres is generally much less expensive than delivery to regional areas. Purchasing a 56.8-litre wheeled cooler separately rather than renting one can also help reduce costs. Once your order is confirmed, Penguin Cold Caps will send you a confirmation email including a tracking number, as well as all necessary information, including an instruction manual, a care guide, and access to additional resources. **IMPORTANT**:

As a guide, *Penguin Cold Caps* cost CAD $449 per month or 474 $ per month with the cooler*. You should budget between $57.50 and $85 for dry ice per treatment, depending on the size of ice you choose (for more details, see question [https://gardetescheveux-staging.netlify.app/en/faq-singles/tout-savoir-sur-la-glace-seche-ou-se-la-procurer-en-quelle-quantite-et-quoi-faire-avec/](Everything you need to know about dry ice: where to find it, in what quantities and what to do with it...)). If you have to stop treatment prematurely, billing will be prorated based on days of use. However, the supplier will require at least one full month's payment. Please note that this information is subject to change at the supplier's discretion. We recommend consulting the [https://www.penguincoldcaps.ca/order](supplier's website) directly to confirm prices. * Prices updated as of September 2024.

**Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ)** The use of scalp cooling caps is not covered by the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ). **Group and Individual Insurance** An increasing number of private insurance providers now reimburse a significant portion of scalp cooling cap rental fees. - In most cases, patients can claim scalp cooling caps as an alternative to a wig, provided they have a medical prescription. - If you have a healthcare spending account (HSA), scalp cooling may also be an eligible expense. To maximize your chances of reimbursement, it is essential to: - Request a prescription from your oncologist for the use of scalp cooling caps, - Include your medical diagnosis, - Confirm that the prescribed chemotherapy causes alopecia. *Discuss with your employer: they may submit a special request on your behalf, and your HR department can support you through the process.* **Desjardins Insurance** Starting November 1, 2025, insured members of groups offering the Therapeutic Equipment coverage will be eligible for reimbursement of scalp cooling caps, in accordance with their plan’s terms and conditions. A copy of the receipt will be required when submitting the claim—no medical prescription or diagnosis confirmation will be necessary. Until that date, coverage remains exceptional and requires a formal request from the employer to be added to the contract. **Tax Deductions** Penguin Cold Caps are registered as Class 1 medical equipment by Health Canada under reference number 17656. Details of the establishment license [https://health-products.canada.ca/mdel-leim/index-eng.jsp](are available here). At this time, it is the only manufacturer in Canada certified by Health Canada that offers manual cooling cap rentals and is authorized to sell or rent this type of product in the country. This is why we refer to it Finally, we recommend consulting an accountant, as the cost of renting scalp cooling caps is considered a deductible medical expense for tax purposes.

Dry ice is frozen carbon dioxide (CO₂) at a very low temperature. It does not melt like regular ice, but instead sublimates, meaning it goes directly from a solid to a gaseous state without becoming liquid. It is used for cooling and freezing purposes, including in the context of scalp cooling cap use during chemotherapy.

**Where to order dry ice?** The main supplier of dry ice in Québec is [https://www.lindecanada.ca/en-ca/store-locator](Linde Canada), a company that is well informed about the use of scalp cooling caps and is sensitive to the mission of the Fondation Garde tes cheveux. Thanks to a partnership agreement between Linde Canada and the Fondation Garde tes cheveux, Linde offers a preferred price, formats and cuts adapted to the realities of treatment, as well as simplified procedures for patients. To make things easier for patients, *Linde* invites you to:

**What is the cost of dry ice?** Thanks to the collaboration with *Linde Canada*, the privileged price is $2.50 per kilo. The cutting fees adapted to the method of cooling caps are graciously offered. A minimum order of 23 kilos (50 lbs) is required to obtain this rate. The ice can be collected at one of Linde's service points or delivered when possible (regular delivery fees apply). Visit [https://www.lindecanada.ca/en-ca/store-locator](Linde)'s to find the service point closest to you.

**How much should you order?** It is important to order a minimum of 50 lb (23 kg) of dry ice if you choose the slab/block/slice format measuring 10 inches x 10 inches x 2 inches, or 75 lb (34 kg) of dry ice if you choose the pellet/granule format. If you pick up your dry ice on the same day as your treatment, a quantity of 50 lb (23 kg) may be sufficient. **Why do recommendations in Québec differ from those of Penguin Cold Caps?** In Canada, Penguin Cold Caps recommends standardized quantities of dry ice, primarily in pellet/granule form, a format that is more readily available in Ontario and elsewhere in North America. In Québec, Linde Canada is a partner of the Fondation Garde tes cheveux. Thanks to the field expertise of their team and individuals such as [https://gardetescheveux.org/en/blog-singles/2026-01-03-sylvain-charron-un-humain-derriere-la-glace-seche/](Sylvain), a dry ice specialist, their recommendations have been adapted based on the local availability of blocks (also referred to as slabs or slices) produced locally. This practical format is not available elsewhere. Québec’s recommendations are therefore designed to secure supply, reduce patient stress, and prevent any shortage of dry ice on treatment day. In Québec, dry ice bags are also 25 lb, and it is generally not possible to open the bags. This is not a contradiction, but rather a preventive regional adaptation based on real-world, on-the-ground experience.

**What cut of dry ice to order?**

Please note that the choice between blocks and pellets is entirely a matter of personal preference. **When to order the ice?** Depending on the manufacturer's service point hours and the time of your treatment, it may be easier to pick up the ice the day before. Depending on the service point, the order sometimes needs to be placed the day before collection. Remote regions: If you live in a remote area and need to have the ice delivered by a delivery service, plan for extra volume to compensate for evaporation during delivery. For example, for a treatment in Gaspésie, plan for 100 lbs of dry ice for an order departing from Varennes (*Linde* plant) in time for delivery to Gaspé on Wednesday, with treatment on Thursday. **When to schedule your treatments?** Avoid scheduling your chemotherapy treatments on Monday mornings because Linde's service points are closed on weekends and holidays. If your treatment period includes holidays on Mondays, planning your treatment days from Wednesday to Friday is optimal.

**Storage of dry ice**

**Prepare the contents of the cooler on the day of treatment** Consult the [https://gardetescheveux.org/en/ressources/](Ressources) section of our website for tools, as well as this explanatory video (Subtitles in English).

To optimize your chances of success, it's essential to start using cold caps from the very first treatment. The key concept behind this method is to protect hair follicles from exposure to chemotherapy. If cold caps are not used from the very first treatment, chemotherapy drugs can irreparably damage follicles, leading to hair loss. Some people who didn't use headgear on their first treatment still choose to adopt this method for subsequent treatments, to increase their chances of maintaining healthy follicles and promoting rapid, healthy regrowth after treatment.

Here's the list of equipment supplied with *Penguin Cold Caps* mobile cold cap rentals. If you choose another American or European supplier, please refer directly to their instruction manual.

These items are provided to help you use cold caps effectively and maximize the chances of preserving your hair during chemotherapy.