Client Story - Ann

My hair loss journey begins in June 2014. A routine Mammogram discovered an early breast cancer. At that time my hair was a little finer due to various surgeries and an early menopause but nothing too significant.

As a young woman my hair was fine in texture but I had a lot of it so never had any worries about it.

As if from nowhere it suddenly hit me "my hair, what about my hair?" I said to my husband. His response was "don't worry about your hair, that is the least of our concerns right now. You have cancer and we need to get rid of it".

Truly I was devastated but I thought he's right let's get things into perspective. Remove the cancer, sort the hair. Indeed that was what happened surgery, radiotherapy and the following 5 1/2 years of drugs. This all to protect me from a recurrence.

My oncologist told me I needed at least five years of treatment because my tumour was oestrogen positive caught very early but necessary. "Questions?" He said "Yes please, will this affect my hair?" "Not always but you may get some thinning and shedding" I had cancer, it had been removed but my hair loss was just all I could think about.

Everyday I checked the shower and my pillow on awakening and true enough it was shedding. I asked to see my oncologist to say I felt fine on the treatment but is there something else I could have as I was losing my hair. I was 59 years old not a youngster but he told me on the other drug I could have another cancer from it because of my age!! I was heartbroken, I totally forgot I had been diagnosed with cancer and had it all safely removed. My hairloss was all consuming.

I tried over the counter lotions, took supplements but nothing worked. It slowed down the loss and I hoped it would improve. My glass is always half full I thought I can beat this hair loss doesn't define who I am. My friends and family said buy a wig.

My job was full time, a corporate one that involved meeting clients at a very senior level. Carrying out presentations to Directors. Every time I stood up in front of an audience I was mortified. Surely nobody was listening to me despite being beautifully turned out they must be all looking at my hair!!

So at the end of 2014 I went on a quest to research what could be done for my hair loss other than a wig. I was working in London and found a hair loss studio that did hair loss systems and extensions. Made an appointment and a very dear friend came with me. I was excited and full of optimism something good was going to happen. I was assured over the telephone yes the owner of the studio would do the consult.

Well what followed was down to earth with a bump. He looked at my hair, he fiddled around with it and then came the devastating blow. "Can't help you. Hairs too fragile. Come back when it's stronger. I wouldn't touch that" I held it together in front of this heartless man who showed no empathy and left his studio broken again.

My friend and I walked as I sobbed and sobbed, the walk was through a park, pass the Prince Albert Memorial and I looked at the statue and thought you have more hair than me. I was devastated.

From memory on a Friday evening early 2015 I started research again I googled hair loss Bristol as I was living in Somerset. I told my husband I've found another place that does hair loss solutions. I might ring up try and find out what they do. He said "No tomorrow we drive to Clifton go in and see them. See if they can help"

We arrived on the Saturday morning address in hand me looking for some tradional hair salon but this place was a house. Front door was closed and I thought this can't be right. However, I saw the plaque Lucinda Ellery Consultancy. Yes this is the right place. Panic struck I couldn't ring the door bell I thought not another disappointment, not what seemed another rejection no I can't do this. Then my husbands arm reached over me and rang the doorbell and I literally shook with nerves. He pressed the bell into a whole new world.

A young lady with the most beautiful smiling face greeted us. I remember asking something like "is this the hair loss place? could you help me?"

We were taken into lovely lounge area offered tea and coffee and a comfy seat. The young lady told us her name was Marika and she would be right back with our drinks and we could have a chat. What struck me was the warmth, the beautiful decor, the privacy and above all the kindness. If this was to be a let down again at least I feel at home, above all a welcoming warm environment.

Marika returned listened to my now what seemed to me my boring desperate story. Asked me many questions, explained what they did. Took my hat off to take a look at my hair. Then came the words "yes I'm absolutely sure we can help you". I sobbed and sobbed and Marika with trusty tissues in hand told me what happened next.

The what happened next was a return for a proper consultation with one of the Lucinda Ellery directors, Chris Hinchliffe. I remember that meeting so well. We laughed so much and I cried a lot and Chris was amazing; he too had tissues to hand. I remember he said I would suggest the interlace system. This would allow you freedom to swim, shower, sleep in it. We connect with your existing hair and it becomes you. No wigs, no more worries. An adjustment every 6 weeks, perfect.

I had a choice of virgin hair or temple hair but both were real hair. I would wash style everything as I did before with my hair. It was a lot to take in and sounded amazing but at the same time it was a big leap. This sounds crazy having such fine hair left and not masses of it I was scared of what people would say. How would they react. I felt embarrassed about the change.

Anyway, I went back into the London studio, met with Chris and decided virgin hair, and Chris said can do next week!!! Hallelujah I had a big presentation to do - I would have my new hair!!

So on March 24th 2015 I attended the London studio and my full head of hair journey began. It was a very long day but I was treated like a piece of fine porcelain, fragile and handled with the utmost care. Chris had said at my first consult you should meet my mother Lucinda, I think you would get on well. Well that day I did meet the lady herself Lucinda Ellery. To this day I call her an angel on Gods earth. She was warm caring and so interested in my story. I thought yes i really like you.

Whether she sensed my anxiousness about the whole process but she kept popping to see me and then talking to the stylist when it was time to cut this enormous amount of hair on my head she was there. When the process to restore me had finished I looked in the mirror and cried. I was overwhelmed all these arms came around and hugged me I felt loved and cared for. It truly was an experience I have never or will ever forget. I was reborn that day!!

I left the studio on air my friend was waiting saw me and was in total shock "Annie you look amazing" Lucinda was leaving too she gave me a hug and said so lovely to meet you I'm sure we will see one another again.

Two days later I attended Lucinda Ellery Bristol for my first wash and style and guess who had arrived Lucinda Ellery on the very same day. Once again she was involved in the styling and making sure I was ok. I attended my presentation, delivered my work and felt a million dollars. I did say to my boss to tell the Directors I look a lot different she did and everyone was so complimentary.

To this day people are fascinated by the system and how you would never know it wasn't all my own hair. I have been corrected by Lucinda "Annie it is your hair" She's right and I'm proud of it.

To this day I owe Lucinda Ellery and her team so much. I was reborn, cancer faded away, no more worries the systems that have served me well. I'm always excited to have my adjustments and have it styled. I look forward to the care, the empathy, the kindness.

It's been the most amazing experience of my life.

So thank you to Lucinda, her Directors, and team you are all Angels.

 

Lucinda Ellery Comments

Thank you, Ann, for such heartfelt words.

Hair loss caused by cancer medication is one of the hardest things our clients bring to us, and it's rarely talked about. You're told you may get some thinning, and then you're left to get on with it while everyone around you is simply relieved the cancer has gone. That doesn't make it any easier when you check your pillow in the morning.

Ann was living in Somerset when she typed 'hair loss Bristol' into Google one Friday evening. The next morning her husband drove her to Clifton and rang the doorbell she couldn't bring herself to ring. Her Intralace was fitted at our London studio - as there was a slot available there which suited her - but it could equally have been done in Bristol, and our Bristol team has looked after her ever since, with an adjustment every six weeks.

She'd already been turned away once by a studio that said her hair was too fragile to touch. That's the part we'd most like other women to read. Fine, fragile hair is exactly what the Intralace System is made for, because it's integrated into the hair you still have through an ultra-fine, breathable mesh rather than pulling directly against it.