How to demystify the effectiveness of the method?
Although popular in Europe and the United States, awareness of this method is just beginning in Canada. You may have heard that "cooling caps don’t work," whether from a friend, on social media, or even from your healthcare provider. Since this expertise is not included in the initial training of Quebec universities, healthcare providers may feel less comfortable conveying this information, leading to misinformation. Clinicians must inquire independently, which requires time and energy that they do not always have available. Access to manual cooling caps in Canada (without going through the United States) has only been possible since July 2020. Unlike large pharmaceutical companies, the cap rental company does not have lobbying representatives, and Marketing budgets are almost non-existent. The Garde tes cheveux Foundation is dedicated to training clinicians; we encourage you to direct your healthcare staff to the section [https://gardetescheveux.org/en/professionnels-de-la-sante/](For Healthcare Professionals) or to reach out to us for assistance. Before taking this false rumor for granted or spreading it, it’s crucial to understand the key success factors:
- <strong>Respect the cooling time</strong>: To effectively prepare the scalp before chemotherapy, it is recommended to wear the cap for 50 minutes before the start of the infusion, and for the entire duration of the infusion according to the manufacturer's instructions. Chemotherapeutic agents generally remain highly active in the body for at least 4 hours, according to the drug monograph (the half-life of the drug is a good benchmark in this regard). The use of fixed cooling caps or manual caps offered by the healthcare environment which require the patient to stop using the caps (often to free their chair in the chemotherapy room) after only 1.5 hours after the end of the infusion is the 'one of the problems. Wearing the cap for at least 3 to 5 hours after the end of the infusion is essential, which is why manual cooling caps that can continue to be used at home after the end of the infusion have proven effective. This significant difference in the cooling time undoubtedly explains the variation in the quality of the results obtained.
- <strong>Respect the temperature of caps</strong>: Maintaining the appropriate temperature of caps is essential, which is why it is crucial to change them every 20 to 25 minutes. Some health centers that offer the use of manual caps may choose to change them every 45 to 50 minutes, but this frequency does not keep their temperature low enough and their effectiveness is reduced.
- <strong>Follow the hair care protocol</strong>: The chemotherapy still weakens the follicles, so it is essential to follow a rigorous hair care protocol. For example, a patient who does not follow the hair washing protocol, uses non-recommended hair products, or applies hair dye will have their results affected.
- <strong>Respect the lifespan of caps</strong>: In general, crylon gel loses its effectiveness after approximately 1 year of use, or approximately 3 patients. Some healthcare centers continue to use the same headsets year after year, decreasing their performance over time. This is also why rental is preferred.
- Hundreds of women and men in Quebec have used cold caps in Quebec. To inspire you, check out the testimonials in our section https://gardetescheveux.org/en/blogue/. Also, take the time to read the information in the other FAQs.
Contact us with any questions or requests for training in your care environment. We would be happy to inform your healthcare staff and, if necessary, connect them with the oncology team at the Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM), which supports the use of cooling caps in its facility.
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