It is not recommended that patients shave or buzz cut their hair before or during the use of scalp cooling. Scalp cooling should not be used or continued if the hair is that short. When hair is cut that short the scalp has no protection from the cold, which could lead to skin damage as well as increased cold sensitivity.

However, if you experience a lot of shedding during scalp cooling, you may choose to cut your hair short. Some patients do find that this helps minimize matting and decreases pulling on their hair. If cut short, it is best to have some length on the hair, so anything less than a few inches is not recommended if you wish to continue scalp cooling.

If you shave your head, the infusion center may choose to discontinue scalp cooling, as there are risks associated with the increased possibility of skin damage.