Hair Replacement Case Studies
Case Study: Sarah, London
Most women have at least one or more issues with their body: their figure, the whiteness of their teeth, quality of their skin, the list can go on ad nauseam. All these problems have a solution. However one problem is excruciating for women to solve and that’s hair thinning and loss. Medication and local treatments can sometimes do the trick. But very often the problem is sadly irreversible.
Having had thinner and thinner hair since I was a teenager, mainly due to high stress levels and a deficiency in iron and zinc, I tried many potions and treatment. Unfortunately without much success. In my early 30s it was a daily issue to always check my hair looked voluminous and no part of my scalp was too visible. It had become a daily fight against an uncomfortable and stressful situation.
Thankfully I came across Hair Systems Manchester. He masterfully created a volumizing hair piece for me which has literally changed the way I look, and more importantly, the way I feel. Using two shades of human hair and a density similar to my own, it’s almost impossible to detect as the piece is so close in texture, aspect and feel to my own hair. Most of my friends have been bluffed by it and the compliments have been flooding since the first time I wore it. Some people haven’t even thought it could be a hair piece, just a new hair colour, so amazing the result is.
It’s easy and quick to fix in the morning, doesn’t weigh on your head and Simon offers a friendly and efficient after care service. For women who want to always look immaculate and confident this is a fantastic option and well worth the initial investment. Simon has definitely found a solution to a sensitive problem.
– Sarah, London
Case study by Emma Holmes
Case study on the trauma of alopecia and how to cope with the effects of it
by Emma Holmes
I’ve pondered over how I could write this without sounding sorry for myself or it turning into a self help exercise.I’ve found it a lot more difficult than I thought.
When my hair fell out,I didn’t only lose my hair, I lost myself. I had no self-esteem and I couldn’t look at myself in the mirror. I just felt so ugly. Living in a society where hair symbolises beauty, there I was with no hair, listening to people telling me it’s personality that counts. I didn’t care about any of that: I just wanted my hair back.
My hair fell out because I had been pregnant with an ectopic pregnancy and when the hospital removed the tube, the drop in hormones sent my body into shock. Over a two week period, my hair fell out and over the following weeks, my eyelashes and eyebrows would follow. I remember asking the question – why me?
I was offered no counselling for what was happening to me, only anti depressants and a free wig from the NHS. I was diagnosed with alopecia. I spent hours on my computer searching for a solution to my problem; I didn’t believe that I was going to have to live without hair for the rest of my life.
I felt like my life was in turmoiland I had new experiences to cope with. I hated windy days because it would blow my wig and I equally hated sunny days because my head would itch. I had to learn to stick false eyelashes on and put eye makeup on which helped with my appearance.
The effect my hair loss had on my family and friends was also devastating. I don’t know what I would have done without my Mama. I am so thankful she was there watching over me.
My relationship with my partner also suffered, I didn’t want him to see me with no hair. I was scared that he wouldn’t be able to look at me in the same way. It turns out that he loves me with or without hair; however, it took me a while to get used to this idea.
Through my research, I learned that you could buy wigs that were made of real hair and looked natural. My parent paid £3000 for two that were called hair systems and they were supposed to be bespoke!
The company that I bought the hair systems from basically didn’t give me what I paid for! I couldn’t wear what they had given me as the first time they stuck it on my head, they hadn’t done a patch test first and I had an allergic reaction. The hair wasn’t good quality and was unmanageable; the list of problems was endless.
By chance, I met a guy called Steve Beale who had a company called Hair Systems Manchester. Meeting Steve was like a breath of fresh air: he had all the time in the world for me and had the understanding and knowledge I had longed for.
From the minute I walked through the door, I felt at ease. Steve explained to me the pros and cons of wigs and hair systems and the difference between the two and how they are attached. With this knowledge, I was able with Steve’s guidance to make the right choice for me. As I had experienced allergic reactions with glues and tapes before, I decided that a human hair wig was the way to go. Within days of wearing my new wig I had renewed confidence, the fit was brilliant, it didn’t itch and I didn’t feel self conscious when the wind blew my hair. At last, I felt like a little part of the old me was back.
Steve didn’t just sell me a wig, he was there to give me continual help with how to take care of my wig, and also supported me on the road to emotional recovery.
I have started to think differently about the way I look and now dared to see that being different or breaking the mould by having to wear a wig, whether it’s because women have decided to shave their hair off or it has fallen out, isn’t as socially unacceptable as I has previously thought and that beauty is not all about looks. Like most women I still have good days and bad but at last my self-confidence has returned through Simon’s continued help and support.
The hidden anguish of Female hair loss
Would you ever know?
Jane lives with her husband in Maidstone Kent.
Always being complimented on her lovely thick hair it came as a bit of a shock when Jane discovered she was losing it. In 1990 she discovered a small patch of hair loss and was eventually diagnosed with Discoid Lupus Erythematosus. This is an Auto immune disorder which can in most cases cause permanent scarring to the scalp. Although she has been to see several specialists to treat the condition there is no cure and is on life long medication to try and alleviate the symptoms, which can include inflammation and soreness of the scalp.
Given that there is no cure and is an ongoing condition which can lead to further progression of the hair loss. In 2004 Jane sought help and found a Trichologist to see what could be done to help with the problem. The Trichologist came up with various solutions do deal with the problem, “whilst there is no cure the scalp treatment she has prescribed has made a difference to the soreness and redness” says Jane. This has helped enormously with the discomfort on the scalp,much better than the painful scalp injections she once had to endure! As the areas of scarring have gained in size over the years disguising the problem has become more difficult despite her having thick hair. It was then that the Trichologist called upon specialist wig maker Simon Beale. He is a specialist wig maker that makes bespoke hair replacement systems in a unique way. As Jane still has a lot of hair on the rest of the scalp a wig would not be suitable. He makes specialised volumising systems which add volume to thinning hair and cover patches of hair loss. These are made to measure systems that can be fitted to the scalp in a unique way. They do not require glue, knotting or platting and can be fitted quick and easily by the wearer or for a more permanent method fitting in the clinic.
“When I visited Simon at Hair Systems Manchester I was made to feel very at home and relaxed by Simon” says Jane. “He measured the area of my head that was felt needed volumising and thickness.”It was then discussed as to a colour and a perfect colour match to Jane was found.It was also explained that if the colour or length wasn’t in stock then there would be a short time delay to make the hairpiece.Luckily, a volumisor in the exact colour and length was available.Simon explained this amazing way of attaching the volumisor for 4 to 6 weeks.
He placed the hair piece on the hair loss area and simply attached the piece with a special tool. Steve explained it was using the same principal as his Link System hair extensions.
“Wow, it felt so secure, and didn’t pull or feel tight on my scalp”. After that,the hair was styled and you can see the results!The whole treatment took only 1 and half hours.
“5 weeks have gone by and I have just visited Steve for my maintenance and re-grooming”.
“He removed my volumisor and shampooed my hair with a lovely head massage and blow-dried my hair. He then applied my volumiser the same way …….and I feel so great!”