Three staff members in barbers chairs with Cosmetology students standing behind them for the Cold Rinse Challenge

The Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Cosmetology program in conjunction with the Herkimer BOCES SkillsUSA chapter recently held a Cold Rinse Challenge to raise money and awareness for cancer patients.

The Cold Rinse Challenge is a fundraising event to help cancer patients keep their hair during chemo using scalp cooling by making it more affordable. The challenge takes place at the shampoo bowl, where stylists take video of their clients with a cold rinse.

The Cold Rinse Challenge in the Herkimer BOCES Cosmetology classroom took place on Nov. 21 and 22.

Scalp cooling is an effective way to prevent hair loss during cancer treatment. It involves the patient wearing an FDA-approved “cold cap” while receiving chemo infusions. The cold restricts blood flow to the hair follicles so they absorb less of the medication, and it slows the rate of cellular metabolism, which reduces the effect of medication that is present.

Three staff members in barbers chairs with Cosmetology students standing behind them for the Cold Rinse ChallengeHerkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Cosmetology seniors pair up with staff members for the Cold Rinse Challenge to support cancer patients. From left: Heavy Equipment Repair Operations instructor Rick Reid with Cosmetology student Alexa Pope (Poland Central School District), School Resource Officer Darrin Miller with Cosmetology student Victoria Cleveland (Frankfort-Schuyler Central School District) and Welding and Metal Fabrication instructor Mason Fisher with Cosmetology Dakota Vickerson (Richfield Springs Central School District). View more photos on the Herkimer BOCES Facebook and Instagram pages at @herkimerboces.