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The Voice of the AHLC
“A coach once told me I throw like a girl. I told him if he tried harder, he could too.” – Jennie Finch – Jennie Finch Champion Softball Pitcher Champion Softball Pitcher
ON THE COVER 8 Grow Your Women’s Business
14 Creating a Support Group
GIRL POWER!
Honoring the Impact of Women in Our Industry
18 21 22 23 24 27
Member Spotlight - Sima Hilde To Wear Hair, or Not to Wear Hair Listen to Your Clients The Gift of Hair Generations of Beauty Perseverance and Passion
F EATURES 5 The Medical Approach to Female Hair Loss in 2016
8 Grow Your Women’s Business 10 AHLC 2016 Annual Conference Testimonial Reviews 14 Creating a Support Group
IN EVERY ISSUE 28 Tips for Terrific Toppers 30 New Members
Subscription Information: Subscriptions to The Link, The Voice of the American Hair Loss Council are mailed FREE to members of the AHLC within the continental United States. International members are provided digital copies free. Please contact us for additional shipping rates if you are an AHLC member outside the US and wish to receive a printed edition. To become a member, renew your membership please contact Betty Ann Bugden, Membership Director, 570-462-1101 or log on to www.AHLC.org. pages 18-27 Issue 17, Spring 2016
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The Voice of the AHLC
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR by Janine Thornhill, Editor, The Link Magazine The Link, The Voice of the American Hair Loss Council is the official, quarterly publication of the American Hair Loss Council. For information on advertising or contributing to content, please contact us: The American Hair Loss Council 30 South Main, Shenandoah, PA 17976 615.721.8085 or info@ahlc.org
The Link Staff:
Editor: Janine Thornhill Design and Layout: Thornhill Creative Creative Director: Terrell Thornhill
Thanks to Our Contributors:
The question isn’t who’s going to let me; it’s who’s going to stop me. – Ayn Rand
Sylvia Caruso, Owner, The Hair Studio and Wig Salon, Saugus, MA Natalie Laine Ferris, Owner, Austin Wig and Hair Works, Austin, TX Stacey Handel, Owner, Garde Bien Salon, Knoxville, Tennessee
In this issue we have a section focusing on women business owners. When I was gathering content for a past issue a theme seemed to emerge. Women who own businesses in this industry, especially if they’ve owned it for more than 20 years, have each faced naysayers. Their dedication to helping others has made them each the successful women they are today. pages 18-27
Sue Hanson, Co-Founder and President of Evolve Becky Hibbs, Speaker, Singer, Songwriter and NAAF Support Group Leader, Nashville, TN Sima Hilde,Owner, New Look Institute, San Jose, CA Lisa Minervini, Vice President of Product Development/Branding, Jon Renau | easihair, Vista, CA Tami Mayorga, Owner,Talk of the Town Beauty Salon, Santa Maria, CA Carlos Puig, DO, Physicians’ Hair Restoration Center (PHRC), Houston, TX Kimberly Vaughn, Owner, HPIHair Partners, Nashville, TN
Wow! We have been overwhelmed by the great reviews and positive feedback about our conference. We work very hard and spend countless hours putting together the ONLY event of it’s kind. At the risk of stating the obvious, we cannot do it without each of you. We had many new members and were so glad to see familiar faces. We know that your lives are busy and what it takes to attend a conference. The relationships developed, the skills learned, the classes and products offered make every second worth it! To our 22 displaying vendors, thank you for providing the BEST education, BEST products and BEST customer service available. After a conference like this we all feel like family - and we’ve got the biggest and best family ever! As summer comes into full blossom be sure to take advantage of some of our advertiser’s special offers. And mark you calendars for April 29 - May 1 2017 for another great AHLC Conference. pages 10-13
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AHLC Board of Directors Peggy Thornhill, President Joseph Ellis, Vice President Susan Kettering, Executive Director Betty Ann Bugden, Treasurer/Membership Director Laura Cole, Secretary Marsha Scott, Past President The opinions expressed in The Link, The Voice of the American Hair Loss Council are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Hair Loss Council. The advertisements in The Link do not necessarily reflect the beliefs, opinions or attitudes of the AHLC and does not imply product or service endorsement. The American Hair Loss Council © All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Published for the AHLC by Thornhill Creative. www.thornhillcreative.com
The Voice of the AHLC
The Medical Approach to Female Hair Loss in 2016 Hair loss may seem like a more prominent problem in men, but women are nearly as likely to be affected. In fact, nearly 50% of all women will eventually develop some form of hair loss at some time in their lives. Carlos Puig, DO, Physicians’ Hair Restoration Center (PHRC), Houston Texas
H
air grows in a
cycle composed of different stages: active growth, anagen, transitional, catagen and the resting no growth phase, telogen. About 90% of scalp hair at any time is in the anagen phase and lasts anywhere from two to eight years. From there, hair begins to shrink and pass through the catagen phase which is a transitional phase from the active to the dormant and lasts 2-3 weeks. The third phase is telogen, a resting phase which lasts around two to 18 months and is characterized by a dormant hair follicle with absence of growth. In average, hair grows about 6 inches a year for most people. The majority of people will lose about 100 to 200 strands of hair each day which is considered normal shedding associated with the hair cycle mentioned above. Shedding more than 200 hairs a day, thinner pony/pigtails, a widening part and visible scalp should be red flags for hair loss and a certified hair restoration physician should be consulted for early diagnosis and treatment. Unlike hair loss in men, hair loss in women can have many different causes, inherited female pattern hair loss (FPHL) being the most common one. FPHL is an inherited form of hair loss which affects more than 50% of woman. Although it is more commonly seen in their late 40s or early 50’s, it may occur as early as the teen
age years. It is characterized by a progressive thinning at the top scalp, usually with sparing of the frontal line and absence of complete baldness. Affected hairs will get finer and finer until they turn into miniaturized hairs invisible to the naked eye. Significant positive family history of female hair loss as well as the characteristic hair miniaturization assessed on physical exam may help direct the hair restoration physician towards the diagnosis of female pattern hair loss. The only FDA approved medical treatments for FPHL are topical Rogaine, and low level laser light therapy, both of which can help a significant number of patients improve both their hair retention and may reverse some of the miniaturizing, and help hairs grow back. This effect will only occur as long as the treatment is used in a continuous manner. Some FPHL patients are candidates for hair restoration surgery to relocate hair from the back of the head into the areas with thinning hair. Although female pattern hair loss is the most common type of hair loss affecting women, medical causes are also prevalent and should always be considered and ruled out before considering a hair transplant procedure. If hair follicles are uniform in size with no miniaturization or if the hair loss is sudden and presents with inflammatory changes, itching, burning or pain of the scalp, it is possible that hair loss
is being caused by a different medical condition. Discovery of these alternate causes of hair loss should be made during the lady’s first visit to a hair restoration physician. Depending on the history and physical examination findings during that visit, blood tests may be ordered to rule out other common causes of hair loss affecting woman, such as thyroid disease, anemia, vitamin deficiencies and systemic inflammatory conditions. Scalp biopsies are another diagnostic tool used to further characterize the nature and amount of inflammatory reaction causing the hair loss. Although some of these conditions may resolve on their own, medical evaluation should not be delayed as early medical treatment increases the probability of response and hair regrowth. Some forms of medical treatments include the use of steroids, vitamin supplements and correction of the particular systemic condition which could be causing hair loss, such as hypothyroidism. Depending on the response and evolution of the medical etiologic hair loss, these patients could eventually become candidates for hair transplant procedures. A good medical history could help identify Telogen Effluvium which is a temporary hair loss caused by continued... Issue 18, Summer 2016
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The Voice of the AHLC continued... emotional or physical stress and could present even after 3 or 4 months of the stress-inciting event. Some medications are also known to cause hair loss and should be taken into consideration by the hair restoration professional for proper and complete assessment. Styling with tight pony tails, pigtails and braids, and yes, even hair extensions may cause a hair loss condition known as Traction Alopecia. Traction Alopecia can also be caused by just pulling on the hair over a long period of time. This is characterized by hair loss along the fringe of the hairline or the areas behind the ears. If Traction Alopecia is diagnosed, the patient must discontinue the use of any hair style or habitual behavior, such as an obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) causing the pulling pressure on the hair. Most patients with Traction Alopecia are candidates for hair restoration surgery to relocate hair into the area that has been pulled out, once they have obliterated the habitual or OCD cause of the hair loss. Indeed one of the best treatments for both FPHL and Traction Alopecia is a hair transplant, which is a safe and effective procedure that involves the transfer of scalp hairs from the back of the head to the thin or balding area of the head. This process creates a fuller hair appearance that can achieve the desirable natural cosmetic result in both men and women suffering from hair loss. Hairs are retrieved and transplanted in their naturally occurring groups usually involving 1 to 4 hairs, called follicular unit grafts These follicular unit transplants are minimally invasive out-patient procedures done in the physician’s office. Recently, a new non-surgical alternative for hair loss treatment in both males and females has been talked about and implemented by hair restoration physicians around the country. Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is concentrated blood plasma which contains approximately three to five times the number of platelets found in normal circulating blood. PRP’s primary function is to facilitate the body’s wound
6 Issue 18, Summer 2016
Some medications are also known to cause hair loss and should be taken into consideration by the hair restoration professional for proper and complete assessment.
healing processes. It turns out that many of the growth factors and other bioactive proteins that aid in wound healing are also active in controlling the hair cycle. It is this fact that causes speculation that PRP may stimulate hair growth. The current definition of PRP is somewhat murky at this time, as there are several different systems available to separate PRP from the blood, and each creates a different PRP. So the PRP made in my office may be very different from the PRP made in another physician’s office a few miles away. Currently there is NO Specific Definition of PRP. Most doctors schedule injections at intervals of every 4 to 6 weeks, for three injections. Although improvement has been reported, incidence of improvement, the magnitude of improvement and length of time the improvement lasts have not been measured or reported. Although many physicians state they have seen positive results, no formal study using the usual medical standard, double blind, placebo controlled study techniques demonstrating the effectiveness of PRP as hair loss treatment has been published. To date the only double blinded, placebo controlled PRP study made for evaluation as treatment for hair loss, involved 28 patients with Female Pattern Hair Loss, half of which received scalp injected with PRP and the other half recieved scalp injected with normal saline. Results showed no significant difference between placebo and PRP patients, as subjects in both
groups had of patients with some hair growth, no improvement or continued loss. These results failed to demonstrate any difference between the PRP and Saline treatments. A number of physicians are taking PRP therapy a step further, combining PRP with a product called Acell, which is believed could be helpful in wound healing. As Acell “attracts” adult stem cells to a “wound” and converts them into the progenitor cells, as? in the case of hair follicles, it is speculated that it could possibly grow hair. As in PRP alone, physicians are reporting positive results when combining PRP with Acell, but once again everyone’s PRP is different, and no one has really done the double blinded, placebo controlled studies to document a real positive effect. So the bottom line is that although PRP and Acell therapy may be alternatives for hair loss treatment, they have yet to have been organized into a specific treatment protocol, and properly studied for true effectivenss. Patients contemplating these treatment alternatives, are encouraged to use caution. So, hair loss in women, unlike in men, is a complex medical problem that demands a physician’s full attention, and extra effort to drill down to the correct diagnosis and proper treatment decisions. Great improvements have been made in both medical and surgical treatments to help women with hair loss. Working with a skilled physician early in the hair loss process is key to getting the best results from therapeutic interventions.
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The Voice of the AHLC
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The Voice of the AHLC
Grow Your Women’s Business Six C’s to Consider
Change is never easy. It’s also something most people do not like to do. However, change is an evolutionary process and completely inevitable. We all evolve every day or we become like dinosaurs, extinct. Why then do we resist change? by Sue Hanson, Co-Founder and President of Evolve
P
erhaps it’s because we do not realize that change is occurring. Maybe we don’t have the vision of how to change or what steps need to be taken to make the proper changes. In some cases, it can even be the natural fear that we will not succeed if we make the decision to change. Perhaps, we even doubt if the effort needed to change will pay off big enough to make it worth our while.
However, I would offer up the example very similar to what happened to the railroad business at the turn of the century. When the airplane came along, the railroad owners thought it was a fad, that it would never last, and that they were making so much money the new flying machines could not possibly affect them. We all know what happened to the rail industry. The fatal mistake they made was that they thought they were in the railroad business when in fact they were in the transportation business. History has a funny way of repeating itself, which is why even the most profitable of hair loss or hair restoration centers should be asking themselves about the changes that are occurring in our industry. In the past, the majority of business in the hair replacement industry has come from male clients. There has been a strong shift occurring where fewer and fewer younger men are getting hair replacements, while at the same time over 40 million women
8 Issue 18, Summer 2016
in the United States are reporting thinning hair or hair loss. This trend is going to continue to grow dramatically over the next 15 years. Some marketing studies indicate that the women’s market is growing at a 10 to 1 ratio year to date over the male market. If the women’s portion of your business isn’t growing in double digits, then there may be a few things to consider. Being a woman, I started my own research regarding this topic almost five years ago. I come up with what I call The Six C’s that lead to profitable change in capturing the women’s hair enhancement market.
1. Competition With the advent of extensions, hair salons have been awakened to the ever-growing financial benefits of hair enhancement. At the same time, they have realized that more and more women sitting in their chairs are suffering from fine and thinning hair. The traditional tools that the salon has had to offer, such as retail products, have not been successful at meeting the needs of those clients. Therefore, the more progressive salons are now embracing the hair restoration and hair enhancement business. This is not a bad thing, it is good. Competition
The Voice of the AHLC always stimulates the market, creates a greater awareness and acceptance that helps the industry prosper. In short, more people will want the service.
2. Culture Female clients look for a much deeper connection. Her needs are physical but also emotional and mental, they are seeking a deeper need than just more hair. Their hair is a means to an end. The end goal is to look more beautiful. Many women feel that means looking younger, healthier, sexier, and in many cases, more competitive. So how do you recruit those clients to your chair? You need to consider the culture attracting female consumers like the trend toward organic and all natural, the importance of health and fitness, the importance of comfort and versatility and the added value when making a purchase.
3. Communication We communicate our brand to the customer both verbally and visually. To capitalize on the new female market,
we need to rework both our consultation skills, in the questions we ask and the way that we ask them, as well as the environment we ask them in. How are you communicating your message to your female market via your website, Facebook, Google ads, Pinterest, Instagram, etc.? This is where women with hair loss are finding solutions. Then you offer products and services that address your client’s specific needs, price is never an issue.
4. Creative Women who suffer from hair loss, no matter what their age, want to look fashionable. It is not enough to be technically skilled; you must also strive to be artistically skilled. Women care about how they look after the hair is attached. In many respects women with hair loss have hair fantasies of what they could look like if only they had more hair. The better you are at fulfilling your client’s desires, the busier you will be. Your work must be current. Each time you see the client you should be making subtle suggestions
and changes. Your work must always be progressing.
5. Community To be successful we need to live in a professional community, in relationship with one another as professionals. This is why associations like AHLC are so valuable. It is a forum to connect with others who share your passion. It puts you, the owner and stylist, up close and personal with the top manufacturers in the industry so that you, the professional, can decide which manufacturers can best partner with you to grow your business. Whose products, brand and philosophy will best assist you in cashing in on the opportunities the future holds in store?
6. Change Change is an action that is never finished. Those who cling to the past can never hope to gain the rewards of the future or the joy that comes from continued self-development.
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10 Issue 18, Summer 2016
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The Voice of the AHLC
Creating a Support Group You can’t put a price on sitting in a room with women who have been down the same road as you. by Stacey Handel, Owner, Garde Bien Salon, Knoxville, Tennessee
T
he most rewarding part of my day is helping a woman look and feel her best. It is especially true when I have the opportunity to help someone who is feeling helpless and frustrated because of their hair loss.
first Volumizer or other alternative hair choice. The emotions and feelings at that moment are almost beyond words.
Unfortunately, the excitement is not one many of these women feel comfortable sharing with even their More than 46 million women in the closest friends and sometimes even U.S. experience abnormal hair loss. The their spouses. Instead of wanting to tell average woman loses between 50-100 people about their new hair and their hairs daily. The problem obviously new found excitement on life, many of comes when the body does not replace them have told me that while they love these hairs, creating gradual thinning, hearing the compliments about their or when a person experiences increased “new look,” the attention makes them hair loss over time. extremely nervous because they’re afraid someone will figure out it’s not The immediate assumption, for most, their real hair. Surprisingly, several when they see a woman who has hair clients have told me that I’m the only loss, is that she is sick or probably going person who knows their secret. through chemotherapy. But for many women, the cause of their hair loss is The need for emotional and peer never clearly determined or diagnosed. support for these women became abundantly clear to me a few years ago “I went to doctor after doctor. I tried when three of my clients just happened nearly every remedy there was out to be waiting for their appointments for there, but nothing worked and no one hair loss services. Each woman was at could figure out why this was happena different stage of hair loss. After realing to me. All they could say is that it izing they were all wearing alternative could be stress related. I didn’t want to hair, they began to talk opening with get out of bed in the morning,” my client each other and were greatly relieved to Brandy shared with me as she painfully connect. One of these women sat in my recalled the frustration of dealing with chair with tears, explaining how wonher initial hair loss at the young age of derful it was to talk to another woman 38. who could relate to her.
HAIR LOSS IMPACTS A WOMAN’S SELF IMAGE Hair is an integral part of a person’s self-esteem and self-image; great hair is often the difference between selfconfidence and self- consciousness, and it can also be the difference between enjoying a night on the town and staying at home. I absolutely love sharing the excitement and happiness with my clients when they see themselves for the first time after getting their
14 Issue 18, Summer 2016
While women who are dealing with cancer and illnesses such as Alopecia or Trichotillomania, may have support groups they can reach out to, the majority of women who are dealing with thinning hair and hair loss don’t have that network of support available to them. They long to share their frustration and concerns with another woman. Blogs and web sites are flooded with sharing, questions and experiences from women who are desperate for someone
Stacey Handel helps members of her Hair Loss Support Group
The Voice of the AHLC to talk to who understand what they are dealing with and how they feel. But nothing beats face to face.
HELP THE HAIR, HEAL THE HEART This inspired me to help connect these women in a support/social group and the results have been amazing thing to watch! Just 10 minutes of talking with someone who knows their secret can mean the world to someone. My client Judy said the support group helped her realize that she’s not alone in dealing with this problem and there are solutions. Another client Barb said she felt a sense of relief after leaving her first support group meeting that we held after hours in my salon. “We were young, middle and older aged, but we were all joined together with a single issue – hair loss,” she shared. “It was comforting to hear the other gals confess that they had endured the same humiliation and embarrassment of hair loss, tried the same products to no avail…. I also found it interesting that like me, the others did not want to brag about their new hair and just wanted to move on.”
DECREASED SENSE OF ISOLATION Perhaps one of the most important benefits of participating in a support group is a decreased sense of the isolation so many people feel when they are experiencing hair loss. In a support group environment, feelings of anger, depression, guilt and anxiety can be expressed, validated by others and accepted as a normal response to losing their hair. Support group members often realize how their experiences in the group have created a special bond and identity between group members. By sharing feelings, accomplishments, losses, and humor known only to those who experience losing hair, members can develop strong emotional ties to one another.
FREEDOM TO EXPRESS NEGATIVE FEELINGS The freedom to express negative feelings and to identify with one
another helps participants realize that they are not alone in their struggle with hair loss. They can experience a sense of emotional relief from the support of others. Members who may already have a highly supportive network of family and friends can find that a group understanding their frustration provides a place to continue to share feelings without overburdening loved ones. By offering a safe place to express and explore the feelings generated by the hair loss experience, support groups help participants move toward a positive resolution of this difficult crisis.
LEARNING EFFECTIVE COPING SKILLS Support group participants learn to regain previous levels of coping or to develop more effective coping skills. Members find assistance in coming to terms with difficult emotions and stresses inherent in their experience, such as the effects on one’s personal relationships, self-image, and lifestyle. By sharing information and resources, learning how others have coped with similar problems, and witnessing the coping styles of others, members can improve their own problem-solving abilities. Groups offer members realistic feedback as they try out new coping strategies, learn to be more assertive with health care professionals, and share their experience with significant people in their lives.
ENHANCED SELF-ESTEEM Group members benefit from enhanced self-esteem when they improve their coping abilities. A sense of emotional strength can return as one gains a sense of perspective and control. Emotional energy can be made available to address other life issues and challenges that may have been put on hold. Whether hair loss is temporary or permanent, we, as hair professionals, have the unique opportunity to help women find solutions and support from the physical and emotional anguish that all too often accompanies hair loss.
SUPPORT GROUP TIPS Keep Meetings Positive & Encouraging While there may very well be times when clients may share tears of sadness and joy together, always try to be positive, uplifting and inclusive of all the participants. Change It Up! Add variation to your support group meetings. Ask participants for their ideas and then encourage them to assist in the planning. The ideas are limitless, but include: demonstrating new hair styling techniques; hosting guest speakers, such as therapists; and holding a fashion show. Encourage Buddy System Urge participants to find someone in the group with whom they could exchange phone numbers and agree to be a mutual support system. Look For Potential Leaders Be on the lookout for a group member who has the leadership qualities and enthusiasm to step in to lead the group. Maintain Focus Always keep in mind that the main goal of the group is to create an environment where your hair loss clients will feel comfortable sharing with one another. Don’t be tempted to expand the group to include other clients. By doing this, you risk making your hair loss clients uncomfortable and could destroy the effectiveness of the group. For more information and ideas on how to start a hair loss support group at your salon, please contact Stacey Handel at Garde Bien Salon in Knoxville, Tennessee at 865-6071996 or Stacey-gardebien@charter.net
Issue 18, Summer 2016
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The Voice of the AHLC
Honoring the Impact of Women in our Industry
AHLC Member Spotlight Sima Hilde, Owner, New Look Institute, San Jose, CA
At the beginning, I started in the hair replacement business as a way to supplement my income. For many years prior, I had a successful career in the medical field of radiology. With two kids and a loving husband, I wanted flexible hours and better pay. I began working for a hair replacement company because the hair industry seemed a natural extension of my wish to continue to help people. This side job soon became my main source of income, but the company went bankrupt and I began to think about other ways to utilize my knowledge and talents. Since this was in the late 1990s, it seemed a good idea to forge ahead in the hair industry. I decided to open my own hair studio, and that was how I started New Look Institute.
a lot of bumps along the winding road, but I learned to survive and forged my own path through the initial years. During those early years, most of my clients were men; they were the bread and butter of our industry. I remember
The day I signed the lease on the new location, I had a panic attack. I was frightened by the task ahead of me. After all, this would be my very own company! Despite my fears, I bit Sima Hilde, Owner, New Look Institute, San Jose, CA the bullet and took the plunge. To this day, I’ve never looked back or thought twice going to an On Rite event, meeting about my decision. some of the big players and listening to their conversations at lunch. We started with some humble beginnings: A couple of stylists, a front desk I learned much from those meetreceptionist, a lot of hope — and me. ings, and I returned home and impleSuccess did not come easy, there were mented some of those ideas in my
18 Issue 18, Summer 2016
own business. I also learned some leadership skills and business practices, which helped me build my team. Many of my stylists have been with me for over 10 years. I owe my success mostly to my team. I work very hard with them to make them strong and empower them. At the same time, they know that I want the best for my clients, and that they have to deliver it is not easy to work with me. But there are a few things I never forget to do. I always remember their birthdays, and we have get-togethers regularly for lunch or dinner. Also, I craft a schedule that allows them to take care of their families and personal lives. I bring training to them, and they know that - when they are at New Look Institute - it’s work! I have seen many changes in the industry. I got into the women’s hair replacement market before there were many hair systems for women. Previously, the only option for women were wigs, and if they needed something specialized they had to get it customized. I learned to accommodate my clients and it has brought us much success. Another piece of the success puzzle is that we can provide so many different attachments to women who want to avoid shaving the hair under the hair
Honoring the Impact of Women in our Industry
replacement. The variety of attachments that we offer is unique in the industry. For many years, people were still asking me if it was even possible to sell to women! The demands they have, the complexity of styles… it is daunting if one is not ready. Yes, women demand perfection and they are not put off by cost. Hair for a woman is not a luxury it’s a necessity. Our design expertise and variety of attachments have helped us continue that early success. The road to success has been a process, a process both beset with challenges and elevated by inspiration. My inspiration to help both men and women equally arose as much from market demands as from my own background. The amazing part about my experience is that I grew up in an area where I was surrounded by people who discouraged me, because I am a
woman. I did not listen to those voices, and no other woman should listen to them either. I believe you can accomplish all you dream if you try hard enough. Another big take-away has been learning to ask many questions of the speakers and experts who I met in seminars until I got the answers I needed so that I could gain real insight into the industry. I got over my fear of embarrassment, and if I needed to I even apologized for any lack of knowledge. Being humble often inspired others to open up and give me the guidance I needed. And I never gave up until I got what I needed. Looking ahead to the future needs in the industry, I see many changes occurring due to the Internet. Most of these changes are great, but I have some concerns as well - particularly
The Voice of the AHLC
regarding how much information and misinformation about hair loss exists on the Internet. I’m seeing the effects of misinformation every day. I meet with clients who seem very educated about hair loss because they did plenty of research, but they still need a hair specialist - one like you and me - who can guide them through options and suggest solutions to help them. They need a helping hand to pull them from the emotional roller coaster of hair loss and take them to a safe place where they can feel good again. I am always ready to learn something new and share that knowledge with my staff. Every year I extend my knowledge by going to two training seminars and an equal number of trade shows. My clients deserve the best, and I am always looking for the best with relentless passion.
The New Look Institute Team
Issue 18, Summer 2016
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Honoring the Impact of Women in our Industry
The Voice of the AHLC
To Wear Hair,
or Not to Wear Hair
by Becky Hibbs, Singer, Songwriter and NAAF Support Group Leader, Nashville, TN
Why me? Growing up with the hair loss condition, alopecia areata, I became very familiar with this question. I can remember as a child, I would wake up in the mornings to get ready for school and before putting on my wig I would say, “Why me,” wondering if my hair would ever grow back. However, after I attending my first National Alopecia Areata Conference at age 7, I made a goal for myself. My goal was to be brave enough to have a bare scalp and live life publicly without wearing hair. Fast-forward 20 years. I moved from Middleburg, PA to Nashville, TN - a place where there are people of all shapes, looks, and sizes - and I have reached my goal of rocking my bald head! I have always been open about having alopecia areata, making awareness in any way possible, except for living out what I was preaching. I wanted to be a country music singer, but the image I thought I needed was to have long blonde hair. After graduating from Belmont University in Music Business, I realized I was wrong! I immediately started rocking ‘The Bald Look’, sporting a music note tattoo on my head! But I still love to wear my hair. As a child I was a recipient of four Locks of Love hair prostheses, which gave me the look and confidence I wanted, just not the comfort or coolness I desired. The first time I put on a full-lace hair prosthesis, I was in heaven! The hair looked like it was growing from my scalp; it was lightweight and cool. I couldn’t believe it! I felt like my hair had grown back! I had the chance to model some of those hairpieces while I was in
high school, for a company in New York City. It was an amazing experience. Today, I’ve taken my bravery to the next level. I realized I needed to combine my two passions of alopecia areata awareness and music. I pursued a career in public speaking and entertainment. The first song I co-wrote is called “Brave Enough to Be Bare.” My hope is to help others stop asking that question, “Why me?” and turn their burdens into blessings. As the years go by, all the experiences and people I’ve met so far have been blessings to me and now this hair loss condition is actually a blessing I can use to give back to others. I started the Nashville area Alopecia Areata Support Group through NAAF as a way to help those like myself find a rock to stand on in their journey with alopecia areata. What I’ve realized thus far in my journey so far, is that it doesn’t matter whether I wear hair or not, what matters is I have the freedom to choose. I’ve gained the peace of mind knowing that I no longer am afraid of what society will think. I wear hair on the days I want to because it goes with my outfit or it makes me feel a certain way. Not because I have to hide behind it. Gaining this perspective is hard, but worth the effort. For anyone who provides support to those losing their hair, whether that is in the medical, hair replacement or support group fields, you are each part of someone’s journey with hair loss. As long as you can keep your clients needs first, you’re business will be a blessing to you and a blessing to people like me! Thank you for all you do.
Learn more about Bercky Hibbs and her mission at www.beckyhibbs.com
Issue 18, Summer 2016
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Honoring the Impact of Women in our Industry
The Voice of the AHLC
Listen to Your Clients
and Reshape your Client Experience Listening to the end consumer has been pivotal in the development of products that truly cater to their hair loss needs. With this in mind, we recently launched a campaign dedicated to amplify the client’s voice by inviting them to share their experiences and give advice to other consumers and alternative hair providers alike.
Lisa Minervini, Vice President of Product Development and Branding, Jon Renau | Easihair
Tell us about yourself My name is Kellie and I am almost 46 years old. I live in Essex, which is about 12 miles from London, with my husband and 3 boys. I am a Corporate Communications Manager for a beauty and cosmetic company, which keeps me very busy with extensive travel. About 12 years ago, following a long illness, I lost my hair. Aside from the illness itself, I can honestly say this caused me more devastation. I have always taken pride in my appearance, tried to follow the latest trends and made the effort to look good. Losing my hair had an enormous impact on me and affected my confidence. To me, choosing a wig was as important as choosing my wedding dress! I wanted to try lots of different looks, how comfortable it felt, and more importantly – how comfortable I felt wearing it. This was my first step to admitting that my hair was not coming back. I still wanted to look good, no matter how bad I felt. I left with my new hair, new look and a renewed spring in my step. Kellie was back! Over time I tried a number of new looks and actually came to embrace my wig wearing. During this time my health improved and my hair began to grow back. However it was extremely thin, particularly on top.
22 Issue 18, Summer 2016
What advice would you give to alternative hair providers?
Listen carefully, understand client’s needs and then suggest ways in which the desired look can be achieved.
Walking in to an alternative hair shop for the first time can feel quite I think that the most important daunting and rather emotional. It’s key qualities are those that you cannot buy that the staff supports the client and – the human touch, and the willingness understand their particular needs. Be to listen and understand. If alternamindful that the client feels very vultive hair providers can remember this nerable and has little faith that the final element of vulnerability, mixed with result will look natural. a heap of expertise and a good dose of empathy. You’ll see your customers return over and over again, and get many new customers based on recommendations. It is not an easy balance to get right, but if you do then you have the ability to make people happy! I learned a lot about wigs and hairpieces over the years. Before this I would have assumed that there was no hope for a woman suffering from hair loss on the top of her head, other than a full wig.
You also need to make their clients feel at ease by greeting them as they arrive,and extend empathy in each situation. After all, to a woman losing her hair it can feel like the end of the world. Over the years I have built an excellent rapport with my local provider. They have seen me at my worst and now tell me they see me at my best. They greet me with a hug an remember my name.
I wanted the long flowing locks but also the feel of something that was my own hair, something that I could wash and style and that didn’t have to take off at night. I discovered hair toppers! This was a life changer for me. It literally is the best invention ever for those with thinning hair. Made of synthetic or human hair, this hairpiece has a parting that even to the trained eye would be hard to work out it wasn’t actually growing from your head! I feel so confident these days and wherever I go I always get compliments on my hair. It really is my crowning glory!
Honoring the Impact of Women in our Industry
The Voice of the AHLC
The Gift of Hair When you’re in the business of providing hair solutions, it is easy to lose yourself in the day-to-day work. Clients become categories and solutions become sales. However, the rewards within this industry have nothing to do with money. by Kimberly Vaughn, Owner HPIHair Partners, Nashville, TN
W
hen you slow down and recognize the immense impact we have on individual lives, it becomes clear how rewarding it is to give the gift of hair. A recent example of a rewarding case for us was when we worked with two sisters who donated their hair to make a hair prosthesis for their mother. Their story was featured in The Tennessean and showed that hair is a gift and does make a difference in life.
Kathy Canosa was battling pneumonia, when she was diagnosed her acute myeloid leukemia. The diagnosis shocked everyone, especially her daughters, Rebecca and Bethany, who lived 12 hours away. As Kathy began treatment at John Hopkins in Baltimore, the Nashville-based sisters needed a way to help their mother. They found HPIHair Partners in Nashville, and decided to donate their hair to make a hair prosthesis for their mother. Bethany Hill, Canosa’s younger daughter, stated, “I feel like, as women, there’s this emotional connection to our hair. I felt like cutting it was this big huge commitment. Then, thinking about what my Mom was going through, she wasn’t just cutting her hair; she was losing all of it. She was going to be completely bald and it was very emotional, not only because we were losing all that hair, but because we were doing it in honor of her.” The daughters wanted to be sure the wig was made from only their own hair and they would have input on the cut
Left: The finished hair prosthetic made using the sister’s hair for their mother. Below: Rebecca and Bethany Hill, Two Amazing sisters right before donating their hair.”
and style once it was made. Since this is exactly how I started in the hair restoration business 27 years ago I knew we could make this happen! Rebecca and Bethany each donated 10-12 inches of virgin hair to make the piece for their mother. The sisters’ bond with their mother made it all worthwhile. Both girls agree they would do it again in a heartbeat! Their mother, Kathy, who was thrilled by her daughters’ gift. “The hair so graciously and lovingly provided by my daughters for my wig has not only allowed me to feel so much more comfortable about my appearance when out in public, but has made me feel even more loved by my girls.” We were so excited to work closely with this family. We worked via Skype
to show them how to create the mold on Kathy in Baltimore, and the sisters guided the cut and style in person when the piece arrived to us in Nashville. Each step in this process was worth the joy we felt to help these women. When we remember each case is a chance to change the world, one head and one heart at a time, it becomes easier to put a why to each day. When you work with your why at heart, you provide your patients with the best experience; their hair solution becomes a gift to them and to us! Issue 18, Summer 2016
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Honoring the Impact of Women in our Industry
The Voice of the AHLC
Generations of Beauty by Tami Mayorga, Talk of the Town Beauty Salon, Santa Maria, CA
A
s a third generation
salon owner I feel very blessed to have grown up in a salon. My grandparents opened The Talk Of The Town Beauty Salon over twenty five years ago for their two daughters whom were manicurists who were finding it hard to find a location that they were happy with. I was seven years old and can remember all of the school breaks being spent going to work with my mom. When school was in session I would walk to the salon after school and do my homework in the break room and do small tasks in exchange for money to buy a snack from the grocery store next door. My mom took over ownership of the salon after my grandparents passed and many changes followed. My Aunt retired, and after many years of being told that I should go to beauty school, I finally complied. I like the idea of being self employed, making my own hours and decent money (compared to making minimum wage ) while attending college. While enrolled in the local cosmetology program I was surprised to find that I had a natural talent for doing hair (as much as I hated to admit it) and a flair for the eccentric! The classmate next to my station specialized in extensions and was nice enough to take me under her wing and teach me how to braid, weave and work with textured hair. I eventually graduated, received my license and went to work at the family business. The experience of having worked with multi-textured hair has helped me be
24 Issue 18, Summer 2016
able to work with all hair types. I didn’t have to turn clients away or send them to another salon. I became certified in more and more methods of extensions and when clients would come in for extensions, which were not candidates, I traveled all over the country to find a solution for them. My education has definitely provided the platform for where I am at today and set me apart from my competition as a specialist. I am grateful and humbled to have clients who travel across the state (and sometimes country) to see me!
Passing the Torch We relocated the salon from a strip mall to a separate building in a very nice and up-and-coming part of town. While this was very stressful it proved to be a good decision while visibility improved the flow of traffic and walkins increased significantly. Last year I became the official owner as my mom is winding down for retirement. I’ve had to make a lot of difficult decisions that have tried my character but I would not have it any other way. I have decided to transition from a salon to a hair extension studio and hire employees rather than independent contractors. It’s been a crazy year and while I’m learning a lot I have a lot more to learn! I have been modernizing and updating the business, which let me tell you, is
not very easy after twenty-five years. I also try to improve my business by the ‘”work smarter not harder” approach. I have increased prices and improved retail sales.
Being Eco-Friendly In the US salons create about 460,000 tons of waste a day. I’ve made a conscious decision to become a more ecofriendly salon, as it is very important to me. We have gone paperless with our point of sale process and recycle everything possible. We try to send used hair that is in good condition to children’s nonprofit organizations with the hope of the hair going to a good use instead of in the trash. I have switched to an organic, sustainably made color company that uses fair trade ingredients and have been promoting the use of products that are not only paraben, sulfate and micro bead free but do not use any animal byproducts or use animal testing. We have even found products that are vegan and gluten free! Other measurements taken to be more economically friendly include the use of LED lights and reusable canvas bags with the studio logo. Future goals for the business include hiring more employees and continuing education and business education. I’m looking forward to what the next year will bring!
Honoring the Impact of Women in our Industry
Lashing Out When I heard about eyelash extensions in 2005 I was fascinated! I studied lash extensions through a company in that I met at a trade show in Las Vegas. My first set took me almost four hours! In time I was able to execute a full set within two hours and a touch up in one hour. I was pleasantly surprised to find a demand for the service and took an advanced course through a leading eyelash extension company. I stayed busy with the service and even when the recession hit clients would give up their nails (sorry Mom) and even (gasp) their hair services for their eyelashes! I have recently been certified with the new technique of volume lashes and have found the application to be very lucrative; even while living in a small agricultural town!
The Voice of the AHLC
Eyelash Extension Facts • Eyelash extensions is a 265 billion dollar industry. • An experienced lash artist can make between $96 and $240,000 a year while a part time artist, performing three sets a week can earn $36,000. • Eyelash extensions are one of the most profitable services with supplies costing less than $5 per client! • The third annual Lash Wars competition will take place in Las Vegas at the IBS show in June of 2016 featuring lash artists from across the world. • Texas was the first state to require a separate license for eyelash extensions. • Oncology esthetics certifications are available through www.oesociety.net • The first lash enhancing products were used by the Egyptians as early as 10,000 BC for style and function. Ointments served as disinfectants, sun shields and were believed to be an aphrodisiac to evoke the sun god.
Issue 18, Summer 2016
25
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Honoring the Impact of Women in our Industry
The Voice of the AHLC
Perseverance & Passion by Sylvia Caruso, The Hair Studio and Wig Salon, Saugus, MA
I
n the summer of 1969 I took a job at a wig factory in Boston. It was a part time job that was only supposed to finance my next term in college. I was the packer who checked to see that each wig was perfect before it was shipped. Each one styled to look like. Donna Reed.
At 26, I became a salon owner, with no idea how to be one. I had a oneman operation for many years, since it was a location that didn’t provide walk in traffic. But somehow, I made it work. Back in the 70’s I met a gentleman in the business who allowed me to go to his factory and warehouse. He taught me how to create a plaster cast mold for a hairpiece template. No price could be put expertise he shared. It was invaluable. There was an organization named SCORE, Service Corps of Retired Executives, who helped me redesign my business. They worked with me on a business plan that allowed me to submit an application to the SBA for a loan to buy wigs for my salon. I took advantage of every program for Women in Business that Massachusetts offered, which helped me grow the salon into the success it is today. I also contacted insurance companies asking to be a provider of wigs for women dealing with cancer and alopecia, and now bill them directly so that women don’t have to concern themselves with how the wig will be paid for. Helping my clients in every way possible is extremely important to me, as hair loss is already stressful, so they do not have to worry about submitting claims.
Over the years I became the Madonna of hairdressing, constantly changing with the times. The secret of staying relevant in this business is to find a niche market and structure the business to accommodate the needs of those specific clients. The most important event in my career working with wigs came my way by means of a desperate mother trying not to disappoint her daughter suffering from Trichtillomania. She needed my help finding a wig she could afford. This was the turning point for me in my business. Today, this same young lady works with me now. I hope to mentor her so that one day she will be able to take over my salon. It’s my turn to share my experience and information as so many did for me. To be part of teaching the next generation that this is not just another job. What we do changes lives.
This is her story: “If I had to describe what Sylvia Caruso does in a few words, I can confidently say that Sylvia saves lives. Sylvia’s passion for her craft, her entrepreneur spirit, knowledge of the business, drive,and ability to connect with people allows her to lift people out of despair. My hair loss started when I was a pre-teen, due to trichotillomania. Adolescence is the worst time for a young girl to lose her hair, and to make it worse, I was doing it to myself. Daily I was filled with mixed emotions; embarrassment, confusion, anger, sorrow, and denial. I tend not to reminisce on my early teen years, as it was a time of sadness & hopelessness (and bad wigs!).
After going to countless wig shops for several years, and leaving each one more disappointed than before, my mother saw an ad for Sylvia’s Salon When I walked into the Salon, I immediately felt a sense of relief and comfort. Her wide scope of knowledge in the industry was noticeable. Today, after 18 years, I am now an outgoing, confident, successful female who doesn’t let my hair loss define me, or hold me back like it did before I was Sylvia’s client. Before Sylvia, my bad wigs consumed my life. There wasn’t a minute that went by that I wasn’t thinking about how bad my hair looked, or if people knew I was wearing a wig. Now, I can be me, without letting my hair get in the way, and I’m able focus on the things in life that really matter. My wigs always look so natural, I don’t have to worry about what people think. Sylvia’s creativity, intelligence, & compassion is the perfect combination for a successful business owner. In addition to being extremely talented at her craft, and a savvy businesswoman, Sylvia teaches her clients how to value themselves, and to eventually see the beauty she can see. Helping women look and feel their best is her number one priority. Twenty years ago I thought hair loss was the absolute worst thing that could have happened. Looking back, I wouldn’t change the course life has taken, because then I wouldn’t have met Sylvia. Her heart of gold & friendship is worth much more than a full head of hair, and for that I will always be grateful. Issue 18, Summer 2016
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The Voice of the AHLC
Tips for Terrific Toppers Whether you are a hair loss sufferer or a hair loss specialist, chances are you’ve experienced a few common dilemmas when it comes to wearing toppers. Here’s a few solutions that have worked out well for me, and my clients. Natalie Laine Ferris, Austin Wig and Hair Works, Austin TX
TOPPER TOPIC #1 How to secure a topper to thinning hair without causing further damage or loss? Sometimes it can be a catch-22 in that the need defeats the purpose. What I mean by that is the topper is meant to hide thin hair but the hair is too thin and/or fragile, or there is not enough hair to secure the topper. Or, you may be concerned that the clips could cause more hair loss over time. Round and round we go trying to make it work and sometimes we just give up and slap on a wig, right? Not hardly, I love a good challenge. My main goal with any hair loss client is to never cause further loss or create an unhealthy scalp environment, but just as important is giving the client a custom solution that fits their needs and unique circumstance. You want your clients to be able to trust you and recommend you to others. This catch-22 situation is something that I, as a stylist specializing in women’s hair loss, have come across in my business time and again. Even when I Googled the topic for guidance I realized that it is a very common dilemma without many viable options. So I took all the resources at my disposal, my training, my experience,
28 Issue 18, Summer 2016
lots of research and last but not least, my wonderful and willing guinea pig clients that have helped me develop custom solutions that I want to share. My first brave, willing client was a young woman in her early 20’s just starting out in her journalism/sales career. Her struggle with alopecia areata had stolen her self-confidence since the age of 12, triggered by her mom’s passing, and now as a young career woman it was really affecting her life. When she came to me she was wearing a bad, helmet-looking wig that she hated which she had purchased from a hair club. On top of that she was still traumatized, embarrassed, and had huge anxiety over the fact that they shaved the top of her head leaving her looking like Hulk Hogan - if you can picture him without his signature bandana (he’s bald underneath, BTW). Not a good look When we met, her hair had started to grow back under the helmet wig. She refused to go back to where she purchased it. She didn’t want them to re-shave her head. Her hair had grown to about 2 inches in the crown and 6-7 inches starting at her parietal ridge. It was also very fine and thin. My first recommendation was a wide based topper where the clips would reach the areas where there was more hair to attach to. But why not just fit my client into another wig, customize it to suit her features and look more natural while
her hair grew out? We happen to live in Texas; it was summer and over 100 degrees. I was also trying to help her regain her confidence and for her, being a 23 year-old career woman starting her career at a local TV station, and having to wear a wig was not conducive to the goals of confidence and comfort. Plus it was not completely necessary. Even with the wide base topper, I knew there would be an issue with attaching the front clip, and I was also concerned about the fragile thin state of her hair. I decided to see what would happen if I added a custom made halo that not only would help fill in the thinner sides and back, but the main objective of adding a halo was to see if it could serve as an anchor for the front clip of the topper. I wanted to see if it could help eliminate or lessen stress on her hair from the clips, especially on her fine sparse hairs in the front crown area? Well it worked. Here’s what I did and how the anchor halo worked: After I glued a few wefts together and added monofilament fishing line to make the halo, I reversed the front clip from the topper, basically turned it around 180 degrees and sewed it back on so that the teethy part faced out. This was so that the string part of the halo would not slip out of the clip. Whether you put the halo on first or the topper really depends on how much hair the wearer has or doesn’t have, or which is easiest for the client.
The Voice of the AHLC Once I got the pieces into place, I slid the halo string into that front clip (that’s been reversed) and snapped it shut. This next step is where the magic happens. Once the string is secure in the clip you simply push the halo down on the back of the head, this puts tension on the string which pulls the clip down and holds the front part of the topper securely in place and comfortably flush (no gaps) with the scalp. Imagine, a hairpiece held in place without glue, tape, or clipped to hair. It’s like a miracle! In my client’s case, it held the topper down so securely in the front that we didn’t have to worry about the sides and back being clipped down so tightly thereby reducing tension on her hair. Most of the time she didn’t even need to clip the back one. This allowed her hair to continue to grow without stress or damage. She looked and felt fabulous with a full head of undetectable replacement hair. I also suggested (upon doctor approval) that she take 5000mcg of Biotin to help her hair grow stronger and it helped. I’ve been working with this client for about 5 years now and she’s come a long way in regaining her confidence. Every time I see her on television I couldn’t be more happy and proud of
When recommending any pill or supplement I always follow up with my standard disclaimer, “I’m not a doctor, please check with yours first.”
her of her because it takes a lot of confidence and courage, even without hair loss, to put yourself out there on television and vulnerable to criticism. And we all know how hair loss can make a woman feel very vulnerable.
TOPPER TOPIC #2 What to do about a topper that gaps in the front as if it’s saying, “Hello, everyone, I’m a topper.” NOTE: The solution to Topper Topic #1, could also work in this situation, possibly giving you two possible solutions or you could combine them. Here’s the scenario: You’re client is feeling pretty good because she’s wearing her new hair piece, confidently having a face-to-face conversation with someone. All of a sudden they notice that the eyes of the person they are talking to are fixated on their front hairline. They immediately feel overwhelmingly self-conscious. They lose their train of thought, the conversation falls apart and they probably start stammering nonsense. Desperate to just run and hide, because they see their worst nightmare coming true right before their eyes and think, “OMG! They can tell I’m wearing fake hair!” Unfortunately, there still seems to be a stigma associated with wearing “alternative hair” and most of my clients are terrified that someone will know their secret. This happened to a client. I felt awful to hear that my client felt self-conscious about something I recommended for her and fitted her in. I immediately went to work for a solution. I tried a couple of different things but there’s one solution that has worked out very well for my clients. I want to share, in hopes that it might help someone else or be a catalyst in sparking other ideas and solutions. The solution that I find works best is to add a section of a weft (glue or sew) to the underside of the piece that will blend in with the topper hair and hide the gap or edge and shut that “talking topper” up for good!
I always have a weft or two of quality virgin hair on hand just for these types of custom alterations. This is a pretty quick service, under an hour if you have all the items on hand, maybe longer if you need to lighten and tone the weft.
The steps for this alteration: 1. Measure the perimeter curve of the front of the topper to determine how much of the weft hair you will need to add, then cut that amount. (Usually between 2-4 inches 2. If needed, adjust the color so that it matches the topper hair and clients hair. 3. Next remove the front clip. 4. Hand-sew the piece of weft (thin clear thread works best) on the underside, right along the edge of the topper with the hair extending outward like a bang. You can also use glue it but may not last as long due to sweat, oils, wear & care, etc. 5. Reattach the clip. It’s better to not sew the clip directly above the weft on the underside so it doesn’t get too bulky, scoot it back a few millimeters. 6. Finalize the service by trimming and blending the new hair into the topper and / or clients natural hair. The result, other than getting to avoid all that anxiety, is that people can now remain interested in what you (or a client) have to say rather than stare at the front hairline, hearing only your topper announce it’s presence on your head. If you have any questions about these suggested solutions, you can email me at Austinwigandhairworks@gmail.com.
Issue 18, Summer 2016
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The Voice of the AHLC
Welcome New Members!
To become a member or renew contact Betty Ann Bugden, Membership Director, 570-462-1101 or log on to AHLC.org.
Monica Jackson Natural Essence Salon, Smyrna, TN Co- Owner of Natural Essence. Professional Natural Hair Care Stylist, Specialty in Natural Hair Care, Locks, Hair Loss Control, and Extensions. My Cosmetology Career started in 1996. In 2007 I became Certified Natural Hair Specialist. In 2014 I became a Trained Sister Lock Practioner/Rasa Lock Professional. Also, in 2014 I became a Certified Hair Loss Control Specialist, allowing me to provide non-surgical treatment using a multi- therapeutic therapy. I received a certification for non-surgical hair restorations by measuring and applying Hair systems /or units. Servicing Women, Men & Children
Curtis Jones Jentis Studios, Marrietta, GA After undergoing a hair restoration procedure in 1992, Curtis Jones began his career in the industry to help others with hair loss. Dissatisfied with unfair financial practices and misleading treatments, Curtis opened Jentis Studios alongside his wife Jennifer in 2007, a hair restoration salon in which they vowed to treat others suffering from hair loss with compassion, fairness, and honesty. From working with multiple vendors to best match each client’s hair loss need, to custom ordering the perfect fit and color, Curtis makes every attempt to help facilitate the process of finding the perfect product to suit the individual and their hair loss needs. The ultimate goal at Jentis Studios is to restore clients’ confidence, vitality, and looks with the perfect solution for their lifestyle. Better Hair, Better Health, Better Life.
Diane Taite Mane Solution Latham, NY Since 1993, Diane Taite, the CEO, founder and sole owner of the refreshingly stylish salon known as Mane Solution, has specialized in treating women and men who suffer from hair loss. However, most of Diane’s clients would refer to her as a miracle worker. After two decades of continuously educating herself on the most cutting edge techniques and medical advancements, she opened the doors to Mane Solution, the only company in the Capital Region to offer all available solutions for thinning hair. Because of her experience, Diane knows the value of using only the highest quality products at the most affordable prices. Consultations are always completely private and completely complimentary.
Ryan Goerig, MD RC by Ryan Christopher, MD, Newport Beach, CA Dr. Ryan Goerig, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and specialist in the non-surgical treatment of women’s hair loss. In his boutique hair treatment center he performs the most advanced minimally invasive hair loss treatment.
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Christine Pusateri Christine Pusateri Hair Solutions, Niles, IL I’ve been in the hair replacement field since I graduated Ippolito School Of Cosmetology in 1969. I loved working in hair replacement because it is so creative and you really transform people. You have the tools to literally restore their confidence and self esteem, in a way that no ordinary hair stylist is capable of achieving. Along the way, in all the years, I have been influenced by many people in this business, who have encouraged me and taught me their craft. None of them have come close to the knowledge and encouragement I received from Jerry Casper. He is truly a pioneer and master of our field. It has been a privilege to be under his tutelage for eight years.
RJ Adams RJ Adams Hair Enhancement, Colorado Springs, CO I am a San Francisco Bay Area Native and Salon Owner. I now reside and do business in beautiful Colorado. I have a MBA Business Management and have held a cosmetology license in 4 States. I am certified in hair replacement, medical hair hoss, Brazilian blowout and hair extensions. I am excited to expand my education begin training and certification in trichology. I have over 20 years advanced training in haircutting and coloring from the industry’s finest all over the world.
The following Member’s Information Unavailable at Time of Publication: Please contact Janine at 615.721.8085 to be included in our next issue. Christina Alexandrides, Newton Centre, MA Crystal Allen, Columbus, OH Mark Borukhov, New York, NY Elizabeth Brashear, Tualatin, OR Joy Bryant, North Augusta, GA Crystal Burch, Charlotte, NC Carol Ciolli, Columbia, MO Maureen Corcoran, Marlborough, MA Michelle Coupland, Winchester, VA Donna Deeb, Atlanta, GA Shannon Dickson, Atlanta, GA Mercedes Farinas, Hialeah, FL Gilberto Febles, Miami, FL Dodi Fisher, Naples, FL Colleen Filtz, Madison, WI Jacqueline Gilmore, Clinton Township, MI Ryan Glover, Homewood, AL Karen Gordon, Chicago, IL Jessica Grienke, Okemos, MI Monica Griffin, Needham, MA
Ana Hogan, Marlborough, MA Curtis Jones, Marietta, GA Rachel Juarez, San Angelo, TX Nick Karagozian, San Diego, CA Debra Koester, Omaha, NE Marilyn Lacy, Beachwood, OH Young Lim, Smyrna, GA Doug Martucci, Center Moriches, NY Brenda Mazza, Staten Island, NY Heather Mroch, Temecula, CA Laurie Nash, Lansing, MI Tarye Nash, Charlotte, NC Michael Ramsey, Brentwood, TN Orlando Rivera, Miami, FL Shiva Roohi, Los Angeles, CA Alon Rottler, Newton Center, MA Courtney Schwartz, Orange, CA Bryan Sepp, Gainesville, FL Cassandra Shields, Atlanta, GA Loren Weeks, Indianapolis, IN
In 2016, Hair Visions International filled our EXPO with over 300 industry leaders and presented exciting new marketing campaigns, services and products.
THE CAN’T - MISS EVENT OF 2017
Accelerate Next a leadership and growth summit
F T . L A U D E R D A L E , F L O R I D A • M A R C H 5 - 7, 2 0 1 7
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A Division of HairArt Int’l Inc.
FED UP WITH MOST SUPPLIERS BS? BAD HAIR QUALITY • Color Fading, dry & frizzy, • Massive hair loss • Hair tangles. BAD CUSTOMER SERVICE • Unfriendly & misleading... BAD WARRANTY • Denial, or refusal to remake / adjust your order.
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CALL TODAY FOR THE BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE 888.HAIRART (424.7278) or go to HouseOfEuropeanHair.com for product information HairArtinc.com