Summer 2014

BeauTrichful ®

Healing Hairstitches away...

for Laura Cuthbert’s

15 years

by Laura’s Stylist

Plus Cruelty-FreeHow To Hair Install

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FREESALON POSTERS

I was 17 years old when I

discovered by passion ~ Hair Extensions. I quit Nursing School to follow my dreams. Growing up in a big city, New York, unbelievably, there were no salons who wanted to hire me so I had no choice but to start my own business. The birth of the Internet opened many opportunities for me after creating my website.

Many customers wanted hair extensions but their hair was too weak and thin to support the weight of fashion hair. I had to take hair replacement classes. After advertising my new service, I’ve consulted a Trichotillomania customer. The solution I offered was a success that changed her life. Today my longest pull-free client is over 9 years.

In my industry, I saw how women with cancer received help from health insurance and after inquiring, I found out there was no hair reimbursement for Sufferers of Trich. It was then I decided to start, HelpMe2Stop, a charity that raises money for salon services, especially hair.

This Summer, I will turn 43. And I hope

that before, I pass on from this short life and with God’s Blessings, HelpMe2Stop will raise hair money and help many Trichotillomania Sufferers receive their healing hair. Till next season... ~Charlene

Why a Trichotillomania Charity was Founded by a Non-Trich HairStylistBy Charlene Blacer

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LookGoodFeelBetter.com

CREDIT: nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/creativeage/launchpad_201405/index.php?startid=23#/44

“I’m Laura Cuthbert. I’ve had Trich since I was seven years old. It started up immediately after my Dad’s passing, and has been a piece of my life since. I created a Trichotillomania Facebook Group when I was 16, just looking for friends. What I didn’t know was that we would be over 2000 strong within a few short years. Trich is becoming more recognized, and even though it’s important to share information, it’s hard to live with such a visible insecurity.  Some people wear their hearts on their sleeves, like a showcase of vulnerability. But Trichsters wear their biggest failures, hardest moments, and anxiety on their heads.  Then they try to cover it up with cotton—like it won’t be seen. I had grown so tired of feeling overlooked: tired of just wearing hats. After a year of body confidence, and a lot of big changes, I felt that it was time that I went in to visit Pacific Hair Loss Solutions in Vancouver. That step has singlehandedly been one of the best decisions of my life. I’ve never met a kinder group of people. They’re talented too. Describing trich to those who don’t live with it, I’ve found that I’m constantly fumbling through “I know it sounds crazy,” or “it’s more common than you think.” Hoping to stop their thoughts in their tracks, assuming people think it’s contagious. I’ve gone through entire conversations about Trich, only to have questions about chemo come up in minute five. The worst has been when people’s contact drifts from my eyes to my hair, only for a second, like they are trying to steal a glance at my weakest point. I knew people wanted to know what was under the hat. 

During my consultation, Fanta, at Pacific Hair Loss Solutions, looked me right in the eye. Even when I took off my beanie, she kept eye contact. I think that’s how I knew it was the right place. She wanted to talk to me, not to my past. After the first consultation, the fun emails started, asking about length and colour. Style. I had never even been to a hair stylist before. My

points of reference were blue Barbicide hair jars and black capes. But they made it easy, encouraged things along the way. And I finally made a choice. Had there have been a “Salons for Dummies” book, I would have considered buying it. Going in for the experience itself, I was nervous, but the team put me right at ease. They offered tea, books, anything. Their storefront area was sort of like a hip and glamorous Counseling Office—if Counselors sold conditioner. Before my lacefront extensions, there were times where I would just hope I could grow my length to an inch: at least then it would look like an intentional cut. But just sitting in that chair, Vancouver skyline in the

background, Barbicide jar, and black cape, it felt right. For one of the first times, it felt gone. After a tight braid, they brought out the hairpiece. It felt like a homecoming.  We talked as it was carefully stitched into my worries—15 years of self-doubt and I could finally start healing. 

I just, I feel good.

There isn’t a cure to Trich, but Pacific Hair Loss Solutions helped me get pretty damn close.”

CONNECT WITH LAURAFacebook.com/groups/trichotillomania

Twitter.com/LauraCuthbert13LauraCuthbert.tumblr.com

YouTube.com/LauraCuthbert

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Laura Cuthbert’s Pacific Hair

As many sufferers are aware, trichotillomania is a condition that affects millions, and yet remains an issue that is seldom addressed by mainstream media. Those of us who do suffer from trich often look to medical professionals for help in minimizing or completely removing the urges, a process often unfortunately  met with

little to no success. Are there existing solutions  then, for those interested in a hair-friendly  aesthetic appearance in the interim? Most definitely! Below, we review some temporary and semi-permanent hair systems, in an attempt to simplify the process of choosing the option most suited to your needs. Amongst the variety of hair systems available, full wigs have long remained a traditional option to cover up all areas of the head affected by pulling.  The advantage of traditional wigs is the simplicity and ease of wear, as well as cost effectiveness. They are perfect for those with extensive pulling and no points of attachment. Full wig are

available in synthetic and human hair brands, in a variety of colours and textures and remain an excellent option for temporary wear. Perhaps the most complicating aspect of wearing a full traditional wig is the need for it to be taken on and off on a daily basis. They are generally not recommended for any

kind of

high impact activity as there is a risk they will fall off. Hair extensions are another viable option. Available in semi-permanent options including clip-ins and healthy methods of attachment to existing hair, hair extensions are wonderful for 'spot coverage' In less severe cases. They are also an excellent choice in adding volume and length to finer and shorter  hair. The latest in hair loss technology, lace front wigs have complimented the hair loss world with lightweight and extremely natural hair systems. With these systems, the wearer has the option to cover their entire head, or just the areas affected. They can be installed semi-permanently, to

pre-existing hair, or placed on clips, where the wearer may take them on and off each day. The appearance of these pieces is incredibly natural. Each lace front piece is meticulously hand-tied, giving the wearer the appearance of hair growing from scalp and allowing the partition of hair on any area of the head. With a semi-permanent installation the

wearer may sleep, shower, swim and preform any high impact activities without fear that their system will fall off or be seen. These systems require maintenance roughly every 6-8 weeks and due to the quality of the hair systems, they can be worn long-term. While we wait for a cure for this life changing condition, one thing we can be

certain of is that hair systems can offer a practical and beautiful alternative to hair loss by trich. You deserve to look in the mirror and see your most confident self, not defined by a condition that you are struggling with.

1200 Burrard Street, Suite 810 Vancouver, BC

@PacificHairvPacificHair.ca

Facebook.com/PacificHairExtensionsReplacement

Oprah Winfrey’s Network Blog: AnnaAndKristina.com/hair-to-there

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A happy Pacific Hair client

ATTRACTING SUFFERERS

Going to a salon is frightening for many sufferers. Many have never set foot in a salon. HelpMe2Stop encourages salons to put up a window decal year round, like Vancouver based Trich-Friendly Salon, Pacific Hair Extensions & Hair Loss Solutions, so onlookers will remember and share the information with their friends. It especially

strongly recommended for salons located near college campuses and high schools. Decals and posters proudly representing the hashtag #StopPullingHairOutWaitingForACure are free and easy to print. Other salon tools are available on the HelpMe2Stop website. With newest photo sharing capabilities in social media, like Instagram and Pinterest,

anyone who sees the hashtag will be curious. It will turn on their fighting instinct versus feeling sorry. Many will feel the urge to help. Because it is in our human nature to win together as with any sport teams.

FREE POSTER TO CUT OUT FOR YOUR SALON.

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How To Attract Trichotillomania Clientsto come inside your salonBy Charlene Blacer

PACIFICHair Extensions & Hair Loss Solutions Salon

Creating A Cruelty-Free

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Many hair replacement salons are challenged with installing a hairpiece on Trichotillomania head. Because the hair is short in many areas, they decide to shave the entire head in hopes to “start over”. This will only upset the Sufferer more and cause more pulling.

Shaving of the natural hair is common not just with Trichotillomania hair solutions

but also amongst women with hairloss.

I personally do not like to shave sufferers’s natural hair. In these photos, I utilize every single strand of hair, moving it back, forward, sideways and create an internal style-barrier. Once all the hair has been incorporated, I then apply the hairpiece.

Barrier Under Hairpiece

This method will also create a “double-barrier” for the sufferer, using their internal hair and the addition of the hairpiece.

HelpMe2Stop endeavors to teach salons the most cruelty-free methods for sufferers. Classes are taught online or in your salon for a donation. To schedule a class, email board@helpme2stop.org or text/call 570.HELP.020

How HelpMe2Stop StopsFor almost a decade, HelpMe2Stop salons have been helping Sufferers become pull-free. The longest pull-free client, reported, is

Trich!over 9 years. HelpMe2Stop provides training to any salon or sufferer interested. For details: www.bit.ly/DreamHairClass

By: Camille Capriglione

Ten years ago, while sitting in a hair salon, a stylist told me that I had severe breakage of hair near the back of my hairline and behind my ears. She was puzzled and couldn't figure out why. But I knew and was embarrassed.  I'd been twirling and pulling that section of hair since my teens.  I didn't know at the time that it was an obsessive-compulsive disorder, and I didn't learn what trichotillomania was until five years later. As I educated myself about trich, I realized how difficult it is to stop. For some people, it takes years of behavioral therapy or medication, and lots of trying and failing.  

I also realized that fidget toys (or fiddle toys,) are an important step in the process of becoming pull-free. 

After I witnessed my young nephew twirling his hair last year, I thought

why not create a fidget toy that simulates the tactile sensation? So I invented Twirl and Soothe.   

Trich Sufferer Invents

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Twirl and Soothe is made of synthetic hair. It is held in the hand or looped around the wrist or finger. The wearer strokes or twirls the item when the compulsion strikes, instead of pulling their own hair.  It is small and discreet.  The item is not a cure for the disorder, but serves as a temporary substitute, to help prevent users from damaging their hair and scalp.

WHAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT:  In my research, I have not found products that provide the same tactile sensation as hair.  As a sufferer myself, I realize how important that is. I discarded several hair textures before finalizing a prototype.     

I began mailing samples to doctors who specialize in trich. A representative at Trich.org was kind enough to reply, with advice as to how I could make the product better. This type of helpful insight is invaluable! Currently, I'm seeking trich sufferers who would like to be product testers of Twirl and Soothe. With their guidance and input, I hope to make the product as effective as possible. If you are interested in being a product tester, please email Camille at this address: Twirlandsoothe@gmail.com. 

Unique Fidget Toy

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HelpMe2StopAdvertising Info

BeautTrichful is a seasonal magazine that can be viewed online or purchased through- BeautTrichful.com

Sponsorship as low as $50. To include your salon in our worldwide listing locator guide, bit.ly/BeautyHelps

For Trichotillomania Hair Loss Solution Classes bit.ly/DreamHairClass

Send ad for the Spring 2014 issue to press@helpme2stop.org.

To be our CoverGirl/Guy for future issues, please email your edited story to press@helpme2stop.org

To send donated hairpieces, wigs, head coverings, etc, please mail along with detailed description to HelpMe2Stop, POB 202, Bartonsville, PA 18321

HelpMe2Stop wishes to thank social media for many of the images in this issue.

HELPME2STOPPOB 202 Bartonsville, PA 18321 570.HELP.020 Press@HelpMe2Stop.org

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