Summer 2014
BeauTrichful
®
TIPS by Laura’s Stylist Plus Cruelty-Free How To Hair Install
FREE SALON POSTERS
15 years
stitches away... for Laura Cuthbert’s
Healing Hair
BEAUTRICHFUL FOUNDER’S MESSAGE Summer 2014
Why a
Trichotillomania Charity was Founded by a
Non-Trich HairStylist By Charlene Blacer
I was 17
years old when I
discovered by passion ~ Hair Extensions. I quit Nursing School to follow my dreams. Growing up in a big city, New York, unbelievably, there were no salons who wanted to hire me so I had no choice but to start my own business. The birth of the Internet opened many opportunities for me after creating my website.
LookGoodFeelBetter.com
Many customers wanted hair extensions but their hair was too weak and thin to support the weight of fashion hair. I had to take hair replacement classes. After advertising my new service, I’ve consulted a Trichotillomania customer. The solution I offered was a success that changed her life. Today my longest pull-free client is over 9 years.
In my industry, I saw how women with cancer received help from health insurance and after inquiring, I found out there was no hair reimbursement for Sufferers of Trich. It was then I decided to start, HelpMe2Stop, a charity that raises money for salon services, especially hair.
This Summer, I will turn 43
. And I hope
that before, I pass on from this short life and with God’s Blessings, HelpMe2Stop will raise hair money and help many Trichotillomania Sufferers receive their healing hair. Till next season... ~Charlene
CREDIT: nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/creativeage/launchpad_201405/index.php?startid=23#/44
BEAUTRICHFUL COVERGIRL Summer 2014
“I’m Laura Cuthbert. I’ve had Trich since I was seven years old. It started up immediately after my Dad’s passing, and has been a piece of my life since. I created a Trichotillomania Facebook Group when I was 16, just looking for friends. What I didn’t know was that we would be over 2000 strong within a few short years. Trich is becoming more recognized, and even though it’s important to share information, it’s hard to live with such a visible insecurity. Some people wear their hearts on their sleeves, like a showcase of vulnerability. But Trichsters wear their biggest failures, hardest moments, and anxiety on their heads. Then they try to cover it up with cotton—like it won’t be seen. I had grown so tired of feeling overlooked: tired of just wearing hats. After a year of body confidence, and a lot of big changes, I felt that it was time that I went in to visit Pacific Hair Loss Solutions in Vancouver. That step has singlehandedly been one of the best decisions of my life. I’ve never met a kinder group of people. They’re talented too. Describing trich to those who don’t live with it, I’ve found that I’m constantly fumbling through “I know it sounds crazy,” or “it’s more common than you think.” Hoping to stop their thoughts in their tracks, assuming people think it’s contagious. I’ve gone through entire conversations about Trich, only to have questions about chemo come up in minute five. The worst has been when people’s contact drifts from my eyes to my hair, only for a second, like they are trying to steal a glance at my weakest point. I knew people wanted to know what was under the hat.
During my consultation, Fanta, at Pacific Hair Loss Solutions, looked me right in the eye. Even when I took off my beanie, she kept eye contact. I think that’s how I knew it was the right place. She wanted to talk to me, not to my past. After the first consultation, the fun emails started, asking about length and colour. Style. I had never even been to a hair stylist before. My
background, Barbicide jar, and black cape, it felt right. For one of the first times, it felt gone. After a tight braid, they brought out the hairpiece. It felt like a homecoming. We talked as it was carefully stitched into my worries—15 years of self-doubt and I could finally start healing.
I just, I feel good.
Laura Cuthbert’s Pacific Hair
points of reference were blue Barbicide hair jars and black capes. But they made it easy, encouraged things along the way. And I finally made a choice. Had there have been a “Salons for Dummies” book, I would have considered buying it. Going in for the experience itself, I was nervous, but the team put me right at ease. They offered tea, books, anything. Their storefront area was sort of like a hip and glamorous Counseling Office— if Counselors sold conditioner. Before my lacefront extensions, there were times where I would just hope I could grow my length to an inch: at least then it would look like an intentional cut. But just sitting in that chair, Vancouver skyline in the
There isn’t a cure to Trich, but Pacific Hair Loss Solutions helped me get pretty damn close.” CONNECT WITH LAURA Facebook.com/groups/trichotillomania Twitter.com/LauraCuthbert13 LauraCuthbert.tumblr.com YouTube.com/LauraCuthbert
BEAUTRICHFUL FRIENDLY SALON Summer 2014
As many sufferers are aware, trichotillomania is a condition that affects millions, and yet remains an issue that is seldom addressed by mainstream media. Those of us who do suffer from trich often look to medical professionals for help in minimizing or completely removing the urges, a process often unfortunately met with
available in synthetic and human hair brands, in a variety of colours and textures and remain an excellent option for temporary wear. Perhaps the most complicating aspect of wearing a full traditional wig is the need for it to be taken on and off on a daily basis. They are generally not recommended for any kind of
pre-existing hair, or placed on clips, where the wearer may take them on and off each day. The appearance of these pieces is incredibly natural. Each lace front piece is meticulously hand-tied, giving the wearer the appearance of hair growing from scalp and allowing the partition of hair on any area of the head. With a semi-permanent installation the wearer may sleep, shower, swim A happy Pacific Hair client and preform any high impact activities without fear that their system will fall off or be seen. These systems require maintenance roughly every 6-8 weeks and due to the quality of the hair systems, they can be worn long-term. While we wait for a cure for this life changing condition, one thing we can be little to no success. Are there high impact activity as there is a risk certain of is that hair systems can existing solutions then, for those they will fall off. offer a practical and beautiful interested in a hair-friendly alternative to hair loss by trich. You aesthetic appearance in the interim? Hair extensions are another viable deserve to look in the mirror and see Most definitely! Below, we review option. Available in semi-permanent your most confident self, not defined some temporary and semioptions including clip-ins and by a condition that you are permanent hair systems, in an healthy methods of attachment to struggling with. attempt to simplify the process of existing hair, hair extensions are choosing the option most suited to wonderful for 'spot coverage' In less your needs. severe cases. They are also an excellent choice in adding volume Amongst the variety of hair systems and length to finer and shorter hair. 1200 Burrard Street, available, full wigs have long Suite 810 Vancouver, BC remained a traditional option to The latest in hair loss technology, cover up all areas of the head lace front wigs have complimented @PacificHairv affected by pulling. The advantage the hair loss world with lightweight PacificHair.ca of traditional wigs is the simplicity and extremely natural hair systems. Facebook.com/ and ease of wear, as well as cost With these systems, the wearer has PacificHairExtensionsReplacement effectiveness. They are perfect for the option to cover their entire head, Oprah Winfrey’s Network Blog: those with extensive pulling and no or just the areas affected. They can AnnaAndKristina.com/hair-to-there points of attachment. Full wig are be installed semi-permanently, to
BEAUTRICHFUL TIPS Summer 2014
ATTRACTING SUFFERERS
PACIFIC Hair Extensions & Hair Loss Solutions Salon
How To Attract Trichotillomania Clients to come inside your salon By Charlene Blacer
Going to a salon is frightening for
strongly recommended for salons
anyone who sees the hashtag will be
many sufferers. Many have never set
located near college campuses and
curious. It will turn on their fighting
foot in a salon. HelpMe2Stop
high schools. Decals and posters
instinct versus feeling sorry. Many
encourages salons to put up a
proudly representing the hashtag
will feel the urge to help. Because it
window decal year round, like
#StopPullingHairOutWaitingForACure
is in our human nature to win
Vancouver based Trich-Friendly
are free and easy to print. Other
together as with any sport teams.
Salon, Pacific Hair Extensions & Hair
salon tools are available on the
Loss Solutions, so onlookers will
HelpMe2Stop website. With newest
FREE POSTER TO CUT OUT FOR YOUR SALON.
remember and share the information
photo sharing capabilities in social
with their friends. It especially
media, like Instagram and Pinterest,
BEAUTRICHFUL TIPS Summer 2014
Many hair replacement salons are challenged with installing a hairpiece on Trichotillomania head. Because the hair is short in many areas, they decide to shave the entire head in hopes to “start over�. This will only upset the Sufferer more and cause more pulling. Shaving of the natural hair is common not just with Trichotillomania hair solutions
but also amongst women with hairloss. I personally do not like to shave sufferers’s natural hair. In these photos, I utilize every single strand of hair, moving it back, forward, sideways and create an internal style-barrier. Once all the hair has been incorporated, I then apply the hairpiece.
Creating A Cruelty-Free
This method will also create a “double-barrier� for the sufferer, using their internal hair and the addition of the hairpiece. HelpMe2Stop endeavors to teach salons the most crueltyfree methods for sufferers. Classes are taught online or in your salon for a donation. To schedule a class, email board@helpme2stop.org or text/call 570.HELP.020
Barrier Under Hairpiece
How HelpMe2Stop Stops For almost a decade, HelpMe2Stop salons have been helping Sufferers become pull-free. The longest pull-free client, reported, is
Trich! over 9 years. HelpMe2Stop provides training to any salon or sufferer interested. For details: www.bit.ly/DreamHairClass
BEAUTRICHFUL TIPS Summer 2014 By: Camille Capriglione
I also realized that fidget toys (or fiddle toys,) are an important step in the process of becoming pull-free.
Ten years ago, while sitting in a hair salon, a stylist told me that I had severe breakage of hair near the back of my hairline and behind my ears. She was puzzled and couldn't figure out why. But I knew and was embarrassed. I'd been twirling and pulling that section of hair since my teens. I didn't know at the time that it was an obsessivecompulsive disorder, and I didn't learn what trichotillomania was until five years later. As I educated myself about trich, I realized how difficult it is to stop. For some people, it takes years of behavioral therapy or medication, and lots of trying and failing.
After I witnessed my young nephew twirling his hair last year, I thought why not create a fidget toy that simulates the tactile sensation? So I invented Twirl and Soothe.
Trich Sufferer Invents
BEAUTRICHFUL TIPS Summer 2014 Twirl and Soothe is made of synthetic hair. It is held in the hand or looped around the wrist or finger. The wearer strokes or twirls the item when the compulsion strikes, instead of pulling their own hair. It is small and discreet. The item is not a cure for the disorder, but serves as a temporary substitute, to help prevent users from damaging their hair and scalp. WHAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT: In my research, I have not found products that provide the same tactile sensation as hair. As a sufferer myself, I realize how important that is. I discarded several hair textures before finalizing a prototype.
I began mailing samples to doctors who specialize in trich. A representative at Trich.org was kind enough to reply, with advice as to how I could make the product better. This type of helpful insight is invaluable! Currently, I'm seeking trich sufferers who would like to be product testers of Twirl and Soothe. With their guidance and input, I hope to make the product as effective as possible. If you are interested in being a product tester, please email Camille at this address: Twirlandsoothe@gmail.com.
Unique Fidget Toy
BEAUTRICHFUL SPONSORSHIP Summer 2014
HelpMe2Stop Advertising Info BeautTrichful is a seasonal magazine that can be viewed online or purchased through- BeautTrichful.com Sponsorship as low as $50. To include your salon in our worldwide listing locator guide, bit.ly/BeautyHelps For Trichotillomania Hair Loss Solution Classes bit.ly/DreamHairClass Send ad for the Spring 2014 issue to press@helpme2stop.org. To be our CoverGirl/Guy for future issues, please email your edited story to press@helpme2stop.org To send donated hairpieces, wigs, head coverings, etc, please mail along with detailed description to HelpMe2Stop, POB 202, Bartonsville, PA 18321 HelpMe2Stop wishes to thank social media for many of the images in this issue.
HELPME2STOP POB 202 Bartonsville, PA 18321 570.HELP.020 Press@HelpMe2Stop.org
$200 $60
$125 $50 $40
$100 $30
$20