Hair Loss Services: Q&A with Cynthia Perry

Successful salon treatment for hair loss and hair thinning starts with the consultation. MODERN SALON asked Cynthia Perry of Cynergy Color Bar in Wake Forest, NC, to start at that beginning and clarify the process for helping clients with hair loss issues.

MODERN SALON: How do you greet your client and learn about the services they have in mind?

CYNTHIA PERRY: At Cynergy, we want our clients to feel that they have entered a happy, nonjudgmental environment where they will get pampered and treated top-notch, and where we will all share a laugh or two. This vibe is important to me. That's why our salon has a lot of windows to catch the sunlight and upbeat, smiling staff greeting each client. Whether it's a new or returning client, we do a thorough consultation about their hair. Under LED lighting, the stylist feels the texture, evaluates the health of the hair, and discusses style wants/likes/needs. 

MS: Hair Loss is a sensitive topic, but one that has come to the forefront especially during these stressful times. Could you speak about that a little?

CP: Yes, when something is “off” with the body, hair is the first thing that the body doesn’t need, so it tends to “shed” it. There are many reasons that a client may be experiencing this, including stress, which we are seeing quite a lot of lately due to COVID-19 and other factorss; vitamin deficiency; autoimmune disease; thyroid problems; hormone therapy; and pregnancy, to name a few.

MS: How do you differentiate between thinning hair and fine hair?

CP: Our hair is a reflection of our race and heritage, which shapes our follicles and the hair they produce. Fine hair refers to the degree of thickness of the hair shaft, while thin hair is about the density. We assess this in our client consultation and come up with suggestions for styles that will best suit the client.

MS: Are there any instances where you have to tell the client the service they came in for won't be possible due to the hair loss? And then what do you suggest as a plan B?

CP: When hair loss is involved, often we do have to come up with a new game plan. We try not to overtreat the hair and to keep color to a minimum. When the hair loss is due to illness, we offer a discreet experience, taking the client to a separate, private area or coming in after hours so they can speak freely to us as we help them through a difficult time.

MS: Tell us about your new partnership that provides an appreciated resource.

CP: Our new partnership is with Back to You, a company that makes wigs for clients who require a wig because of a medical condition, treatment or illness. A representative from the company will come to our salon and have a private consultation with our client to fit the client, with our input, with a wig that best matches the client's style. Our client will leave the salon with a wig that will tremendously impact their self esteem. We realize that coming to our salon for a treatment is the only self-care that some of our clients give themselves, so we find it important to make the time they spend with us as therapeutic as possible.

MS: What do you usually suggest next in terms of treatment? Are there any products or services that you specifically use to help? 

CP: In an effort to repair and rebuild the hair, we would use any of the following products: Surface Awaken products, Viviscal and Virtue products with Alpha Keratin.

MS: What are the best styles or cuts for thinning hair?

CP: We suggest shorter hair cuts, often with added texture. We don’t suggest heavy color applications, but blonde lightening sometimes produces a volumizing effect.