A common concern for women about to undergo chemotherapy now has an unexpected answer.

Frequently, the first question asked by a woman diagnosed with cancer who is told she needs chemotherapy is, “Will I lose my hair?” It’s a completely valid concern, of course, because having a healthy head of hair is tied to a woman’s sense of herself and is an important part of her identity.

Salon professionals often find themselves helping women cope with the prospect of hair loss by offering chemo cuts or shaving a woman’s head. But it doesn’t have to be that way anymore. Now salon professionals can offer information about HairToStay.

HairToStay is the first and only national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping cancer patients afford scalp cooling, a process that mitigates the impact of chemotherapy on a woman’s hair. Chilling a patient’s scalp during chemo constricts blood flow, keeping chemo drugs from entering and damaging hair follicles.

HairToStay subsidizes scalp cooling, raises awareness, and offers information and support to patients considering the treatment. HairToStay has awarded 1,000 subsidies to date.

Scalp cooling has been available in Europe for more than 20 years, but only for a few years in the United States. The Food and Drug Administration approved use of an automatic scalp cooling device in 2015.

There are two forms of scalp cooling. Manual cooling, in use in the United States for about 10 years, requires that a number of cold caps, which resemble swim caps, be kept cold on dry ice and swapped out every 30 minutes during chemo. Automated scalp cooling uses a machine to monitor coolant that is continuously circulated through a cap.

HairToStay has joined forces with corporate partners, beauty product distributors and salons across the country to raise awareness and money to subsidize scalp cooling, which is rarely covered by insurance.

“Partnering with the beauty industry just seemed logical,” said Bethany Hornthal, co-founder of HairToStay, because this industry clearly understands the importance of hair to the health and well-being of women.”

Barbara Haupert, owner of Gaston’s Salon and Spa in New Braunfels, Texas, understands how important it is for women to keep their hair during cancer treatment. Her daughter, Monique Derrington, was diagnosed with stage-2 breast cancer four years ago that recurred with metastasis to her bones two years later.

“Monique is a NICU nurse and it was very important for her not to lose her hair because she didn’t want anyone to feel sorry for her,” Haupert said.

Her treatment center offered use of FDA-approved automatic cooling caps.

Because of her daughter’s experience, Haupert wanted to raise money for HairToStay. She says she didn’t do anything aggressive. An article about HairToStay was included in the salon’s newsletter and she placed a jar at the front desk.

“I’m grateful we were able to help,” she says. “As long as I can and as long as the salon is open, I will continue to raise money.”

Salons and beauty professionals can help in a variety of ways, including donating a portion of sales, posting information on mirror talkers or front desk signage, setting out collection jars or sponsoring individual clients for HairToStay subsidies.

To learn more about HairToStay or to get ideas for fundraising or educational events, visit hairtostay.org.