One side effect of chemotherapy is the common loss of hair by patients. This can be especially stressful and depressing, on top of dealing with a life threatening illness. By keeping the scalp cool, blood flow to hair follicles can be reduced, and patients will be more likely to keep their hair during chemotherapy.
An innovative device called Athena recently won an award for its innovative scalp-cooling technique.
A specialized helmet, coupled with a battery unit, circulates cool water to the scalp, and keeps it between 64 and 72-degrees Fahrenheit, which makes users less likely to lose their hair.
A recent winner of the James Dyson Awards, Athena was developed by Olivia Humphreys in Ireland, after experiencing her mom going through the challenges of breast cancer.
It’s a unique and well-designed device that can ease the suffering of many who are faced with cancer, and clearly worthy of the award.
“Athena is a portable, thermoelectric, patient-managed cooling device consisting of a carry case and a wearable headpiece. It aims to provide a more accessible and effective option for scalp cooling.”
