Cancer doesn’t care if you lose your hair. We do.

Many women facing chemotherapy don’t realize that they have the option to save their hair during treatment. L’ange, The Rapunzel Project and HairToStay want to change that.

At L’ange, we create hair care and styling tools to celebrate and empower women, understanding how closely one’s hair is tied to one's identity. We’ve teamed up with The Rapunzel Project and HairToStay to offer resources and information that can change a patient's chemotherapy journey for the better.

What is Scalp Cooling Therapy?

Scalp Cooling Therapy involves the use of a special capping machine, or a set of caps, cooled to specified cold temperatures and worn for a number of hours before, during and after each chemotherapy treatment.

The extremely cold temperature constricts the blood vessels leading to the hair follicles, limiting the amount of chemo drugs that actually enter the follicles.

Scalp Cooling Therapy has been available in Europe for over 25 years and is now gaining considerable acceptance in the U.S. as a highly successful alternative to chemotherapy-induced hair loss. On average, about 80% of patients save enough hair to not require a wig.

The problem is, many people have never even heard of Scalp Cooling Therapy.

How You Can Help

Most insurance companies do not yet cover Scalp Cooling Therapy. By donating today, you allow women to have the choice to fight cancer on their own terms.

The Rapunzel Project and HairToStay are non-profit organizations dedicated to helping patients undergoing chemotherapy keep their hair, empowering them to fight cancer on their own terms while maintaining their identity and privacy.

The Rapunzel Project’s mission is to create awareness of the existence and efficacy of Scalp Cooling Therapy. Patients need to know that saving their hair is a viable option, and they need to know how they can access this technology.

HairToStay raises funds to help patients with limited means afford Scalp Cooling Therapy, by providing subsidies and support.

These two unique organizations strive to make Scalp Cooling Therapy accessible to as many patients as possible during this extremely challenging time.

DONATE NOW

15 Tips for Patients Undergoing Scalp Cooling Therapy During Chemo

1. Drink as Much Water as Possible on Chemo Day

Doing so will help prevent dehydration and ease your recovery process.

2. Keep Hair Down During Treatments

Do not twist, pile or pull hair up, instead allow it to hang freely. Change your part line with each treatment to help protect your scalp.

3. Protect Your Skin

Wear adhesive-backed moleskin cut to the shape of your forehead and ears to create a protective barrier for your skin. Foam headphone covers are also great for protecting your ears.

4. Keep Warm While Wearing a Cold Cap

Make sure to have blankets, electric blankets, or heating pads on hand to help you stay toasty.

5. Embrace the Process

Scalp Cooling Therapy is really cold, and takes a lot of hours, but to walk away from chemo looking “like yourself” makes it all worth it.

6. Save Time on Treatment Day

If possible, have your lab work done the day before and make arrangements for your chemo treatment to be sent up before you leave the house, saving you the hassle of waiting.

7. Rethink the Way You Wash

Wash hair only as needed, use cool water and apply products gently.

8. Select a Clear, Gentle, Sulfate-Free, Paraben-Free Shampoo with a pH of 4.5-5.5

L’ange offers 2 shampoos that meet all requirements: Cascade Blowout Shampoo & Luxé Marula Oil Hydrating Shampoo.

9. Use a Detangling Spray Instead of Regular Conditioner on Lengths and Ends

This helps avoid tangles and breakage without weighing hair down or coating follicles. L’ange offers 2: Réplenish Detangling Conditioning Spray & Extendé Leave-In Fortifying Detangler.

10. Avoid “Volumizing” Products

These can coat the hair, preventing oxygen from reaching the follicles.

11. Transition to New Products Before Chemo Starts

Switch to products that meet the above criteria as soon as possible, as it can take up to 2 weeks to fully remove old product residue from the hair.

12. Refrain from Coloring and Heat-Styling

Avoid excess damage and breakage by skipping the curling wands, irons and blow drying with heat as well as coloring hair until 3 months after chemo has finished.

13. Detangling Delicate Hair

Hold your hair while combing to avoid pulling or putting strain on the roots. Use a flexible detangling brush that is easy on hair, such as the Siena Flexi Vented Brush.

14. Cut Down on Friction

Drying hair with a microfiber towel and sleeping on a silk pillowcase are two ways to minimize damage and breakage to the hair. L’ange offers Microfiber Hair Wrap Towels and a Silk Collection.

15. Stay Positive

Surround yourself with friends, loved ones and things that make you smile. Keeping a positive attitude will go a long way and help ease this trying situation.

DONATE NOW