What is scalp cooling?
Scalp cooling is a revolutionary FDA-cleared treatment used during chemotherapy, proven to significantly reduce chemo-induced hair loss.
How does it work?
A cold cap, worn during chemo, reduces scalp temperature by about 30 degrees. This mitigates hair loss in 2 ways:
Cooling causes blood vessels in hair follicles to constrict allowing less blood/chemo into the follicle
Cooling slows the cells’ metabolism, i.e., they don’t replicate as frequently, making them less vulnerable to chemo, which targets fast growing cells
There are 2 different types of systems:
Automated systems: A machine pumps a coolant through the cap, - now available in
over 800 medical centers across the country
Manual caps: Can be rented and kept on dry ice to maintain temperature - are available
to anyone getting treatment where automated systems aren’t available
Who can use it?
Scalp cooling is FDA-cleared for all solid tumor cancers, including, but not limited to:
Breast
Cervical
Ovarian
Lung
Colorectal
Prostate
Bladder
A patient’s chemotherapy regimen can also affect whether or not scalp cooling is indicated
How much does scalp cooling cost?
Scalp cooling costs vary, depending on the chemotherapy regimen and duration of treatment, but generally range from $1,000 - $2,500 over the course of treatment.
Where does HairToStay come in?
Scalp cooling still isn’t covered by most insurance, so we provide financial support to patients who could not otherwise afford it. We write checks directly to patients who meet our eligibility criteria to reimburse them for scalp cooling costs.
How many patients has HairToStay helped?
Since we started in 2016, HairToStay has awarded subsidies to over 6,100 patients in all 50 states!
How does someone apply?
People can apply directly on our website hairtostay.org. We typically provide an answer on whether or not they are approved within 24 hours of receiving a completed application.
How does HairToStay work with haircare/beauty?
HairToStay partners with brands, distributors, salons and beauty professionals across the country to raise awareness and funds for scalp cooling. Brands like amika, Framar, Ergo and Kevin Murphy have created limited edition products and donated the proceeds to HairToStay to help further our mission, while others including K18, Davines, and Moroccanoil donate directly to us.
Our salon and beauty pro partners fundraise throughout the year with our HairToStay 1000 Club campaign, hosting fundraisers in their salons, organizing golf fundraisers, donating a portion of sales, raffling off products, and other creative approaches.
What is the Cold Rinse Challenge?
This year, HairToStay is hosting a national social media campaign called the Cold Rinse Challenge where individuals record themselves doing a cold rinse (in a sink, shower, lake, pool, etc.) and challenge others, while donating to HairToStay. Stylists, salon owners, beauty professionals and influencers can participate now in this campaign!
Starting in October, we are rolling out the Cold Rinse Challenge into salons! We are asking salons to join us in this fun campaign by challenging their guests to finish their service with a cold rinse, recording the experience and making a donation to HairToStay.
Some resources and more information:
● HairToStay homepage: https://www.hairtostay.org
● Cold Rinse Challenge: https://hairtostay.org/cold-rinse-challenge-for-salons
● HairToStay featured on CNN:
https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/13/us/video/cold-capping-scalp-cooling-chemotherapy-dig
vid
● HairToStay’s Young Thrivers: https://youtu.be/KaLJV1Y4tRs
Donate here:
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