Pros and cons

Below you can find an overview of the pros and cons of scalp cooling. These aspects are only important if you receive a type of chemotherapy for which serious hair loss is fairly certain to occur.

Scalp cooling

Pros

  • You have a greater chance of hair retention.
  • You might not need to wear a wig or head covering.
  • You have the opportunity to do something yourself about the baldness.

 

Cons

  • You spend more time in the hospital.
  • You do not have any guarantee of hair retention; there is uncertainty about the final result.
  • You might experience uncertainty about the safety of the treatment.
  • The quality of your hair might decrease.
  • You are likely to experience long-lasting minimal hair loss.
  • Scalp cooling is cold, especially in the first 15 minutes.

 

No scalp cooling

Pros

  • There is less uncertainty about hair loss: you will very probably go bald.
  • You are likely to experience brief hair loss; within 3 weeks the hair has fallen out.

 

Cons

  • You will very probably go bald.
  • You will be bald for several months and then have a period with very short hair.
  • You incur expenses if you purchase a wig and/or head covering.