Hairstylists serve many roles in their client relationships. From style expert to confidant, you are the one your clients trust to make them look and feel their best. You also are the professional who can first detect early signs of hair loss in your long-term clients. In some cases, the client notices such symptoms as decreasing hair volume and turns to you for confirmation that they aren’t just “imagining things” – as well as advice on the next step to take. On other occasions, you may notice thinning or patchy areas of the scalp before your client does.
In either case, knowing how to talk to your clients about this initial stage of hair loss and how to advise them to seek an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment gives you greater value as a beauty industry professional. Obviously, if you can alert a client about his or her hair loss in a timely manner and provide a knowledgeable referral to the right medical professional, you will keep that client longer! In addition, you will enhance your own reputation as a leading hairstylist who provides a higher level of service.
What amount of hair loss is normal?
According to Mayo Clinic, people typically lose about 100 hairs a day. As Salon Today notes, this amount doesn’t cause noticeable thinning because new hair is growing in at the same time. Hair loss occurs when the cycle of hair growth and shedding is disrupted or when the hair follicle is destroyed and replaced with scar tissue.
Knowing what to look for and providing the right advice
Dr. Marco Barusco – Founder and Chief Medical Officer of Tempus Hair Restoration – conducts a class on this important topic during the annual Premiere Orlando International Beauty Event. Although canceled this year due to COVID-19, this major industry show is scheduled to return to the Orange County Convention Center in October 2021.
This class is one way in which Dr. Barusco expresses his strong commitment to sharing his knowledge. In 2014, he was invited to be a part of the University of Central Florida College of Medicine faculty as Assistant Professor of Surgery. He also serves as a mentor for research projects in the areas of wound healing and surgery. Additionally, Dr. Barusco has written chapters in the most authoritative textbooks in the hair transplantation discipline. Some chapter examples include a description of the No-Shave FUE procedure developed by Dr. Barusco, and a description of the Tempus Crown-Hatching technique, which is used to improve coverage of the crown area of the scalp.
Dr. Barusco’s other credentials include the following:
- Diplomate and Current President of the Board of Directors for the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery (ABHRS)
- Member of the Board of Trustees of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery
- Global Clinical Scholars Researcher — Harvard Medical School
- Member and Fellow of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS)
As a generous authority in medicine and hair restoration, Dr. Barusco enthusiastically conducts his annual classes held exclusively for hairstylists. He knows that you are often your clients’ first defense in the battle against hair loss, and wants you to have the knowledge to help them prevent further loss. Dr. Barusco has provided the following text, taken from his class lessons.
Lessons from Dr. Barusco’s acclaimed class
“Stylists see hair loss all the time, multiple times a day, in both men and women. Unfortunately, not all of them are prepared to give their clients the correct advice, and often a patient will delay treatment for their hair loss because their hairstylist did not discuss it with them and/or did not refer them for medical treatment early enough.
“Many times, hair loss is present in areas of the scalp that are not accessible to the patient, such as the crown area and the back of the head, so clients sometimes don’t even know that they have an issue. Hairstylists are in a good position to detect potential hair problems and advise their clients, but in order to do it, they need to have the knowledge and be always on the lookout for problem areas.
“Hair loss can take many forms, and not all hair loss is genetic or “stress-related.” Many times a client’s hair loss can be triggered by medications, hormonal imbalances, anemia, thyroid disease, and other health issues that, unless treated, will continue to affect their hair.
Many of these health conditions are insidious and will not necessarily cause symptoms, so it is important to advise a client to look for a doctor with experience in hair loss so that these factors can be adequately investigated and treated. “Patchy” hair loss is easier to spot, and they can mean more serious problems, so if noticed, a referral to a specialist like us is paramount. Symptoms like itching, burning, and pain in the scalp are all red flags of inflammation, which can cause hair loss as well.
“The bottom line is: any new onset hair loss (increased shedding, areas of thinning, patches of hair loss, irritated scalp, etc.) should be referred to a doctor for investigation, and not simply treated with the products that are sold at the salon. By working in conjunction with us, clients will have better hair for longer and will be happy that the stylist knew and cared enough to refer them. Worst case scenario, the client will have a simple type of hair loss and will benefit from treatment, along with their hairstylist’s advice on how to better make use of their hair.”
Open communication is key
Fortunately, most people feel comfortable talking with their hairstylist. If you are the one who notices early signs of hair loss, you can start the conversation by asking if the client has seen any changes in their hair recently. If the client brings the subject up, acknowledge that you see the change, as well, and take it from there. Losing hair is unsettling and frightening to most people, as so much of our self-esteem is based upon maintaining a certain image of ourselves. Having the support and informed advice of a trusted professional can make a significant difference in the progression of hair loss – and, in turn, the emotional well-being of your clients who face this challenge.
Make your referrals wisely
With Dr. Barusco’s extensive experience in medicine and hair restoration, you can be assured that your clients will receive an accurate diagnosis and the best treatment plan for their individual situation. In addition to his innovative surgical techniques, Dr. Barusco is a leader in such non-surgical treatments as subcutaneous adipose (fat) tissue, and growth factors therapy – which permits earlier intervention with a positive outcome, as stronger hair returns in the areas that are thinning, improving volume and scalp coverage.
We make it easy for your clients to contact us to schedule a free virtual consultation. Dr. Barusco conducts every consultation himself, giving your clients the opportunity to learn their options in the comfort of their home – or any location, on any internet-enabled device. Dr. Barusco conducts consultations in English, Spanish and Portuguese.
As we are always interested in building professional relationships, we invite you to reach out if you see the value in referring your clients to us for their hair restoration journey. We look forward to learning about you and your goals!