It’s your mom, your sister, your long-time best friend. Every day thousands of stylists are there for their clients diagnosed with cancer, listening to them, and hearing of their pain as they embark on their fight. But it can be hard. You can often feel helpless in the face of your client’s battle, especially when the worry about their hair is stronger than their fear of cancer. Various studies have shown that 8% of women diagnosed with cancer will actually refuse chemotherapy treatment due to the risk of hair loss.
Be the voice of hope
For some people, advice about hair loss and wigs is not the answer they want. They want to know how to avoid hair thinning or texture changing, all of which can happen with chemotherapy. And now they can, though access and affordability can be barriers to use. This is why Vish is marking Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October by partnering with HairToStay. Its aim is to help fund the innovative scalp cooling treatment for those who need it, regardless of income, and we want you to shout about it from behind your chair.
Technology can help
Scalp cooling is a groundbreaking treatment that can actively prevent hair loss caused by chemotherapy. Cooling the scalp using a cold cap immediately before, during, and after chemo helps restricts blood flow to the scalp and hair follicles, limiting the impact of the drugs and protecting the hair. Scalp cooling is gaining credibility nationwide. There are now nearly 700 hospitals investing in the necessary technology. Awareness and affordability remain challenges, and insurance coverage is still the exception rather than the rule which is why HairToStay was formed. The non-profit organization offers subsidies to low-income individuals so they can afford the option of scalp cooling and saving their hair during chemotherapy treatments.
The horror of hair loss for many has been reduced by HairToStay since its launch in 2016. It has raised approximately $4 million thus far, allowing it to subsidize around 25 applicants a week. Scalp cooling results can vary between recipients but more than 87% would recommend it.
Amplifying awareness
Join owners Gayle Fulbright of Headlines the Salon, Rowena Yeager of Studio Wish Salon Spa, Maggie Difalco of Maggie the Salon, and Bonnie Conte of Avalon Salon Spa to help us raise awareness for this incredibly important cause.
“Hairstylists are first responders. They are often one of the first people to hear from their clients about a cancer diagnosis. When told they are having chemo and will lose their hair, they come to their stylist or salon seeking what is known in the industry as a chemo cut. When a stylist is able to inform the client in their chair that there may be an option to avoid losing their hair, it is incredibly empowering for the stylist and incredibly comforting to the individual facing cancer treatment, restoring a sense of control, normalcy, and well-being. By arming stylists, salons, and the beauty industry as a whole with knowledge about scalp cooling, we can significantly increase the awareness that such an important option exists.”
-Bethany Hornthal, Co-Founder of HairToStay
How you can get involved
- Donate 10% of your extra product charges for the month of October through the donation page here.
- Purchase our limited edition Vish scrunchie online here. 100% of profits will be donated to HTS at the end of the month.
- Share our posts on @vishsalons on Facebook and Instagram. Help us get as many eyes on the amazing work of HairToStay does with women every day and help them reach their fundraising goals. Plus, follow @coolerheadsprevail to stay connected to HairToStay.
