The Link Issue 40

ISSUE 40

WINTER 2022

Interesting

How To...

News

e v o r p m I

e s U n a C u Info Yo e c i v d A Great

d e Ne

w o n K To

Solve Your Problem B Y H A I R R E S T O R AT I O N S P E C I A L I S T S | F O R H A I R R E S T O R AT I O N S P E C I A L I S T S

contents 24

18 Protective Hair From Its DIY Beginnings to Your Salon Chair

5 7 9 10

13

15 17

Where Engineering Meets Beauty

Congratulations New Master Certified Members Welcome New Members and New Board Member Setting Your Digital Advertising Budget Advertising in the New Year: When, Where and How More Bang For Your Buck: The Top 3 Things to Do Right Now on Your Instagram The Missing Link?

Suit Up for Work

18 23 24 27 31 34 38

31 A Case for CBD and Its Use in Our Industry

Protective Hair: From Its DIY Beginnings to Your Salon Chair My Journey Into Hair Restoration Where Engineering Meets Beauty Hiring a Special Artist A Case for CBD and Its Use in Our Industry HairNow21 Conference in Photos AHLC Academy

THIS ISSUE MADE POSSIBLE BY THE SUPPORT OF THESE ADVERTISERS | PLEASE SHOW YOUR SUPPORT IN RETURN

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contributors JEANNE BEIRNE

VERN COLE

LISA FERESTAD

OWNER CURA HAIR SOLUTIONS

GARDE BIEN SPA SALON, INC.

BERNARD ORY

SHERRI ROMM

DEBORA ROUTHE

LENNY VENTIMIGLIA

FOUNDER/CEO TABENGIN CONSULTING

OWNER THE PROFITABLE STYLIST

OWNER HAIR RESTORATION INSTITUTE OF DFW

OWNER VERSACCHI STUDIOS

OWNER FULL STRANDS

THE LINK STAFF The Link Magazine is the official, quarterly publication of the American Hair Loss Council. The Trade Association Serving the Hair Restoration Industry. For advertising or contributing editorially, please contact us: THE AMERICAN HAIR LOSS COUNCIL 615.721.8085 or info@ahlc.org

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Publisher: Janine Farro Editor: Kelly Carson Editorial Committee: Paul Albee, Lisa Ferestad, Kelly Nemitz

AHLC Board of Directors

Joseph Ellis, President Susan Kettering, Executive Director Marsha Scott, Past President Janine Farro, Administrator Randy Clark, Board Member

STACEY HANDEL

PRESIDENT ATLAS DIGITAL

SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions to The Link Magazine are mailed FREE to AHLC members within the continental U.S. International members are provided digital copies. Please contact us for additional shipping rates if you are an AHLC member outside the US and wish to receive a printed edition.

To become an AHLC member or renew your membership please call 615.721.8085 or log on to AHLC.org.

LEGAL STUFF The opinions expressed in The Link Magazine are those of the authors and may not reflect the views of the AHLC. Advertisements in The Link may not reflect the beliefs, opinions or attitudes of the AHLC and do not imply endorsement. © 2021 The American Hair Loss Council, All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

Welcome to our Newest Certified Accredited Masters The American Hair Loss Council’s Master’s Certification is a program whereby members accrue credit for education and professional work experience along with American Hair Loss Council activities. The certification was created to recognize the experience of individuals who are highly competent and respected experts in their field.

Master’s Certified American Hair Loss Council members are dedicated to ethical, helpful service to the client with a vision to advance the hair restoration industry.

KD Cobb, KD & Company, Loganville, Georgia KD has been in the industry for 20 years and has worked in hair replacement for seven years. She has a passion for helping people feel confident and beautiful.

"Education is extremely important to me because if you’re not growing (personally and professionally) you’re dying. It’s heart before hair, and I truly pour mine into my clients as they allow me to be a part of their beauty journey," she said.

Deborah Long, Elite Hair Loss Solutions, Gold River, California Deborah has been a hair restoration stylist, designer, and educator for more than 23 years. She has built an extensive resume of educational and professional certifications. Her passion for delivering life-changing image-enhancing results for her guests only continues to grow. Deborah is excited to be joining AHLC’s elite ranks with her well-earned master certification.

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Welcome New Members!

Gloria 'Gigi' Ford Hair Replacement

by Gigi, San Leandro, CA Gloria “Gigi” Ford has dedicated her career to helping women suffering from hair loss find nonsurgical solutions and creative undetectable hair prostheses. Her greatest passion is working with the American Cancer Society, The Alopecia Foundation and The Trichotillomania Foundation.

She travels the world educating cosmetologists, researching new techniques and exploring base design. She is an internationally renowned educator and considered an expert in hair replacement, consulting, product and project development, program planning, and training curriculum and design.

Vendor Members

Gitaina Carolino Felix Salon, Framingham, MA John Crager J.Crager Alternatives, Chicago, IL Dolores McRobb Riviera Custom Hair Replacement, Inc., Syosset, NY Melinda Xavier Face Everything, Westminster, CO

Sponsored Members Tracey Pennington, Los Angeles, CA Rachel Gilbert, Phoenix, AZ

Jeanne Beirne, CEO, is a social media strategist and small business consultant with a focus on beauty, wellness and alternative hair providers. She brings her over 15 years of corporate experience and MBA with a concentration in marketing to the social media world identifying messaging that will work for her clients. She is also an alternative hair wearer and has tried many options over the past 10 years, which provides clarity in the message and an understanding of what it means to lose one's hair.

Randy Clark Joins AHLC Board The American Hair Loss Council Board of Directors recently appointed industry veteran Randy Clark to its board.

"I joined the board because I enjoy working with the members and helping in any way I can," said Clark, owner of the Dallas, Texas-based Randy Clark and Associates. "The friendships I’ve developed over the years make it even more desirable for me to work along with Janine Farro, Susan Kettering and Joseph Ellis. We all have a different perspective of do's and don'ts in the business. However, I never leave a seminar that I wasn’t excited to come back to Dallas and try something new."

Clark has been an AHLC member for many decades, dating back to his days in the 1990s as owner of LifeLike Hair Replacement, and is active in its annual trade shows and other events.

Did we miss you?

The American Hair Loss Council Board of Directors members are Susan Kettering, left, Joseph Ellis, Janine Farro, and Randy Clark.

If you missed getting your photo and bio in The Link when you became an AHLC Member, please contact us.

615.721.8085 or email thelink@ahlc.org THE LINK MAGAZINE

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Setting Your Digital Advertising Budget

By Lenny Ventimiglia, Atlas Digital

Advertising is one of the most crucial aspects of growing your business. While any company would love to have a fantastic advertising campaign that is always driving in new customers, many business owners have no idea how much they should be spending.

While advertising is certainly an experiment through trial and error, there is a way to take most of the guesswork out of setting your advertising budget. If you take the time to properly track your sales and marketing metrics, the answer to how much you should be spending should reveal itself.

What Is Your Goal?

The most important thing going into an advertising campaign is to have a clear objective or goal in mind. How many new sales do you want to make? For the sake of this exercise, we will use an imaginary business that has a goal of making 10 new sales per month. If we want to find out exactly how much money they should be spending on their advertising campaign in order to make 10 new sales each month, then we will need to understand a few terms and metrics.

Many of these are straightforward and pretty easy to figure out, but tracking them consistently can be a game-changer.

Cost Per Lead (CPL) Assuming you’ve done any kind of advertising previously, you should have an idea of this number.

Simply take the amount of money you’ve spent on advertising

and divide it by the number of leads the campaign generated. If you spent $1,000 and got 10 leads, then your CPL was $100.

Appointment Booking Percentage This is simply knowing how many of your leads booked an appointment or a consultation. If you had 10 leads and five of them booked an appointment, then your booking percentage is 50%.

Show-No-Show Ratio Out of all of the new consultations you had booked for the month, how many people showed up? If you had 20 consultations and 10 of them showed up, then your show-no-show percentage is right at 50%.

Sales Percentage

How many people who showed up for a consultation ended up purchasing your product or service? If 10 people showed up and five people bought, then your sales percentage is 50%. I think you get the point by now.

So let’s say our company wants to make 10 new sales. By knowing all of the metrics listed above for this company, we can get a very good idea of how much they would need to spend in advertising to accomplish that. To make this simple, let’s assume all of the percentages are 50%.

Let’s Do The Math ...

If your sales percentage is at 50%, you will need about 20 consultations to make 10 new sales.

If 50% of your consultations show up, you will need to book about 40 appointments to have 20 consultations.

If 50% of your leads book appointments, then you will need about 80 leads to book 40 appointments.

Finally, if your cost per lead is $50 per lead, we can find out exactly how much we should spend in order to make 10 new sales this month — 80 leads at $50 per lead equals $4,000.

Obviously, these numbers are always changing, and this is not an exact science. But if you properly track all of your sales and marketing metrics, you can fine-tune your advertising budget specifically to reach your company's goals.

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Advertising in the New Year

When, Where and How

By Vern Cole, Hair Restoration Institute of DFW, Fort Worth, Texas

There are several times throughout the year when advertising presents a larger-than-life opportunity to generate new sales leads and new business. First and foremost, among these windows of opportunity are January and February. It’s “New Years Resolution” time, the holidays are behind us, and people are focused on selfimprovement and feeling better about themselves.

So, the question is what is the most effective means of advertising during this period, and what is the best time to do it to get the biggest bang for your buck.

First, ask yourself what type of advertising are you looking at: off-line, traditional advertising — radio, television, cable — online digital advertising, or some combination of both, since this clearly affects your budget. Once you determine where you want to place your ad dollars, you have to ask yourself how many ad dollars per month you are going to budget for you to see the results you need.

Monitoring Your Results In recent years, I have found 10

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that online advertising has given me the biggest bang for my adverting dollar, and in particular, targeted pay-per-click advertising.

There are numerous online opportunities for PPC advertising, the biggest of which is Google. But there are also other platforms that can be effective as well, so it pays to look around.

That being said, one of the most important things you have to do when advertising is monitor the results to see what is working and what is not pulling in the leads you want, and regularly make adjustments in your campaigns.

Let’s face it. In the hair replacement industry, the nucleus of our business is lead generation — pulling in the number of new leads you want so that you can continue to grow and prosper. If you aren’t generating leads and turning them into sales and clients, with ongoing sales to those clients, you are not going to see growth.

That is why each month I meet with my web and social media team who manage the effectiveness of my online advertising and marketing to evaluate how well our ad campaigns are working in driving prospects to our website and converting website visitors into opportunities.

If you are on a limited budget, online advertising is the way to go since traditional advertising — radio, TV, cable — is more expensive. Radio and TV, of course, have the potential to make you look bigger. It helps your image, but still, the bottom line is getting people to go to your website. You must have an effective, compelling website that makes it as alluring and as easy as possible for them to give you their contact information.

People often tell me they can’t afford traditional broadcast advertising. It all comes down to budget and budget allocation.

If you can’t afford radio, TV and cable, maybe just go with radio.

Radio can be effective, particularly if you have a vanity phone number such as (123) 456-HAIR. Combine that with an effective tagline and just constantly emphasize that telephone number and tagline in all your advertising. Repetition is brand building.

Advertising’s Cycles Throughout the Year Generally speaking, advertising ahead of major holidays has worked best for me.

That means having your campaigns in place 60 to 90 days ahead of holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and summer vacation.

The focus of the advertising that has worked best and most consistently is focusing on getting together with family and friends, with a message like “(fill-in-theblank holiday) is right around the corner and you want to look your best.”

But once I reached the beginning of November, I turned off my online advertising because people just get busy.

Many teachers are off during the summer and that is when we see them come in.

I remember when I was in high school — more years ago than I care to admit — there was this guidance counselor who, when we got back to school in the fall, looked different but I couldn’t put my finger on it. Years later I realized he had more hair. He had a hair replacement during his summertime off when people weren’t seeing him every day or perhaps forgot what he looked like. And I’ve seen that repeated over and over again with teachers, professors and people who have time off or now are working from home.

Brand Building and Local Celebrity Endorsement

The biggest advertising period that generated the most leads was right after Christmas, beginning the week between Christmas and New Year and running well through the month of February and into March, with campaigns focused on “It’s a New Year and a New You.” I would run that campaign as long as I could until we got closer to spring.

My advice to any studio owner is to try to cultivate well-known local clients who are in the public eye, particularly well-regarded, well-respected local radio and TV personalities. These types of endorsements are huge brand building and PR opportunities because it is someone else saying nice things about you versus you saying nice things about yourself.

Then I transition the campaigns to a spring and summer theme — graduation, outdoors, active, fun times ahead. Don’t let your hair loss hold you back.

In my case — and I think this is true for just about everyone — I didn’t start out with an “A” class celebrity endorser. I would find whoever I could and then it built slowly until I got to the “A” level endorser, someone who was an instantly recognizable, respected household name.

There is, of course, the summer advertising cycle to consider. I always pulled back in August. People generally want to be out and about, and many people go on vacation in August and are getting ready to send the kids back to school. But once school is in session, I am right back on, which brings us full circle to Thanksgiving and looking your best for the holidays again.

When it comes to advertising, much of it is brand-building and brand-building in advertising is having a consistent message and repeating that message over and over again so that when people think of doing something about their hair loss, they think of you first.

I would caution you to be careful about pulling advertising too soon during the early summer because there is kind of an isolated market with teachers that I have found.

In my case, he was a local TV and radio sportscaster who has been in my market for over 40 years. His paid endorsements did wonders for my business. Although his primary endorsement was centered on his hair transplants, I always had him talk about everything we did — hair replacement, PRP, laser, products. And again, he plugged our vanity phone number, repeated our tagline and our website.

The name of the game is always getting people to go to your website to book an appointment.

Don’t Be Afraid of Change I remember decades ago, one of my mentors said something that stuck with

me. He said, “In advertising and marketing, everything works and then nothing works.”

In other words, what worked today might not continue to work.

Don’t become complacent. Stay on top of your advertising campaigns and measure the results. If it works, don’t fix it. If it stops working or isn’t working as well, change it up. Just because it worked for a month or a quarter, doesn’t mean it’s going to work forever.

On that same note, give your campaigns time to find their feet. There is a tendency among business owners to roll out some type of a campaign and if it doesn’t instantly work — you’re not seeing the phone ringing, or the in-box loaded with leads — they pull the plug. But give it time to work. That may mean two months or even three months.

There is something to be said for repetition breeding familiarity and familiarity breeding trust.

I remember learning this quite literally by trial and error. I ran an ad campaign for two months and saw almost no results. So I pulled the ad thinking, “Why am I wasting my money?” After I pulled the ad, the phone started to ring. My lesson was to learn to stay up for three or four months. Only after that, if I wasn’t getting the number of leads that I was satisfied with and the handwriting was on the wall, I would just pull the plug and cut it off.

Parting Thoughts At the end of the day, the only thing people will remember you for is your reputation and your integrity. In my case, as a person of faith, I believe in giving back to my community. That may include time, financial donations, and other resources to local community organizations or my church.

Be involved in your community. Give back.

Cynically, you could think of this as “public relations marketing.” But it’s so much more than that. It’s you sharing your innermost being with those around you, many of whom are less fortunate than you. And that attitude of gratitude, generosity both with your time and resources and personal integrity will come back to you a hundred-fold.

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More Bang for Your Buck

The Top 3 Things to Do Right Now on Your Instagram

By Jeanne Beirne, AHLC Contributor Time is valuable and you may not be able to outsource your social media support. So, what do you do?

Do these three things to set the foundation for your Instagram:

1: Bio Refresh Photo: Great photo (smiling works!), use one of your business colors as the background, or use your logo if you aren’t positioning yourself as a personal brand.

Username: Your Instagram handle.

Name: This is a big change for a lot of accounts. You do not need to repeat your business name if it is your Instagram handle. This is a searchable field for others to find you and your expertise. Use that real estate with intent.

I Help Statement: You should have an "I help" statement: e.g. “We/I help hair loss clients look amazing with alternative hair.”

■ A combination of what you do plus for whom you do it.

■ Speak directly to your target audience in simple words while bringing out your personality.

■ Think about what you want to be known for.

■ Showcase a result you provide.

Call to Action: Tell them what to do next (book a consult, go to the website, find out workshop dates).

Bio Refresh Roadmap

■ If your brand name does not describe what you do, you need to be specific here (alternative hair, hair extensions, etc.).

■ Your expertise in the alternative hair industry so your followers will know you.

■ The value you provide for them when they choose you over others in the industry. Look to build your trust factor.

■ Your products and services and how they satisfy your customers’ needs, can hit know, like, and trust.

■ Showcase who you are and who your team is. These can be fun posts, introduction posts, behind the scenes with the team. You want your followers to like you.

■ Last but not least, post consistently.

Decide what you can do at this time.

Have a schedule and stick to it.

3: Use Your Stories

■ Include your top keyword (this will not change your username handle). This name is a searchable term so you want it to reflect what you do (if you are an alt hairstylist you could put Alternative Hair, Alternative Hair Replacement, or your specific brand focus).

■ Put this term in here as when someone searches on Instagram you are more likely to come up. For example, I searched "alternative hair" and those with that term in their name came up in the search.

but is it really speaking to your ideal customer? As you build content to post on your Instagram feed, follow these points as a guide.

Tell the tales: Share “moments” of your day quickly and easily in Stories. This can be photos, videos, fun quizzes, etc. Use stickers to increase your engagement.

2: Better Content Simple but True: Want to grow your account? Higher engagement? Convert more followers to buyers? Your content is the key. If it is not speaking to your ideal customers, it is not helping you.

We all love the breakdown of color application and detailed industry information,

Stories are for people who are following you already. They don’t grow your follower count but they do build engagement and relationships with those who follow you.

Why is this important? You want potential clients to KNOW, LIKE and TRUST you.

Stories can provide an easy short-hand to make that happen. Also, you can save your Stories into specific Highlights so people who find your page can view old stories.

Just take these small steps on your Instagram and your social presence will be ready for additional growth.

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The Missing Link?

By Bernard Ory, Owner, The Profitable Stylist, Slidell, Louisiana Fact: Most people want more hair, especially women. Also fact: People with thinning hair definitely want more hair. This is true for both men and women.

Most potential clients are looking for a solution that can help them look and feel more youthful day and night. So, why doesn’t every hair salon, hair restoration studio and stylist have the latest techniques and products to address their clients' unique hair concerns and desires?

The disconnect, or “missing link,” is that stylists are approaching the challenge with the singular skill set. Often, these solutions are outdated or inadequate for the client they are servicing. Also, some clients simply are not ready for the commitment some hair loss solutions require.

For example, stylists in a traditional salon will often attempt to solve their client’s hair loss with the only technique they are familiar with — hair extensions. This isn’t a necessarily effective or comprehensive approach if there is significantly thinning in the upper crown and part area. Similarly, most hair restoration technicians only offer solutions that require clients to shave their heads before adding a system. We know this to be a significant psychological

hurdle that often prevents clients from moving forward with a hair loss solution.

Finally, surgical implants are an expensive approach without the benefit of immediate results.

Fortunately, advances in technology over the past few years have brought solutions to the marketplace that address hair loss in a way that is better suited for many new hair loss clients.

Toppers and Long Hair Bonding Modern hair toppers are a “no shave” and “low tension” solution that incorporates advanced technology to preserve existing hair. Specifically, stylists should consider both the long hair bonding technique and the beaded topper as a progressive solution for many potential clients. These techniques address the physiological and psychological barriers while creating length and volume. In my experience, my clients are more comfortable and satisfied with these transitional solutions when initially addressing their hair loss.

An important new twist on this old idea is that they do not require a private room for the service so stylists in a traditional salon setting can also offer it to their clients.

Additionally, there are a few advantages

to these new systems as opposed to wigs or clip-in hair toppers. First, the benefit to the client is that they are living in their hair 24/7 and don't have to take off their hair and reapply it. This is a more manageable and desired solution for the average client who is not a hairdresser and will likely have trouble replicating at home what the technician created for them at the salon. Another benefit is that these systems do require maintenance and reapplication after several weeks, which makes this a much more profitable service over the long term for the stylist and business owner.

Long hair bonding creates a tight and secure bond to the client's existing hair with regularly scheduled 2-3 hour service and maintenance visits. The beaded topper integrates the client’s existing hair into the system and is a completed service in under an hour with regular maintenance required as well.

While these techniques do require some training, some are offered online and mastered quickly by talented stylists. This allows you to incorporate the new service easily into your salon. Ultimately, I’ve found this to be the ideal transition for new clients who are looking for professional services to adequately address their needs but are hesitant to commit to more permanent solutions.

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Contact your Jon Renau Account Manager to sign up today!

JONRENAU.COM | 1.800.462.9447 https://jonrenau.com/education-on-demand/

Suit Up For Work

By Lisa Ferestad, Owner, Cura Hair Solutions, Marietta, Georgia For me, 2021 has been all about making changes to simplify my life and my business. I have found that making small changes can have a big impact. My morning routine was one of the areas I knew could be simplified.

My first change was to exercise at home. I purchased a Peloton bike and made it a priority to take a class four or five days a week. I also have a subscription to The Class.

All you need is a yoga mat and you can stream all levels of workouts. You don’t need the bike to get a lot out of the Peloton app, as they have many classes that you can enjoy including yoga and meditations. This has become part of my morning routine and I always have a better day when I start with a workout. I do mix up my workouts between riding, yoga, stretching and light weight lifting.

Another thing I changed was my morning routine is making my own iced latte. I used to spend a lot of time sitting in line at Starbucks drive-thru, waiting for my latte. I even caught myself leaning out the window, listening to the order being placed in the car in front of me and feeling stuck when I could tell they were ordering for the entire office. This was a source of stress for me and I would often cut it close getting to the studio on time. I am lucky that my husband, Brad, has perfected my coffee, saving me 15-20 minutes in the morning.

I used to run around before my day started trying to find clothes that were not stained and it was so frustrating. A colleague was telling me about the uniform policy she implemented and suggested I consider it. I ordered a few tops and decided to give them a try.

At first, it felt a bit strange wearing essentially the same outfit every day. But I quickly adapted and started to enjoy getting ready in the mornings. My morning routine has been cut in half and I am no longer upset that my clothes are being ruined. Suiting up in my uniform also helps me to mentally prepare for the day ahead.

Having uniforms adds a professional look and has improved our branding. We have three choices in tops, so our team can choose what they feel comfortable wearing.

I often get comments from clients saying they like my top and they are surprised when I tell them it’s a uniform. The uniforms are stylish, wash and dry great and have held up well. Saving time and money has definitely been a win for me.

I now have a smooth morning routine where I take care of myself and my days get off to a great start. What small changes can you make to make a big difference in your day?

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Protective Hair From its DIY Beginnings to Your Salon Chair

By Kelly Carson, AHLC Editorial Consultant You’re going to be hearing a lot about the importance of protective hair as the once do-it-yourself method of hair restoration moves from the kitchen to professional studios and salons.

Protective hairstyles are designed to keep hair tucked away and free from manipulation through braids, dreadlocks and twists. The styles are designed to guard against breakage and damage. Because wearing protective hair for prolonged periods is suspected in some traction alopecia cases, those who choose the style are turning to hair specialists for advice.

Angela H. Brown 18

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“Protective styles have become a hot commodity,” said Angela H. Brown of the Collierville, Tennessee-based D'Serv Healthy Hair Care LLC. “Protective styles are here to stay.”

Part of the reason, she says, is the nearly two years we’ve spent under the yoke of COVID-19 and its restrictions and limitations. Plus, COVID-19 is known to contribute to hair loss. As people ease back into society, they are returning to their hair-care professionals.

“And the professionals are showing they care and can help your hair and give you a wonderful style,” Brown said.

and decades processing and manipulating their hairstyles so they tick some arbitrary box of what it means to be “normal” in mainstream society.

“People who have over-processed their hair or have been pressured to have a certain look get to be 30, 40, 50, 60 years old and now they have hair loss,” said A'Lelia Bundles, an author, journalist and academic who is the great-great-granddaughter of Madam CJ Walker, an icon of the hair-care industry catering to women of color.

It’s no secret that people of color, especially Black women, have spent decades

It is Walker’s climb to fame and fortune that Bundles examines in her 2001 work, “On Her Own Ground: The Life and Times of Madam CJ Walker.” The

A'Lelia Bundles

Ynohtna Tureaud

Madam CJ Walker Photos courtesy of Madam Walker Family Archives/A'Lelia Bundles book was adapted into the 2020 Netflix limited series “Self Made” starring Olivia Spencer as Walker.

And, it was Walker who launched a nationwide distribution of products created specifically for Black women.

“When Madam Walker was starting, there just was no national cosmetics industry whether for Black or white women,” Bundles said. “Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein were trying to normalize treatment for white women. Women understood women’s needs when they were creating that industry.”

Walker began selling her self-made hair care formula in the early 1900s while living in Denver, Colorado. In 1906, she brought her daughter A'Leila into the business.

A'Leila Walker later became president of Madam CJ Walker Co. In 1910, Walker relocated her company from Denver to

Culture, part of the Sephora line of products.

Ynohtna Tureaud of the Louisiana-based Anointed Hands Trichology Center for Hair Loss readily admits to being the “last resort” for some of her clients.

Indianapolis, Indiana, where her national drive began. The women brought Walker's products to market in 1910 after Walker had suffered years of hair loss.

“The kind of hair loss she was experiencing was from hygiene — a lack of indoor plumbing, water, etc.,” Bundles said of her great-great-grandmother. Today, however, it’s about overprocessing and other factors.

“There are all kinds of reasons people lose hair,” Bundles said. “People over process their hair or are pressured to have a certain look. If they’ve not had a proper diet, have stress, use chemicals, or have worn wigs too much, you’re going to have problems with hair.”

Walker's company is alive and well today under the name Madam CJ Walker Beauty

“People have gotten away from the basics,” she said. “There are a lot of individuals going to what is considered as something protective, but it’s not healthy.

Some people are getting artificial hair and weaves and some of that is damaging hair.

When it comes to protective hair, the goal is to not cause more damage.”

Continuing education, she says, is a must for industry professionals. Not only does she take courses, but she also offers training in protective hair “do’s and don’ts.”

As protective hair moves more into the mainstream, the concept of natural hair design is changing.

“I do believe, being African American, sometimes African Americans are CONTINUED ON PAGE 20 THE LINK MAGAZINE

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Christal Mercier Christal Mercier of the Texas-based Hair by Christal, says protective hairstyles require specialized techniques to ensure no further damage is done.

“Too many people are going online reading and looking (at videos) rather than paying a professional,” she said.

Hair Loss Clinic are based in Georgia, says the protective hair trend has been emerging for several years.

Shonda King CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

stereotyped by the texture of our hair,” Tureaud said. “Everyone is not the same.

In the workforce, I know several African American women who are very intelligent and wear their hair naturally. As long as it’s cared for, is decent and in order, people should have the freedom to be able to wear their hair as they choose.”

Shonda King, whose Gifted Creations Salon and Gifted Creations Restoration 20

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“We have transitioned hundreds of clients from chemicals such as relaxers and perms to chemical-free styles,” King said. “Clients are now understanding that natural hair is much healthier, and keeping the integrity of hair texture will allow the hair to be stronger and less prone to hair damage or hair loss.”

And it’s this trend that has moved King and her staff to expand their knowledge.

“Our increased clientele wanting natural hairstyles have demanded advanced education for our staff to have the knowledge and techniques as well as to understand what each type and texture needs to remain healthy,” she said. “These hairstyles included natural twist, two-strand twist, crochets braids and all types of weave extensions, etc.”

Salon stylists should be willing to invest time in a client to promote healthy hair.

They should engage in honest conversation while not insulting the client.

“I give them the spiel about it (their protective style) being done wrong,” she said. And then she gets down to the truth of the matter.

“What I do in my salon when people have hair loss is view everything with a microscope,” Mercier says. “I show them the spreads (areas on the scalp where hair loss is occurring) that are not going to grow.

You have to learn to attach things and keep what they have.”

But the most important part of the process, she says, is for the stylist to listen, “then tell them what will be best for them.”

“You have to work together to accomplish what it is they want,” Mercier said. “I find in a lot of shops, instead of listening to the client and working with the client, the stylist thinks they know everything. The stylist can always learn something new.”

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My Journey Into Hair Restoration

From Color Specialist to Hair Replacement

By Debora Routhe, Owner, Full Strands, Laguna Hills, California.

Let me tell you how I got into the rewarding world of nonsurgical hair restoration. I have always loved everything to do with hairstyling. I got my license when I was 17 years old. When I was 27, I had my first child, and shortly after my hair started to thin. I was tired all the time and my doctor told me it was normal after childbirth.

My symptoms continued to progress and finally, eight months later, in 1988, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroid disease. By this time, I had lost more than half of my hair. It was embarrassing being a hairdresser. It felt like everyone was always staring at me. It took a toll on my confidence and self-esteem. I wore wigs and clip-in toppers until my hair grew in and I felt like I looked normal again.

Over the years, my hair has shed three times, and as a result of my diagnosis, I've worn all styles of wigs, toppers and extensions.

This experience sparked my interest in alternative hair. About 10 years ago, I noticed my clientele was coming to me expressing concerns about fine and thinning hair. I made it my mission to find and offer the best solutions available.

Most of my clients didn’t want to wear wigs. They wanted hair that stayed on all the time. I became educated in different attachment methods including bonding and beading. Finding instruction was difficult. Hair replacement classes are not typically offered to hairdressers. I found

bonding education in San Diego with Dawn Harrison. I learned beading with Evolve at a class In Minneapolis. I’ve also attended several trainings in Florida with Hair Visions. It took several years and thousands of dollars to learn what I needed to know. I’ve even created some of my own hybrid techniques that utilize several techniques to give my clients a perfect solution.

I started offering these services in 2010 and through word of mouth and a little advertising, my schedule began to fill with clients seeking the solutions I offered.

My clients expressed interest in having private space so I moved from a big salon to a studio suite. My business quickly outgrew that space, and I decided to open my own hair restoration salon. I rented a 1,200-square-foot space and built it out to suit my needs. It has two private rooms for my hair-wearing clients and a larger styling room with two stations for regular hair styling and hair replacement services.

The large room can also be divided with a screen to offer privacy if my private rooms are full. I have two coworkers who also do hair replacement as well as regular salon services.

Sometimes my hair-wearing clients want to be in the “big room” together. They find an instant connection with one another and can share their stories so they don’t feel so alone. They love sharing their hair loss journey with other hair-wearing clients, though I strive to give my clients privacy and a true salon experience they desire.

If you have clients who have fine, thinning hair and want to help them, I encourage you to consider going into nonsurgical hair restoration. Giving people back their dignity and self-esteem is the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done. Last year during the height of the pandemic, I was able to stay open to serve my medical hair loss client.

If you are interested, I suggest the following steps.

• Find a mentor and get educated in the different types of attachments and hair options available.

• Create a private space so your clients can be comfortable during consultation and services. You can use screens for privacy if you are in a large salon.

• Join the American Hair Loss Council and attend the conference to stay up to date on the latest techniques and products while making new friends in the industry.

This year’s conference was a great experience. It was wonderful seeing my peers and networking with new people who also offer hair replacement. There were classes that gave us new information and taught new techniques which we could take back to the salon and use right away. I was so happy to be back with my fellow hair replacement specialists. I can’t wait until next year!

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Where Engineering Meets Beauty

By AHLC Staff

It’s not every day that you hear of an engineer transitioning into the beauty world. Well, meet Lylanda Edwards, a right brain left brain, tech-beauty entrepreneur.

Growing up in the small Mississippi town of Louisville didn’t stop Edwards from believing that God had some big assignments for her. “I knew at a very early age that I was meant to be different,” she said.

Edwards, the oldest of four children, says family and faith are at the core of her foundation. She found her passion for beauty at the age of 13 when she styled her first set of finger waves on her cousin. “I recall two things — the waves being flawless and how good it felt after I completed the task,” Edwards said.

Hair wasn’t the only passion Edwards discovered in her youth. “One of my favorite high school teachers helped me realize that I had a unique gift to solve problems and analyze numbers,” she said. “That’s when I fell in love with math.”

Although beauty school may have seemed like the obvious choice, Edwards attended Grambling State University, a historically black college located in Louisiana, where she graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in computer science.

Edwards says during that time she continued to pursue her love of hair by practicing trendy styles on her friends and room mates.

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After graduation, Edwards went to work for IBM and launched her corporate software engineering career.

“I climbed the corporate ladder, had varying leadership and technical roles, and was placed in elite programs. But even with all that success, I never felt totally fulfilled in the corporate space,” she said.

Edwards’ desire for more purpose in her life led her to cosmetology school where she attended night classes while working her full-time IT job during the day.

Driven by determination and purpose, she obtained her cosmetology license in 2006 and opened Gabrielle's Salon and Day Spa, which later became Gabrielle's Salon and Extensions Boutique, in Austin, Texas. The salon features private suites, an education center, hair restoration steam bar, beverage bar, hair loss center, wig-product boutique, lab, and state-of-the-art wellness center.

“The journey to get here was everything but easy,” Edwards said. Two years into her corporate career, she gave birth to her first child, Faith Gabrielle. “Faith was born unresponsive and declared DOA (dead on arrival) at birth.

Having no heart rate or pulse, we were given the option to pronounce her dead or have a special team attempt resuscitation. Obviously, we chose the latter of the two." A testament to her name, Faith survived but the journey to her recovery was far from over. The following four years would prove to be some

of the hardest for her and her family as they continued to navigate through the twists and turns of Faith’s journey. Edwards says it was that season where she grew the most.

"Although I wouldn’t wish the experience on any parent, I wouldn’t change one thing for me,” she said. The greatest revelation from her struggle? “If I can birth a miracle, I can be a miracle!” She says the epiphany served as the cornerstone of the launch of her business and is the catalyst of its continued success today.

Despite the success of her business, Edwards suffered her biggest financial threat to her business during the recession in 2008. “I was still a relatively new business robbing Peter to pay Paul and watching the late notices pile up,” she said. But, her gift of finding opportunity in adversity, she says, led her to the personal finance personality Dave Ramsey.

“Financial Peace University’s approach to handling money saved my business and changed my life," she said. Today, she pays it forward by offering Ramsey’s free financial literacy classes in the salon where she serves as a volunteer facilitator.

Edwards says that after thoughtful prayer and divine confirmation, she resigned from IT at the end of 2008 and committed to growing Gabrielle’s Salon & Extensions Boutique. Today, the business has 12 employees.

“We’ve seen substantial double-digit growth for the past six quarters, and we’re always adding new technology, services and resources to bring more value to our guests,” Edwards said. The salon offers more than 18 different techniques, including hair extensions, hair replacement, hair restoration and trichology.

Edwards credits diversity and education as the backbone of the company’s growth.

“I believe our clientele represents heaven on earth …. every shade, age, background and nationality," she said. "We are inclusive and our team takes pride in positively impacting people from all over the world."

Despite her business drive, Edwards says balance is important in her life. “I always make time for my two favorite girls, Faith Gabrielle and my second child, Hope Olivia.

We have date nights, girls trips, and individual mother-daughter-day outings,” she said.

“Because I embraced my unique journey, I get to change lives and serve a purpose bigger than hair," she said. "My computer

to be in two places at one time. And most importantly, it provided another resource for our team to grow and flourish.” science background has certainly given me an advantage in this industry and provided a foundation for problem-solving skills that I leverage daily to drive my success in the hair extension and hair loss world." Edwards says she troubleshoots network and technical problems quite often in the salon.

She says she’s passionate about helping people grow and believes one of the best ways to do that is through education. A recent challenge involved finding innovative ways to continue hands-on training while respecting social distancing. “From my home, I created a series of informal look-and-learn videos with some of our most popular hair extension techniques. I uploaded the videos to iPads and placed them in the education center for the team to access and practice during their downtime," she said. “This virtual education resource made it possible for me

Edwards says for both corporate IT and salon ownership, finding her niche was a setup for success. “You should always find a way to stand out from others. In IT, it was automation development that led to my recognition and promotion. On the beauty side, it was hair extensions and hair replacement.

Our salon has offered hand-tied weft services since 2008, long before they were a thing.”

She says the biggest difference between her corporate IT and independent salon ownership is the roles and responsibilities. For most of her IT career, she focused on one role at a time.

"Salon ownership, on the other hand, has required me to wear many hats simultaneously, especially in the formative years," she said. "What’s made it worthwhile is knowing that as a business owner, I’m building a legacy for my daughters.”

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Hiring a Special Artist From Theater to Hair Replacement

By Stacey Handel, Owner, Garde Bien Spa Salon, Knoxville, Tennessee It was serendipitous. Yes, it was meant to be.

I was introduced to Siobian Jones through a client. Don’t we love our clients? The client had no idea what a "ventilator" was but knew Jones' skills with wigs were something my salon could use. Siobian had just returned to the area and was looking to expand her wig design business.

Most of our clients wear human hair wigs and toppers. These are expensive, and periodically the hair is pulled out from brushing and styling or the cap becomes damaged and unwearable. During the past year, along with everyone else, we have experienced great delays in some orders and repair services in both wigs and toppers.

Michigan, and Aveda Fredric's Institute in Cincinnati, Ohio.

costumes. And from that point on, I helped out with the shows.

Q: What inspired you to work with wigs and how did you enter the theater hair business?

From there I started volunteering for anything that would feed my creative soul. I did hair and makeup for a couple of haunted theme parks, a couple of dance companies and sorority events. I always dreamed of working in entertainment and at that point, my dream was being fulfilled. The costume designer, Heidi Ortega at Johnson Theater at Murray State University, recommended I become the official cosmetologist for the Utah Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City. That was my first professional job in theater. When I showed up I had never

A: My first experience in the theater was when I was 21. I had a client who was on the board for Play House in the Park in Murray, Kentucky. Turns out they were in rehearsals for "Footloose," the musical. She asked me to be a dancer. I thought, "Sure why not?" Turns out I was not meant to be on stage. Backstage was where I found my place, I did hair and makeup. I loved going through the clothes and shopping for

CONTINUED ON PAGE 29 Wig @themightywig Photographer @myharmonyphotography Model @khealy13_ Stylist @taylorromanportraits Event @theportraitmasters

Now we are able to do these minor repairs and replacement hair in-house, which has been a godsend to our guests. Siobian can retip extensions, offer wig maintenance and color refreshers, customize wigs with gray additions and design wefts along with other original creations. And because Siobian is a licensed cosmetologist, she sees overflow guests for a variety of services a few days a week along with other projects from her own studio, The Mighty Wig. Siobian sat down with me and answered some probing questions.

QUESTION: What is your educational background?

ANSWER: Tennessee School of Beauty class of 2003. In addition, I took many continuing education classes through the Douglas J Aveda Institute in Lancing, THE LINK MAGAZINE

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Q: How has all this experience helped you when working with hair loss clients?

seen a handmade wig. I was immediately intrigued. I started learning how to ventilate in between my cosmetology duties. I eventually talked the department head into letting me take a wig home to ventilate on my own time. I wanted to get proficient enough to be hired on as a ventilator for the fall season. I knew I had found my next career as soon as I started.

A: I have been able to use ventilating skills and wig-building skills I learned in the theater.

Now I work with wigs that are meant as a hair loss solution. My artistic skills help me create a natural look for our clients at Garde Bien.

Q: What do you love about working with alternative hair and wigs?

Q: What were the advantages of having a cosmetology license and experience as a stylist?

A: I was a successful hairstylist for nine years before I transitioned to the theater.

This experience gave me excellent customer service skills and the ability to multitask proficiently. These were two extremely helpful skills for my transition. In theater, you are trying to please costume designers, directors, department heads and actors. And anyone who has worked in a salon knows we are constantly trying to decode what language our clients are using to describe the way they see hair. It's the same with all of the many people involved in a theatrical performance.

But it's many people for one look rather than just the one client.

Siobian Jones, Owner, The Mighty Wig Knoxville, Tennessee, @themightywig

As far as multitasking, in theater, we are literally putting wigs on people backstage while listening for cues, costume changes, props, voice warm-ups, stage management, stretches, crying, therapy, arguments, running from one side of the stage to the other. And we have to make sure the wig is straight, secure and we don't accidentally stab them with a hairpin. There were many times all of this happened in a 30-90 second quick change. The energy is euphoric.

Q: What additional training have you done to learn skills that weren’t taught in beauty school?

A: After the Utah Shakespeare Festival I did an unpaid internship at The Chicago Shakespeare Theater. I give a lot of credit to the award-winning wig designer Melissa 'Maloo' Veal and her assistant Whitney Mueller for the wig maker I am today. I looked for every paid or unpaid job I could get to become proficient.

I did not have the theater degree that most jobs required. I made many contacts in the industry, built up trust and became qualified for any job I applied for.

Siobian made this from the client's own hair, and several family and friends that donated.

A: You know the feeling when you have fresh hair, nails, and your makeup is on point? You look in the mirror and you're like “Damn! You are lookin’ good today!” You move through your day with more confidence and you are more open to the world around you.

You want to be noticed. And you know if something goes wrong, at least you looked good doing it. But then, a couple of weeks go by, your roots are growing in, your nails are chipping, your makeup is not going on right because you are due for a wax. You start to want less attention. Then you go to the salon and BAM you feel good again!

Now take this same experience and imagine your guest is experiencing hair loss, whether it be from chemo, alopecia, postpartum, age, whatever it is. We are not just hairstylists. We are friends, coaches, therapists and confidants.

The impact I get to have on those individuals is huge. I am able to take a situation that might feel like a life sentence and turn it around and offer them a sense of control and self-confidence. I can show them they can have good hair again, maybe even better hair. I love being able to provide that to people. I love seeing my guests' faces light up and watching a sense of hope glow from their smiles. Not just because I helped them with their hair but also because they were shown care, compassion, and connection and in return, my soul gets fed.

A big part of our success is providing services needed and hiring staff to perform these services. We offer wig repairs and refurbishing range from sewing finger clips, repairing lace, resizing, replacing hair or building a complete custom wig. Hiring specialists or training someone on staff to perform these services is a great asset to any hair replacement center. Not only has it generated additional revenue and helped many of our clients, but we've also gained new loyal clients that we would have never been able to help prior to Siobian coming on board.

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A Case for CBD and Its Use in Our Industry

By Sherri Romm, Owner, Versacchi Studios, Owings Mills, Maryland High-quality cannabidiol, or CBD, used as intended and on a consistent basis, possesses the potential to stimulate hair growth, making it an attractive natural alternative for treating and preventing hair loss.

There I said it. I will explain how, but first a little background.

Cannabis History (Lasered Version) Cannabis has a long, rich history indigenous to Asia as one of the earliest domesticated crops. It has been used in China for more than 8,500 years for both industrial and medicinal uses. Cannabis was introduced to Western Asia and Europe in 2,000-1,000 BCE and was primarily used for fiber. For hundreds of years, hemp fiber was the No. 1 choice for rope and sailcloth and was vital to the shipping industry during the Industrial Revolution. In 1545 it was introduced to the Spanish Colonies. In 1606, cannabis made its way to North America.

FUN FACTS: In 1619, the Virginia Assembly passed a law that all households had to produce hemp. It was accepted as currency in Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Benjamin Franklin and Henry Clay all farmed hemp.

Cannabis has an extensive, fascinating past, but there is not enough time or space here to take a “deep dive.” The important takeaway is that cannabis is “deeply rooted” in Earth’s history to provide raw

material and natural medicine. Historically controversial, cannabis has also been used for political and economic posturing, and to racially profile certain groups of people. Fortunately, cannabis is gaining unprecedented recognition in the scientific, medical and spiritual realms for its powerful protective and healing properties.

Hemp vs. Marijuana: What’s the Difference?

A common misconception is that hemp and marijuana are two separate species of cannabis plants. The truth is that science doesn’t differentiate between the two, but the law does.

Legally, tetrahydrocannabinol — THC — is the distinguishing factor.

The term “hemp” means the cannabis contains .3% or less of the THC content by dry weight. “Marijuana” contains more than .3% of the THC by dry weight. THC content can vary among cannabis plants due to genetic breeding, farming methods, extraction method and intent of use.

Cannabis plants have been designated as cannabis sativa, cannabis indica, or a hybrid. Each has its own purported characteristics and effects. For the sake of this article, we will refer to the terms cannabis and hemp (.3 percent or less of THC) interchangeably.

What is Cannabidiol (CBD)?

Cannabidiol — CBD — is a naturally occurring compound found in the resinous flower of cannabis, a plant with a rich history as medicine going back thousands

of years. A safe, nonaddictive substance, CBD is one of more than a hundred “phytocannabinoids,” unique to cannabis and endow the plant with its robust therapeutic profile.

CBD is closely related to another important medicinally active phytocannabinoid: tetrahydrocannabinol — THC — the psychoactive compound that causes the famous “high.”

Both CBD and THC have significant therapeutic attributes. But unlike THC, CBD does not make a person feel “stoned” or intoxicated. That’s because CBD and THC act in different ways on different receptors in the brain and body.

How Can CBD Help?

CBD has so many therapeutic benefits; it’s hard to know where to start. I've highlighted the benefits that directly correlate to hair loss and healthy hair growth.

Providing Restful Sleep and Less Stress We all live in stressful times in society that can wreak havoc on one’s well-being (understatement of the year!).

Continuously high levels of stress lead to excessive production of cortisol, which is a hormone that triggers the “flight or fight” response when you’re in a dangerous situation. High amounts of cortisol in the body have been associated with: ■ Hair loss ■ Weight gain ■ Sleeping difficulty CONTINUED ON PAGE 32 THE LINK MAGAZINE

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■ Appetite, hunger, and metabolism

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31

When you have less cortisol in your system, you have a higher chance of getting more restful sleep, preventing hair loss.

CBD has been shown to reduce anxiety, improve sleep patterns, and help with stress management in day-to-day situations, potentially reducing hair loss risk. It makes sense, right?

■ Memory, learning, and cognition ■ Temperature regulation ■ Pain ■ Sensory processing The ECS does this via cannabinoid receptors found in select tissues. The two most prominent cannabinoid receptors are CB1 and CB2.

CBD Oil Can Reduce Inflammation Chronic inflammation can be devastating for your general health, but it also significantly worsens the condition of your hair’s health, including its growth. CBD can suppress inflammation in the body, promoting a healthy environment for hair to grow on the scalp. It can also reach sebaceous glands that secrete sebum to lubricate hair in follicles, preventing them from drying out.

CB1 Class of Receptors — CB1 receptors are located primarily in the brain and central nervous system and are responsible for: ■ Regulating learning and memory ■ Neuronal development and synaptic plasticity

CBD Oil Improves Blood Circulation

■ Regulating reward and addiction

Better blood flow offers many benefits for the body, especially around hair follicles, encouraging hair growth. Since CBD increases cerebral blood flow, it brings more nutrients to hair follicles while removing harmful toxins and thus allowing hair to become healthier and stronger.

■ Reducing pain

CBD Oil Nutritional Benefits Incorporating CBD oil into your diet allows you to take advantage of the vast nutrients you may not be getting in your diet to promote healthy hair. The cannabis plant packs a punch when it comes to nutritional information making it arguably one of the most nutrient-dense plants. Cannabis seeds are considered a complete protein source, are gluten- and dairy-free and are packed with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. The cannabis leaves are rich in fiber, flavonoids, essential oils, magnesium, calcium, beta-carotene, iron, potassium, etc. Full-spectrum CBD oil incorporates these macronutrients into a small amount.

Endocannabinoid System — ECS: Crucial for Homeostasis Homeostasis is your body's efforts to keep everything balanced, your internal environment stable and optimal no matter what's going on in the world around you. Think of it as a “gatekeeper” who 32

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■ Reducing neuroinflammation and degeneration ■ Regulating metabolism and food intake ■ Regulating bone mass continuously monitors important levels and functions in your body.

Is your temperature too high, too low, or just right? Are you tired and need to rest?

Is your heart beating too fast? Do you feel hungry? Is too much of something building up in your bloodstream or inside of your cells? Are your hormone levels what they should be? You get the point. When something is operating outside of the right range, your body activates the ECS to help correct it.

ECS is one of the body’s largest neurotransmitter networks. It is an integrated balancing system for the body and is responsible for keeping in balance a variety of physiological functions, including:

■ Cardiovascular effects CB2 Class of Receptors — The CB2 receptors are located primarily in the periphery instead of the central nervous system and are mainly expressed in immune cells, giving them an important role in inflammation and autoimmune response. CB2 receptors are responsible for: ■ Allergic and autoimmune inflammatory diseases ■ Osteoporosis (loss of bone mass) ■ Neurodegenerative diseases ■ Ischemic injury from stroke or heart attack ■ Chronic pain ■ Hepatic (liver) injury and disease

■ Immune function

■ Alcohol and nicotine addiction

■ Inflammation, including neuroinflammation

■ Weight gain

■ Mood ■ Movement and coordination ■ Sleep

■ Stress responses Fun Fact: The first endocannabinoid that was discovered was named anandamide after the Sanskrit word ananda

for “bliss.” All of us have tiny cannabis-like molecules floating around in our brains.

Lucky us.

Endocannabinoid Deficiency If the body has an endocannabinoid deficiency, cannabis-derived CBD acts as a supplement, giving the body the ability to regulate various functions and processes that are crucial to one’s health.

Endocannabinoid deficiency is believed to be caused by chronic stress, exposure to environmental toxins and poor lifestyle habits. Symptoms range from forgetfulness, brain fog, decreased tolerance to pain, moodiness, compromised stress response, chronic inflammation, and a poorly functioning immune system that results in frequent illness.

extraction, leaving behind CBD, minor cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids so that the user can benefit from some of the entourage effects.

Isolate CBD isolate is exactly what it sounds like — pure CBD. The cannabinoid is separated from the other compounds using winterization and fractional distillation. Although CBD isolates may appeal to certain users due to being flavorless and odorless, they only offer the health benefits of CBD. Some cannabis experts argue that isolated compounds can’t use the full potential of cannabis unless they are combined with other cannabinoids and terpenes.

What is the Entourage Effect?

shampoos, conditioner and scalp treatments help protect, moisturize, and repair the hair and scalp. CBD extracts, oils and caplets are measurable in terms of consistent dosing. With that said, finding an effective CBD dosage may depend on the potency, bioavailability, unique biochemistry, weight, severity of your condition, etc. Set your goals, start slow, but be consistent in your dosing. Increase as necessary.

In addition, I want to clarify that CBD is one key component in treating hair loss.

With any imbalances, one must address the whole body to include nutrition, exercise, hydration and toxic elimination as equal, synergistic facets to health.

As an educator, cannabis user, and resident research nerd, my CBD selection criteria is very strict. Based on anecdotal feedback, potency/efficacy, independent lab testing, purity (non-GMO, no pesticides), entourage effect, company integrity, and customer service, I highly recommend the following companies to check out for your CBD needs. Please note that I do not have any financial incentive to do so.

While cannabinoids and terpenes (another significant compound found in cannabis) Certain types of hair loss are a major indihave been studied for their individual effects, cator that the body’s ECS is not in balance. proponents of the entourage effect are Telogen effluvium is generally instigated interested in how these compounds work by high cortisol levels causing irregular, when combined with each other. Think constant shedding. Prescription drugs, such “synergy." They insist that consuming wholeas blood pressure medicine, can cause plant cannabis produces a different effect hair loss. Nutritional deficiencies, such as than consuming individual cannabinoids or insufficient calories, not enough protein, etc., RPM / CBD; Contact Tyler Murphy, Evolve terpenes in isolation. The term “entourage may sabotage your normal hair cycle and Solve Systems, email tylerm@evolvesaloneffect” was coined by Mechoulam and cause hair loss. systems.com, 800-262-4247 Shimon Ben-Shabat in a cannabinoid study Topical CBD infused products for hair care, from 1999. In the study, Mechoulam and What are the various types Shabat suggested that this phenomenon skincare, specialty analgesic relief using of CBD? explains why botanical drugs (containing broad-spectrum CBD the entire spectrum of compounds within With a plethora of options available, we BAYWATER HEMP FARMS, Contact Tim a plant) can sometimes be more effective should first identify each type’s technical Fields, email Tim@baywaterfarms.com, than the plant’s isolated components. aspects, including full-spectrum, broad410-357-1468 spectrum, and isolate CBD. Most cannabinoids and terpenes are CBD Oil Extracts and Flowers, Balms, and present in cannabis in such small conFull-spectrum Salves using full-spectrum CBD centrations, making it difficult to judge Full-spectrum CBD, or whole-plant CBD, Please feel free to contact me on my the effects of these individual compounds contains all naturally occurring compounds email, sherri_renee@mac.com, with any when the plant is consumed as a whole. in cannabis. Cannabidiol and other cannaquestions on usage, dosing, product recomThe exception to this rule is THC and CBD, binoids found in cannabis — including trace mendations, etc. the two cannabinoids found in the highest amounts of THC. It also features terpenes, percentages in most cannabis strains. The flavonoids, vitamins, minerals, and essential About the Author interaction between these two cannabifatty acids contained in the plant’s waxes.

Sherri Renée Romm is the founder of noids provides one of the strongest arguFull-spectrum CBD creates the entourage Sherri Renée & Co. and Versacchi Studios. ments for the entourage effect. effect and allows the body to process CBD As an educator and expert on hair loss more efficiently.

Summary design solutions for almost 30 years, her Broad-spectrum path has led her to study and educate To maximize the benefits of CBD, I others on natural therapeutics and holistic Broad-spectrum CBD is almost the same recommend using both topical CBD-based as full-spectrum CBD — except for its THC products in conjunction with ingesting CBD lifestyle as a solution for hair loss and optimal health. content. The THC is removed after initial internally. Using high-quality CBD-based THE LINK MAGAZINE

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Conference in Photos

What our attendees enjoyed most about HAIRNOW21: "Eduction and interacting with vendors.

Being able to purchase stock!!!!! "

"Talking with other professionals ... learning from each other. I enjoyed a couple of the classes."

- Catherine Crum

- Margaret Raether

"Marketing discussion."

- Susan Jernigan 34

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"Love the networking."

- Violete Deilke

"All the choices each day. "

"The variety of classes."

"The topper alteration class"

- Bernard Ory

- Elizabeth Kincaid

- Rachael Kaminski

"This conference was great in many ways for us. I brought my team to learn, meet and explore what's new in our industry. Meeting up with friends, meeting new friends and seeing new inventions, products and techniques will never get old."

"I enjoyed being able to feel confident that I was safe and going to be able to get some good information about this awesome direction that my career is moving."

- Stacey M. Handel

- Bryan Sepp

"The demonstrations. The networking was also really good. "

"All the wonderful classes, all the vendors have such great knowledge."

- Jessica Border

- Eric Rico

"The training on Saturday."

- Sara Lou Manning THE LINK MAGAZINE

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Conference in Photos

Conference in Photos

Vendors' Comments: "We met some amazing people ... overall the conference was wonderful.

This was a quality conference, a perfect match for my brand."

"It was great to see everyone! Lots of new members from CA and the west."

- Angela H. Brown

- Jodie A Vanderhoof

"I enjoyed the education and meeting various clients."

"Seeing customers in real life!"

- Kim Flores

- Shlomo Klein THE LINK MAGAZINE

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AHLC MEMBER SPONSORED EDUCATION

THESE CLASSES QUALIFY FOR AHLC MASTER'S CERTIFICATION POINTS TWO DAY HAIR REPLACEMENT MASTER CLASS

Amani Newport Beach, CA Train with Nazy Curtis, founder of Amani Newport Beach. With over 20 years of experience, Nazy offers the highest quality human hair replacement and service. The Two Day Hair Replacement Master Class will educate you on the causes of Hair Loss and how to offer valuable service to your clients. Price: $1,700.00 • Work hands-on with unique and truly high-end human hair pieces • What causes Hair thinning or hair loss • Working with State of the Art treatment Complex • Discover new ways to meet individual needs of your male & female clients • Demonstrate ways to tailor pieces to your clients’ exact needs and keep them coming back • Show you ways to work with color: Highlights, Low lights CALL AMANI HAIR FOR REGISTRATION INFORMATION 949-520-7711

CRLAB OWNERS MEETING March 5–7, 2022, Las Vegas, Nevada Module 1: Physiology and anomalies of the scalp and hair.

We are pleased to announce the dates for CRLAB Owners Meeting 2022.

Join us and have a unique experience: 3 days of meeting and training in Las Vegas, Nevada March 5th – 6th, CRLAB Academy #5 & #6 March 7th Owners meeting

BEING SOCIAL ON SOCIAL MEDIA PARTNERS BOOK YOUR PRIVATE CALL WITH DORIN Our North America Social Media Coordinator – Dorin Azerad – will be available for one-onone meetings every Monday to answer all your salon and CRLAB social media questions.

Every MONDAY 9.00-9.30 am CST'For additional information please contact Jodievanderhoof@cesareragazzi.com www.crlab.com

Learn from the Best! Hair Replacement Training Class with Doris Yu HairArt Salon: Los Angeles, CA Date: Call for availability Learn from Doris Yu, founder and head stylist of HairArt, who has been in the hair replacement industry for nearly 40 years! She is offering a variety of class options that will help you expand your professional lexicon.

Ventilation is one of the most important skills to have in the industry. Doris will teach you this increasingly important skill as well as repairing bases and re-sizing wigs. Cost: $1,000 days. Duration: 2 days.

Learn how to design the perfect hair system and wigs in Doris’ 1-day intensive class. She will also show you how to create hairlines, custom molds, high/low lights, natural waves, density, and sizes. Cost: $550. Duration: 1 day.

If you’d like to hone your attachment skills we have the class for you! Doris will work with you one-on-one on attachment bonding, micro locks, weaves, and semi/permanent processes. Cost: $550. Duration: 1 day.

We also offer a comprehensive salon training class that covers all of the above-mentioned business intricacies/skills/techniques in a 5-day intensive class for $2,500. All classes are held in our state-of-the-art salon in Los Angeles. All training materials and hair are included in the cost of the course. Mannequin, tools, and practice pieces are yours to keep. Please join us for these hands-on courses!

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TWO-DAY HAIRSKEEN CERTIFICATION COURSE! FOR $1,500 *50% deposit due at registration.

• January 23-24, San Diego, CA • February 27-28, Miami, FL • March 27-28, Dallas, TX • April 24-25, New Orleans, LA • May 15-16, Miami, FL (*Class is in Spanish) • May 22-23, Denver, CO • June 19-20, Minneapolis, MN Getting Certified As a Hairskeen Partner Includes: A two-day compressive technical training class on application and care of all Hairskeen products.

You Will Learn To: • Apply the Hairskeen hair loss solution.

• Cutting and styling • Preparation • Maintenance and care • Learn how to talk with your clients about hair loss, and the solutions.

• Suggested pricing It’s an incredible feeling when you can help your clients who suffer from the negative effects of hair loss achieve the look and style they would like with the benefit of a full head of hair. You will also be building a profitable new revenue stream for your business.

You may bring your client with you to your training, real-time application, under the guidance European and United States, professional Hairskeen Trainers.

Graduates will have access to powerful images and marketing materials, including videos. *Classes are limited to ten to fifteen students.

AMERICAN HAIRLINES VIRTUAL NON-SURGICAL HAIR REPLACEMENT CERTIFICATION Select from the following options: • One-Day Men’s Hair Replacement Virtual Certification • One-Day Women’s Hair Replacement Virtual Certification • Two-Day Men’s & Women’s Hair Replacement Virtual Certification • Each session is approximately 4 hours Registration Includes: • Non-Surgical Hair Replacement Training Manual • American Hairlines Workshop Kit • Canvas Blockhead & Balding Mannequin for each training day • American Hairlines Men’s and/or Women’s Hair System • Recorded video of the workshop • “Certified American Hairlines Stylist” Certificate Virtual Workshop Includes: • Understanding Hair Loss And Hair Growth – Causes and Solutions • Client Consultation • Detailed Review Of System Constructions • Hands-On Template Making for Custom Orders • Hands-On System Application Customization and Application • Bleaching/Coloring, Application & Cut-In, Styling CONTACT YOUR AMERICAN HAIRLINES ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE, CALL (866) 618-1200 OR EMAIL EDUCATION@HAIRUWEAR.COM

HAIRUWEAR ON THE ROAD TWO-DAY HANDS-ON WORKSHOP

Schedule to be announced soon Visit www.hairuwear.com or follow HairUWear Inc. on Facebook, https://www.facebook. com/HairUWearINC, for updates.

Contact your HairUWear Account Executive or email education@hairuwear.com for Virtual Training opportunities.

VIRTUAL COACHING! At Hair Visions International's Hair Academy, your agenda is our agenda. An open curriculum gives you the opportunity to learn the technical skills that are important to you. Tell us what you want to learn and we'll present the class. The Hair Academy's four-hour customized virtual coaching lets you learn new skills or polish up on old ones. in the safety of your own studio.

Four-Hour Customized Virtual Coaching benefits for your studio: ■ Forget the hassle of booking flights or hotels. Our virtual interactive class save you valuable time, money, and most importantly, keeps you and your staff safe in the comfort of your studio ■ Professional trainer Baha Alwardi brings his expertise as one of Hair Visions’ leading instructors ■ One studio per session provides personalized instruction (limited to five participants.)

■ Flexible class dates to accommodate your schedule ■ 10% discount on products a week before and a week after your training class (excludes hair replacement and wigs) Scheduling your Four-Hour Customized Virtual Coaching class today. Book now!

LIMITED AVAILABILITY. CONTACT KARLA HURTADO AT 800-327-5555, EXT. 3325 TODAY.

International Hairgoods Education for Winter 2022 ON DEMAND Virtual Training Available NOW! • Virtual Cyberhair Certification Now available! Comprehensive E-Learning Webinars, Hands On Video Zoom, and Kit. All hair replacement and wig studios eligible to become Cyberhair Studios!

• Micro Point Solutions Certification in E-Learning Classes with additional Hands On Video Zoom Demonstration & Coaching • Virtual Intro to Hair Replacement Certification – online classes and video library with Interactive Hands On Video Zoom and Kit. Live, In-Person REGIONAL Training Dates to Be Announced Soon. Please contact IHI for dates and locations.

Micro Point Solutions Certification (one day) Going where no extension has gone before, this solution is for clients in the early stages of hair loss. A safe, healthy way to add volume and density to your client’s fine, thin hair.

Recreate the look and feel of your client’s natural hair and visibly boost thin hair in just one appointment.

Intro to Hair Replacement Certification (2 days) Hair Replacement Certification class helps you master the many fundamental technical aspects of non-surgical hair replacement for women and men. Intensive and comprehensive hands-on technical training, and Includes thorough client consultation and coaching, and in-depth business discussion.

Cyberhair Custom Designs (2 days) The Cyberhair Customs Designs Certification has been revamped to streamline the technical and business aspects of working with this unprecedented and in-demand product! Cyberhair® is a superior created hair fiber - beating human hair in its durability and ability to hold color, and beats synthetic fibers by its heat tolerance, love of water and ultra-light weight. Cyberhair Custom Designs allows you to create a personalized solution for your client, no matter their needs. This comprehensive and hands on 2-day session encompasses the many possibilities of non-surgical hair replacement for women & men, and how they will exceed the expectations of your hair loss clients! Typical Cyberhair Custom Lead time is 4-6 months.

CALL OR TEXT 800.328.0311 OR EMAIL PROMOS@INTHAIR.COM for more information and please visit our website at www.internationalhairgoods.com!

JON RENAU MASTERCLASS – ON DEMAND Certification Ready when you are regardless of distance or time zones. No travel expenses, no lost time, no waiting for what you need.

Business Success Mastery + Product Knowledge for Success This certification will lead you through the hair loss client's journey, providing you and your team with actionable steps to emphasize capturing new clients while gaining market share to engage today's clients and provide the best client experience.

continued...

• Increase revenue, reduce returns, maximize your time • Increase brand awareness & impact purchase decisions • Implement client retention strategies JON RENAU Topper Certification – ON Demand - Coming Soon This certification is designed to provide you with the tools and knowledge you need to service the fastest growing segment in alternative hair: the topper client. Because not every client is ready for a wig!

• Address all aspects of in-person and virtual topper consultation • Customize toppers and apply blending techniques • Provide maintenance and care • Set the right expectations to ensure success Contact your Jon Renau Account Manager for more information and pricing www.jonrenau.com 800-462-9447

NHLMA Medical Hair Loss Academy equips you with knowledge and strategy to help you fill in the blanks for hair, skin and wellness.

What can you learn from NHLMA Medical Academy?

■ Individual, hands on, one on one course training customized to your unique practice ■ How to incorporate a hair recovery program in your own practice ■ Identify different forms of alopecia ■ Create prevention programs customized to your facility ■ Carry your own at home boosters ■ The difference between PRP, Exosomes, and other hair loss booster treatments ■ Treat Chemo/Radiation related hair loss ■ Cutting edge medical services and customized protocols for treatments ■ Booster injections that aid extension damage or traction alopecia ■ Tracking your clients success with digitized 3D global photos ■ NEW Follicular Assessment to expose environmental exposures, nutritional deficiencies, food intolerances, and more!

For more information, visit www.nhlma.com/academy-courses, email education@ nhlma.com, or call us directly 602-283-2355.

Crossfit Educational Training On The Road At New Image Labs, we offer Crossfit Educational Training that prepares you to be the best in the hair replacement industry, whether you're new to the industry or a veteran. Now, we're bringing the training to you!

We deliver intensive, hands-on training and certification sessions to help you gain in-depth knowledge of our latest technology and products and how they will benefit your business.

Our renowned team of educators provides expertise in application, theory, and technique to help you meet your clients' needs and demands. Choose from any of the topics below and get ready to train with the best of the best at our educator's established hair centers or in the comfort of your own salon.

Educators: • Ricky Knowles • Keith Zimmerman • Randy Clark • Shannon Sorbara • Marcelle Baumann • Karyna Fields Topics Covered: • Tools for success using Pro|Gen Probe scalp analyzers • Attract new clients with Pro|Gen Active Care scalp therapy • Repair and maintain processed hair with Pro|Gen Nutrifuse hair products • Become a hair fiber master with Pro|Gen Fiberbond Keratin Thickening Fibers • Increase your bottom line with our new Club.W women's collection • The art of delivering to the female market with top-of-head and micro-linking application • Transform pre-custom lace and skin units to custom units • Become a certified Luxia Artiss hair extension stylist • Deliver pre-custom skin units from start to finish • Procedures for custom hair orders, from mold making, proper hair samples, distribution, etc.

Learn from the industry's most successful business owners and see how you can grow your business by receiving one-on-one training at the best hair centers in the country or the comfort of your own salon.

Limited availability, please contact Debbie Metz for details: Debbie Metz | 1-800-359-4247, EXT. 343 | dmetz@newimagelabs.com THE LINK MAGAZINE

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HIS.EGOOD .H. FOR

BUSINESS WE HAVE SOLUTIONS TO YOUR PANDEMIC HAIR ISSUES

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Nancy B. 310.817.6645 Johanna B. 310.928.7657

service@houseofeuropeanhair.com House of European Hair 400 W. 157th St. Gardena CA 90248 1.888.HAIR ART • houseofeuropeanhair.com • hehmens.com

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