DigniCap at UCSF

We support use of the DigniCap Scalp Cooling System at our Mission Bay, Mount Zion and Berkeley infusion centers. If you wish to use DigniCap during your chemotherapy treatments, please contact your oncologist's practice coordinator.

Cost

• As a device cleared by the Food and Drug Administration, DigniCap Scalp Cooling may be covered by insurance. To find out whether your plan will pay for DigniCap, reach out to a UCSF financial counselor.
• Medicare or a secondary insurance plan may cover some of the cost for a provider to administer DigniCap.
• UCSF may bill you for charges not covered by insurance. You may qualify for financial assistance with these charges through HairToStay.
• Read more about costs and financial assistance.

Registering and receiving your DigniCap Kit

Register at myDigniCap, the DigniCap patient portal, to sign your treatment consent form and receive educational emails. You will also get access to more detailed information about your scalp cooling treatment and recommended hair care.

On your first infusion day, you'll collect your cooling cap kit from the infusion staff.

For every treatment thereafter, you'll bring the entire kit – cooling wrap, thermal cap, chin strap, headband, spray bottle and wet brush – to the infusion center with you. Please remember that UCSF doesn't supply spares of these items.

If you arrive without your kit, you'll have to pay for a new kit.

For questions or concerns related to hair care, please contact Dignitana's patient support service by calling (877) 350-2150 or emailing [email protected].

What to expect on your infusion day

Wash your hair before going to your appointment, preferably on the morning of each scheduled chemo session. You should arrive with damp, clean hair.

Bring the entire kit – cooling wrap, thermal cap, chin strap, headband, spray bottle and wet brush – to the infusion center with you. Since we don't have spares, patients who arrive without their kit will have to pay for a new one.

Scalp cooling can cause discomfort, including headaches or brain freeze (the pain commonly associated with eating or drinking something cold). Ask your oncologist and the infusion center staff whether you may take a low-dose pain reliever, such as ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol), before you start the cooling process. Read more about preparing for your treatment.

An infusion center staff member will seat you at a DigniCap machine and help you with preparations. Staff will spray your hair (having it wet supports the cooling process) and help you place the cap on your head. You'll have 20 to 30 minutes of scalp cooling prior to the start of your chemo.

Once you start the cooling process, you can't be disconnected from the machine for the first 30 minutes, so we recommend using the restroom before starting. After the first 30 minutes, you may take restroom breaks of under six minutes. Let a staff member know if you need a restroom break. Your caregiver can accompany you to the bathroom and inform staff when you're ready to be reconnected.

Be prepared to get cold! We have warm blankets and towels you can use. Electric warming devices, such as electric blankets, are not allowed due to fire code restrictions.

After your infusion is complete, you'll remain attached to the machine for a post-treatment cooling period. The length of this period depends on your chemotherapy regimen – anywhere from 2 to 3 hours. For patients using the DigniCap system, we recommend the following post-treatment cooling times:

After your post-treatment cooling is complete, the machine will be turned off and you'll sit for 5 to 10 minutes to allow your scalp to return to room temperature. You'll then be disconnected from the machine and discharged.