It has been a few years since hair guru Wesley Boyce has graced us with his words of wisdom on how your hair can change the world! When we caught up with Wesley and asked him to write an article for our site, we assumed he would talk about a new clarifying shampoo or some deep conditioner that was changing the lives of his clients. We had no idea he would come back with this! He had some pretty interesting concepts to share. Is it possible to keep your hair through a process called Cold Cap Therapy while you battle cancer with chemo? Many think so! This amazing process is changing the way deal with the battles of cancer. Enjoy this article and share it with a friend!

How to Fight Cancer and Potentially Keep Your Hair in the Process

By: Wesley Boyce Cancer sucks. In today's day and age, it has affected all of us in one way or another. There are very few possible solutions available, but great strides have been made in the fight against this terrible disease. One such stride that many people aren't aware of is that through a technology called Cold Cap Therapy, patients who are faced with undergoing chemotherapy treatment have the option to save their hair, which is huge. [caption id="attachment_2618" align="aligncenter" width="360"] Cold Cap Therapy[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2619" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Cold Cap Therapy Treatment[/caption] Many people faced with chemo actually decline treatment because they do not want to lose their hair. Our hair is part of what makes us who we are, and the thought of losing it all and/or having to go buy a wig is devastating to some, and they'd rather forego the treatment and live out their days looking and feeling as "normal" as they can, given the circumstances. Now, through Cold Cap Therapy, many patients can undergo chemotherapy to treat the spread of cancer or prevent a reoccurrence and keep most or all of their hair through the process!

What is Cold Cap Therapy?

Cold Cap Therapy involves the use of "caps" that are cooled to very cold temperatures, placed tightly around the patient's head, and changed out in timed increments before, during, and after each chemotherapy treatment to maintain a consistent cold throughout the process. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWne0ZP1D3U The subzero temperature is believed to constrict the blood vessels in the scalp around the hair, limiting or keeping the chemo drugs from reaching the hair follicles, which are also in a more dormant state of metabolic activity due to the cold. This allows the hair to be affected much less, and in most cases, the patient is able to keep his or her hair, which in a lot of ways, helps them to still feel like themselves and is a huge win for self-confidence and morale. To be fully effective, Cold Cap therapy must be implemented with the very first chemo treatment and cannot be started after chemo visits have already started. That's why it is crucial that patients learn about the process beforehand so they have options to choose from. It is no easy feat to go through this process while also undergoing treatment, and there is some work involved in terms of maintenance and upkeep, but the patients that I have spoken with personally have all said that it was one of the best decisions they ever made in their cancer journey.

Rapunzel, Rapunzel, Let Down Your Hair!

I was first introduced to the idea of Cold Cap therapy through a non-profit organization called The Rapunzel Project, whose mission is to spread awareness about this process that so many people still don't know about. The Rapunzel Project is led by two fellow cancer survivors who were made aware of Cold Caps and realized what a game-changer this could be for chemotherapy patients like themselves. Over the years, The Rapunzel Project, in partnership with companies like Kenra Professional-- a leading force in the professional hair care industry, has been able to bring the possibility of Cold Cap Therapy to cancer centers all over the United States through fundraising in salons, charitable donations, and awareness. (Click here to see a list of locations equipped with freezers and/or machines to assist in the capping process.) [caption id="attachment_2621" align="aligncenter" width="658"] Fundraising event at BoCo Salon in Orange City, FL[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2622" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Freezer for Cold Caps Donated to a local cancer center by The Rapunzel Project[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2623" align="aligncenter" width="720"] News Coverage for The Rapunzel Project at Lather Salon near Tulsa, OK[/caption]

What Can You Do To Help?

• Take this opportunity to spread the word! You never know who might see this article on your social media pages, and it could potentially change their lives.
• If you or someone you know has been faced with cancer or may be faced with the decision to undergo chemotherapy, OR you would like more information on how you can get involved and raise awareness in your community, please email The Rapunzel Project at info@rapunzelproject.org for a wealth of knowledge and detailed information on possible options in your area that may change the way you or a loved one looks at the chemotherapy process. Until there is a cure, The Rapunzel Project will continue their efforts in helping to make a beautiful difference in people's lives."

[caption id="attachment_2624" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Wesley Boyce[/caption]

Wesley Boyce is a licensed stylist in Orlando, FL who is also an educator for Kenra Professional. You can follow him on Instagram at @webostyle!