Innovations for Cost-Effective and Eco-Friendly Solutions to Combat Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia: A Narrative Systematic Review

January 2026 in “ Supportive Care in Cancer ”

Noor Mastura Mohd Mujar, Muhamad Sharan Musa, Puteri Norliza Megat Ramli

chemotherapy-induced alopecia scalp cooling technologies gel-based cooling caps cryogel cooling caps silicone-based cooling caps biodegradable materials recyclable materials solar-powered designs reusable designs CIA cooling caps

TLDR New cooling caps can help prevent hair loss from chemotherapy in a cost-effective and eco-friendly way.

This narrative systematic review analyzed 52 studies on innovations in scalp cooling technologies to address chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA). The review highlights that gel-based, cryogel, and silicone-based cooling caps provide cost-effective alternatives to machine-operated systems, while biodegradable and recyclable materials improve environmental sustainability. Solar-powered and reusable designs are promising for low-resource settings. These innovations can enhance equity in cancer care by making hair-preserving interventions more accessible and sustainable for low-income patients.

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Research cited in this study

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research Expanding the Availability of Scalp Cooling to All Patients at Risk of Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia

5 citations , July 2024 in “Journal of Market Access & Health Policy”

Insurance coverage for scalp cooling will make it more accessible to all chemotherapy patients.

research Hair Safe Study: Effects of Scalp Cooling on Hair Preservation and Hair Regrowth in Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy - A Prospective Interventional Study

6 citations , April 2022 in “The Breast”

Scalp cooling reduces hair loss during chemotherapy but doesn't help hair regrow after.

research Cancer-Related Alopecia: From Etiologies to Global Management

4 citations , November 2021 in “Cancers”

The document concludes that understanding and managing hair loss in cancer patients is important, and more research is needed for better treatments.

research Cooling-Mediated Protection from Chemotherapy Drug-Induced Cytotoxicity in Human Keratinocytes by Inhibition of Cellular Drug Uptake

11 citations , October 2020 in “PLoS ONE”

Cooling can protect hair follicles from chemotherapy damage by reducing drug uptake.

research Scalp Cooling to Prevent Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia

17 citations , June 2020 in “Anais brasileiros de dermatologia/Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia”

Scalp cooling is an effective way to prevent hair loss from chemotherapy.

research The Effect and Mechanism of YH0618 Granule on Chemotherapy-Induced Hair Loss in Patients with Breast Cancer: Study Protocol for a Randomized, Double-Blind, Multi-Center Clinical Trial

4 citations , December 2019 in “Trials”

YH0618 granule may help prevent hair loss in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

research Efficacy of Interventions for Prevention of Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

110 citations , August 2014 in “International journal of cancer”

Scalp cooling significantly reduces chemotherapy-induced hair loss.