Men – A scalp cooling guide for males

Men – A scalp cooling guide for males

Can men try scalp cooling? Firstly we feel it is important to say that men can 100% try scalp cooling if: 1) Scalp cooling is compatible with their type of chemotherapy treatment 2) They are suitable for the treatment and 3)Their hospital offer it. At Cancer Hair Care we support every individual’s right to be offered scalp cooling as an option to reduce hair loss. The good news is that more and more men are giving it a go.

With this in mind you may wonder why the majority of our guide is written with women as the focus? This is because it is fair to say that the vast majority of people who have scalp cooling are women. However, at Cancer Hair Care we have worked with men to provide sections of guidance that relate more specifically to males.

We hope this section will be helpful to you.

Men and scalp cooling commonly asked Q&A

• Can men have scalp cooling?
• Why are men not offered scalp cooling as an option?
• If I want to have scalp cooling how can I go about it?
• How should I look after my hair during scalp cooling?

Can men have scalp cooling?

Yes. There is no reason why a man can’t have scalp cooling. It will come down to the same range of factors that it does for women. Additionally, even if a man has male pattern baldness and therefore only has hair around the back and side of his scalp he can, with protection on his bare scalp, go ahead with scalp cooling.

1. If your cancer type and chemotherapy treatment are compatible
2. If your hospital offers the facility
3. If your healthcare team are happy that you are suitable for scalp cooling

Read more about this in our section What is scalp cooling – the basics.

The following link ( (hosted by leading scalp cooling brand ‘Paxman’) provides a Scalp Cooling Efficacy Calculator which can be helpful in assessing potential hair retention.

Why are men not offered scalp cooling as an option?

In our experience when it comes to loosing hair during chemotherapy treatment health care providers tend to prioritise options for hair loss as a more ‘female’ concern. With this in mind many men will experience a simple question from their medical team along the lines of “ if hair loss concerns you let us know” or “if you want a wig you can get one”. Many men simply focus on the treatment. However, it would be helpful if men were offered a range of solutions. It is our opinion that scalp cooling should be one of them.

If I want to have scalp cooling how can I go about it?

It is essential to speak with your cancer nurse and express your interest. You can also contact the relevant manufacturer that provides your hospital with scalp cooling, as they will be very supportive towards you. In some cases, where your hospital does not offer scalp cooling it should be your right to request treatment at a hospital that can provide you with scalp cooling as an option.

How should I look after my hair during scalp cooling?

The aim of scalp cooling is to reduce hair loss so that you can maintain a hair style. For most people this will mean treating their hair very gently for the duration of chemotherapy and scalp cooling treatment.

It is fair to say that the majority of people will notice more hair then normal falling out. However, what is essential is to aim for keeping a style. There are so many simple styling ideas that mean you can maintain your style whilst treating your hair gently.

Take a look in our guide for tips and product recommendations.

Daily hair care and products for scalp cooling