How to prepare your hair for scalp cooling on the day of treatment
Prepare hair scalp cooling
It’s only natural to ask questions such as: How shall I prepare my hair on the day of scalp cooling? Do I need to wash my hair? Will I need to use a special conditioner for the cold cap and so on. Generally speaking you will need to arrive for your scalp cooling and chemotherapy treatment with clean, tangle free hair.
It’s also important to get ready emotionally. We hope our step-by-step guide will help you prepare your hair and help you to feel ready.
Step-by-step how to prepare your hair for the cold cap
If you have been asked by your hospital to prepare your hair once you arrive at the hospital follow our simple step-by-step guide. The use of conditioner or preparations may vary – always check with your nurse team and look at your specific scalp cooling manufacturer guidance.
Arrive early- allow time to prepare your hair
We suggest that you check with your hospital how they want you to prepare your hair for scalp cooling. Most of the time the hospital will require you to arrive with clean hair that is tangle free.
We suggest you arrive 20 minutes prior to your appointment time to allow sufficient time to prepare your hair for the cold cap treatment.
On arrival at your treatment unit it is worth checking with your nurse if you should go ahead and prepare your hair for your planned appointment time. This is because sometimes appointments are running behind.
Please take your items to the washroom (or as directed by your hospital) and prepare your hair – follow our step-by-step guide
Step 1
Your hair needs to be clean and tangle free.
Using a water spray damp down your hair if needed. Your hair only needs to be slightly damp, as conditioner will also help to dampen the hair. It is not recommended to over dampen your hair as when the cold cap is on this can make your head feel colder then is needed.
The hair is damped down in order to take air bubbles out of the hair and make it flatter. This enables a good cap fit.
Step 2
If your brand of scalp cooling requires conditioner to be applied, use a small amount of conditioner to ensure thin coverage. This helps the cold cap to be more easily removed and is not for maintaining the condition of the hair during treatment. It simply helps the cap to slide on and off easier. Do not over saturate your hair – it is not necessary.
Step 3
Comb conditioner through using a wide tooth comb or try a brush that is especially designed for gentle use on wet hair. If your hair is dripping or too wet use a towel to blot dry.
Step 4
Comb your hair into your parting (nurse may change this). When placing your cold cap on your nurses or health care assistant might comb your hair directly back or if you hair has thinned, they might comb hair in a way to cover and protect your scalp.
Step 5
You are ready. Please go to the treatment room.
Take a look at our sections Getting a good cap fit and Wellbeing during scalp cooling treatment for further guidance.
Next planned review: February 2022