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A Founding Father of HairClub: Steve Barth

A Founding Father of HairClub: Steve Barth

by | Jun 11, 2024 | Episode

Episode 16

How Hair Loss Changed My Life for the Better

A founding father of HairClub - Steve Barth

Hair loss can significantly affect all aspects of our lives, and the solutions for hair loss haven’t always been as advanced as they are today. In this episode, Steve Barth, an early client and one of the founding fathers of HairClub, shares his experience with hair loss, early hair loss technology, HairClub, and the people who supported him along the way.

Hair Loss and Self-Confidence

Steve’s story began years before his involvement with HairClub. He had known since he was young that he had a genetic predisposition for hair loss and would likely be bald later in life. However, at just twenty-two years old, he wasn’t ready. Hair loss can rob those experiencing it of their time, their money, and their ability to grow and explore the world with confidence; there is simply no way to know the impact hair loss might have on your life, especially as a young person just discovering who you are and who you want to be.

As Steve delves deeper into his personal journey, he highlights how profoundly hair loss can affect self-esteem and social interactions. For many, hair is an integral part of their identity, and losing it can feel like losing a part of oneself. Steve talks about the psychological impact, sharing that he often felt less attractive and more self-conscious, which in turn affected his social life and professional aspirations. The stigma and societal pressures surrounding hair loss can make the experience even more challenging. Steve’s candid discussion about these struggles helps listeners understand that they are not alone in their feelings of inadequacy and frustration.

Hair Loss Solutions & Balding Treatments in the ’70s

Hairpieces, wigs, implants, and other hair loss therapies were quite different in the seventies when Steve’s hair loss journey began. The technology was still in its early stages, and as you would expect, the options were limited. Steve shares his experiences with Jason Paul’s scientific approach to hair restoration, his introduction to Sy Sperling, and his path to HairClub.

In the 1970s, the field of hair restoration was far from what it is today. Steve recounts the rudimentary and often ineffective treatments that were available. Hairpieces and wigs were often noticeable and uncomfortable, while surgical implants were risky and yielded mixed results. Steve’s early attempts to address his hair loss involved navigating these limited options, which often left him feeling disheartened and skeptical about finding a viable solution.

However, Steve’s encounter with Jason Paul marked a turning point. Paul’s scientific approach to hair restoration provided a glimpse of hope. Although the techniques were still in their infancy, the idea of a methodical, research-based approach to tackling hair loss resonated with Steve. This eventually led him to Sy Sperling, the charismatic founder of HairClub, whose vision and innovation were transforming the landscape of hair restoration.

HairClub’s Approach to Hair Restoration

Steve has been an integral part of HairClub from the start, and he shares with us what set the product apart then and now. Finding a hair loss solution that works for you can be challenging but not impossible. Steve acknowledges that everyone’s hair loss is different, and naturally, so are their needs. He has worked with HairClub on developing various methods and solutions for people at all stages of hair loss.

HairClub’s success can be attributed to its holistic and personalized approach to hair restoration. Unlike the one-size-fits-all solutions prevalent in the past, HairClub offers customized treatment plans tailored to the unique needs of each individual. Steve explains how the company combines the latest technology with a deep understanding of the psychological and emotional aspects of hair loss.

The evolution of HairClub’s methodologies is a testament to its commitment to continuous improvement and innovation. Steve highlights some of the advanced techniques and products developed over the years, from non-surgical hair replacement systems to state-of-the-art surgical options. The introduction of laser hair therapy and FDA-approved hair regrowth treatments has further expanded the arsenal of solutions available to clients.

Beyond the technical advancements, Steve emphasizes the importance of the supportive community within HairClub. The empathetic and knowledgeable staff, many of whom have experienced hair loss themselves, provide invaluable support and guidance to clients. This sense of camaraderie and understanding helps to alleviate the isolation and anxiety often associated with hair loss.

Throughout the episode, Steve’s journey serves as an inspiring reminder that while hair loss can be a challenging and deeply personal experience, there are effective solutions available. His story underscores the importance of perseverance, innovation, and community in overcoming the obstacles posed by hair loss.

For anyone struggling with hair loss, Steve’s insights offer hope and encouragement, demonstrating that it is possible to regain not just hair, but also confidence and a renewed sense of self. If you are looking for a solution, take the first step and book a complimentary hair health consultation to learn what stage of hair loss you’re in before it’s too late!

 

Empowering Resources

As the episode draws to a close, HairPod extends a generous offer of a complimentary hair loss consultation, providing a tangible step towards reclaiming confidence and control over one’s appearance. Book a Free consultation with HairClub Today!

Thanks for listening to HairPod. We hope you enjoyed this episode. If you did, please leave us a rating or review wherever you get your podcasts. If you’d like to connect with us on social media to share your story, check us out on Instagram @HairClub. HairPod is a production of TSE Studios. Our theme music is from SoundStripe.

Episode.16 Transcript
Steve Barth [00:00:04]:
HairClub is not the same company that your dad or your grandfather invested in. It’s very different. We’ve always been very progressive. We also were careful to avoid the trending because certain trending, particularly in hair restoration, was introducing products that were not good for your health or were scam products, gimmicks. And we always basically wanted to have a very creditable family of products.

Speaker B [00:00:43]:
Welcome to HairPod, the podcast where you get to hear real people talk about their hair journeys. I’m your host, Kevin Rolston, and each week I get to interview people from different walks of life whose lives have been touched by their hair loss in some form or fashion. Many of our guests have experienced hair loss themselves and found a way to get their confidence and their hair back. The experience of hair loss can radically change our lives, and not just in the way of self-confidence. Finances and the search for solutions for some hair loss can alter our entire life path. For this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Steve Barth, a long-time client and one of the founding fathers of hair club. Steve has been working with HairClub for over 30 years. He shares his incredible story, his experience with hair loss, and the people who helped him along the way.

Steve Barth [00:01:39]:
Yeah. So it was 1976 that I actually found myself wandering into 185 Madison Avenue in New York City. That was the only space in the entire city and the entire universe that hair club existed. What drove me into that office was probably about two years earlier. I was starting to really become aware that I was losing my hair. Although, again, that shouldn’t be much of a surprise to anybody, because there’s just such a strong genetic predisposition for hair loss in my family. My mother’s father lost his hair. My father’s father lost his hair.

Steve Barth [00:02:12]:
My father had three brothers that lost their hair. So I guess in many ways, my cards were mocked.

Speaker C [00:02:18]:
You knew it’s coming.

Steve Barth [00:02:19]:
Yeah. And, you know, 1976 was a. A crazy era in the seventies or the mid-seventies, and the most popular show on Broadway was Hair.

Speaker C [00:02:29]:
Wow.

Steve Barth [00:02:30]:
So the ability as a young man getting out of college and getting started in life to be able to have the confidence to go forward, build a career, and build self esteem while experiencing thinning hair was very different then.

Speaker C [00:02:46]:
And at the age you’re at, you’re at this time, at what age I was, what, 22.

Steve Barth [00:02:49]:
22 years old or 2021. Yeah, you know, it had a profile.

Speaker C [00:02:54]:
Way younger than typical.

Steve Barth [00:02:55]:
Well, I don’t know. I mean, I knew of guys that started losing hair even before that, but, you know, I had curly hair, too. So the curly hair, the nature curly hair had a tendency to cover a lot of surface area. So I think I was a little deceptive for quite some time. But then it became more and more obvious, and the impact it had on my personality, my psyche, my self-confidence was profound.

Speaker C [00:03:18]:
What are your options at this time, in 1976? Now, I’m well aware of what you can do today, but at that time, what do you do if you’re losing your hair and you’re in your early twenties?

Steve Barth [00:03:27]:
Well, there weren’t a lot of options in those days. I mean, obviously, there were hair pieces and wigs, but I knew that philosophically that was not going to be right for me.

Speaker C [00:03:36]:
And my perception as a kid growing up, it was always so obvious when someone had a hairpiece, you could tell, and I assume this is kind of the era that you’re in, that if you go that route, okay, you may have hair, but it’s identifiable to most people that you have done something to cover it up.

Steve Barth [00:03:53]:
Well, that was the stigma.

Speaker C [00:03:55]:
Yeah.

Steve Barth [00:03:56]:
And who’s to say that, you know, the people that were obvious were the people that had bad product also, even back then, right. Maybe there were people that you might have bumped into that you never knew.

Speaker B [00:04:10]:
Steve’s story began years before he wandered into haircloth for the first time. He shares with us what it was like as a young man struggling with early baldness in the 1970s. Being genetically predisposed might have lessened the shock, but it didn’t lessen the blow to his self esteem. With such limited options for solutions at the time, hair loss started to have a big impact on Steve’s life.

Steve Barth [00:04:38]:
For a young guy, 22 years of age, the last thing I want to do is come home and take the hair off and put it on the dresser. Okay? That certainly was not going to do it for me and wasn’t going to make me feel as if I got my hair back. So I was desperately seeking out a solution that I thought that would kind of match my own personal objectives and philosophy. So there was transplants. Transplants was in its early generation, early iteration. But to be honest with you, at that time, it wasn’t to me a very attractive option, either because at that time, the plugs, you know, they weren’t small enough or they weren’t able to put these micro plugs close enough together. You see right through the sparse hair into the incision into the scalp. It looked like a doll’s.

Speaker C [00:05:27]:
Yeah, I always heard the term baby doll hair, and that’s what they would say. And you would see it was almost imperfect lines, which hair just doesn’t do naturally.

Steve Barth [00:05:36]:
So if your goal and your aspiration was to actually have a full head of hair, especially at 22 years of age, you really weren’t going to get that in transplants unless it was a very isolated area, possibly.

Speaker C [00:05:48]:
Okay. Yeah.

Steve Barth [00:05:49]:
So, you know, and then there were some really primitive techniques that were around that became outlawed. They were actually implanting into the scalp what was essentially a synthetic therapy. You just.

Speaker C [00:06:00]:
So when you say synthetic, it’s not human hair, it’s plastic.

Steve Barth [00:06:04]:
In those days, the use of human hair was rare because human hair was very difficult to work with, because if you look at a human hair, a strand of human hair under a microscope, it has scales. And for our purposes, if these hairs retain their scales, then when you shampoo or when you do that type of thing, it’ll cause abundant tangling. So hair club had to find a way to strip this human hair of its scales so that it became more functional as a application that you had twenty four, seven. I mean, you weren’t removing anything. And that was the big value proposition. As I think business people would talk about. The real distinctiveness of what hair club was doing, even back then in the seventies, was offering this experience, whereas a hairpiece or a wig was a tangible product.

Speaker C [00:06:55]:
Okay.

Steve Barth [00:06:56]:
This was an experience far deeper, more philosophical. This is something that somebody could essentially feel and adopt as if it’s their own hair and go into the world feeling terrific. And that’s exactly what was my reaction when I first had this applied. So everything started, at least for my journey into hair restoration in 19, 76, 75. But it really started again. I want to remind you that when I was born, because the DNA combination.

Speaker C [00:07:30]:
I had and you kind of know that it’s coming. I knew as a young kid, I was eight to ten, and I saw pictures of my grandparents, and it’s like, okay, this is going to be my destiny.

Steve Barth [00:07:39]:
Yeah, listen, in most cases, it doesn’t really surprise you.

Speaker C [00:07:42]:
No.

Steve Barth [00:07:43]:
And in those days, I was into music, I was writing poetry, I was doing things that were tapping into that sensitive side of me, and I just didn’t feel that hair loss was going to work for me. And I remember compromising greatly, wouldn’t go out on a Friday night if I felt that I couldn’t get my hair placed just right, so that it created the illusion of being more than it was. And I would pass, and God forbid I ever got caught in rain and the hair would get wet and then it would look more sparse. So all of these things were really powerful concessions in my life.

Speaker C [00:08:20]:
Yeah, absolutely.

Steve Barth [00:08:21]:
And I knew that I had to try to put this behind me, and I had to, you know, eliminate a lot of these barriers that were holding me back.

Speaker B [00:08:34]:
Hair loss is hard at any age. But as Steve pointed out, the twenties are a time for self discovery. It’s a time to pursue a career, explore creativity, date, and have an active social life. It’s not a time when a young person wants to worry about which hair piece they should get or to maybe stay in because bad weather might expose their hair loss. Steve couldn’t live like that.

Steve Barth [00:08:59]:
My journey to do something actually started predated, even size spurling and hair club. I remember seeing a little advertisement, a print advertisement in one of the newspapers about a guy that was operating out of a very well known hair cutting salon on the west side of New York City, right by Columbus Circle. And his name, he had the greatest name in the world. His name was Jason Paul.

Speaker C [00:09:23]:
Jason Paul.

Steve Barth [00:09:24]:
Jason Paul. I have no idea if he’s even alive today, but he was a formulator of hair wellness products. And what he was advertising and marketing at the time was that he felt that hair loss, although it was, there was a genetic component to it, obviously, but he felt that through wellness techniques and nutrition, that you could go ahead and stabilize your hair growth and eventually reverse it.

Speaker C [00:09:50]:
Oh, wow.

Steve Barth [00:09:51]:
So I was really receptive to this message speaking to you, because when you’re first starting to lose hair, your first goal is, okay, how can I stop it? And even better yet, how could I regenerate? And I remember I didn’t even own a car at that time. I was a young guy coming in from New Jersey, and I took a bus into New York City, and I met with Jason Paul, who had this little carved out area of the salon. And he brought me there, and he had a white smock on, and it was all very. The staging was very impressive. And he took a little snip of my hair, and he put it in. What was this little vice, this little hand vise. What I mean is, he would, how can I describe this? He put it in this little device. He would then start winding it, which would stretch the hair, and eventually the hair would have enough tension, and it would break.

Steve Barth [00:10:44]:
And he had this way of measuring the tensile strength of the hair. Now, this is how it’s articulated to me, and I can tell you I ate it up. It was just amazing. He then put me under a machine where there was steam coming out of it. And the whole purpose of that was to try to erode or reduce a lot of the extra debris, surplus debris on the scalp that may be preventing you from growing hair or being in the best environment for growing hair. And not to mention that he also prescribed some vitamins that were from Switzerland, Basil, Switzerland. That was designed to be a hair nutritional supplement. I took more of those supplements than probably anybody alive.

Steve Barth [00:11:26]:
Okay. And I was obviously excited, particularly at first. And he was a very, very legitimate guy. He was scientific. But my predisposition, my genetic predisposition to its hair loss couldn’t be overcome, and I was just going to continue to lose hair. So again, this is a very natural first response at an early phase of the life cycle of losing hair. How can I stabilize it? How can I grow it back? Unfortunately, that didn’t work for me.

Speaker C [00:11:53]:
How long did you go on this journey before you realized that this isn’t the right path?

Steve Barth [00:11:57]:
Maybe a few months, six months, I can’t remember exactly, but I realized that it just wasn’t gonna work. And I was still left with this discontent about my hair and how I looked. So, you know, the search continued.

Speaker B [00:12:15]:
Anyone who’s experienced hair loss is familiar with the cycle of hope and disappointment that often accompanies it. Soon after his experience with Jason Paul, Steve was introduced to hair club founder Sy Sperling and began what would become a ever evolving relationship with hair club.

Steve Barth [00:12:36]:
So I was running a little also print ad in the back of the New York Post in the sports section.

Speaker C [00:12:42]:
Okay.

Steve Barth [00:12:43]:
And, you know, I saw it several times. He then finally graduated to the Sunday magazine section of the Sunday New York Times, which gave him a little bit more credibility.

Speaker C [00:12:52]:
Okay.

Steve Barth [00:12:53]:
He had one and only one office, which was at 185 Madison Avenue, on the corner of Madison and 34th Street. I was a young guy. I went in there for a consultation, not knowing much about what he offered. And we had a consultation that lasted about 3 hours. It was like, you know, I mean, this may seem a bit melodramatic, but it was really like two forces finding themselves and or two ships passing through the evening, and, you know, it was a very powerful consultation. Xi was like an action figure. He was a guy that you just believed in. He had that aura, and you just believed that anything he said to you was going to happen.

Steve Barth [00:13:35]:
He also was a terrific business mentor. I’m getting a little off track here, but he was a terrific businessman. I want to hear it all because he looked at things. What he taught me is never look at a business problem emotionally, always be objective. And that’s how I developed my whole approach to trying to solve business problems by looking at a problem and looking at the world the way it is and not necessarily the way I want it to be, and working around that and creating a set of solutions around those realities.

Speaker B [00:14:08]:
Psy had won Steve over, and even in its early stages, so hit hair club. He was ready to have his life back. And hair club offered him the opportunity to do that, to have hair again, even if it wasn’t growing from his own head. Hairclub’s product was very innovative for its time and was able to allow many people, Steve included, to regain their confidence and live with hair again.

Steve Barth [00:14:36]:
Hairpiece was not the language. That was not part of the hairpin.

Speaker B [00:14:39]:
What did you.

Steve Barth [00:14:40]:
Go ahead. Yeah.

Speaker C [00:14:40]:
What did you call it?

Speaker B [00:14:41]:
What was the linguist?

Steve Barth [00:14:42]:
Well, in those days, we used to call it a hair system.

Speaker C [00:14:45]:
Okay.

Steve Barth [00:14:45]:
And the reason that we made that distinction, again, if you go back to the earlier conversation, is that a hairpiece was manufactured and produced very differently.

Speaker C [00:14:54]:
Okay.

Steve Barth [00:14:54]:
And it was also very different philosophically.

Speaker C [00:14:57]:
Okay?

Steve Barth [00:14:58]:
It was meant to be on off. It was not meant to be part of a active lifestyle. Going to the gym, perspiring, jumping in the pool, swimming. So for a young guy that wants to essentially forget about his hair loss problem, having a hairpiece generally didn’t work on.

Speaker C [00:15:17]:
A lot of that meant a lot of jumping in a pool was taking your hair off and then jumping in.

Steve Barth [00:15:20]:
A pool with a normal hairpiece.

Speaker C [00:15:22]:
Yeah. If you had a hairpiece.

Steve Barth [00:15:23]:
Well, generally in those days, I mean, could you jump in a pool? Probably, but probably not confidently. And you certainly wouldn’t look very, very good as a result. I mean, your hair, the way that a hair piece was manufactured, is they would take the space material, and they would just basically, through what looked like almost a sewing machine, inject into that what was essentially synthetic hair fiber. And it was just to fill that base hair club in the strand by strand process, which was one of, you know, it was one of the terms that we owned, and still do, I believe, is we would actually basically take a schematic and notes on the way your hair naturally grew. And when we were preparing our head of hair or our hair system, even in those days, we were adding hair, real human hair, not synthetic hair. I want to emphasize that real human hair. And we were adding it in the natural direction of your hair growth. So, in those days, hair pieces were basically usually cut down by bobbers, whereas we were using only very talented hairstylists and cosmetologists that were using, you know, cutting shears and layer cutting hair, which gave the hair motion and gave it movement.

Speaker C [00:16:41]:
Right.

Steve Barth [00:16:42]:
So those are only few of the distinctions. In addition, probably the most important distinction was you weren’t removing the hair, and you didn’t need to because it was real hair that was added in the, you know, consistent and compatible with your natural hair growth that was cut in a precise way so that it was designed to perform a lot more effectively in an active lifestyle.

Speaker B [00:17:08]:
Hair club became Steve’s career, as well as his personal hair loss solution. He loved the product and the philosophy. However, he still took great interest in Jason Paul’s work and integrated this approach into his own.

Steve Barth [00:17:25]:
They were two very different people and very different approaches. Jason was really a scientist. He formulated a product. He was interested in trying to find out the biochemical root causes of hair loss. Psy was a guy that wanted to capture the interest of somebody that got to the point that they want to do something. So his approach to communications was very different. Psy was not a technology guy. He was married, actually, to a stylist.

Steve Barth [00:17:51]:
Her name was Amy, Amy Sperling. And he relied on her more for technology development. Now, how was that product, let’s say, in the seventies, compared to hair club products and services in 2024? Yeah, very different. I mean, we’ve, you know, we really have advanced in every conceivable way. As a matter of fact, I always urge people to. That hair club is not the same company that your dad or your grandfather invested in.

Speaker C [00:18:21]:
Very true.

Steve Barth [00:18:22]:
It’s very different. We’ve always been very progressive. We also were careful to avoid the trending, because certain trending, particularly in hair restoration, was introducing products that were not good for your health or were scam products, gimmicks. And we always basically wanted to have a credible, very creditable family of products. But remember that for the longest time, hair club only had one single solution, which at those days, we.

Speaker C [00:18:51]:
It’s the end solution.

Steve Barth [00:18:52]:
It was the end solution. It was at a point where you got physically and psychologically where you wanted to basically create this appearance of more hair, but it wasn’t growing out of the scalp, obviously. It was subject to maintenance, which people were more than willing to do because they were so delighted with feeling better about themselves. But all of those things were about one solution. It would all do modesty. It was I that introduced and expanded that product window and introduced hair and scalp therapy. And much of that was inspired by my time with Jason Paul. Okay, because he was the guy that introduced me to the science of hair loss and to products that perhaps can reverse hair loss.

Steve Barth [00:19:38]:
And I was very impacted by that presentation. Even though it didn’t succeed for me.

Speaker B [00:19:48]:
Hair loss can truly be life altering. Like many of our guests, after experiencing hair loss himself, Steve went on to pursue a career that would allow him to help others navigate this challenge. Learning about Steve’s journey with hair loss in the seventies, the technologies of that time, and specifically the development of Hair Club has been fascinating. If you’d like to hear more from Steve, make sure you subscribe to the show. We’ll be having him back on to discuss the development of his state of the art diagnostic tool, the tricovue hair and scalp analysis system. Thanks for listening to another episode of Hairpod. Check us out at Hair Club on Instagram or search Hairpot on Facebook to continue the conversation. If you know somebody who could benefit from hearing this episode, we would love it if you would share it with them.

Speaker B [00:20:33]:
If youre enjoying the show, consider leaving us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app. We also have a website. Check it out by going to podcast dot hairclub.com. were here to build people up and share real stories so people experiencing hair loss feel a little bit less alone. And when you share, review and subscribe, it helps us do just that. So thank you. Until next time.

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My Hair Loss Journey with Kevin Rolston

My Hair Loss Journey with Kevin Rolston

by | Jun 4, 2024 | Episode

Episode 15

My Hair Loss Treatment Journey with Kevin Rolston

My Hair Loss Journey with Kevin Rolston - episode 15
Experiencing hair loss at a young age, or any age, can be challenging; there are a lot of options out there, and finding the right solution often requires time and guidance. In this episode of HairPod, our host, Kevin Rolston, shares his experience with hair loss solutions.

The Shock of Balding and the Hunt for the Best Hair Regrowth Treatment

Like many of us, Kevin’s hair loss was not just a physical change but also an emotional journey. It was a part of his family history, and he had always dreaded the day his hair would start to thin. So when he began balding at 26, it was not a shock, but it was still a challenge. Kevin took immediate action, trying over-the-counter topical solutions without much luck. In the early years of his hair loss, Kevin received some guidance and began taking Finasteride. The medication successfully slowed his hair loss for a time. As the years passed, Kevin noticed increased hair loss and began seeking new methods. It is important to keep in mind, that just because something works for a time, this does not mean it will work forever. The good news is there are many different options for all stages of hair loss.

Searching for Hair Loss Solutions – Laser Caps and Hair Transplants

Determined to have a full head of hair, Kevin tried laser hair therapy. He found it to be convenient and accessible. However, Kevin’s hair loss became more significant as he aged; he wanted a permanent solution. At this point, he decided to undergo a hair transplant procedure. He shares what this experience was like and some of the key things to look into when considering a transplant. Kevin was very satisfied with the results of his procedure for many years, but his journey wasn’t over yet. His hair was still thinning, and Kevin decided to try another hair solution instead of continuing to pursue transplants.

Not Sure Where To Go – Find A Hair Specialist!

Kevin eventually found a solution that worked for him-a hair system that gave him a full head of natural hair. He was ecstatic; he felt young and confident again. Kevin recommends seeking the guidance of a hair specialist so that you can discover the solution that will work for your hair, your lifestyle, and your budget. It’s important to know all of your options. We hope Kevin’s experience will shed some light on your own – keep your chin up; the right solution is out there, and there are many different options to explore!

Empowering Resources

As the episode draws to a close, HairPod extends a generous offer of a complimentary hair loss consultation, providing a tangible step towards reclaiming confidence and control over one’s appearance. Book a Free consultation with HairClub Today!

Thanks for listening to HairPod. We hope you enjoyed this episode. If you did, please leave us a rating or review wherever you get your podcasts. If you’d like to connect with us on social media to share your story, check us out on Instagram @HairClub. HairPod is a production of TSE Studios. Our theme music is from SoundStripe.

Episode.15 Transcript

Kevin Rolston [00:00:04]:
That’s why I completely recommend finding a specialist and somebody that walks you through all this. But as far as what I am doing right now with my hair, it is natural hair. It looks absolutely amazing. It blends in. I have a hairstylist that cuts it any way that I want. I go in every three weeks and it looks completely natural. You would have no idea that I have a hair system on at all. And that’s, to me, why I love it.

Kevin Rolston [00:00:47]:
Hello, my name is Kevin Rolston, and I am the host of the HairPod. And today I want to take you through my own hair loss journey. Everybody’s going to have their own story and it’s going to be completely different. But maybe something I say in my own hair loss journey can help you with the hair loss journey that you are going through as well. For me, I knew at a very young age that I likely was going to have to deal with hair loss. There was a portrait of my maternal grandfather that was hanging in the upstairs hallway, and I remember noticing just how much hair he was missing and having a conversation with my mom, and she may not even realize, but she flippantly just said, yeah, you know what they say that it comes from your maternal grandfather. That’s probably what your hair is going to look like when you get older. And it freaked me out.

Kevin Rolston [00:01:34]:
It really did, because I didn’t want to look like that. To me, that was the embodiment of old. I loved my hair. I always thought hair was absolutely gorgeous. So I had that dread at an early age, probably around the age of eight. So I continue on. I progress through high school and I get into college. Everything is still fine.

Kevin Rolston [00:01:54]:
Hair is okay, even though it is very fine and thin. I didn’t have any hair loss that I noticed. Then it was finally at the age of 26. I was doing an event where I was breaking a board for a taekwondo class, and I had to bend over to strike the board to break it. And as I did, somebody snapped a photo of me and they said, hey, look at this photo. That was so cool that you did that. And the only thing I noticed was not me breaking the board, it was the fact that I had a noticeable bald spot right at the crown of my head. And it freaked me out.

Kevin Rolston [00:02:30]:
And I said, here it begins. And I knew that that photo that I had seen when I was eight years old was now starting to begin. But the question is, how fast would the journey be? Because the portrait of my grandfather was him in his seventies. So was I going to be able to hold onto my hair until my seventies, or was it something that was going to rapidly start falling out? I didn’t want to wait and find out, so I went out and I found somebody that could give me advice on what to do, because there are so many things that happen and, yeah, you can start with your rogains. In fact, that was the first thing I did. I went out and I got some of the stuff that you can get at your regular pharmacy now. I started applying it and using it. I was impatient and I was concerned, but I stuck with it.

Kevin Rolston [00:03:15]:
I would say a good six months I was there, and I kept doing it, kept using it, but I kept noticing hair coming out my hands as I would wash it. I noticed in the drain that there was more and more hair, and I just felt like I was still losing more than I was keeping. And so I thought that I needed to go to the next level. And there are so many levels, and that next level was talking to somebody that gave me some guidance. And I was very happy that they plugged me into something called finasteride. It was a pill that I would take that would basically blocked the DHT, the testosterone created by my body that would start closing up my hair follicles and making my hair fall out. And for me, it was really great. It really did slow down my hair loss.

Kevin Rolston [00:04:00]:
And from the age of 26 into my thirties, probably a good ten years, it was all I needed. But look, im a person thats always been on that quest to have a perfect head of hair, and im very particular about it. And any kind of hair loss or just something looking like Im losing it at all still bother me. And there were still some of those issues. So I continued my journey and I tried about everything because I wanted to see, hey, what was going to work best for me. And that’s the one thing I found. That’s why to me, every person’s hair loss journey is different, because I think things work differently for people. And not to mention, too, I was at a different budget at the age of 26 than when I was 36, so I had more options and there was more that I could do, and that’s part of the conversation as well.

Kevin Rolston [00:04:48]:
So throughout my journey, there are other things that I went to. Lasers. That was something that’s pretty interesting. I started off by doing a salon laser where I would have to sit in the chair, and for 30 minutes a week I would have this blinky little light on top of my head. And so many people have talked about great experiences that they’ve had with that, and the technology for it’s really improved. And so many people just absolutely love you using the laser caps, and that’s all that they’ve needed. And the laser caps now can be done portably. You could have a laser cap, which I did.

Kevin Rolston [00:05:25]:
After I went through the salon visits, I got my own, and it was something that I would wear, and I wanted to up my frequency, too. I found that just one time a week wasn’t enough. I wanted more. Cause, hey, if it worked great, one time a week, I heard that using it several times a week was even better. So I’m doing it three to four, maybe even five times a week, at least a minimum of three. And when you have your own laser cap, that’s something you can do, and you can walk around. It can be portable. If you’re on a road trip, you can actually put it on your head and drive around.

Kevin Rolston [00:05:54]:
And who cares what anybody else in traffic thinks about you? They don’t even really notice. It was really amazing because it really looked like a ball cap factors, a ball cap that went over top of it, so it was pretty discreet. And the laser caps work really well. So that might be an option that you want to do. There are so many other options that I didn’t even try outside of the ointments and the topicals that you could do. Even now, there’s people that are doing the tattooing, and there’s just interesting little extra ants and stuff like that that you can use that I haven’t really gotten into. And, look, if you seek something like that out, there’s just so many options. I even went the route of the hair transplant, and that was my next step, because I wanted to fill in a few spaces, and I knew it was going to be more of a permanent solution.

Kevin Rolston [00:06:38]:
And my experience was, honestly, really good. With the hair transplant, it wasn’t anything that was painful. They numb up your head. I was doing something where we had a show. We were walking people through the procedure, so mine took a little bit longer. I was down for about 10 hours. But a couple things that I would tell you about the hair transplant is you might want to look into the payment plans that they do, because I had one of those, and it became something that worked into my budget when I did that. The other thing you might want to find out, too, is how many strands you’re putting in, how they’re putting them in.

Kevin Rolston [00:07:11]:
I had a really good transplant doctor that could make it look really natural, and that’s, of course, what you’re definitely going to want, and I think a lot of the transplant specialists out there today are going to be somebody that is going to do basically what I had with numbing of the scalp. I didn’t feel anything at all. That wasn’t any kind of issue, and I wasn’t really out. You had to, you know, cover your head, hair up for, you know, a couple of weeks because there’s going to be some fallout, some shedding, and it’s going to take a little bit of time. That’s one thing to know, to really fully see that hair and that area come to fruition and be strong. Like, it’s going to be six months to probably a year is about what it’s going to take. But, boy, when it’s in there, it’s permanent, and it’s pretty awesome. And you might also want to try to get an idea of just how much more hair you’re going to lose because you get a hair transplant.

Kevin Rolston [00:08:01]:
It’s possible you might need another hair transplant down the road, or you might need more than one to fill whatever space that you have. You know, those, to me, are good questions you need to ask when you go in if you are going to consider doing a hair transplant. And I love mine, and it maintained for probably another five to maybe even ten years, I would say I wound up doing that. But as I continued to look, yeah, I continued to lose. I was heading down the path of where my grandfather was, and that’s where I was going to go. And what I started noticing was some of the commercials that I would see on tv of people that were showing a little bit before and after and their stuff on social media. And it was pretty amazing because people who had the kind of hairline that my grandfather had and what I felt like I was heading to even a doctor Phil type of hairline, they were finding hair solutions with natural hair. I said, you know what? I think that’s where I want to go.

Kevin Rolston [00:08:57]:
And again, it was something that I could do, and I started looking into the budgeting of it. I said, okay, this, to me, is my best fit. And going with that option really was fantastic. That was my hair solution, to have that and look maintaining with the finasteride, I found a great deal because I got the generic where it was only a dollar a day for the pill, and that was something that I could work in. And that really does slow down the hair loss. And so you might want to have a combination of things that you want to do. So that’s why I completely recommend finding a specialist and somebody that walks you through all this. But as far as what I am doing right now with my hair, it is natural hair.

Kevin Rolston [00:09:43]:
It looks absolutely amazing. It blends in. I have a hairstylist that cuts it any way that I want. I go in every three weeks and it looks completely natural. You would have no idea that I have a hair system on at all. And that’s, to me, why I love it. You can change up your hairstyle the way you look. They can gradually make it look like you haven’t just all of a sudden gone from completely bald to having a full head of hair.

Kevin Rolston [00:10:11]:
They have strategies. They can start small. They can continue to improve it. You can do things like grow facial hair, take facial hair off, start wearing glasses, take glasses off so that people don’t really understand the big change that you made. If being discreet is what you want to do. For me, I just wanted to have that kind of hair, and I wanted it today, and I wasn’t shy about it. I’m a very open individual, and so I was cool with telling people what I did because I want people to know. And that’s why I host the hairpod, because I want people to know what great solutions are out there.

Kevin Rolston [00:10:42]:
Because if you can get that confidence on day one, go for it. And for me, the biggest thing about having my hair system is how much younger it makes me look. I’m 50 years old now, and I’m not trying to toot my own horn. Most people say I look about 35. It really does. You take off my hair system and I look my age, it takes ten to 15 years off of your appearance, I believe, at least for me. And that’s why having a hair system is where I wanted to go. But doing this hair pod is all about these different solutions that are out there so that you hopefully find the one that is right for you.

Kevin Rolston [00:11:18]:
And that’s why I recommend getting a hair expert in your corner. Finding out, is finasteride right for you? Is it a minoxidil type of solution that’s going to be right for you? Is it a laser cap? It is a hair transplant. Is it one of the other many solutions that are out there? Having somebody that’s in your corner and continuing to come to the HairPod to hear these great discussions is going to help you find your solution for the budget that’s right for you, and make sure you get a hold of us, too, because if you have any kind of questions, we would love to address them and correspond with you and maybe even do an episode that you suggest. So check us out on Instagram @HairClub or go to Facebook. We’re there as well. I hope you find some great information in this episode and hopefully my hair journey is going to help you on yours.

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Hair Loss and Mental Health with Claire Fullam

Hair Loss and Mental Health with Claire Fullam

by | May 28, 2024 | Episode

Episode 14

Hair Loss and Mental Health with Claire Fullam

Hair loss and mental health with Claire Fullam - episode 14
Hair loss can have a significant impact on mental health, but unfortunately, this is often not given the attention it deserves. To complicate matters, mental health issues such as stress can even be the trigger for conditions related to hair loss. In this episode of HairPod, we wrap up Mental Health Awareness Month by discussing the connection between mental health and hair loss with guest Claire Fullam, a trichologist from Dublin. Claire shares her story of living with alopecia, her struggles with addiction, and her journey to recovery. We hope her story provides inspiration and insight for those experiencing the emotional impact of hair loss.

Claire’s Story – Alopecia and the Birth of Claire Balding

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that can cause rapid hair loss. It can be triggered by stress and can vary in intensity. Claire was hit hard and fast, losing most of her hair in less than two months. She tried all avenues and specialists, seeking a solution and explanation. During this initial phase of her hair loss journey, Claire also launched her social media persona, “Claire Balding,” to share her story and empower others, while at the same time creating her own network of support.

It’s Not Just Hair – Hair Loss, Trauma and the Path to Addiction

Claire’s hair loss was not only a result of the stress she was experiencing but also a contributor to it! Autoimmune disorders such as alopecia areata can be challenging to manage because of the vicious nature of the stress cycle. Struggling with the pressures of motherhood, life, and her newly discovered alopecia, Claire found herself slipping into substance abuse. She shares her story and transformation, highlighting the need for support and community.

Prioritizing Mental Health While Seeking Hair Loss Solutions

Claire brings to light the emotional impact hair loss can have on the individual experiencing it. The pain of hair loss is difficult to understand for those who haven’t been there, but is a very real problem. Our hair is tied to identity, health, and security. The trauma of hair loss is real, and sometimes this only becomes apparent in hindsight. It is important to seek emotional support along the way. Claire shares how hearing others’ stories has helped her and inspired her to share her experience with alopecia and addiction.

Empowering Resources

Follow Claire on Instagram

As the episode draws to a close, HairPod extends a generous offer of a complimentary hair loss consultation, providing a tangible step towards reclaiming confidence and control over one’s appearance. Book a Free consultation with HairClub Today!

Thanks for listening to HairPod. We hope you enjoyed this episode. If you did, please leave us a rating or review wherever you get your podcasts. If you’d like to connect with us on social media to share your story, check us out on Instagram @HairClub. HairPod is a production of TSE Studios. Our theme music is from SoundStripe.

Episode.14 Transcript
Claire Fullam [00:00:04]:
I was drinking for a lot of reasons, Kevin. I think I was drinking to escape the trauma of the hair loss. I think it affected me a hell of a lot more than I really knew. And I think I dealt with it strangely. Like, I dealt with it. You know, most people try and hide, right? Well, I went online and I made this Persona, and I lived through this person that I called Claire Balding. And she was everything I’ve ever wanted to be.

Kevin Rolston [00:00:44]:
Welcome to Hairpod, the podcast where you get to hear real people talk about their hair journeys. I’m your host, Kevin Ralston. And each week I get to interview people from different walks of life whose lives have been touched by hair loss in some form or fashion. Many of our guests have experienced hair loss themselves and found a way to get their confidence and their hair back. As some of you may know, May is mental health awareness month. A theme that arises during almost every episode of Hairpod is the unforeseen impact that hair loss can have on our emotions, our stress, our daily lives, and our relationships. Losing your hair can feel devastating and isolating, but it doesnt have to stay that way. For this episode, I spoke with Claire Folum, a Dublin based trichologist who, like so many others, has faced the struggle and shock of dealing with rapid hair loss.

Kevin Rolston [00:01:38]:
Claires search for answers and support led her to begin a bold journey. Is the social media presence of Claire Balding. And eventually to open her own trichology clinic. Claire discusses the impact her hair loss had on her mental health, her struggle with addiction, and her choice to pursue a career that will help give others struggling with alopecia more options and more community. Claires path has been a rocky but inspiring one. And today she shares with us not only what she learned about alopecia, but what Alopecia has taught her about herself.

Claire Fullam [00:02:18]:
I lost all my own hair almost eight years. Go to the day. It was actually, I think, next week, eight years ago. So I lost 90% of my hair and went on a big journey with that, a huge journey with that. And then decided, you know what? I really want to learn why this happened to me in the first place. I want to go back to college. I want to study, and I want to try and understand, because I’m a big believer in, like, things happen for a reason, you know, and I think that there’s always a reason behind some sort of pain that you got through in your life. And I think that I really wanted to understand how was I supposed to help others going through hair loss? And, you know, also for me, I still suffer with it.

Claire Fullam [00:02:55]:
I still get patches of alopecia. So how am I going to manage this? Because I understand that it’s something I’m going to have to manage. It doesn’t just go away from lotion or a potion, you know, that kind of way. So how am I supposed to manage this? So I did that. I opened my trichology clinic then four years ago. It’s called Trua. We’re an online trichology clinic. Trua means compassion of school.

Claire Fullam [00:03:17]:
That’s the irish language. And I suppose that’s what our clinic is based on, is compassion and is understanding, you know, and trying to come at hair loss and scalp conditions from a huge, you know, all different angles, I suppose. So that’s what has led me here. So kind of, I suppose, quite a full circle story, because I visited a trichologist when my hair was falling out, and I visited dermatologists, my general practitioners here in Ireland as well. And the only one who gave me that little bit of hope, to be really honest with you, was a trichologist, you know? So it’s funny, if you asked me eight years ago, Kevin said, claire, what do you want to be when you grow up? It wouldn’t have been a trichologist, to be honest with you. I didn’t even know what one was. So it’s funny where life takes you.

Kevin Rolston [00:04:00]:
Let’s talk about your journey, where it began. It sounds like it began with hair loss. And what age were you when that first started to appear?

Claire Fullam [00:04:08]:
Yeah, so I was 27 and. Yeah, that is, I was 27, nearly 28, actually. So that’s eight years ago now. And I had two children who were very young at the time. I think my daughter was about five and my son was about one. And I think. I suppose I got, you know, did everything really young, like most of my friends. I’m nearly 37 now.

Claire Fullam [00:04:30]:
Most of my friends are only starting their families and stuff now, you know, whereas I started, like, 13 years ago and like that. Myself and my husband, we grew up really fast. We bought a house in the area that we grew up. We raised our kids. My friends were going to college and going on nights out and traveling Europe, and I was changing athys, you know, and I was paying bills and I was doing all that kind of stuff. And I suppose I didn’t manage my stress very well. You know, I think that I internalized a lot of it, and I think that I tried to pretend that everything was okay because you can’t really drop a ball when you’re a young parent, you know, it’s hard to drop that ball and also pick it back up. There’s a lot of expectation on you as well.

Claire Fullam [00:05:07]:
So I think a lot of people would say to me, God, Claire, like, when your hair started to fall, like, were you. What was going on? Like, was something really traumatic going on was, you know, but it wasn’t. It was just life. You know, life is stressful and life can take a toll on you sometimes. And when you’re trying to continuously juggle balls and pretend you’re okay and that you’re coping, I think sometimes your body is a funny way of showing you that you’re not, you know, and I think that when I first found my first patch of alopecia, I found it just in my split here. And I assumed that I’d. With the curling iron or something too close to my scalp. And then I remember, like this time of the year, like, you know, coming into the summer months, well, the summer that we get in Ireland isn’t spectacular, but it’s slightly warmer for a couple of weeks.

Claire Fullam [00:05:50]:
But, you know, I just assumed, just assumed that, you know, around that time of the year, I lose more hair. We all do. We’re like animals shedding kind of, you know, for the summer months and stuff. So I always knew. And I had a lot of hair. Big, classic redheads, big, classic irish head on me. And I was losing a lot of hair at that time. But again, I assumed that, oh, that’s fine, that’s the time of year.

Claire Fullam [00:06:11]:
But this time was different, you know, I started to lose an extreme amount of hair. I was scooping it up in the office, I was hiding it, I was emptying the bins in the office because I was so embarrassed of it. And within five weeks, I was in a wig, you know, a full blown wig. I’d lost 90% of my hair in five weeks.

Kevin Rolston [00:06:27]:
Did you say 90%?

Claire Fullam [00:06:29]:
990. Yeah. Yeah. So I went from somebody who was hugely identified by my hair, like everyone would say, oh, you know, Claire with the red hair. Like, that’s the way people would describe me now, Claire with the red hair to having no hair, really, you know, in five weeks, at 27 years of age, doesn’t matter what age are, you know, it’s spectacularly stressful. I went on every radio show, every tv show that would have me trying to find this answer, I suppose, you know, somebody will tell me what to do. Somebody like nobody knew. And my family, my friends group, nobody knew.

Claire Fullam [00:07:05]:
And I remember uploading a status on Facebook to like my 400 close friends at the time. And I remember the Irish Times. It’s a big national newspaper here in Ireland. Picked up the story and shared the story. And from there, I suppose, I started to document my hair loss online, you know. So at the time, Snapchat was really big. Apparently, it’s back again with a bang, with the kids too old for that now, but Snapchat at the time. And when I called myself Claire Balding, and Claire Balding is a big tv personality, actually, over in the.

Claire Fullam [00:07:37]:
Over in Great Britain. And I named myself, I suppose, after her. And it’s a real irish trait to, you know, almost slag yourself and take the mick out of yourself first before anybody else can. Does that make sense? It’s like a self deprecating kind of thing. So Claire Balding was born, and Claire Balding is still around to this day. I suppose I kind of cultivated a community and an audience, you know, that were looking for help with hair loss as well. But then, you know, slowly but surely, it kind of became my life and just documented my life and the ups and the downs of it. I had a large audience, somewhere about 90,000 followers on Instagram, which is big for Ireland, because there’s only about ten of us in the country.

Claire Fullam [00:08:19]:
So, you know, it was. It was, you know, white went from zero to 90 pretty quick.

Kevin Rolston [00:08:30]:
Claire’s baldness was not permanent. When her hair began growing back, people assumed that she had overcome the emotional aspects of her hair loss, but her alopecia would continue to flare up, and the challenges this brought to her mental health were far from over. Her experience with hair loss had started her on a journey, and there was no turning back. She had become a public figure, and now, for better or worse, had a social identity tied to this condition.

Claire Fullam [00:09:02]:
Within about a year, my hair started to come back, which was unusual. People didn’t think that that was going to happen, but very, very quickly, quite, you know, as fast as it fell out, it started to come back. Now it was white, the pigments never returned, and it was a different texture, all that kind of stuff. So really, really weird one to manage. But I suppose I thought then, and especially when my hair started to come out, or even when I wore my hair piece, when I wore my wig, people were like, Claire’s grand now. Like, she’s fine now. She’s got her hair back now. But there’s so many demons, I suppose, you know? And I suppose some of the things that were going on, but my mental health, you know, it was masking all of that a little bit.

Claire Fullam [00:09:42]:
And eventually that erupted along those years. Like, that’s eight years ago now. I’m three years sober, thank God. You know, it led me to a path of addiction, and it all stemmed from my hair loss. So, I mean, as strange as that story is, Kevin, you know, there’s a lot there. I’ve just like, embarked eight years on top of you there now. Sorry about that. But as strange as that story is, that’s why I’m a great trichologist.

Claire Fullam [00:10:07]:
That’s why I’m great at running our business. That’s why. Why I’m passionate about scalp and hair health and people like you bringing awareness of it. Because I think hair loss can sometimes get lost in this level of vanity, you know, whereas it really, truly can affect people’s lives, you know, and not just your life and your God, through your family’s life and everybody else’s life as well. So it’s so important to speak about it as much as possible. I think.

Kevin Rolston [00:10:37]:
The stresses of life and the impact of living with alopecia continued to weigh on Claire, even as she worked so hard to adapt to it and provide a community for others to do so as well. Claire began leaning on alcohol more and more.

Claire Fullam [00:10:57]:
I was drinking for a lot of reasons, Kevin. I think I was drinking to escape the trauma of the hair loss. I think it affected me a hell of a lot more than I really knew. And I think I dealt with it strangely. Like, I dealt with it, you know, most people try and hide, right? Well, I went online and I made this Persona and I lived through this, you know, person that I called Claire Balding. And she was everything I’ve ever wanted to be, but I was always too scared to be. So I treated her as this Persona and, you know, allowed all of life. Stress has come out through her.

Claire Fullam [00:11:32]:
And I did a tv show, I did countless live shows all around Ireland. And all the time my drinking just kept getting a little bit bigger and bigger and bigger and bigger, you know, but I suppose when. And look, we have a culture here as well, you know, that we rely on it a lot. And it’s a deep rooted issue within Ireland that we run from, you know, a lot of people, especially. What age was I then, like 33? And it’s very young to kind of, you know, I suppose, face these demons a little bit, you know, but I knew that if I didnt, I die.

Kevin Rolston [00:12:06]:
Like many people who find themselves struggling with addiction, Claire was not fully aware that she had a problem. By all appearances, Claire had it all together. She was a mother, a wife, a business owner. Not to mention her hair had come back. It can be hard to recognize that youve even got a substance abuse problem when its so normalized by the society around you. It wasnt until she heard a few familiar voice on the radio that Claire was able to face her budding addiction and turn things around.

Claire Fullam [00:12:39]:
I remember hearing on the radio, I was sitting, I was working in my front room in my kitchen, and I remember the radio came on. And again, a really famous program in Ireland. And I heard somebody I knew on the radio, and she was talking about her own alcoholism. And I was like, oh, my God. Like, I didn’t know Sophie suffrage, like, with alcoholism at all. Like, I didn’t realize this. I met Sophie. She’s a podcast in Ireland.

Claire Fullam [00:13:04]:
She’s very well known. She’s an author. She’s a brilliant person, you know, and I didn’t have any idea that Sophie was struggling so much. So I remember going, like, so close to the radio. It was actually a radio. It wasn’t like a Siri or my Google. It was an actual radio in my kitchen, right? And I remember I went up to it, and it was as if I could, like, feel Sophie’s breath coming through the radio and talking to me. And I remember holding my own hand as if I was holding hers.

Claire Fullam [00:13:29]:
And every single thing she said, I was like, oh, my God, she’s describing me. She’s describing my life. She described this, that every day she lit this fire in her own home, and every day she tried to control it, you know, and she knew that if she let it get out of control, it would ravage her and her home and her boys and her husband. But she kept lining it every day, and she couldn’t understand why she was doing this to herself. And I just remember that analogy stuck with me. And I said, she’s Claire. Like, what are you doing? There was no rock bottom for me, Kevin. I think it was more like a real deep realization.

Claire Fullam [00:14:07]:
I remember I went to my first AA meeting. It was 2021, so there was no physical AA meetings, really, because it was still COVID times back then, of course. And I went to my first one on St. Patrick’s Day of all days. And I remember it was actually all my friends were having pints, you know, and I was sitting on my bed crying at the spectacular. I was like, oh, my God, what a day. Yeah, but I’ll never forget it. I suppose that’s a good one, you know, but I remember it was actually an american AA meeting, because I was too scared.

Claire Fullam [00:14:40]:
Scared to go to an irish one. So I joined an american link because nobody would know me over there. This would be fine, you know? And it just. It was a real eye opener, you know? And I think that my hair loss started that. Maybe not started it. I always loved to drink, you know? And I think, again, being a young parent, when I get a night off, I’d go wild, you know, because I had a night off, and I was always the friend who had a story. I was always the friend. She went too far.

Claire Fullam [00:15:06]:
I was always a big drinker. But I think the hair loss didn’t help. And then having this big community online, the pressure of that didn’t help either, you know, and I think that it kind of came to a point. And when you recognize yourself and somebody else, it’s so important. That’s why I think these stories are so important, because somebody else will hear this and say, that’s me, you know, or that’s her, that’s him, you know, and their family. So sharing those stories are hugely important. They’ll save people’s lives, you know? Again, like, as I said earlier on, like, it’s funny where life brings you, isn’t it? Because fair balding was such a painful thing for me for a while, you know, she. I say she, like, she’s a different person, but, you know, she.

Claire Fullam [00:15:45]:
It was. It was a painful place because you can only be on top for so long, you know, and what comes up must come down. So even though people are very fond of you, they might have a different opinion on one thing than you. And social media can be cruel. It can be a cruel place, you know? So I think I ran from her for a while. I took six months off social media, and I said, you know what, Claire? You’re gonna have to sort. Sort yourself out. And that’s when I started, you know, my sober journey, thank God, and started that whole process then as well, you know, so it’s given me huge strength.

Kevin Rolston [00:16:22]:
Talking with Claire has been such a great reminder of how important community can be, especially when it comes to mental health support. It can be so comforting and inspiring to discover that we are not alone in our experience and to learn from those who have already walked the path. If you want to hear more from Claire, make sure you subscribe to the show, because were going to be having her back on to discuss living with alopecia. And make sure you check out our show notes for links to follow Claire on social media. Thanks for listening to another episode of Hairpot. Check us out Araclub on Instagram or search Hairpot on Facebook to continue this conversation. If you know somebody who could benefit from hearing this episode, we would love it if you would share it with them. If youre enjoying the show, consider leaving us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app.

Kevin Rolston [00:17:12]:
We also have a website. Check it out by going to podcast dot hairclub.com. Were here to build people up and share real stories of people experiencing hair loss so they feel a little bit less alone. And when you share, review and subscribe, it helps us do just that. So thank you. Until next time.

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Do Something About Your Hair Loss by Joey Logano

Do Something About Your Hair Loss by Joey Logano

by | May 21, 2024 | Episode

Episode 13

Do Something About Your Hair Loss by Joey Logano

Do something about your hair loss by Joey Logano
For this episode, we’re bringing back one from the vault. Listen in to hear our host Kevin Rolston and NASCAR-champ Joey Logano talk about all things hair loss – from the first time, Joey noticed his alopecia to how he found a hair loss solution that can handle the heat of a stock car race!

Alopecia: What is going on with your hair?

Most men notice hair thinning along their hairline or the crown of their head. In Joey’s case, his hair loss journey started suddenly. After going to the barber, he came home only to have his wife comment that the back of his haircut looked patchy. Over time, however, Joey realized the hair wasn’t growing back.

After speaking with a dermatologist, Joey was diagnosed with alopecia. Alopecia is an autoimmune condition that can vary widely in severity. While Joey was learning to live with his condition, one thing he couldn’t live without was hair! He was able to find a solution that would work for him and his fast-paced lifestyle.

The Ultimate Test: A NASCAR Race!

As a competitor, Joey needs to have clear focus. With so many things to worry about during a race, Joey can’t be wondering if his hair is going to cause him any issues. He has discovered that his new hair is the least of his concerns amidst the heat and high-pressure environment.

When he’s not on the racetrack, Joey balances the busy life of a public figure and a family man. Keeping up his image is important, not just to the fans, but to his confidence.

You Can Do Something About Your Hair Loss

For Joey, HairClub was the perfect solution. He’s not shy about sharing that, either – Joey hopes to help people who want to find their path towards better confidence and liking what they see in the mirror. If you’re struggling with those first steps forward, consider booking a free consultation, just like Joey did!

Empowering Resources

Follow Joey on Instagram @joeylogano

As the episode draws to a close, HairPod extends a generous offer of a complimentary hair loss consultation, providing a tangible step towards reclaiming confidence and control over one’s appearance. Book a Free consultation with HairClub Today!

Thanks for listening to HairPod. We hope you enjoyed this episode. If you did, please leave us a rating or review wherever you get your podcasts. If you’d like to connect with us on social media to share your story, check us out on Instagram @HairClub. HairPod is a production of TSE Studios. Our theme music is from SoundStripe.

Episode.13 Transcript

Joey Logano [00:00:06]:
Well, when Alopecia thing started up, that’s when they just did some, like, steroid shots. And for one, I didn’t, oh, I didn’t really like the needles in my head for one of them, for one thing, and it wasn’t working. That was the other thing that really, really wasn’t working. And I was like, okay, I need to. That’s when I drop back and punt here. There’s something. I’m not going down the right road here. I need to kind of, you know, find something better and different.

Kevin Rolston [00:00:48]:
Welcome back to another episode of Hairpod. I’m your host, Kevin Ralston. And each week, I get to interview people from different walks of life, but they all have one thing in common. Their lives have been affected by hair loss. Each week, we’re going to share people’s lived experiences with hair loss and most importantly, what they did to get their hair and their confidence back. For this episode, we’re bringing one back from the vault and one we know you’re going to love. Anybody who’s a fan of NASCAR knows the name Joey Logano. Joey is a two time NASCAR Cup Series champion and has made waves in the world of stock car racing with his achievements.

Kevin Rolston [00:01:25]:
But newer fans may not know that Joey has struggled with an autoimmune disorder called alopecia, which causes partial or total hair loss. And Joey learned of his alopecia after a routine trip to the barber.

Joey Logano [00:01:40]:
Well, it’s actually kind of. I mean, at this point now, it’s a funny story, but at the time, I just went to get my hair cut like I typically do at the local barber shop. And I got home, and my wife goes, what did they do to the back of your head? I’m like, oh, what do you mean, what did they do back? They gave me a haircut. She goes, they completely botched your haircut. Like, no way. And she shows me a picture, and it’s just spots all over the back of my head. I’m like, well, it did botch my haircut, but she’s pissed. She’s like, this lady that cut your hair should not be working there.

Joey Logano [00:02:11]:
She’s gonna screw up someone else’s haircut, and then everyone’s gonna look ridiculous like you look. And so she drives down there to tell this lady how she shouldn’t be cutting hair anymore. Fast forward. Fast forward a week or so, and it’s not growing back. I’m like, hold on. I think there’s something wrong. And I went to dermatologist, and, like, they diagnosed with alopecia. And I was like, okay, well, I don’t know what that means, and what do I do? And the first thing I knew what it meant is that we need to drive back to the barbershop and apologize to the poor lady that cut my hair.

Joey Logano [00:02:43]:
And that was the first thing we had to do.

Kevin Rolston [00:02:47]:
Yeah. Yeah. Because I’m curious, like, how much, like, alopecia, how many bald spots did you have? How prominent was it?

Joey Logano [00:02:56]:
It comes in and out. Honestly, comes in and out. Sometimes in the back of my head, top my head. Sometimes it shows up in my beard.

Kevin Rolston [00:03:03]:
Oh, wow.

Joey Logano [00:03:04]:
You know, it just. It’s different ways. It’s an autoimmune disorder, is what it is. And.

Kevin Rolston [00:03:08]:
Okay, okay.

Joey Logano [00:03:10]:
There’s no rhyme or reason. They can’t really understand it. They say maybe stress, hereditary. It’s really like, you don’t know. I mean, on top of the alopecia, I was just going bald. Right? Like, that was the other piece of. Wait, do you.

Kevin Rolston [00:03:21]:
Do you ever come under any stress at all? What do you do that’s so stressful?

Joey Logano [00:03:26]:
Yes. We’ll just flare it up here not too long ago. So it makes sense. As the playoffs usually roll around, it is a lot of stress that gets put on the plate. Yeah. Driving circles as fast as never. Fast enough is what it is, though. So.

Joey Logano [00:03:41]:
Always looking for more on that one.

Kevin Rolston [00:03:47]:
It’s common for people who are losing their hair to try a few different solutions before they find one that works for them. Things such as reducing stress, changing their diet, taking supplements, essential oils, grandma’s remedies. Shoot. I gotta admit, I have tried some crazy ideas myself. So you are like a lot of guys. You notice that you’ve got some hair loss issues. You’ve got a unique situation. And the reason why we’re doing the hair pot is because we’re trying to let people know that there are solutions out there.

Kevin Rolston [00:04:18]:
And it sounds like your first step was what a lot of guys first step is. And being a NASCAR like you are, you were able to wear a lot of hats. But then tell me about the challenges with that, because, you know, I know being in the field that I’m in, where you do media is, you wind up with these social functions where you just. A hat’s just not going to cut it. You kind of wound up with the same situation.

Joey Logano [00:04:40]:
Yeah. And it happened, whether it’s, you know, you think about Ferrari stuff during the national anthem or the prayer before the race, you take your hat off and then you see, like, pictures and stuff afterwards, like, golly, I’m like, I’m bald, honey. You can’t realize it because it happens so slow. You know what I mean?

Kevin Rolston [00:04:56]:
Yeah.

Joey Logano [00:04:57]:
But then eventually, like, yeah, I should just do something about it. I can, so why wouldn’t I? What’s wrong with that? And, you know, like, a lot of people, you know, it’s a little awkward what direction we’re supposed to go here is this. But honestly, it’s normal, right? Like, so many people deal with it. And if you can do something about it, why? Why wouldn’t you? You know, there’s nothing wrong with that. And, like, who’s gonna judge you for that? For wanting to be better, right? Like, why do you go to gym and work out to be better? You know, look good, feel good, right? Like, that’s kind of the same situation, I think, with your hair. And if it bothers you and you can gain some confidence from having hair the great thing is that there’s a lot of different ways of going about it that you can have hairy in. And I think that part’s pretty neat.

Kevin Rolston [00:05:48]:
But after pursuing other options Joey connected with hair club as a hair solution and a partner and even a sponsor was your very first attempt at trying to do something about your hair loss. Was it going to hair club or did you try something else before going to hair club?

Joey Logano [00:06:07]:
I wasn’t educated enough to even know which direction to go. And I just went to my local dermatologist that I’ve gone to and, you know, they have a couple options there but they weren’t, like, great ones. When alopecia thing started up, that’s when they just did some, like, steroid shots where the alopecia spots were. And for one, I didn’t. I didn’t really like the needles in my head for one of them, for one thing. And it wasn’t working. That was the other thing that really, really wasn’t working. And I was like, okay, I need to.

Joey Logano [00:06:42]:
That’s when I dropped back and punt here. There’s something. Yeah, we’re not going down the right road here. I need to kind of, you know, find something better and different. And so then when I went to hair club, it’s like, well, there’s, like, a lot of different things I can do here depending on my situation. And I learned about all the things they have, like. And like I said, it’s different for everybody, right? Like. Like, your issues would be completely different than mine and there’s a fix for.

Joey Logano [00:07:05]:
For all of them. And, like, I couldn’t believe how many different avenues there was when I got there. That was the part that blew my mind. And they all were pretty simple, right? It was all quick and like, easy. Okay, you can do this. You can do that. Like some more permanent, some, you gotta, you know, be around a little bit more often. It just kind of depends on what your situation was.

Joey Logano [00:07:24]:
And so I was like, cool. I felt really comfortable after leaving hair club the first time because, you know, I walked in there feeling awkward and uncomfortable and I thought at the end I was like, okay. Like, I’m usually not a quick decision maker. And I was like, okay, well, that’s what I’m gonna do. I’m gonna do that. Sounds good. See you next week. You know, like.

Kevin Rolston [00:07:51]:
When most people find a solution with the new hair system, one of the natural concerns is what are my limits? Being a race car driver, Joey naturally has an extremely active lifestyle. Flying around the track at nearly 200 mph, your hair is the last thing you want to worry about. So I had to know if Joey ever got nervous about bringing his hair system into new situations.

Joey Logano [00:08:16]:
Only in the beginning, I was nervous. Now I’m not. I’m not now because I feel very confident in everything now. But at first when things are new, you’re like, I don’t know. Like, I don’t know about this jet ski and I don’t know where I’m at with stuff. But you honestly kind of figure out your way, your things go and everything and you get confident and comfortable and what you got and it’s fine. But I’m telling you, and I asked a lot of questions before to a lot of people. I’m like, that’s fine.

Joey Logano [00:08:50]:
So that you can, like, and they look at you like you’re an idiot. Like, yeah, you can live your normal life. What are you talking about? And I’m like, okay, well, I just wanted to ask, like, I don’t know. And, and it took, I mean, I’m being honest. It took a month or so before you, like, you get used to, for one, seeing yourself with hair, right? You look in the mirror and you’re like, oh, who’s that guy? Right? Like it takes a second to get used to it for one. And then also how to live just the way you live your life, right? Like all that stuff. Like you’re, you’re concerned it’s going to change and do all so, but it really just, it’s not a big deal.

Kevin Rolston [00:09:31]:
What is the temperature like for you and how does the hair feel? Because you got a helmet on, you’re in a car. I mean, I know? You know, I’m in south Florida, so when you come to a Miami homestead, the temperatures in that car have got to be absolutely insane. So how breathable is your hair, and what does it feel like when you’re in those extreme temperatures?

Joey Logano [00:09:52]:
I wouldn’t even know.

Kevin Rolston [00:09:53]:
Yeah.

Joey Logano [00:09:54]:
Wouldn’t even know, really?

Kevin Rolston [00:09:55]:
Okay.

Joey Logano [00:09:58]:
Honestly, like, from you think, the conditions that I am in, in the cyto race car, it’s 30 degrees warmer than the outside air temp. So when you have a 90 degree day, it’s 120 degrees in the car.

Kevin Rolston [00:10:10]:
Wow.

Joey Logano [00:10:11]:
And we just shoot, we just raced in Texas. It was 100 degrees outside. It was over 130 in the car.

Kevin Rolston [00:10:16]:
Wow. Nothing.

Joey Logano [00:10:17]:
I get right out and walk away. I don’t. I don’t think twice about, like, I got other things to worry about when I’m in the race car. If hair is one of them, I don’t want that distraction. I wouldn’t want the distractions. Not worth it to me as a competitor. This is like, I wouldn’t even know. You know, I get out, I walk out, right? Like, all I do now is I fix my hair a little bit before I get out of the car because I actually have it.

Kevin Rolston [00:10:40]:
Yeah.

Joey Logano [00:10:42]:
That’s the only difference.

Kevin Rolston [00:10:44]:
What about the reactions you get? Have you ever had another driver tease you about your hair? Has there any been anybody that’s done anything that’s made you feel self conscious about it? And tell me a little bit about the confidence that having the hair does for you.

Joey Logano [00:10:57]:
Yeah, I mean, the shock factor is real. There’s no way around that. You first show up and be like, whoa, what’s different? Or what happened? You know, it took. It took a little bit for people to just kind of get used to it. Now it’s not even like, it’s never even really brought up, which is what you want to get to, I think. Right. You don’t really want it to be a topic of conversation everywhere you go. But, you know, for me, think about, I’m in the public eye as much as.

Kevin Rolston [00:11:25]:
Oh, yeah.

Joey Logano [00:11:26]:
As a race car driver can be, at least. And so, you know, you’re getting a lot of reactions. The first, you know, few days, especially because when I first started having it, I. There was a. We were raced at the La Coliseum, and one of the big banners there was hair club banner, and it said, ask Joey. Well, I’m like, everybody’s asking me about it because it says to ask me so well, I don’t think I have the best experience there. Most realistic experience for the normal customer. They’re telling people to ask me about my hair.

Joey Logano [00:12:00]:
So it’s probably a lot different for the normal customer that’s not advertising it as much as I am.

Kevin Rolston [00:12:12]:
So then if you’re going to do an appearance, say you’re on an american idol, you’re doing Sharknado twelve or something like that. Are you confident with how you do the hair yourself? Because, you know, for some people, they feel like they can never get the hair the way a hairdresser does. And it’s hard to style. And that is one of the things when you do have hair, you know, you have the potential to have to style it. And, you know, there’s a little bit of work that goes into it.

Joey Logano [00:12:36]:
Well, there’s an education that goes into it because I didn’t know what to do at first because it took, it took a few times to, like, learn how to style your hair because I was like, man, this doesn’t look right, or it doesn’t look as good as when I left hair club. And honestly, I got trained, you know, as a girl. Show me how you do it. Like, and I said, give me the comb. Let me. Let me do it. You know, let me put the stuff. Give me the stuff I need and fix me up.

Joey Logano [00:13:05]:
Like, train me how to, like, I want to make it look as good. So I learned how to do it. And it’s kind of funny because, you know, before, I just combed my hair to make it look like I had hair, you know, like, whatever, whatever hairstyle made it look like I had the most hair, you know what I mean? I had to comb over, going, and now it’s like, huh? I can do anything I want. What do I do? It’s like, there’s too many options. I don’t know what to do. So I had to learn a little bit. I want to look good. I do a lot of things on tv, and, you know, as a race car driver, not just driving the car, but I do a lot of tv broadcasts and stuff like that for the Xfinity series, which is one level down from the cup series, but I end up doing the broadcast a lot for them.

Joey Logano [00:13:55]:
So I want things to look fresh all the time, look good. So, you know, I’m probably a more of a frequent customer than most, but, you know, the option is there to go either way, for sure. I try to schedule everything, so I do it when I’m at home, but I can. And I have been to other locations, but not for a haircut or anything like that or freshen up or whatever. I’ve always kind of stuck to what I do and I try to be consistent as much as I can, but we all know, like, sometimes stuff comes up and you’re like, I can’t do it this week, but I got to get in there before I leave for, you know, because sometimes I’m gone from home for a week at a time and, like, I got to get in there before I leave and, you know, can you fit me in here? And then it’s like, hey, hang on a second. You know, they kind of move things around. Boom, okay, you get in there, I’m like, all right, cool. You know, and, you know, try to work together on that stuff, but I try to be consistent and say, okay, this is what I’m going to be.

Joey Logano [00:14:51]:
This is what I’m going to do. But, yeah, I mean, things change at the blink of an eye a lot of times, and in our life, for sure.

Kevin Rolston [00:15:00]:
Yeah, I know you’ve got three kids and they’ve got something called hair club for kids. Can you tell me a little bit about the hair club for kids, why it really strikes your heart and why you think it’s such an important charity that hair club does?

Joey Logano [00:15:12]:
There’s a few kids that I know that have gone through that piece for them. You know, one of my friends that was part of the jail kids crew where we bring kids to the racetrack, they’re going through a life altering situation one way or another, and we bring them to the racetrack, give them this great experience and all that. Well, one of them that was a, became good friends of us is actually, is one of their hair club for kid kids as well. And you just help give them confidence, right? There’s always, there’s already something different already, right? And people, you know, it’s tough for them, right? Think about it like as a kid showing up, being different than everybody else, as an adult, you can somewhat handle that because you’ve gone through more of life or you’re more confident yourself, you know who you are, you know, those type of things. But as a kid, man, it’s even harder because you just, you don’t know. And now you’re, now you’re the different kid. And like I said, kids that aren’t real nice are going to say things and it’s just, it’s horrible and it’s not their fault. Right? It just happens.

Joey Logano [00:16:14]:
So the fact that hair club came up with a fix for them in a terrible way, right? Like, that part’s really neat.

Kevin Rolston [00:16:34]:
Hair club is the solution that works for, for Joey for so many people experiencing hair loss, the idea of going in and getting a consultation is really what’s holding them back. It’s difficult. Some people feel embarrassed about the whole thing and others just feel that’s not gonna work. Having been in their shoes, Joey offered sound advice to help those hesitant to take the first step.

Joey Logano [00:16:57]:
I would say just go get the consultation and get comfortable going. Going there the first time. Don’t make a decision before you walked into the place, yes or no. Just say, hey, I’ve noticed I’ve been losing my hair. I’ve noticed I’ve have an issue with this, this or this. And is there anything you guys got here? And let them. Let them do their job. Let them go in there and say, okay, evaluate what’s going on and send you some options.

Joey Logano [00:17:25]:
That’s like, my regret is that I wish I did something like that. I wish I did that years ago. Instead of waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting. If you get ahead of it, it’s just. It’s a little easier and you don’t have, like, the shock factor as much either. Right. If you get ahead of it a little bit, like, when it’s starting and it’s been. It’s been really cool for me to see how many people reached out to me saying, what did you do? I want to do something.

Joey Logano [00:17:55]:
I just didn’t know where to go or what to do or who to talk to. And all of a sudden, like, I became that guy and I’m like, I got you. I got the hookup, bro. Don’t you worry. I send them in, you know? So I think that part, like, to me, is a lot of fun because it’s an insecurity that a lot of people have. It’s something that people don’t feel comfortable a lot of times talking about. And why not? Like, why not talk about it? It is what it is. You can’t do anything about it, so do something about it.

Joey Logano [00:18:22]:
Like, this is. This is your one fix. You got one option here. So what’s it hurt to go talk to somebody? This is what they do. So it’s not awkward when you get there because this is what they’re used to, you know, like, so they used to, people don’t have hair, right? And then they give you hair. That’s their job. So it’s not even awkward at all.

Kevin Rolston [00:18:41]:
That’s amazing. Well, you have a fantastic hair story. I love how you’ve embraced it. Awesome talking with you. Thanks for sharing your story, Joey.

Joey Logano [00:18:49]:
Absolutely. Thanks for doing this.

Kevin Rolston [00:19:06]:
That was Joey Logano dealing with alopecia is a challenge and its great to hear just how Joey was able to overcome the challenge and has gone on to thrive and feel confident in the public eye. Dealing with alopecia is a challenge and it’s great to hear that Joey has overcome that challenge and has gone on to thrive and feel confident in the public eye. If you want to hear more from Joey, you can follow him. Oeylegano on instagram that’s l o g a n o. Thanks for listening to another episode of Hairpod. Check us out at Hair Club on Instagram or search Hairpot on Facebook to continue the conversation. If you know somebody who could benefit from hearing this episode, we would love it if youd share it with them. If youre enjoying the show, consider leaving us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app.

Kevin Rolston [00:19:55]:
We also have a website. Check it out by going to podcast dot hairclub.com. Were here to build people up and share real stories so people experiencing hair loss feel a little bit less alone. And when you share, review and subscribe, it helps us do just that. So thank you. Until next time.

Download Transcript

Featured Guests

Heather Brooke
Nick Wilkins

New Episodes Weekly

Available Every Tuesday @ 9am

Want to Be a Guest?

Come on the Show!

Related Episodes

just launched

Listen & Subscribe

Listen to HairPod™ on various streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts. Subscribe and be the first to listen to new episodes.

Available now at:

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Moms Helping with Hair Loss Problems

Moms Helping with Hair Loss Problems

by | May 14, 2024 | Episode

Episode 12

Moms Helping with Hair Loss Problems

How moms help us deal with hair loss
Hair loss affects us all differently, but for many, it can be an isolating experience. In this special episode of HairPod, we look at how moms have been impacted by hair loss, whether they are experiencing it personally or seeing how it affects their kids. From our team here at HairPod, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to all of the moms out there!

Getting Your Child Help for Their Hair Loss Problems


Trichotillomania can go undiagnosed in children for years, just like it did in our first guest’s story. Heather Brooke is a behavioral therapist, beauty pageant winner, and model, and she shared how her grandmother and mother noticed her hair loss despite her attempts to keep it a secret. Her mother took quick action to help her get the care and treatment she needed, which led to her regrowing her hair before her school photos in her senior year of high school.

Children Facing Amniotic Band Syndrome


When Abby shared her story about her hair journey, she told us about her amniotic band syndrome, which caused scarring on her scalp. Due to the scarring, Abby has been on her hair journey since she was a newborn. Thanks to the quick action taken by her mom, Abby never had to go to school without hair. Abby told us how challenging the experience was for her and how hard it also hit her mother. She came on the show to help parents see that even if their child experiences hair loss, they can still grow up happy and healthy.

Motherhood and Postpartum Hair Loss


Jessica-Marie Laurent is a mother and a hair replacement expert. She knew she could experience postpartum hair loss after she had her baby, but the emotions of it still hit hard. After a period of denial, she sought solutions to help get her on the path to regrowth. Many women don’t know that there are things they can do to mitigate and reverse postpartum hair loss. We hope Jessica’s story can help inspire them to seek the help they need!

Empowering Resources

Where Is My Hair? – a children’s book about trichotillomania by Heather Brooke

As the episode draws to a close, HairPod extends a generous offer of a complimentary hair loss consultation, providing a tangible step towards reclaiming confidence and control over one’s appearance. Book a Free consultation with HairClub Today!

Thanks for listening to HairPod. We hope you enjoyed this episode. If you did, please leave us a rating or review wherever you get your podcasts. If you’d like to connect with us on social media to share your story, check us out on Instagram @HairClub. HairPod is a production of TSE Studios. Our theme music is from SoundStripe.

Episode.12 Transcript

Jessica-Marie Laurent [00:00:09]:
The best thing that I can recommend for any female in any situation is do your research. So, of course, if you’re, you know, becoming pregnant or if you notice something is happening throughout or during your pregnancy, do a little bit of research. Make somebody aware, whether it be a hair loss expert or a doctor. Don’t sit in silence and think that, you know, you’re alone or that nobody else has ever experienced it, because you’re not alone.

Kevin Rolston [00:00:53]:
Welcome to HairPod, the podcast where you get to hear real people talk, talk about their hair journeys. I’m your host, Kevin Ralston, and each week you get to hear stories about people from different walks of life whose lives have been touched by hair loss in some form or fashion. Many of our guests have experienced hair loss themselves, and they found a way to get their confidence and their hair back. This week, we want to do something special to celebrate Mother’s Day on hairpod. We share untold stories and shine a light on things that people may not always be aware of. When we think about hair loss, we typically think of men losing their hair as they age. But if youve listened to the show before, you probably know that women experience hair loss, too. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, as many as 50% of women experience some hair loss at some point in their lives.

Kevin Rolston [00:01:45]:
And it can happen for a variety of reasons, such as stress, hormonal changes, or female pattern baldness. But thats not the only way moms can be affected by hair loss. Conditions that cause hair loss can happen to kids, too. Weve been lucky enough on the show to interview two guests whose hair journey started when they were young and they both shared how instrumental their parents were in getting them the help they needed. Were going to talk about those stories today to celebrate the moms out there who are supporting their kids who may be feeling the isolation of trying to handle it all alone. Youre also going to hear some advice from one of our guests on what parents can do to support their kids going through hair loss. This first clip comes from Heather Brook. Heather is a behavioral therapist, model, and beauty pageant winner.

Kevin Rolston [00:02:34]:
Her story began at the age of nine, when she began pulling out her eyelashes, eyebrows, and the hair on her head due to a condition called trichotillomania. Even though she tried to hide the condition from her mother and grandmother, they noticed what was going on and they helped her on the path to getting the care that would start her hair regrowth journey.

Heather Brooke [00:02:59]:
So my journey, it started out, it wasn’t super noticeable, super quick. I could actually remember the first time that I pulled, and my trichotillomania began with my eyelashes, not from my head. And I was in, in the hallway at our house, and I had an eyelash that kept poking me in the eye. And I went to a mirror in our hall and was just trying to straighten out the lash. And as I was pulling on it to try to straighten it out, it came out. And when it came out, there was, like, this release. I’m a therapist as well, and so the one thing that I can compare it to is for people who do self harming and cut, there’s that release that people do get when that happens. And that was kind of what that felt like for me when I pulled that lash on accident.

Heather Brooke [00:03:51]:
Like, that wasn’t even intentional, but that sudden, like, release that came, it was like, for a brief moment, all of the stress and anxiety that I had been holding inside was gone. But it almost creates, like, endorphins, like a high, and. But, like any high, you have to continue the behavior to continue to get it. And so, for me, that started with my lashes, and it took probably months before anybody ever noticed that. When that became noticeable, I moved to my eyebrows, thinking, oh, if I pull from somewhere else, then maybe I’ll stop pulling from there. That didn’t work. So my parents thought that I was shaving my eyebrows. And it probably wasn’t until three or four years after I actually started pulling that I developed enough bald patches on my head, because at that point, I had started pulling from my head that I had developed enough bald patches that it was noticeable.

Heather Brooke [00:04:45]:
My grandmother, I believe, was actually the first person who noticed. I always had really long eyelashes, and I had, like, Brooke shields eyebrows as a kid. And so when my grandmother was, like, looking at me one day and she was like, what happened to your eyelashes?

Kevin Rolston [00:05:01]:
And.

Heather Brooke [00:05:01]:
And I didn’t know what I was doing. I didn’t know why I was doing it and why I couldn’t stop. So I was just like, oh, I was trying to curl them with one of those eyelash things. So I, like, lied about what I was doing. And then when my parents, when I moved to my eyebrows and my parents thought that I was shaving my eyebrows, I just allowed that to continue because I didn’t know what I was doing. I felt so weird that I was doing this, and I couldn’t stop, and I didn’t know why. And so it was when I was 13 or 14, I was up really late one night watching. It was like, an infomercial or something that was on television, and it was about wigs.

Heather Brooke [00:05:36]:
And as I was sitting there watching this infomercial, there was a woman on there who started talking about pulling her hair. And then she started talking about, like, these fake eyelashes and different things. But as she was talking, she said, trichotillomania. And a couple of days after that, my mom noticed a bald patch on my head in the pool. We had been swimming, and I wore at that point, I was wearing, I had always had, and I think that’s one of the reasons that, other reasons that it took so long to notice. But I’d always had super thick hair. And so I just got to the point where I was always wearing my hair in a ponytail. But this one specific day, she was coming out of the pool behind me and my ponytail had moved enough that she could see the bald spot.

Heather Brooke [00:06:20]:
And so when she said something to me about it, I was like, okay, I think I saw this commercial. I think this is what I have. And I told her and she said, okay. And so she scheduled an appointment with me to see the doctor that she worked for. And so I went in, he diagnosed me, and then he made a referral to a psychiatrist and put me on some medications. And that was kind of where we the treatment for it started.

Kevin Rolston [00:06:47]:
One thing that makes Heather so inspiring is that she has gone on to help kids going through trichotillomania as a behavioral therapist. She even wrote a childrens book called where is my hair? That talks about the condition. For more information about her book, check out our show notes. Heather isnt our only guest whose mom helped make her hair journey possible. Abby Jensens story began when she was a baby. She was born with amniotic band syndrome which caused scarring on her scalp. Even though she has a very rare form of this condition, the experiences she went through is shared by many children who experience hair loss. Abby just wanted to be a regular kid and fit in, and it was up to her parents to make that happen.

Kevin Rolston [00:07:30]:
Now that Abby is an adult, she understands how hard this experience must have been for her mom, and she offers up some advice on how parents can navigate these challenges.

Abby Jensen [00:07:44]:
When your mom is pregnant with you, you’re in this amniotic sac. And when my mom was pregnant with me, it ripped and her body, like, tried to fix it and a bunch of blood vessels, like, came together and they created this band, which is where the name comes from. And when I was born, this band was like, wrapped all the way around my head. And when the doctors were like, this is like causing an infection, like she’s really sick. They ended up just ripping it off, and when they did that, all my hair went with it. I’m actually not wearing any hair right now, so my scar kind of goes all the way around. So I have some, some hair in the back here, but I have nothing up top at all. So right away.

Abby Jensen [00:08:22]:
And afterwards, I was in the hospital for a couple weeks. Cause I was also a pre me, so my parents had to learn very quickly how to get care together. So my head offered I needed a bunch of care, but my head needed to be changed every couple hours with, like, new dressings and, like, stuff to cover it up and keep the infection away. Kids are meant, so I would get a bunch of looks and stares and pointing the finger. And so hats were a big thing. When I was younger, it was definitely tough. I think my mom took it harder than my dad, but my dad, they both. I mean, it’s their kid and something that’s not normal about them.

Abby Jensen [00:08:58]:
And so I don’t remember before I started with hair club, but I remember kind of after I got a wig on, and kids in elementary school kind of, like, started to figure it out because I would go different, like, lengths or colors or whatnot. And no fourth grader dyes their hair, so it was very a big topic when I came into school with, like, brown hair versus blonde hair, kind of a big conversation. My parents, I mean, they handled everything tremendously. I couldn’t ask for a better support system. I mean, they helped me with everything my mom was researching. So essentially, I was four years old when I started a hair club. So my mom was very on the ball of, like, I don’t want her to go to school without hair. So we started with, I forget the organization, but there was one that wouldn’t help me because I didn’t have cancer.

Abby Jensen [00:09:42]:
And then my mom found hair club for men, because back then, it was just cloud for men. There was really nothing else. And I would have to ask my mom who the directors or the people in charge were, but she found them, and they kind of were like, okay, let’s meet with her. Let’s see what we can do. So they met with me and my parents, and I’ve been a client now for 20 years.

Kevin Rolston [00:10:02]:
If you were speaking to parents out there, because we deal with a charity that has a lot of kids that have cancer treatments and things like that, where theyre losing their hair and its tough. And we always focus on the kids and making sure that theyre emotionally right. But I see the same kind of struggles going on with their parents. They just, they want to help, and they feel so lost and so desperate. So what would you say to a parent that has a child that at the age of four is dealing with hair issues like what you were?

Abby Jensen [00:10:32]:
I think I would just say, just be there for them. I mean, let them complain, let them be sad about it. Let them kind of embrace it. I mean, it’s okay. And I needed to hear that when I was younger that it’s okay to be different. It’s okay to have something wrong or something not 100% and just be there and that it’s okay. And my mom outweighed the whole line sheets still tells me to this day is, if I could trade places with you, I would. And now that I’m older, I wouldn’t want her to trade places with me.

Abby Jensen [00:11:03]:
So I just, your kid is, I mean, they’re strong as all hell and they can get through this. And I’m here to talk to little kids like that. I mean, I, when I was younger, I definitely wanted someone, so I can just kind of spread my knowledge is like, I can talk to your kid, I can talk to you, I can help kind of give them a perspective, but just kind of it’s okay. And essentially, that’s what I think my parents needed to hear, too, was that it’s okay that she’s going through this and she is going to handle it and she’s going to grow and be strong. And that’s what I needed to hear when I was four. And I think that’s what my parents needed to hear, too.

Kevin Rolston [00:11:40]:
Abby Dean grew up with examples of people to look up to who had been through an experience like hers. She came on Hairpod to tell her story and to show kids and their parents that it’s possible to grow up different from other kids and still go on to lead a happy, healthy life. She hopes that kids and parents alike can take some comfort in knowing that things get better as you get older and are able to find the solutions that works for you. At Herapog, we love sharing these stories of mothers who would do anything to help their kids through these difficult, life altering situations. But motherhood just isn’t about looking after your kids. Moms can also deal with hair loss, like our next guest, Jessica Marie Laurent. As a new mother, she experienced a common phenomenon called postpartum hair loss. Roughly 40% to 50% of women face postpartum hair loss, but unfortunately, many dont realize that theres a lot they can do to help encourage their hair to grow back.

Kevin Rolston [00:12:39]:
Jessicas experience as a professional in the hair replacement industry helped her recognize why she was losing her hair after her son was born. And she shared some insights about how moms can give their bodies the care and nutrition they need for hair health.

Jessica-Marie Laurent [00:13:00]:
For most women, I would say postpartum hair loss happens in the six to eight month range. But for females that breastfeed, this can happen later because you still have that good hormone, if you will, because of the breast milk being produced. So you have a little bit of a longer stretch before you experience that postpartum hair loss. So for me, it was probably about a year after I stopped breastfeeding my son, after a year. And then after a year, I started to notice massive clumps of hair coming out while I was shampooing and conditioning. It was very shocking and very hard to go through because, you know, as a female, I mean, the goal is to wash your hair as often as you need to, which is a couple times a week. So a couple times a week. I’m going through this thinking, should I just stop washing my hair altogether? Like, what should I do to mitigate this? When doing research and going to prenatal and postnatal classes, they do advise you that, you know, it can happen.

Jessica-Marie Laurent [00:13:54]:
But I think the part that’s like the scariest, if you will, is you. You just don’t know when it’s going to happen. And when it starts to happen, it starts and it kind of doesn’t stop until, I guess, either the hormone is completely out of the body or until the hair has done the cycle that it needs to do.

Kevin Rolston [00:14:15]:
We want to thank our guests Heather, Abby, and Jessica for sharing their personal stories on this special Mother’s Day episode. To hear more from them, check out our show notes where we’ve linked to their individual episodes. We also want to thank the mothers out there who are caring for their kids all while going through their own challenges. We hope wherever you are, you are celebrating yourself and all you do. Thanks for listening to another episode of Hairpod. Check us out at Harepod on Instagram or search Harepod on Facebook to continue the conversation. If you know a mom or mom to be who could benefit from hearing this episode, we would love it if youd share it with her. If youre enjoying the show, consider leaving us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast app.

Kevin Rolston [00:15:01]:
We also have a website. Check it out by going to podcast dot hairclub.com. Were here to build up people and to share real stories so people experiencing hair loss, feel a little bit less alone. And when you share, review and subscribe, it helps us do just that. So thank you. Until next time.

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Self-Esteem After Hair Loss with Debra Heim

Self-Esteem After Hair Loss with Debra Heim

by | May 7, 2024 | Episode

Episode 11

Self-Esteem After Hair Loss with Debra Heim

Self-Esteem After Hair Loss with Debra Heim - episode 11
If you’re on your hair loss journey and you’re ready to make a change, this is your sign to seek the solution that works for you. In this episode of HairPod, our host Kevin Rolston sits down with Debra Heim, host of the Alternative Hair Alchemist podcast and owner of her own wig boutique. But Debra isn’t just a professional in the hair replacement industry – she has experienced hair loss herself. Listen in to hear her story of finding her self-esteem and encouraging others to find theirs as well.

Debra’s Hair Loss Journey

In nursing school, Debra experienced a lot of stress, and her naturally-thin hair began to fall. Later, she received a diagnosis of alopecia areata. She tried to keep things covered, but it was always stressful and uncomfortable for her. She began experimenting with wigs when she went through chemotherapy years later. She loved the alternative hair, but her family members shamed her out of using it.

Dealing With Stress

Stress set off Debra’s hair loss. She had to figure out how to beat stress in order to experience regrowth. She quit her stressful nursing job and left an abusive relationship, which helped her recover some of her natural hair. Using a form of hair replacement helped her find her confidence, which also lifted a lot of stress.

Finding a Solution to Self-Esteem

Many people start with cost-effective wigs, but soon discover that it’s worth it to work with a professional to find a solution meant to be worn every day. As a professional, it’s important to work with clients to help them figure out what they’re really looking for – for many clients, the answer they’re looking for might not be what they expect.

Work With a Professional

When starting your journey, it’s worth working with a professional to help determine what type of hair replacement is right for you. Professionals can also teach how to care for your wig or hairpiece properly. If they can’t help you, it might be time to find someone else to work with!

Empowering Resources

As the episode draws to a close, HairPod extends a generous offer of a complimentary hair loss consultation, providing a tangible step towards reclaiming confidence and control over one’s appearance. Book a Free consultation with HairClub Today!

Want more information on our guest? Check out Debra’s podcast.

Thanks for listening to HairPod. We hope you enjoyed this episode. If you did, please leave us a rating or review wherever you get your podcasts. If you’d like to connect with us on social media to share your story, check us out on Instagram @HairClub. HairPod is a production of TSE Studios. Our theme music is from SoundStripe.

Episode.11 Transcript

Debra Heim [00:00:09]:
Well, I call it alternative hair alchemist. First of all, I use the words alternative hair. But alternative hair, just simply by using those words kind of takes the stigma, the sting, out of the word wig. I mean, when you say the word wig, people think of the bad wigs that they see on people. They think of the weatherman’s toupee flying up. I thought the words alternative hair was a nice change. And then alchemist, simply because the magic that feeling good about yourself will do.

Kevin Rolston [00:01:02]:
Welcome to Hairpod, the podcast where you get to hear real people talk about their hair journeys. I’m your host, Kevin Raulston, and each week I get to interview people from different walks of life whose lives have been touched by hair loss in some form or fashion. Many of our guests have experienced hair loss themselves and found a way to get their confidence and their hair back. This week’s guest is Deborah Heim. She’s a certified confidence and happiness coach alternative hair specialist, and the host of the alternative hair Alchemist podcast. As a specialist in alternative hair, Deborah empowers her clients to put themselves and their self esteem first because she’s experienced firsthand the ripple effect that can have in your life. She understands what it’s like for her clients going through hair loss because she has been there herself.

Debra Heim [00:01:55]:
It started all the way back in nursing school, which would have been about 1981, probably before a lot of your listeners were born. But I started to, you know, I guess it was, I didn’t see a dermatologist then, but it was definitely stress related, and I would lose patches, and it was very visible. And back then, there were not a lot of alternative hair solutions. So basically, I would just try and make the best of it with hairspray and covering it up. Oh, wow. Yeah. And it really does affect your well being. I mean, yeah.

Kevin Rolston [00:02:35]:
About what age were you when you were noticing this hair loss?

Debra Heim [00:02:38]:
Probably about 2021.

Kevin Rolston [00:02:41]:
Okay. All right, so that’s at an age where typically, that’s young to be experiencing hair loss and something where I imagine you were very self conscious about at the time.

Debra Heim [00:02:51]:
Yes. Well, I found that as a child, I always had very thin and fine hair, and it never really grew. I always wanted long hair. It never would get past my shoulders. And later on in life, when I had testing done, I got the diagnosis of alopecia areata. But until then, you know, there’s at least there’s a way to find out now.

Kevin Rolston [00:03:16]:
So we have you in nursing school. Stress related hair loss. You are losing patches. You’re doing your best to cover up. Does your hair loss get worse from there. And what did you notice? What was the next phase of your hair loss journey?

Debra Heim [00:03:30]:
Well, the next phase actually happened in 2003 when I was going through a situation with chemo. So I. That’s when I first started to venture into wigs, and I felt great. You know, the hair was much prettier than mine ever was, and I enjoyed wearing them. But at the end of my chemo journey, my family kind of shamed me out of wearing them. Like, oh, you know, you’re not in treatment anymore. You don’t need to wear a wig. And I let you know, that’s why I’m very passionate now about following what you want to do for yourself.

Debra Heim [00:04:09]:
So again, I went through. That’s when I started to see the dermatologist. I tried, you know, every supplement out there, everything to if there was a remedy on tv or that I heard about, I was trying it, and it just really very minimal success. And at that time, they told me that it was definitely stress related. But I’m like, how am I going to get a hold on that? Because at the time, I was a very busy registered nurse. But now, as I’ve made those changes, I do find that when you can eliminate stress from your life, I’ve had a great deal of regrowth, but I still have patches, but it’s still a lot of regrowth just by lifestyle changes.

Kevin Rolston [00:04:56]:
Can you tell me a little bit more about those lifestyle changes? And I think for a lot of people, because we all kind of deal with stress, how were you able to finally get to a point where seemed like stress was beating you and then you finally beat stress? So how did you make those kind of adjustments?

Debra Heim [00:05:12]:
Well, a lot of major changes. I decided to leave nursing, and that’s when I opened my boutique for wigs and hair pieces. But also I left an abusive relationship, which I had a long time pattern of choosing people that were not right for me. And then I had to learn to express my emotions. So, you know, I went to therapy after leaving the abusive situation. But since then, you know, just learning how to honor yourself first and don’t stuff feelings, now, that is not an easy thing to tell somebody to do, but if you’re able to do even a little bit at a time, it just, you know, it has a ripple effect.

Kevin Rolston [00:05:58]:
How long was the course of this journey in your life? Because this doesn’t sound like something where you snap your fingers and it’s 48 hours later and you’ve cured it. So how long did it take for you and what were those stages like, as you were noticing a difference and improvement, and then how did that affect your hair health?

Debra Heim [00:06:15]:
Well, really, the major changes that I was able to implement were only, you know, within ten years. Like I said, I left nursing behind, but a lot of that was just me, not, you know, knowing how to manage my own stress. So my hair started to come back probably over a period of five years. And I think also that was instrumental was the fact that when I got okay with the fact that alternative hair is okay, whether you grew it or you bought it, if the hair makes you feel good. And when I allowed myself to not feel any guilt or stigma about hair replacement, that’s when I feel the stress really let up, because when you look in the mirror and you’re okay with how you look, it seems like, you know, it just also has a ripple effect through your life.

Kevin Rolston [00:07:10]:
To an outsider, it may seem like choosing a hair loss solution that made her feel happy in confidence should be a total no brainer for Debra. But for people who go through hair loss, they know it’s not always that simple, because it’s the stigma that holds you back or the fear of the unknown. Most of us have an emotional hurdle to get over before we can actually seek a hair loss solution. For Deborah, that hurdle had everything to do with the people around her, not exactly supporting her desire to wear a wig.

Debra Heim [00:07:43]:
It began by slowly deciding that I was going to honor myself in one small assertion at a time. Like I said, I had to change a lot of the people I was hanging around with, and, you know, who I was choosing to spend time with. And the things like meditation in the morning, anything that you can do to reframe how you believe about yourself. And it was slow, but gradual. But again, I have to say that even I would still probably. I just like hair, so I would be okay with wearing a wig, even if I did have hair. And I find women that come to me are still have, like, some type of guilt that they feel like they’re not allowed to get hair replacement. Whether it’s, you know, whatever route they’re going to.

Debra Heim [00:08:36]:
They want the diagnosis from the dermatologist, it seems like. And then I’ve heard so often, well, I’m going to wait to either get a wig, get a topper, get extensions, until I find out why, and then I’m going to try XYz. Well, I say throw everything at it, try XYz. Continue trying to find that, but don’t stop yourself if you want to take action, to make yourself feel about better, about how you look. Don’t let anything stop you.

Kevin Rolston [00:09:10]:
I think that’s one of the reasons why we really wanted to do the hairpod, was to talk about the stigmas and how I think it’s radically changing from where it used to be about people who were wearing wigs or hair pieces or things like that. That today, whatever you need to do to feel good in your own space.

Kevin Rolston [00:09:26]:
And people do feel a lot better.

Kevin Rolston [00:09:28]:
When they have a full head of hair.

Kevin Rolston [00:09:29]:
Their confidence, it just changes, and it’s just a lot easier for people to.

Kevin Rolston [00:09:34]:
Go through this thing we call life, when you have very good self esteem and hair does that for so many people.

Debra Heim [00:09:39]:
Yeah, there’s. I have a sign in my shop that, you know, hair is the crown you wear every day. So whatever you need to do to make that feel better. And you’re right, the stigma has decreased markedly since I first opened my shop. And I think a lot of what has to do with that is the quality of hair replacement. Now, you know, you cannot detect it, whether it’s my client or, I’m sure any of your clients. Nobody knows and nobody has to know.

Kevin Rolston [00:10:08]:
So, yeah, now tell me, for somebody that’s listening right now and they’re wanting to know, okay, am I ready for a wig or any kind of hair piece, what would you say to them? How would you know? And when is that time to invest in a wig or look into that?

Debra Heim [00:10:24]:
I really find that anytime that you find, if you’re staying at home, if you’re looking in the mirror and you don’t want to go to a family event or out to dinner because you just don’t like how you look, well, then now is the time. And then I find sometimes women will say, oh, but, you know, it might grow back. Well, yes, absolutely, it might. But if you’re staying at home now, why delay? And that’s like a huge. It really, when you get okay with how you look, everything turns around for the better.

Kevin Rolston [00:10:59]:
Now, if you got a wig, would that damage the hair that you have? So if you were hoping that maybe your regular hair would grow back to a place where you feel confident with it, are you doing damage by wearing a wig?

Debra Heim [00:11:09]:
Absolutely not. If you get a properly fitting wig, we call it cranial prosthesis. There’s. What I have in my store is definitely made to be worn every day without damage to your hair. And how the wig fits your head is immensely related to how good it looks or how realistic it looks. So fit is very important. If anything, ive had people have their hair grow back just simply because that stress of looking in the mirror and worrying about it, or when you brush your hair and you empty your brush and theres all this hair. So once thats over with, it seems like, you know, when the attention is away from the hair loss, it seems to improve.

Kevin Rolston [00:11:55]:
Evan, that’s a crazy concept, that a wig could actually help your real hair grow back.

Kevin Rolston [00:12:00]:
That’s pretty amazing.

Debra Heim [00:12:01]:
It sounds crazy.

Kevin Rolston [00:12:02]:
It does, but I think it’s really cool. So tell me, if you want to start this process, how do you find somebody, and then where do you go from there? What are we talking about with the market for wigs?

Debra Heim [00:12:15]:
Well, hopefully there is a qualified wig shop near the person. I say qualified because most of wigs are available at, like, beauty supply stores, where it tends to be. But any place you want to start is fine. So most people start on the Internet or a beauty supply store simply because the cost is less. And every single hairpiece or wig you get, you will learn from, and it’s a progression through it. Now, somebody new comes to my store, and I see them in person. I can cut through a lot of the trial and error, because simply by looking at them and talking to them, I know what manufacturers make what and what color and what styles going to work on them. So, you know, then I start the try on process, and absolutely everybody leaves my shop with something they didn’t expect.

Debra Heim [00:13:09]:
They come in with pictures, or they think they want something that looks a certain way, but they leave with something totally different. Usually.

Kevin Rolston [00:13:23]:
Making the decision to prioritize your mental health by pursuing some sort of hair loss solution can be a really liberating moment for some folks. But once you’ve made that decision, suddenly you got to figure out what kind of hair loss solution you want to try. And the amount of options can sometimes be a little overwhelming. Finding the right professional to guide you and doing your research about all the available options is a great next step to take.

Debra Heim [00:13:52]:
A good synthetic, at least, and I live in Pennsylvania, which is kind of a rural part of the country. I would say it’s not unheard of to start at $250. Some of the top of the line, heat friendly synthetics that are hand tied go all the way up to, like, 750. So, you know, it’s quite a chunk of change for most women who don’t want to begin to spend on themselves. But, you know, that’s when they start trying to find a cheaper way to go, and then that ends up costing more in the long run. And also the disappointment of trying something and trying something. So if you’re going to do it, go to a provider you trust, go to the best and treat yourself like you would treat anybody else in your family.

Kevin Rolston [00:14:39]:
What is the maintenance like for a wig?

Debra Heim [00:14:42]:
Human hair? It’s quite extensive care. It’s a lot more than what you would do just for the own hair on your head. But for synthetics, it’s very minimal. If you get a good moisturizing shampoo, because it’s a synthetic fiber, not hair. So as you wash it, if you use products heat style it, it’s gonna dry the fibers out. So you wanna keep them moist. So simply a shampoo and a conditioner. And, you know, most of the synthetics, as soon as you wash them, the style snaps right back.

Kevin Rolston [00:15:16]:
And when you get a wig, they’ll run down exactly how to maintain it and keep it looking ideal.

Debra Heim [00:15:21]:
They should. When I. That’s one of the reasons I opened my store when I first ventured into it. I even went to wig shops and they couldn’t tell me. I would say, well, how do I take care of this? Well, I don’t know, but we sell a lot of this and then point to a certain shampoo. So there’s so many wonderful video in hair influencers now that you can easily find how to care for it on the website. I even have my own video for my shop that’s just available for anybody in the public can click. I have somebody take you through shampoo condition, and she addresses a lot of the concerns, the anxieties that someone may have about, you know, the care for it.

Debra Heim [00:16:06]:
So it’s really not too hard to find somebody to help you with that.

Kevin Rolston [00:16:10]:
Do you find that you’re able to replace some of the other hair products that you were using on your natural hair and you can offset some of the costs that way?

Debra Heim [00:16:18]:
Absolutely. I find that most women will want to continue with the Rogains, the nioxins, but if they have, you know, once they become okay with the alternative hair, sometimes it seems like it’s less of a decision to continue with an expensive product that really isn’t helping in the long run. That’s one of my biggest advices, that some of the money you save on that you could get an excellent wig and be feeling good about yourself.

Kevin Rolston [00:16:50]:
Now, when you do a wig, how secure is it? Are there certain moments or things that you need to be aware of when you’re out in public that could affect your wig? Could they come off? Could they move? How hard is that?

Debra Heim [00:17:03]:
If it fits your head properly, it shouldn’t come off. I’ve been on a motorcycle without a helmet. I simply use one piece of wig tape. Yeah, I use a piece of double sided tape in the front. And, yeah, it doesn’t go anywhere. It’s like it fits to your head, if completely. There are also a number of ways they make, like a spray adhesive. Some women will use, like, there’s a body adhesive glue.

Debra Heim [00:17:31]:
But generally, if it’s well made, it’s not a challenge to keep it on.

Kevin Rolston [00:17:37]:
Now that you’ve been in this for a while, do you have multiple wigs? Do you just stick with one that gives you that style every single day? What is your own personal choices with your wigs?

Debra Heim [00:17:47]:
I think it’s such an individual thing. I personally switch it up all the time, and I recommend this to clients. If you find a color and length you like, get a straight one and get a wavy one. And then when you alternate them, it looks like you just did your hair different. And, you know, it saves so much time, and it really opens up the whole world. It’s like alternative hair can be a whole nother form of self expression.

Kevin Rolston [00:18:18]:
Debras commitment to helping people whose self esteem has been negatively affected by their hair loss is truly amazing. Not only does she help clients in her shop find wigs that suit their style and needs, she also hosts a podcast for those listeners who may not be comfortable reaching out for help. Podcasts like Hairpot and Debras podcast, alternative hair alchemist, help break down the isolation that the stigma surrounding hair loss causes for so many people.

Debra Heim [00:18:51]:
Well, I call it alternative hair alchemist. First of all, I used the words alternative hair specifically when I opened my shop in 2017. And I had to do a lot of explaining as to what that actually meant when I was referring to really realistically made wigs and hair pieces. But alternative hair, just simply by using those words, kind of takes the stigma, the sting out of the word wig. I mean, when you say the word wig, people think of the bad wigs that they see on people. They think of the weatherman’s toupee flying up. So I thought the words alternative hair was a nice change. And then alchemist, simply because the magic that feeling good about yourself will do.

Debra Heim [00:19:40]:
I heard that word, and I thought, that’s what it is. It’s alternative hair alchemy.

Kevin Rolston [00:19:44]:
One of the really big motivations for us doing our podcast here with the hairpod is to let people know that this is a whole new era of hair. It’s not what it used to be. And there’s a whole new attitude around it, which you embody so well. And your story is just amazing with where the attitudes were even within your own family, and the shame and the guilt that they put on you to how you overcame that to where you are now. And now you’re trying to let other people know that, hey, alternative hair, it is something that is here, and it is life changing when you do it right.

Debra Heim [00:20:17]:
It’s life changing, and it’s here to stay. And I also thank the celebrities that are very open about their wig use that look fantastic, like, you know, anybody on the red carpet. And I tell women all the time that most of the time, when you’re looking at a celebrity on a red carpet situation, that’s a wig. I mean, nine times out of ten, you are looking at a wig, and you just think, somebody has fantastic hair, and only as a matter of convenience sometimes. So, Jeff.

Kevin Rolston [00:20:48]:
Yeah. I had an amazing conversation with my own hairstylist at hair club this last week, and she was running down all the celebrities that she could tell as she looked, only because she has that trained eye to be like, okay, they have hair. And she would look at another photo, and she would see hair loss in certain ways, and she’d be like, yeah, but I had no, I was blown away with every celebrity that she named. Most of them were guys, but with the women as well. I had no idea that there were so many celebrities wearing alternative hair. And until you do, you don’t know. And that’s really the point, that you, too, could be just like any of those celebrities walk around in life, and people are not going to know that you are not wearing your own natural hair.

Debra Heim [00:21:27]:
True. And, in fact, I prepare my clients when they leave, I say, now people are going to come up to you and ask you, who colors your hair? Who cuts your hair? Who does your hair? And I tell them, you know, you can tell them whatever you want, but be prepared, because alternative hair is the type of hair that turns heads. It’s the hair that everybody wants. I have family members that will, like, be slightly envious of the client because they have the hair that they always, the other person, always wanted.

Kevin Rolston [00:22:02]:
We are so grateful to have had the opportunity to speak with Debra as a professional alternative hair specialist, she brings a lot of knowledge and compassionate support for her clients. But beyond that, Deborah is also somebody who’s been through hair loss herself and knows just how devastating it can be. And now shes devoted her time and her energy to helping others regain their confidence and self esteem. Thanks for listening to another episode of Hairpot. Check us out at Hair Club on Instagram or search Hairpot on Facebook to continue the conversation. If you know someone who could benefit from hearing this episode, we would love it if youd share it with them. If youre enjoying the show, consider leaving us a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app. We also have a website.

Kevin Rolston [00:22:50]:
Just check it out by going to podcast dot hairclub.com. We’re here to build people up and share real stories so people experiencing hair loss feel a little bit less alone. And when you share, review, and subscribe, it helps us do just that. So thank you. Until next time. It.

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An Overview of Trichology with Kate Holohan

An Overview of Trichology with Kate Holohan

by | Apr 30, 2024 | Episode

Episode 10

An Overview of Trichology by Kate Holohan

An Overview of Trichology by Kate Holohan
If this is your first time hearing about trichology, you’re not alone. On this episode of HairPod, our host Kevin Rolston speaks with trichologist, hair stylist, and educator Kate Holohan on the subject of trichology. They discuss the causes of scalp and hair disorders, treatment trends, and simple, everyday actions you can start taking today to improve the health of your hair.

What is Trichology?

Trichology, originating from the Greek word “Trikhos” for hair, focuses on studying and treating hair and scalp issues. Trichologists, specialists in this field, offer personalized solutions to boost confidence and hair health. Kate, a seasoned hairdresser, transitioned into trichology in 2019, driven by her passion for understanding hair intricacies, a trend observed among many from the hairstyling industry.

Trichologists play a vital role in bridging the gap between cosmetic advice and medical expertise. Utilizing advanced tools and a deep understanding of hair biology, they effectively tackle concerns like hair loss and scalp conditions. Their holistic approach empowers individuals to address hair challenges with tailored care and support, promoting overall hair well-being.

Causes of Hair & Scalp Disorders

Trichology unveils a fascinating insight into hair health, shedding light on the multifaceted nature of hair issues. While stress or depression can act as catalysts, triggering or exacerbating these concerns, trichology reveals that the root causes often extend beyond surface-level explanations.

Delving into the realm of trichology unveils factors contributing to hair woes, from autoimmune disorders to nutritional imbalances and beyond. This holistic perspective emphasizes the interconnectedness of physical and emotional well-being, urging individuals to embark on a journey towards optimal hair health.

Intriguingly, trichology challenges conventional notions by unraveling the influences shaping hair conditions. By embracing this multidimensional approach, individuals can unlock new insights and strategies to nurture their hair and scalp, creating a vibrant and resilient mane.

Easy Ways to Treat Scalp Issues

Scalp issues can be troublesome, but adopting simple habits can yield significant improvements. Rather than making drastic lifestyle changes, focus on small, sustainable adjustments.

One effective practice is staying hydrated, as it supports various bodily functions, including hair growth. Additionally, using silk pillowcases can reduce friction, minimizing the risk of hair breakage while sleeping.

In terms of nutrition, incorporating dates into your diet can provide hair-boosting benefits, as they are rich in vitamins B and C. However, moderation is crucial—aim for approximately three dates daily to maximize their nutritional advantages without overconsumption.

By incorporating these easy strategies into your daily routine, you can address scalp issues and enhance overall hair wellness with minimal effort.

Exploring Hair Treatment Trends and Solutions

In the quest for a healthier scalp, many individuals turn to products designed to exfoliate, aiming for a deeper cleanse. However, it’s crucial to approach scalp exfoliation with caution, as excessive scrubbing can inadvertently lead to breakage and damage. While Minoxidil presents a promising solution for hair regrowth, its efficacy varies, working effectively for approximately 70% of users. Consider undergoing a genetic test to assess your likelihood of responding positively to Minoxidil. Keep in mind, though, that these tests may come with a hefty price tag. Before embarking on any treatment regimen, it’s essential to explore all available options. Some professionals may lean towards medication without discussing alternative solutions first, so it’s vital to be well-informed and advocate for your preferences. While genetic hair loss may not have a cure, proactive measures can help slow down its progression, offering hope and options for managing this common concern.

Empowering Resources

As the episode draws to a close, HairPod extends a generous offer of a complimentary hair loss consultation, providing a tangible step towards reclaiming confidence and control over one’s appearance. Book a Free consultation with HairClub Today!

Want more information on our guest? Follow Kate Holohan on the Hair Therapy Podcast.

Thanks for listening to HairPod. We hope you enjoyed this episode. If you did, please leave us a rating or review wherever you get your podcasts. If you’d like to connect with us on social media to share your story, check us out on Instagram @HairClub. HairPod is a production of TSE Studios. Our theme music is from SoundStripe.

Episode.10 Transcript
Kate Holohan [00:00:09]:
Don’t believe every label you read that says this will cure your hair loss. It probably won’t. Minoxidil is obviously an ingredient that is in quite a lot of different products, so it would depend on the strength. We kind of look around kind of two to 5% with minoxidil. It can be very effective, but it will only work for about 70% of people. So it does work, but it won’t work for everyone. And unfortunately, you don’t know that until you’ve used it for three to six months, whether you’re going to see any results or not.

Kevin Rolston [00:01:07]:
Welcome to Hairpod, the podcast where you get to hear real people talk about their hair journeys. I’m your host, Kevin Ralston, and every episode I talk with a guest about all things hair loss. All of our guests so far have experienced hair loss and found a solution.

Kevin Rolston [00:01:21]:
That works for them.

Kevin Rolston [00:01:22]:
This week, we’re doing something a little bit different. I got to interview somebody with a lot of knowledge about scalp and hair health who is on a mission to share her wisdom so that people with hair issues can get their hair health and confidence back on track. Our guest today is Kate Holohan, a uk based trichologist, hairstylist and co host of the Hair Therapy podcast. Kate works with clients to help them understand and treat their hair and scalp issues. She also educates hairstylists about the science of trichology so that they can support their own clients in finding the right kinds of solutions. If you’re wondering what a trichologist is.

Kevin Rolston [00:02:00]:
And how they help people with hair.

Kevin Rolston [00:02:01]:
Loss, you’re in the right place. She helped me understand a little bit more about her field and how she first learned what it was.

Kate Holohan [00:02:13]:
You’re not the only one, Kevin, that is not aware of what a trichologist does, by any means. Yeah, unfortunately, we’re a kind of a lesser known breed of people, but basically, I deal with hair and scalp issues. So I spent two and a half years with the Institute of Trichology in London in Harley street learning about hair loss, hair and scalp conditions, hair health, and all the science that goes behind that. And funnily enough, before 2019, even though I’d been hairdressing for 20 years and been in education for about 1518 years, I’d never heard of a trackologist either.

Kevin Rolston [00:02:57]:
Huh. Okay.

Kate Holohan [00:02:58]:
That’s why I’m on this mission.

Kevin Rolston [00:03:00]:
And how do you find out what this is? How do you get an interest from being a hairdresser to wanting to learn more about the scalp? Was there something that you saw in your day to day, what drove you in this direction?

Kate Holohan [00:03:11]:
So, funnily enough, I do find that most hairdressers who take an interest in trichology because you can become a trekologist with no hairdressing background whatsoever, and people do. But I’m noticing that there is a trend now for people to be interested in this area. It’s normally people that have been in the hair industry or had people in their chair. It’s people that have been in the industry for a while, normally. So people that are experienced hairdressers.

Kevin Rolston [00:03:40]:
Right, okay. Well, I would imagine, you know, you had been a hairdresser for a very long time. How many years had you been doing dressing hair?

Kate Holohan [00:03:50]:
I’d been in hairdressing for about 20 years when I found out about the profession of trichology. And I actually went to a hair health evening, which was hosted by the Fellowship of British Hairdressing. Because where I’d been in education for kind of 15 years or so, any new technique that came out, I had to know it because I was teaching it.

Kevin Rolston [00:04:14]:
Right.

Kate Holohan [00:04:14]:
So for me to learn something that was really, really new was actually quite a challenge. So I’m not by any means saying that I know everything about hair. However, if there was a new Balayage technique or a new colour product or a new haircut, I would be kept up to date with that because it was my job. So for me to find something on a personal development level, when I saw this hair health evening being advertised by the Fellowship of british hairdressing, and it was actually being run by Robert Eaton, who is a trichologist as well. But he’s also won British Hairdresser of the year, I think, at least twice. And he’s an amazing hairdresser. Yeah, he’s great. So I went along because I thought, you know what, hair health and things like hair loss, hair and scalp problems is probably the one area that I know the least about.

Kate Holohan [00:05:05]:
And so I went along and I had two hour session with them and they told us all about trichology, all about the different aspects of hair loss and hair health, and just being able to really help clients from a completely focused angle. And I was literally on the train on the way home, emailing the Institute of Trichology saying, sign me up, I need to know more about this.

Kevin Rolston [00:05:30]:
It piqued your interest.

Kate Holohan [00:05:32]:
Yeah, I mean, I feel like I’m a bit of a geek, really, when it comes to education.

Kevin Rolston [00:05:38]:
So you’re a geek of the scalp, is what you are.

Kate Holohan [00:05:41]:
I am.

Kevin Rolston [00:05:45]:
Kate is so passionate about the subject of scalp and hair health that I just had to know a little bit more. While some people start trying to find solutions, as soon as they start losing their hair, others may feel like theres nothing they can do about it. Knowledgeable, compassionate experts like Kate can help people understand that there are options out there.

Kevin Rolston [00:06:09]:
As a hairdresser, do you notice what is a healthy scalp, what is not from your clients even before you took an interest in trichology?

Kate Holohan [00:06:17]:
I think to a certain extent, yes. And obviously clients would come and say, oh, you know, I’ve got issues here, or I’ve got psoriasis, or I’ve got a condition, which is great, but I didn’t really have a huge understanding of what a lot of those problems really were, and I certainly couldn’t have really given them deep advice on what to do. I kind of had to hope that whatever they were telling me they had was correctly diagnosed and that’s what they had. And also that they had a kind of management program in place. So although I could recommend them cosmetic products from the different hair brands that told us in the salon, oh, this is for scalps or this is for hair loss. Obviously now I’ve got trichological products, so they’re that much more effective, they’re that much more targeted. So I did see it before. And again, I think recently, over the last few years, hair and scalp health has become a lot more of a focus.

Kate Holohan [00:07:25]:
And I think that’s amazing because I feel like there was always this kind of belief held almost by a lot of my clients. Well, I’ve got psoriasis, I just have to live with it. There’s nothing I can do or I’ve tried ABC, it didn’t work. So this is just my life now.

Kevin Rolston [00:07:41]:
How much does scalp health contribute to hair loss?

Kate Holohan [00:07:45]:
I think there’s a lot of different aspects to that because although a lot of scalp condition affect at all any scalp condition, if it escalates to the point where the scaling on the scalp is blocking the hair follicles and making it difficult for hair to grow, then you’ve got an issue. You want to keep your scalp as best as possible so that it’s providing an optimum environment for hair to grow. But you also have to look at it on the other aspect, that sometimes scalp conditions can be a lot more debilitating than hair loss. If someone has really, really bad psoriasis or even dandruff, if it’s really visible and they’re really self conscious of it, they may not go out, they may not socialize. They may be depressed, they may be anxiety, you know, depression, all those kind of things. Especially, I think we’ve seen that over the last few years since COVID the amount of pressure that people have been under and their mental health and wellbeing, you know, stress, if you’re in that heightened state of anxiety or kind of fight or flight all the time, then of course, that’s going to drain your system if you’re not in what we call homeostasis. So if your whole body’s not running on a good, healthy level, it will affect your hair growth just from that as well.

Kevin Rolston [00:09:11]:
So could your mental disposition, whether you’re stressed, depressed, can that affect you losing hair?

Kate Holohan [00:09:19]:
Yes and no. Obviously, I’m not saying, you know, I mean, everybody’s stressed, right? So we’d all have no hair, wouldn’t we? We’d all be walking around with. Literally. I would. Absolutely, I would. I have no hair loss. However, what you often find with things like stress for most triggers with hair loss or most things when someone gets certain hair loss conditions, it’s never normally one thing. It’s a compound of a lot of things that that person is having to deal with.

Kate Holohan [00:09:45]:
So it might be stress, it might be deficiencies, maybe it might be autoimmune, but stress is going to compound that and it is going to have an effect. So it’s certainly not going to help when your body’s already under pressure to try and make hair. And the problem with stresses is bi directional. So stress could be a trigger or a cause for hair loss, but hair loss is also a trigger and a cause for anxiety and stress and depression. So they almost kind of feed off each other.

Kevin Rolston [00:10:19]:
Yeah, absolutely. Tell me about other things that you could be doing best practices when it comes to scalp health, because I’ve heard possibly drinking more water, your skin is more hydrated, you’re getting better sleep, you’re eating healthier food. Does all that contribute to scalp health as well?

Kate Holohan [00:10:36]:
Yeah, definitely. And to be honest with you, Kevin, it’s one of the things that I always recommend to people, because when I make recommendations for people, although everything you said is true, you kind of don’t want to get someone come in and see me and maybe like, right. We need a complete 360 overall on your whole life. You need to change your bed, you need to change your diet, you need to change your exercise regime. Drinking water is a small, achievable, sustainable change that you can make.

Kevin Rolston [00:11:03]:
Okay. All right.

Kate Holohan [00:11:04]:
Another thing I like to recommend, silk or satin pillowcases.

Kevin Rolston [00:11:09]:
Why is that?

Kate Holohan [00:11:11]:
So it not only has less kind of tension and effect on your hair, but also on your face as well. So everybody wants to have smooth, youthful looking skin, right? And look as good as they can possibly get. So with a silk or satin pillowcase, because it’s smoother, it can reduce the amount of friction that you might have on your hair and your skin during the night. No, it’s not going to make your hair grow ten inches in two days. But all these small changes, apparently another one that can be quite good is eating. Dates.

Kevin Rolston [00:11:46]:
No, really?

Kevin Rolston [00:11:47]:
Dates?

Kate Holohan [00:11:48]:
Yeah. So apparently three dates a day. I mean, I wouldn’t go crazy. Probably too many might affect you in other ways, so that might not be a good idea. But apparently three dates a day can contribute to hair loss. Again, quite easy and achievable in relation to some of the other things that you might feel that you need to try.

Kevin Rolston [00:12:13]:
Those of us who have been through hair loss or are going through it now, know that not all treatments are created equal. There are countless products, remedies and trends available to us, and it can be hard to know just which one is right for your unique situation. Trichologists help their clients learn what products to use to solve their particular issues and help them measure just how successful the treatment is. There are countless products, remedies and trends available to us, and it can be kind of hard to know which one’s right for your unique situation. Trichologists help their clients learn what products to use to solve their particular issues and help them measure how successful the treatment is. They also work with people on how to use the products correctly, so they’re not doing more harm than good.

Kate Holohan [00:13:02]:
I think I’ve noticed the increase in people using the scalp kind of scrub devices and also scalp scrubs themselves. So it is actually really important to effectively cleanse the hair and shampoo it. So ideally, we would recommend to shampoo the hair twice, which I don’t think a lot of people know about that, really. So especially if you’ve got a lot of hair and it’s very thick or curly, sometimes washing the hair twice in one session can be beneficial. Using a scalp kind of the scrub, I can’t think what they’re called, the tools. They can be really useful, but it needs to be gentle. So you do then get these people that go completely the other way and they think, right, okay, well, if my scalp is actually skin two and I need to exfoliate that, then I need to buy a really high strength scrub and I need to attack my scalp and they can end up, scrubbing it too hard, which could then cause breakage or other problems. So it’s about considering that, I think, as well, to make sure that whatever products you’re using, there are obviously better products, there are not so great products, but whatever you’re using to just make sure that you’re really taking the time to look at your hair care routine and making sure that it’s actually effective for you.

Kate Holohan [00:14:28]:
And like you say, people will try anything. So it’s very upsetting to me when I get a patient come in and they’ve got a whole carrier bag full of hundreds of pounds worth of stuff, so.

Kevin Rolston [00:14:39]:
Right.

Kate Holohan [00:14:39]:
You know, don’t believe every label you read that says this will cure your hair loss. It probably won’t.

Kevin Rolston [00:14:46]:
Can you tell me your thoughts on the minoxidils and some of those topical ointments that people are trying? Have you found some that are more effective than others and ones that maybe are not effective at all that people are wasting their money on?

Kate Holohan [00:14:59]:
Minoxidil is obviously a ingredient that is in quite a lot of different products, so it would depend on the strength. So we kind of look around kind of two to 5% with minoxidil, it can be very effective, but it will only work for about 70% of people.

Kevin Rolston [00:15:20]:
Oh, wow.

Kate Holohan [00:15:20]:
So it won’t work for everyone? So it does work, but it won’t work for everyone. And unfortunately, you don’t know that until you’ve used it for three to six months. Whether you’re going to see any results or not, there are tests that you can actually do where it will tell you whether you’re genetically predisposed to likely for it to work.

Kevin Rolston [00:15:45]:
Wow.

Kate Holohan [00:15:46]:
But they’re not really cheap either. They are available. So you might use it for six months and not see a result at all. You don’t know until you use it how well you’re going to respond to it. It can take a bit of adjustment sometimes. I do think it’s a very valid treatment. However, I find that especially some medical professionals are very keen to just very quickly jump to drugs, you know?

Kevin Rolston [00:16:14]:
Yeah.

Kate Holohan [00:16:15]:
And I have a lot of patients that don’t want that as an option.

Kevin Rolston [00:16:19]:
I think that there are a lot of people, as they’re losing their hair and they have issues that they’ll throw any amount of money at it. And then after a while, when you’ve tried so many different procedures and nothing has worked for you, you do feel like there are some people out here trying to take advantage of me, and you’re trying to figure out who that is. And that’s why for me, you know, going to hair club, I had somebody I knew was in my corner, and they were giving me good guidance. So how do you know, being in this industry, how do you find somebody that you know is a good trichologist or somebody that’s going to give you good advice and is not just going to try to flee knowing that you’re desperate to find your remedy?

Kate Holohan [00:16:56]:
For me, I give my patients all the options and I will speak to them about stuff and I will make sure that they know. So for a treatment like minoxidil is a huge commitment. So, like I say, some people will readily say they absolutely love it and they wouldn’t have the hair they had today had they not used it, but you have to use it for as long as you want hair.

Kevin Rolston [00:17:19]:
So you’re talking about if you ever gave up using minoxidil, then you’re going to start seeing immediate hair loss again. And so you’ve bought into, I am now a lifetime user of minoxidil.

Kate Holohan [00:17:30]:
Yeah, pretty much. Which is one of the reasons why I make sure people are really aware of all the different options and maybe try a few other things as well before that. I think if you’re looking for a trichologist, especially in the US, it’s not as tightly regulated profession. So it’s definitely a good idea to look for someone who would be state registered or board certified for us. In the UK, obviously, I trained with the Institute of Trichologists, which is the longest standing kind of highest rated education provider. On their website, they have finder service. So you can put your postcode in and you can have a look and see someone near you that is actually qualified by them and recommended. Because we do see a lot of this as well, where we see people do training in maybe hair systems or wigs, or they do a couple of days online and they market themselves as a hair loss specialist, salon or expert.

Kate Holohan [00:18:34]:
And so you just do really need to make sure that you are in good hands. But it’s very easy to find if you know who to look through to find people that are properly qualified.

Kevin Rolston [00:18:48]:
Now, being a trichologist, do you know anything about the hormonal effects on hair loss? And do you see it in the scalp, for instance? I’ve heard about, you know, sometimes you have a testosterone, it creates the DHT. The DHT goes in there and just kind of squeezes off the hair follicle. And that’s when you start getting the hair loss as a trichologist do you see that? And is there any way that you can kind of offset some of those hormonal issues to slow your hair loss?

Kate Holohan [00:19:10]:
Yeah, absolutely. So you’re talking really about genetic hair loss, which can affect men and women, and it is normally due to the DHT. So there are other treatments that have what’s called a five alpha reductase inhibitor in the product. So I don’t know if you’ve heard of finasteride or propecia.

Kevin Rolston [00:19:31]:
Yes, I used finasteride for about ten years myself. I found it to be very effective. I mean, it radically slowed my hair loss for an entire decade. So I would call it very successful for me.

Kate Holohan [00:19:42]:
But that’s what that does. So it prevents the testosterone converting into DHT. So I have a similar product. It’s not finasteride, but it’s a scalp cream that you put on every night, and it has a five alpha reductase inhibitor in it, so it just stops that conversion happening. So you’re absolutely right. Unfortunately, especially genetic hair loss, we can’t cure it, but we can slow it right down and we can try and hold it off for as long as possible, which for some people is still a huge result.

Kevin Rolston [00:20:18]:
It is liberating to hear that there are options out there for anyone who’s looking to improve the health of their hair and scalp, but it can be tricky to navigate them on your own. Working with a trusted professional can be very comforting for some people, but for others, reaching out for help is the hardest part. Many people wait until theyve exhausted their options and their wallets before reaching out to somebody like Kate who can help set them on the right path. I asked Kate what treatments she recommends people look into or attempt before reaching out to a trichologist.

Kate Holohan [00:20:56]:
I wouldn’t try anything, Kevin, the two senior trichologist. Personally, I would want to be the first. Port of corn. Yes. Just think of us. You don’t even need to have a real, real issue to come and see a trachologist. You can come and just have what we would call in the UK a kind of an mot, a hair and scalp mother. So if you had any kind of issues, or even if you were just curious about, you know, your hair and scalp health and condition, there are tests that we can do to even check hair condition, look for any disorders that might be there.

Kate Holohan [00:21:32]:
We can microscopically look at your scalp to see how healthy it is. My real kind of big thing is prevention is better than cure. So for you, Kevin, if you’d have left your hair loss, the longer you’d have left it, the less hair you would have been able to retain. So just having a diagnosis and that initial consultation, I’m not saying sign up for years of treatment, but going to someone who can actually give you an accurate, because if you don’t get that accurate diagnosis and consultation at the start, if you went to, say, a barber and they said, oh, it’s just genetic thinning, it’s fine. And you actually had, say, a scarring condition or something that’s really serious and permanent. The longer you leave a condition before it’s treated, the worse your prognosis is. So I think early detection and early help is key, and we might turn around and say to you, actually, you’re doing great.

Kevin Rolston [00:22:28]:
Yeah, right. But it’s good to know, my first five years that I was dealing with my hair loss, I was on my own, and I spent so much money on so many things. I’m one of those people that the minoxidil doesn’t work for. I’m that, you know, that percentage, and I did it for a year. I wasted a ton of money in a year on a product that did not work for me. And so knowing that, step one, if your thing is, in fact, if you’re listening right now, trichologist is something you need to have a number for. If you don’t already have a trichologist, that’s valuable information.

Kate Holohan [00:23:02]:
That would really be my dream, to be honest, for everyone to just come and give us a little visit every now and then and just make sure, because like you say, if you don’t have the right advice and help you, there’s no support there. If you go to the Internet, you can find someone who will take that money.

Kevin Rolston [00:23:20]:
Yeah, well, man, I’m telling you, the hair loss field, so many people take your money, man. It’s crazy.

Kate Holohan [00:23:27]:
And I think that’s worse as well.

Kevin Rolston [00:23:30]:
Yeah, no, absolutely. Yeah.

Kate Holohan [00:23:32]:
The more you try, the more hopeless you feel. And even if you went to a trichologist and they said, look, it’s genetic, hair thinning, we can’t cure it, these are your options. Maybe we tested you and found that minoxidil wouldn’t have worked for you. You wouldn’t have had that whole year of kind of despondency and deflatedness, really. And the money, then, it’s just nice. Or you could have gone back and after three months, they could have measured whether you had any success or not accurately, and gone. Do you know what we’re not seeing what we would like to see here. Let’s maybe look at something else that’s so valuable.

Kevin Rolston [00:24:09]:
Kate, there are some people that do have hesitations about this. They drag their feet. They’re worried about being embarrassed. Going to a trichologist. How tough is it? Can you say anything that might comfort them, that would get them in the door to a person they need to see today about their hair loss?

Kate Holohan [00:24:27]:
Yeah. I personally feel that I’m really quite approachable. My salon, my clinic is very, very discreet. I have access to my clinic 24 hours a day. So if someone wanted to come at 08:00 p.m. On a Friday when there was no one else around, no one would even know. I also, myself, have a podcast, the hair therapy podcast, where I have lots and lots of real life stories. So even if someone wanted to just get that kind of reassurance of the fact that they’re not alone and there might be something to do, they could even start just by listening to a podcast in the car on their own.

Kate Holohan [00:25:04]:
I’m not forcing people to come and visit me, but I do just think we in this profession because we want to help people. We’ve seen everything before. We’re never going to judge you. Your scalp could be, for you, the most horrific thing you’ve ever seen in your life. Trust me, I’ve probably seen worse. So we don’t judge. We just want to help you.

Kevin Rolston [00:25:26]:
Yeah. Kate, you are a wealth of information. I appreciate you taking some time to share that information with our audience today.

Kate Holohan [00:25:34]:
It’s been a pleasure. It’s been lovely to talk to you.

Kevin Rolston [00:25:37]:
Absolutely. And you too. Take care and enjoy yourself.

Kate Holohan [00:25:40]:
Thank you.

Kevin Rolston [00:25:45]:
It was great speaking to Kate about her work. Her approach is scientific in nature, but she never loses her empathy for what people are going through. And because she’s an educator, she’s also helping the hairdressers she works with to learn to do the same. Her podcast and guest appearances like this one also help spread the word that there are so many small things we can do as individuals to help our hair health, to staying hydrated, to managing our stress. If you’re kind of feeling like we barely scratched the surface, look, I’m right there with you.

Kevin Rolston [00:26:14]:
And if you’d like to learn more.

Kevin Rolston [00:26:15]:
About Kate and her podcast, make sure to check out the resources section of our show notes for a link to her show, hair therapy. Thanks for listening to another episode of Hairpod. Check us out at Hair Club on Instagram or search Hairpod on Facebook to continue the conversation. And if you know somebody who could benefit from hearing this episode, wed really love it if youd share it with them. And if youre enjoying the show, consider leaving us a rating and review on your favorite podcast app. We also have a website. Check it out by going to podcast dot hairclub.com. Were here to build people up and share real stories so people experiencing hair loss feel a little bit less alone.

Kevin Rolston [00:26:54]:
And when you share, review, and subscribe, it helps us do just that. So thank you.

Kevin Rolston [00:27:00]:
Until next time.

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Men’s Hair Loss with Christopher Erstner

Men’s Hair Loss with Christopher Erstner

by | Apr 23, 2024 | Episode

Episode 09

Men’s Hair Loss with Christopher Erstner

Christopher Erstner - Men and Hair Loss

When men notice their hair thinning or receding, it often feels like they’re navigating uncharted territory. In this insightful episode of HairPod, your host Kevin Rolston joins forces with cosmetics and beauty expert Christopher Erstner to unravel the intricate impact of our cultural norms on men’s hair loss journeys. Prepare to delve into Christopher’s personal narrative, as he candidly shares his own experience with men’s hair loss and how it meshes with the broader conversation surrounding self-image.

Confronting Early Hair Loss

Christopher’s journey with hair loss began in his twenties, a pivotal period where he grappled with the reality of his receding hairline. Opting to shave his head became a defining choice, but relying solely on hats for style versatility proved limiting—especially when attending significant events like his sister’s wedding. The traditional solutions of hair plugs or toupees held little appeal; they often fell short of providing a convincing solution and risked becoming objects of mockery.

Perceptions of Men’s Hair Loss

There isn’t much space for men to say things like, “I don’t like something about my appearance. I’d like to change that.” Women have always been expected to be “well-kept” – making changes to their appearance has been relatively common in our culture for many decades. Now, more hair loss solutions are available to men, and those options are of higher quality than those from decades ago. In the realm of men’s grooming, there’s historically been little room for open dialogue about appearance insecurities. While women have long been encouraged to address any dissatisfaction with their appearance, men have typically faced societal pressures to maintain an unyielding facade of confidence. However, recent years have seen a shift, with a broader array of high-quality hair loss solutions becoming available to men, offering a newfound sense of empowerment and choice.

Sharing His Hair Loss Experience

Christopher is always aware of his system. While most people don’t think much about their hair system once they’re used to it, Christopher’s experience fitting wigs makes him really conscious of how his system looks. He doesn’t come out and tell everyone about his system, but he is open with people who see his appearance and comment on how perfect he looks. He wants people to understand that his appearance is something he has worked on and developed. While Christopher is open about his system, he understands why many men feel like they can’t be. Men don’t often have space to discuss their hair issues. In the cosmetics industry, Christopher works with many female clients, and occasionally, their husbands feel comfortable speaking to him about hair loss because they know he has experienced it himself.

Empowering Resources

As the episode draws to a close, HairPod extends a generous offer of a complimentary hair loss consultation, providing a tangible step towards reclaiming confidence and control over one’s appearance. Book a Free consultation with HairClub Today!

Thanks for listening to HairPod. We hope you enjoyed this episode. If you did, please leave us a rating or review wherever you get your podcasts. If you’d like to connect with us on social media to share your story, check us out on Instagram @HairClub. HairPod is a production of TSE Studios. Our theme music is from SoundStripe.

Episode.09 Transcript

Christopher [00:00:09]:
I think it’s a natural part of who I am, but I’m always aware. Let’s be clear, I’m very image conscious, and I know that that’s probably not the thing I should be saying. I worked in the entertainment field for a long time, too, and so I know that it’s the inappropriate way to say, but, like, I worked with wigs and stuff like that. There were such things as wig lines, and you don’t want that hard line. And if you do it, be what we used to call clocked. Like you could see it.

Kevin Rolston [00:00:57]:
Welcome to Hairpod, the podcast where you get to hear real people talk about their hair journeys. Hair loss happens to people at different times and for different reasons, so each story is just as unique as the next.

Kevin Rolston [00:01:09]:
Im your host, Kevin Ralston.

Kevin Rolston [00:01:10]:
And each week I get to interview people from different walks of life who have all been through hair loss in some form or fashion and have found a way to get their confidence and their hair back. Our guest today is Christopher Ersner. He knows firsthand just how important it is to like what you see in the mirror. And he makes his living helping his own clients do just that. Christopher works in the beauty industry, manufacturing fragrances, makeup, and skincare to help people look and feel their best. But before he became the knowledgeable professional that he is now, he was just a kid at the end of high school starting to notice his own hair loss.

Christopher [00:01:52]:
I would say probably like high school, right? So, like towards the end of, like senior year, maybe even day junior, but you don’t really notice it until the somebody points it out.

Kevin Rolston [00:02:02]:
And what was that first moment for you? Because I remember my very first moment where I realized I was losing my hair. Was there kind of a signature moment where you said, oh, wait, that doesn’t look right.

Christopher [00:02:12]:
I’d probably say probably more mid twenties. I’d say like 25, 26 years old. That was more of a issue for me because, you know, you can stand in front of the mirror, but you don’t actually see what everybody else sees. Yeah, kind of. Same way with, like, losing weight. I always find that by seeing pictures of yourself is really when you get to analyze it in a different way than when you’re standing in front of a mirror. And so I think I can’t remember a specific moment, but I’m almost certain it would have been probably in a picture.

Kevin Rolston [00:02:40]:
Okay, so it started to creep in.

Kevin Rolston [00:02:42]:
You started to realize in your mid twenties, maybe around the age of 26, that you had some issues. Where were you then? What did you first consider that you were going to do about your hair loss and how you’re going to deal with it.

Christopher [00:02:55]:
Honestly, I did not really have any ideas of what to do. Of course, you’re in a much different financial position in your mid twenties than you are at 40. And technology has made things a little bit better in terms of spreading the message. And if there was, I didn’t see it. Anything that would have suggested or even algorithms me into putting me into a category of being able to see what options were there. I mean, of course, you always heard about, like, hair plugs. You also, like, heard a lot of people, you know, with, like, the toupees, and there was always, like, this joke that was associated with it in movies or in shows or something like that. So I don’t think that that was ever something that I would have even suggested for myself because, of course, the last thing you want to be is the joke.

Kevin Rolston [00:03:43]:
Yeah, well, especially with you’re in a field of, you know, your image is everything, and you talk about the hair plugs and. Yeah, my perception, you know, growing up with the hair plugs was it. Would we call it Barbie doll hair, you know, where you would have what would look like big old chunks of hair just coming out of holes in your head?

Christopher [00:04:00]:
And it was so obvious, so specific. Yeah, yeah, right.

Kevin Rolston [00:04:03]:
And everybody seemed to know that you had something done to your hair except for you. You were the one that you thought you were, you know, pulling the wool over the world’s eyes and they could completely see through it. And that’s a really tough thing when you’re saying, okay, I don’t want to be a joke. I don’t want to go down that path. So where do you even start?

Kevin Rolston [00:04:21]:
When you realized in your mid twenties.

Kevin Rolston [00:04:23]:
That you’re starting to lose some hair and you needed a solution, the solutions that you thought you knew didn’t sound very attractive to you at the time. So where did you even go to start off? And what was the first hair loss treatment you ever did?

Christopher [00:04:35]:
Oh, geez, I would say probably Bosley, like, back in the day, like, they have you convinced that you put this solution on your head and it’s like, miraculous. Like it’s gonna be like, was it miracle growth? And it doesn’t, especially in the business that, you know, I’m in with when it comes to beauty and creating shampoos and stuff are meant to wash off, right? So they don’t really have a chance to penetrate. But you’re not really thinking that unless you understand the science. And of course, back then that was not something that I even understood, but, yeah, like, so I think the first thing I did was, like, I didn’t want to be that guy that was like, bozo, honestly, where it was just like, hair. And then, you know, so I just shaved it off and then I got rid of wearing hats. Yeah.

Kevin Rolston [00:05:18]:
Okay, so you had. You went with no hair at all, then you decided to take the whole thing off?

Christopher [00:05:23]:
Yeah, absolutely. I figured that if I wasn’t gonna be able to do it right or look right, I was just gonna just kind of get rid of it. And so I own probably every single coach hat that they’ve ever made, and I just kind of went along with that. Yeah.

Kevin Rolston [00:05:38]:
How do you think that made you feel? Because I was almost there. That was the last step before I walked into hair club and got my system was I thought I was going to shave the whole thing. But then I started to realize, to me, I look 15 to 20 years older when I don’t have hair. How do you feel like you looked without hair?

Christopher [00:05:56]:
Same. I mean, of course, you. You keep it together with the hat, right? So you want to try to, you know, keep it cool and fun with the hat, but there’s only so much like you could do, like, you know, like my sister’s wedding. Like, I’m not going to wear a hat, you know, walking her down the aisle, but, like, I’m not gonna lie, I would have totally done so if she would have let me. I’m not go. I sincerely would have done it. She wasn’t for that, huh? No, she wasn’t about that life. But, you know, you do what you gotta do.

Kevin Rolston [00:06:25]:
It’s interesting just how something like not.

Christopher [00:06:27]:
Being able to wear a hat to.

Kevin Rolston [00:06:28]:
A wedding can lead us to bigger questions about how we want to be seen by others, and how we can make our vision into a reality. Historically, its been socially acceptable, even expected for women to explore ways to change or to enhance their looks, while men dont have as many socially acceptable options. Its not just about a hat or a hairline, but about how society views men and their relationship with their appearance. So I asked Christopher for his perspective on this.

Christopher [00:07:04]:
Men do not have that space in the beauty world, to have the ability to say, I don’t like this, and I’d like to change it without having some type of, like, Joan Rivers complex, like, you know, with, like, the plastic surgery. Well, maybe she went a little too far, but that’s what she did for herself. We should let people alone. Men are just. And even she gets let off the hook and let it, you know, you got Kenny Rogers situation where it’s like, oh, my God, it’s a little too much, and then you get talked about forever. And your legacy is, you know, to be an aunt, you know what I mean? So you kind of have to be cognizant of that. But I think that it’s getting better, obviously, social media, and there’s so many forms of social media now that you really can’t get away from the algorithm. And so at some point you’re going to come across it if it’s something that you’re looking for.

Kevin Rolston [00:07:53]:
Yeah, tell me a little bit about.

Kevin Rolston [00:07:54]:
Because, you know, I think that is.

Kevin Rolston [00:07:55]:
A big hang up for a lot of guys. It seems like in our society it’s much more acceptable, or at least it was, that women would go out and seek beauty type treatments, but, man, we just, we take whatever life gives us and we don’t really do that kind of stuff. And you talk about your own struggles.

Kevin Rolston [00:08:11]:
With that because I think it is.

Kevin Rolston [00:08:13]:
You have to come to a place where you get comfortable. And now I have no problem talking about anything that I’ve done with hair club. Very open about it, but it probably was something that either happened in society or my age. What do you think it was for you? Is it something that you get more comfortable with as you get older?

Kevin Rolston [00:08:32]:
Or do you think the societal perceptions.

Kevin Rolston [00:08:35]:
About men and hair loss and the treatments that they have are different?

Christopher [00:08:38]:
I don’t think that the society has changed on hair loss in regards to, like, the sexual capability or compatibility, really, of what men are to women. Right. So, like, it’s just so I think that’s part of the issues that men have is, like, I want to be, you know, attractive and I want people attracted to me, and then, you know, we make the world go around. Right. But in terms of, like, society changing their ideas about that, it really hasn’t changed because at least from my perspective, you have, you know, our parents and then their parents, men were just, they kind of have the world on a string, right? And women were meant or supposed to be, like, very well kept, and you got to wait for your husband to come home. So you have that very chauvinistic kind of attitude that they don’t realize was chauvinistic until years later. But those things have changed since the women’s movement in the seventies. And then the eighties were just one big party.

Christopher [00:09:38]:
And then the nineties is, I think, what people started understanding. Like, I’d like to look a certain way and given the room to do so. And then you got to two thousands where things are just not the same anymore. And then pre COVID, or what is it post COVID now? I think that the world completely changed in a different way. And people are just like, you know what? I’m just going to live life the way I want to live. And if that. That means that I have to admit to one or two things. I am going to seek help for hair loss, or I’m not.

Christopher [00:10:11]:
It’s one or the other. I gotta be me. And I think that more younger men are certainly happier with the options than I think that we were when we were kids, for sure.

Kevin Rolston [00:10:22]:
Yeah, no doubt. I think you touched on something brilliant, and it probably really has been. Since COVID there’s been a new focus on your mental health and just how important and how you really have to prioritize that, speak to your own mental health, you know, when you have hair and when you don’t. Because I can tell you, for me, with confidence in the way that I feel when I have my unit with hair club, I feel so much better with hair than I do without. How would you speak to your own mental health and how you are with them without hair?

Christopher [00:10:53]:
Same. I would probably, uh, agree with you almost 100% on that. Absolutely. It’s the one thing I will not compromise on. If everything failed around me, it would be one of those things that I would absolutely get a second job for, because it has everything to do with my self confidence. It’s the. When I can look in the mirror and feel good about myself, when I’m out and about, I can feel good of myself. But I will say, in the beginning, it was kind of tough, right? It was like this weird transition of, like, of having to learn how to style again and.

Kevin Rolston [00:11:23]:
Yeah, right.

Christopher [00:11:23]:
Those were like. It was a little bit more difficult than I would have had given it credit for, for sure. But, you know, and that’s still kind of fun. I still really enjoy doing that because I don’t take it for granted.

Kevin Rolston [00:11:39]:
For Christopher, having the right hair loss.

Kevin Rolston [00:11:41]:
Solution is definitely a must.

Kevin Rolston [00:11:43]:
It just goes to show you that the transformation people experience when they get their hair back is more than just physical. A mental shift happens when people feel like their appearance matches the vision they have for how they want other people to see them. But getting to that point can sometimes take a little trial and error. So I want to know more about the journey Christopher took to find his solution. With hair club.

Christopher [00:12:10]:
I was doing PRP treatments.

Kevin Rolston [00:12:13]:
Tell me about the PRP for people that don’t know what is the PRP?

Christopher [00:12:17]:
It’s hell on earth. I think that’s what it stands for. Awful. I don’t know what it actually stands for, but it’s a fairly new procedure that they came out with a few years ago. And what they essentially, the science behind it is stem cell regrowth. And so they would pull blood, and then they would get stem cells, and then they would inject it into your skull, essentially. And that was hor. It was horrifying.

Christopher [00:12:47]:
I would rather be bald. That’s how bad, really, it was just pain.

Kevin Rolston [00:12:52]:
It was time. It was cost. It was all the above.

Christopher [00:12:54]:
Well, it’s very expensive, but people forget how many nerve endings you have in your head, and there isn’t a lot of fatty tissue between your skull and the skin. So it was awful. That’s all I could say. I think it was. That was like, okay, well, obviously I’m on this. Like, I’m clearly trying to find something. Yeah. And so, Erp just wasn’t work.

Christopher [00:13:18]:
It just was not doing it for me. I mean, I’m sure if I had kept up on it, it may have, but I wasn’t willing to try to figure it out. So I think. I honestly. I think I just started googling. Honest to God. Yeah. And it’s what came up.

Christopher [00:13:33]:
And then, you know, obviously, like, Facebook and all the rest of them kind of figure out what you’re up to in terms of the Google algorithm and stuff. And so then you started seeing, like, the ads. And honestly, it was one of the very first things that I wanted to know. Like, okay, I’ve seen this before because I had seen it, and not specifically with hair club, but just, you know, online or whatever. And I think that what I wanted to know, my first question was always about money. Let’s be clear. Like, I’m in business, so, like, it’s always about what that bottom line looks like. And honestly, I didn’t know, like, how often is it swapped out? Like, I didn’t know any of that.

Christopher [00:14:08]:
In fact, I figured, you know, why not just sew it in, you know, like, what are you gonna do, right?

Kevin Rolston [00:14:12]:
It’s permanent. Yeah. Mm hmm.

Christopher [00:14:13]:
Yeah. And so I think that’s how it came about. And then I just made an appointment.

Kevin Rolston [00:14:23]:
Years later, Christopher is still rocking his hair system. Now, I’ve had my system for about six years now, and it’s just become a part of me. It’s not even something I ever think about now.

Kevin Rolston [00:14:33]:
And I couldn’t imagine looking at the.

Kevin Rolston [00:14:34]:
Mirror without it, it would not be good. So I was interested to hear whether his experience was anything like mine.

Christopher [00:14:43]:
I think it’s a natural part of who I am, but I’m always aware. Let’s be clear. I’m very image conscious, and I know that that’s probably not the thing I should be saying.

Kevin Rolston [00:14:52]:
No, I want honesty.

Christopher [00:14:54]:
I worked in the entertainment field for a long time, too, and so I know that it’s the inappropriate, appropriate way to say, but, like, I worked with wigs and stuff like that, and so, like, there were such things as wig lines, and you don’t want that hard line. And if you do, it could be what we used to call clocks. Like, you could see it, you know? And so I think that was always and is and is always going to be one of the things that I will watch out for. But, like, I don’t know if I’m the normal person, right. In that regard, I think that I would say 99.99% of people would never know.

Kevin Rolston [00:15:31]:
How often do you tell people that you do have a hair system and how do you deal with that? Are you still self conscious about it?

Christopher [00:15:38]:
I don’t know if I’m self conscious. Well, you know, I take that back. I think that’s. Yeah, for sure. I certainly self conscious about it. Why is that? Because I would rather not have to. Right. So, like, I would rather have my own, like, head of hair.

Christopher [00:15:52]:
I’m bitter at my mother still for being in a family with bald head guys. Like, what can I say? But, like, you know, of course I would love to have, like, my own. However, that’s not what’s up. And so I do tell people, but I don’t tell people. Be like, hey, by the way, I’m not going to. And unless it be was to become a question because I was photographed a lot before, and there’s videos online of me without hair. Like, I had to be, you know, honest with it. I’ve had, like, some work done to my face, for example.

Christopher [00:16:24]:
Right? So I’ve had, like, botox and fillers and the whole nine yards. And I would have women that would come see me and they would say, well, you look extraordinary and this and that. And I immediately with squash that. Because what I did want people to think that this was natural. Okay? So, like, I didn’t want to be this, like, weird standard of, like, this is the magazine and you have to look like that. And so I wanted to be clear. Like, this is what makes me happy. I only do it for myself.

Christopher [00:16:49]:
But just know that all this took work, you know, like, I didn’t wake up like this, you know? And so I feel the same way when it came to guys. So it’s weird because I would see a lot of husbands with wives, right. And the beauty with makeup and so on and so forth. And it also gave me a great opportunity to talk to men about that. And men are so self conscious way more than I think they’re ever going to be given credit for. And when you have somebody that’s going to be, like, super chill and just honest, I think it breaks down a lot of walls with men, and then they’d be willing to open up a little bit more. Because I would almost guarantee you, if you ask ten men that were bald or balding, if they would like to have their hair back, I would say that all ten men would want it back. Right, right.

Christopher [00:17:38]:
I haven’t met one that was like, oh, yay, bald. Like, can’t be bald. I think there’s a lot of men that are like, okay, I’m okay with this, and this is the way it is, but if they were given the option, it would not be. Yeah.

Kevin Rolston [00:17:50]:
And to your point, I think it’s hard for men to find a safe space to have that conversation. And so it’s probably refreshing when they get to talk to somebody like you who’s so open about it, because, I don’t know, a lot of guys that are at the bar sitting there having a beer, and they’re talking about how they feel about their hair, and they feel like they can really say much about it. And so I think the guys are kind of hung out there. And that’s why I’m hoping that conversations with people like you are going to open people’s eyes, and people can find a safe space to hear some conversation about, you know, what it’s like having hair and how their friends react to it. How did your friends and family react to it? Was it all positive or did you get teasing? Did you get any kind of issues with anybody?

Christopher [00:18:25]:
Nobody teases me. It would not work. Yeah, no, it was all positive. It was very positive. And truth be told is your friends and family, they could be weirded out by it at first, but because of the. What we’ve seen in the media, you know, growing up, you know, it’s all that mindset. But ultimately what it really boils down to is, are you happy? It’s cool. And then it’s not an issue.

Kevin Rolston [00:18:54]:
Christer’s message is a powerful one because it comes from a place of empathy in his line of work, he often creates space for men and women to be vulnerable about their insecurities because he understands what it feels like to want to change your life for the better, even if there’s a cultural stigma that stands in the way.

Kevin Rolston [00:19:13]:
I really appreciate the way that he acknowledges that it’s not always easy for.

Kevin Rolston [00:19:17]:
Men to find people to talk to about their appearance, and it can seem like there aren’t many options out there. Hopefully, thanks to people like Christopher and conversations like this one, more men and women will feel empowered to reach out to somebody who can help them onto a path towards better confidence and self esteem. Thanks for listening to another episode of Hairpod. Check us out on hairpod on Instagram or search hairpod on Facebook to continue the conversation. If you know somebody who could benefit from hearing this episode, we’d love it if you’d share it with them. And if you’re enjoying the show, consider leaving us a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app. We also have a website and you can check it out by going to podcast dot hairclub.com. We are here to build people up and share real stories so people experiencing hair loss feel a little bit less alone.

Kevin Rolston [00:20:08]:
And when you share, review and subscribe, it helps us do just that. So thanks.

Kevin Rolston [00:20:13]:
Until next time.

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Chemotherapy and Hair Loss with Carol Combs

Chemotherapy and Hair Loss with Carol Combs

by | Apr 16, 2024 | Episode

Episode 08

Chemotherapy and Hair Loss with Carol Combs

Chemotherapy hair loss Carol Combs

Chemotherapy affects the body in numerous ways, with hair loss being one of the most common side effects. In this episode of HairPod, Kevin Rolston, our host, welcomes Carol Combs, a cancer survivor, to share her story. Carol’s journey through hair loss was about more than just her appearance; it deeply impacted her sense of self. Tune in to discover how Carol rebuilt her confidence and reclaimed her life.

Carol’s Diagnosis

When Carol was diagnosed with cancer, doctors gave her three weeks to three months to live. She immediately started treatment, which included chemotherapy. The chemotherapy was able to help Carol survive, but it wreaked havoc on her body, causing fatigue and hair loss. She took a step back from working at her job due to fatigue, but losing her hair caused her to retreat in a completely different way.

The Impacts of Hair Loss

While Carol is typically an extrovert, her hair loss impacted her confidence so much that she just wanted to hide from everyone. When Carol was given speaking opportunities at work, she would offer those opportunities to others because she didn’t want to be in front of people. Carol says that during this time, she felt “less than,” as her hair loss took away her desire to work with people, one of the great joys in her life.

Getting Her Hair Back After Chemo

Carol attended a meeting at a support group called “I’m Too Young for Cancer.” She met a young woman there who had a system from HairClub. She was so impressed with the hair system that she made an appointment to visit HairClub. Carol clearly remembers the first time she wore her hair system. She was working a large event for her job and felt like it was the first time she had her old self back.

Carol has been going to HairClub for almost 30 years. She describes the staff as empathetic and caring. Carol has been to a few HairClub locations throughout the United States and found that connecting with a new Club is smooth and easy.

Empowering Resources

As the episode draws to a close, HairPod extends a generous offer of a complimentary hair loss consultation, providing a tangible step towards reclaiming confidence and control over one’s appearance. Book a Free consultation with HairClub Today!

Thanks for listening to HairPod. We hope you enjoyed this episode. If you did, please leave us a rating or review wherever you get your podcasts. If you’d like to connect with us on social media to share your story, check us out on Instagram @HairClub. HairPod is a production of TSE Studios. Our theme music is from SoundStripe.

Episode.08 Transcript

Carol Combs [00:00:09]:
I mean, I’ve been a client for almost 30 years now, and it’s like I’m a monk’s family. I mean, they know about me. And the people that they hire at hair club are caring people. I mean, they genuinely care about you. They want you to look your best. If ever I had a problem, I never worried about talking about it or asking it. Someone that’s just invaluable.

Kevin Rolston [00:00:53]:
Welcome to HairPot, the podcast where you get to hear real people talk about their hair journeys. Hair loss happens to people at different times and for different reasons, so each story is as unique as the next. Im your host, Kevin Ralston. And each week I get to interview people from different walks of life whove all been through hair loss in some form or fashion and have found a way to get their confidence and their hair back. Our guest today is Carol Combs. Her journey with hair loss began quite a while before she actually started to even lose her hair. When she was diagnosed with cancer in 1992, doctors gave her three weeks to three months to live. And now, 30 years later, she is still here to tell the tale.

Carol Combs [00:01:40]:
I actually had to go to the doctor because I had a lump that popped up on my neck. And I remember 1000 people coming in to town because I was putting on this huge thing for the company I worked for. And so I ran to the doctors at 08:00 a.m. In the morning, only to find out that I had to go immediately to the hospital because he said it was possible to cancel. Within that day that I found out I had three weeks to three months to live. And, I mean, I went straight to the hospital. They admitted me and spent two years.

Kevin Rolston [00:02:15]:
Getting, what a gut punch. I can only imagine, you know, when you sit down and you get that diagnosis that you have cancer. Now, how serious was it? Was it something that you’re going to be able to shake off? Or was it the kind of cancer where you better get your life in order?

Carol Combs [00:02:30]:
Well, at that point, that’s how they were talking to me. And I thought, wow, I mean, what can we do? What do we need to do? Let’s do it. And it wasn’t until like the fifth treatment that they thought, wow, you really get a chance to live.

Kevin Rolston [00:02:46]:
Wow.

Carol Combs [00:02:47]:
But, you know, I don’t know what it was, but I just took on an attitude like, I got way more life to live here. So, yeah, I’m not going out like this.

Kevin Rolston [00:02:58]:
And here you are 30 years later, and you are still going, Carol.

Carol Combs [00:03:01]:
Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. Absolutely.

Kevin Rolston [00:03:03]:
Now tell me what it was like, with your treatments for your cancer, did you go through chemo?

Carol Combs [00:03:08]:
I did. I went through a year and a half of chemo and then 54 consecutive treatments of radiation.

Kevin Rolston [00:03:18]:
Okay. And I’ve only heard the stories about chemotherapy. But it wrecks your body, right?

Carol Combs [00:03:24]:
Yeah. Well, I was very present in my work, and I took a lot of joy out of my work, and come to find out that, you know, I wasn’t going to be able to work, who was going to step into that role really kind of threw me.

Kevin Rolston [00:03:39]:
What kind of work were you doing at the time?

Carol Combs [00:03:41]:
I was an information technology manager at the time.

Kevin Rolston [00:03:47]:
Okay.

Carol Combs [00:03:47]:
And I was overseeing, like, company wide projects where we revamped the whole system from the computers all the way up to networking. I had about 300 people reporting to me, so it was pretty crazy.

Kevin Rolston [00:04:01]:
This sounds like the kind of job where you need a lot of energy for.

Carol Combs [00:04:04]:
You do. You absolutely do. And when you go through chemo, it’s like I just insisted on going to work, and after about the third treatment, I felt like somebody ran over me with a Mack truck.

Kevin Rolston [00:04:19]:
Despite the draining chemotherapy appointments, Carol insisted on going into work. But as her treatment progressed, it became harder and harder just to make it into the office. So she decided to take a step back and focus on her healing.

Carol Combs [00:04:35]:
I said, you know what? I need to take about six months off, concentrate on getting. It’s just full speed ahead. And I guess the best news was five treatments in when they said, wow, really working. And it looks like we’re gonna have a different conversation.

Kevin Rolston [00:04:50]:
Wow. How about that? I mean, obviously, priority wise, the first thing is extending your life and getting the most out of it. But, you know, after you get to that point and you’re now looking down the road and you’re looking at your life, what was the chemotherapy doing to your body? I assume you had hair loss issues, like a lot of people do when they go through chemotherapy.

Carol Combs [00:05:09]:
Yes. Which, you know, I know people talk about it, but, I mean, it was so devastating to me because I’m just such an extrovert. I love to be around people. I love working with people, and I get a lot of personal joy out of that. And to think that now I have to, like, hide and not be myself, that was more devastating than dealing with the disease itself.

Kevin Rolston [00:05:36]:
What did your hair loss do to your confidence?

Carol Combs [00:05:39]:
Well, like I said, I wanted to hide. I mean, anytime I had to speak, I’d groom somebody else to do the job. I just couldn’t bring myself to be that person. I felt like less of a person, actually.

Kevin Rolston [00:05:53]:
How were people treating you, and how did you feel like they treated you? Did you feel like as soon as people saw me and identified me, they first saw me as somebody who was trying to survive cancer? Did you feel like you kind of lost who you had been before you started chemo?

Carol Combs [00:06:08]:
Absolutely. I used to say I used to be this vibrant, go getter type of person, and now I was less than. And for me, internally, personally, that was the big struggle for me. Cause I thought, you know, I worked so hard to get where I was in my job, and now life’s just different. And I had just been married a year, so that was. Consider that. And, yeah, it was not a fun time.

Kevin Rolston [00:06:37]:
So tell me, you went to a meeting that really kind of started to turn things around back in May of 1995. It was a support group that you went to, and this was something where you were getting with other people who were at a younger age, who were battling cancer. Tell me about this meeting. And the person that you met that.

Carol Combs [00:06:55]:
Night certainly found out that there was a group called I’m too young for cancer, and it was a support group for people that were either living with terminal cancer or were in some kind of cancer treatment at the time. And I met a girl there who was going through brain cancer, and one day she came in with a head of. She had no hair. One day she comes in with a head of hair, and I was just blown away. And she said, my sister insisted on taking me to this place called hair club. And, I mean, I couldn’t quit touching it and just to see the change in her. Like, she was just, like, she just lit up, and I was like, wow, wow. Take me.

Carol Combs [00:07:38]:
Take me.

Kevin Rolston [00:07:46]:
Carol didn’t waste any time. When the young woman and her support group showed up with a full head of hair, Carol saw firsthand the change in her energy, and she knew she had to try it for herself.

Carol Combs [00:08:02]:
I’ll never forget the day. It was May 25, 1995, and I had a big retirement party that I had put on from somebody who had worked for the company for 40, and there were going to be over 300 people there, so. And I went with my new hair, and I was like my old self. Nobody looked at me differently. People were like, oh, did you get a perm? Your hair looks so great. And, I mean, in that moment, I just was so much joy. I mean, I thought, wow.

Kevin Rolston [00:08:36]:
It’S life changing.

Kevin Rolston [00:08:37]:
That’s amazing to feel like that, to feel like yourself again. Did you feel like this was kind of the moment where you felt the victory over cancer? You felt like the old Carol was back and that you had nothing but life to live.

Carol Combs [00:08:49]:
Absolutely. I mean, I was done with treatments at that point and wasn’t real sure, you know, how was it going to navigate back into my social life and all that and, you know, meeting that girl and one to hair club, seeing that it’s all now possible, that was huge. Just huge for me.

Kevin Rolston [00:09:09]:
So we’re talking about a good bit of time that has passed that you first went into the hair club to right now. So tell me about what that feeling is like today. Has it faded? Do you feel like you take your hair for granted or how do you still look at yourself in the mirror?

Carol Combs [00:09:23]:
Absolutely not. I do not take any of it for granted. And I say this all the time. Whenever I go and I have a service, it’s like the first time all over again. It’s like I get done and I’m just like, you know, it’s an aha moment. So I never take it for granted. I mean, I’m beyond blessed that I get to. I’m able to do.

Carol Combs [00:09:45]:
And the other person I want to thank really is my husband. You know, he’s just always been on board, regardless of what it would take to make that happen. The change in me was just so huge.

Kevin Rolston [00:09:58]:
It’s really powerful just to hear what having hair meant to Carol. I can’t imagine just how difficult it was for her. She went through all of that chemo and radiation, and when she finally started to get better, she still didn’t feel ready to go back out into the world. It’s almost like having Harrigan open up a door for Carole to step back into living her life. Carol has been a client with Hairclub for almost 30 years. I was really interested to know what kept her coming back to Hairclub after all this time. And I was surprised to find out. It had a lot to do with Hairclub’s team of professionals and the supportive space they create for their clients.

Carol Combs [00:10:40]:
That’s one of the things that I think keeps me going. I mean, I’ve been a client for almost 30 years now, and, you know, it’s like I’m a monk’s family. I mean, they know about me. And the people that they hire at hair club are caring people. I mean, they genuinely care about you. They want you to look your best. If ever I had a problem, I never worried about talking about it or asking someone. Yeah, that’s just invaluable.

Carol Combs [00:11:08]:
I mean, really, to have a group of people behind you and rooting for you. I’ve been fortunate to go to a handful of clubs around the United States.

Kevin Rolston [00:11:20]:
Okay.

Carol Combs [00:11:20]:
No matter where I go and when I go in there, I mean, it’s. You’re just taken care of, and that’s. That’s a wonderful feeling.

Kevin Rolston [00:11:28]:
Tell me a little bit about what it is like, because people probably would have that question that don’t know anything about this. And what is the maintenance like for your hair? And if you do find yourself in a situation where you’re traveling and you’re in a different place, how easy is it to find a hair club? What kind of supplies do you have to take with you? Do you find it to be a big hassle? Carol, what is it like?

Carol Combs [00:11:49]:
You know, I don’t, and I really. Maybe I’m fortunate, but my system really doesn’t require a whole lot for me. It pretty much stays in place until it’s time to go again. But, I mean, of course, I take some tape with me or things that I might need as far as, like, reaching out to another club, wherever I’m at. That’s been so simple and so easy. I mean, it’s just one phone call, and then they make the arrangements and tell me where to be, and that’s just invaluable. You know, regardless of where I go, I know I can have my hair needs or met.

Kevin Rolston [00:12:25]:
Tell me a little bit about the styles. Have you ever changed the style of your hair throughout these almost 30 years as a hair club client?

Carol Combs [00:12:31]:
Oh, absolutely. Like, the blonde is new for me just in the last five years.

Kevin Rolston [00:12:37]:
It looks great.

Carol Combs [00:12:38]:
And I just like to say blondes do have a little more fun.

Kevin Rolston [00:12:43]:
Yes, they do.

Carol Combs [00:12:44]:
But, yeah, so. And that’s been fun. Like, you can mix it up and do whatever you want.

Kevin Rolston [00:12:55]:
I think what really blows me away about what Carol just said is that she gets to enjoy something as normal as changing her hairstyle and color, just like anybody else would. Now, while that may not seem like a huge deal to some, for Carol, I know it means the world. Spending this time with her, talking about her story reminded me just how important it is to be grateful for the little things, like changing up your look or even just having a great hair day. So thank you, Carol, for coming on and sharing your story. Thank you for listening to another episode of Hairpaw. Check us out on Hair Club on Instagram or search us on Facebook to continue the conversation. And if you know someone who could benefit from hearing this episode, please consider sending it to them. If you’re enjoying the show, consider leaving us a rating or a review on your favorite podcast app.

Kevin Rolston [00:13:47]:
If you haven’t been over to our website yet, check it out by going to podcast dot hairclub.com. Until next time.

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