TLDR Cooling can protect hair follicles from chemotherapy damage by reducing drug uptake.
The study investigated the protective effects of cooling on human keratinocytes against cytotoxicity induced by chemotherapy drugs doxorubicin and epirubicin. Cooling the cells to 22°C and 18°C significantly reduced the cellular uptake of these drugs, with up to an 8-fold reduction, thereby decreasing their cytotoxic effects. The research demonstrated that cooling was more effective at 18°C, particularly in primary NHEK cells and outer root sheath keratinocyte (ORSK) cultures, which are relevant to hair follicles. These findings suggested that cooling could protect hair follicles from chemotherapy-induced damage, supporting the clinical efficacy of scalp cooling in preventing chemotherapy-induced alopecia.
58 citations
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September 2019 in “EMBO Molecular Medicine” 
38 citations
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September 2017 in “Oncologist” Scalp cooling can help prevent chemotherapy-induced hair loss with a 50-90% success rate and is safe for patients.
58 citations
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October 2016 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” Activating Nrf2 protects human hair follicles from oxidative stress and helps prevent hair growth inhibition.
110 citations
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August 2014 in “International journal of cancer” Scalp cooling significantly reduces chemotherapy-induced hair loss.
218 citations
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January 2013 in “The Lancet Oncology” Chemotherapy causes hair loss by damaging hair follicles and stem cells, with more research needed for prevention and treatment.
62 citations
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February 2011 in “Expert review of dermatology” Scalp cooling can reduce chemotherapy-induced hair loss and should be available in all hospitals.
99 citations
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September 2007 in “The American journal of pathology” Chemotherapy damages hair follicles, causing hair loss and other cellular changes.
174 citations
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April 2005 in “The American journal of pathology (Print)” Capsaicin, found in chili peppers, can slow down hair growth by affecting skin cells and hair follicles.
39 citations
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January 1994 in “European Journal of Cancer” Scalp cooling is largely ineffective in preventing hair loss from breast cancer chemotherapy.
1 citations
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January 2018 in “Springer eBooks” The document concludes that scalp cooling and treatments like minoxidil can help manage hair loss from cancer therapy.
17 citations
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June 2020 in “Anais brasileiros de dermatologia/Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia” Scalp cooling is an effective way to prevent hair loss from chemotherapy.
62 citations
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February 2011 in “Expert review of dermatology” Scalp cooling can reduce chemotherapy-induced hair loss and should be available in all hospitals.
September 2025 in “PubMed” Prevent persistent hair loss after chemotherapy with scalp cooling and early minoxidil use.
