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General
Q Does it look convincing?
A Absolutely. Follow our simple care
guidelines and it'll be impossible to tell our system from a full head
of healthy, beautiful, real hair. We have clients who've been successfully
using our system for well over eight years, with colleagues and friends
being completely oblivious to the fact that the hair on their head isn't
entirely their own.
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Q Is it like a wig? Will if fall off?
A No
and no! You can't remove it yourself. Unlike a wig or hairpiece, you don't
"take it off" at night, or before you get in the shower; you
don't need to "dress" it etc. The system is integrated into
your existing hair so it becomes a part of you. This means that you can
wash and style it just like you would a normal head of hair; you can swim,
go out in the wind and rain etc. all without fear of detection. And because
we only work on the specific area of hair loss - e.g. the top of your
head - your existing, healthy hair is incorporated into the overall style.
This results in a beautifully natural look - with your own hair intermingling
with our system - and undetectable from the real thing. In fact, if someone
was to pull on your hair it'll feel just like someone pulling on your
natural hair.
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Q What medical conditions is it suitable
for?
A Pretty
much any temporary or permanent hair loss or thinness including:
- Trichotillomania
Damage or loss caused by compulsive hair-pulling and twisting, with
increased severity during times of emotional stress. Our system is particularly
effective here because pulling at our system won't give you the same
"sensation" as pulling out your own hair. We also find that
because clients have invested hard-earned money in the system, they're
less likely to pull! And using the system temporarily gives your natural
hair "a rest", allowing unhindered regrowth and renewal.
- Accidental damage
Including burns, malicious assault, trauma etc.
- Alopecia
In all its forms, including hair loss caused by unknown conditions,
emotional stress, "traction", ill-fitting wigs and badly fitted
weave-on's or human hair extensions.
- Drugs and surgery
Through drug side-effects, brain surgery, cancer treatments, cosmetic
surgery etc.
- Extremely fine hair
Some people just naturally have extremely fine hair, which often results
in sections of the scalp being clearly visible. Depending on the client,
we may use our medical system or traditional
hair extensions.
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Q Do you provide a system for men?
A Whilst we primarily concentrate on
female hair problems, we have successfully implemented our system on male
clients. We tend to discourage male clients, because we've found that
they're not willing to invest the time in taking care of their hair! However,
we will consider working on men in certain circumstances.
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Q What's the minimum amount of existing hair
you need to work with?
A We
can't work with someone who has absolutely no hair on any part of their
head. That's because ours is a hair integration system rather than a
replacement system. However, most people with medically-related hair
problems do have
varying amounts of hair on some areas of their head, however wispy. Bald
areas of scalp are fine, providing you have some hair on other parts
of
your head to "bridge" between these areas (if you take a look
at our Case
Studies Gallery page, you'll see a broad range of clients with
varying degrees of hair loss, from the minor to the severe). Obviously,
we
can tell you
straight away during your initial consultation if it's possible to
work
with your existing hair base. And, 95% of the time, we can.
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Q Does it hurt?
A No.
Our design system is completely cosmetic and non-surgical. It's integrated
without the use of any glues, bonding solutions, threads, weave-on's,
injections, stitching or tapes - and, unlike some, no "shaving"
of your existing hair. Nothing is "stuck on" your head. Instead,
we use the combination of a very fine, anti-allergenic mesh and extremely
delicate and expert hair extension work. Our team has many years experience
in its application and won't do anything to cause you discomfort.
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Q What's the hair made of?
A We
use the finest handmade fibre, which is constructed from a synthetic formulation.
It looks, feels and behaves just like human hair.
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Q Why do you use fibre and not human hair?
A The
most important reason is safety. If we were to use human hair we would
have to attach it using hot glue - clearly not a sensible proposition
with your delicate hair. Fibre is a much more superior medium to work
with - it's easily styled, is less costly, is perhaps more ethically suitable
and, most importantly, looks, feels and behaves just like human hair.
A further important benefit for both comfort and the protection of your
natural hair is its weight - fibre is around half the weight of human
hair, so it won't feel heavy on your head. And, because it's non-porous,
getting it wet - for instance, whilst swimming - won't result in a head
of hair that's suddenly much heavier, running the risk of further weakening
or damaging your natural hair base.
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Q Can you offer help for the cause of my
problem?
A We have close relationships with
a number of expert trichologists as well as therapists who specialise
in the emotional aspects of hair loss and, if you wish, we can point you
in the right direction. However, it's a sad fact that the majority of
pills and potions available are unlikely to work - we know this because
most of the hundreds of clients we've worked with have tried them. We've
found that a couple of inexpensive vitamins and herbal remedies - readily
available at your local chemist or health food shop - have worked wonders
for some of our clients and we'd be happy to recommend these to you if
suitable. From an emotional viewpoint, nothing beats looking in the mirror
at a full head of beautiful hair - one of the key benefits of our system.
What's more, in many cases, we've found that the condition and density
of our clients' existing hair shows a distinct and measurable improvement
once they start wearing our system. Whilst we can't explain this scientifically,
we believe that it's a combination of the psychological feeling of having
a full head of hair, coupled with the scalp "stimulation" that
our system provides.
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Q Do you ever need models?
A We're constantly trying to raise
awareness of female hair loss issues, an area that's been very much
a "taboo" subject for some time. If you currently have a hair loss
problem and would be willing to talk about it in the media as well
as the cosmetic enhancement you've received from Mark Glenn, we'd love
to hear from you. In return, for those suitable, your treatment at
our studio may be free of charge. To learn more - and to possibly arrange a
suitability consultation - please send an email, attaching clear pictures of your hair, to info@markglenn.com.
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Safety:
Q Will it damage my existing hair?
A Absolutely not. The care and nurture
of your existing hair is our number one priority. Our system has been tried,
tested and proven on hundreds of clients over the past eight years. And,
as previously outlined, in many cases we've found that our clients' existing
hair base actually shows a distinct and measurable improvement once they
start wearing our system. In fact, where possible, one of the great joys
for us is helping our clients get to the stage where they no longer need
our system, or can achieve the same effect with traditional hair extensions.
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Q What about going out in the sun or on sunbeds?
A No problem. You can't damage our
system by going out in the sun or on sunbeds.
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Q What about swimming, going out in the rain
etc.?
A You can swim, go out in the rain,
face a windy day etc. without worry or fear of detection. What's more,
when wet, our design system will look and behave just like your natural
hair.
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Q What's your level of expertise?
A Our team has been working with female
hair loss clients for over 10 years. The pioneering work of our Creative
Director, Mark Sharp - with over 17 years experience designing and working
with cosmetic solutions for female hair loss - has been highlighted
on
several television programmes, from ITV's, "This Morning with
Richard and Judy" to Channel 5's, "At Home With Gloria
Hunniford" to GMTV's "LK Today". In addition, the work of Mark and his team has
inspired full-page features in over 30 newspapers and magazines including "The
Daily Mail", "The Sun" and "Eva".
We have a worldwide reputation with clients
visiting us from as far afield as Texas in the USA and Tokyo in Japan.
The significance and recognition of our work is such that our medical
clients are exempt from VAT on our fees. And, in certain specialised
cases, clients have received part-funding from the NHS. Our current
system, devised
and developed by Mark and his team, has been successfully used by hundreds
of women over the past 12 years. The fact that many of our clients
have
been using our system right from its conception is a further testament
to its success.
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Application and Removal:
Q How do you do it?
A We use the combination of a very
fine, anti-allergenic mesh, the best handmade fibre and extremely delicate
and expert hair extension work. The mesh is placed across the affected
area as a "bridge" between any existing hair. Fibre is then
woven through the mesh to create the required look. Any natural hair beneath
the mesh is "pulled through it", so that the fibre and your
natural hair intermingle together, further adding to the illusion of a
full head of beautiful hair. Once in place, the hair is dressed and styled
to achieve the look you've chosen. The beauty of this method is that your
scalp is able to breathe as normal - nothing is "stuck on it"
- and, unlike a wig, your existing hair is completely integrated into
the look, allowing it to develop without hindrance.
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Q What sort of styles can be achieved?
A Subject to the condition and density
of your existing hair, the choice is yours - short, long, wavy, curly,
straight; we can incorporate highlights, lowlights, partings, fringes
etc. In effect, your head is a blank canvas on which you can create whatever
style you like! And don't forget that you'll be able to modify your style
at home, just like someone with a full head of natural hair. For example,
if you've got a straight style, stick a few rollers in and you'll have
some gorgeous, bouncy curls. Or, if your hair's long, you can wear it
up. And you'll be able to use styling products, hairdryers, hot air tools
etc. as normal.
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Q Will you be able to match the colour of
my own hair?
A Yes, perfectly. Unlike some, we won't
just pull a colour "off the shelf". Choosing from a multitude
of colours, we expertly "blend" several together while you wait
- just like mixing paints - to get an exact colour match that'll incorporate
all the different subtle shifts in shade that may exist in your own hair.
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Q Can you achieve a realistic
"parting"?
A Yes. We've developed a method that
will give you a perfectly realistic parting, even to the point of being
able to see the "scalp" line down the centre - just like the
real thing.
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Q Can I continue to colour my own hair?
A Yes, although for certain medical
problems, we wouldn't recommend it. You can either organise this yourself
or we can do it here at the studio. Because the fibre we use is non-porous,
if you accidentally get the colour solution on the fibre itself, it'll
have absolutely no effect - in fact, it just wipes off.
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Q Can I still wear my hair
up?
A Yes, and we can teach you how to
do this in a variety of different styles.
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Q My condition isn't that
bad. Can you just add a bit of volume instead of length?
A Yes. Your style can be as subtle
or dramatic as you like. In certain cases, instead of using our hair integration
system we may use traditional hair
extensions instead.
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Q How long does it take to have the design
fitted?
A This depends very much on the individual
job but we can give you an accurate indication at your initial consultation.
Because of the expertise involved, our work is very labour intensive,
with two designers working simultaneously. As a guide, expect your initial
appointment to last between 4 to 8 hours. After this, you'll need to see
us every 6 weeks - just like you would a normal hairdresser - and at these
intervals your appointment length will be between 30 minutes and 3 hours;
again, depending on the complexity of your individual system.
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Q I'm self-conscious about strangers seeing
me without my wig/scarf/hat/hair up...
A We've had many years experience working
with all manner of hair loss problems, so we completely understand how
you feel. You'll find that our stylish studio has a wonderfully friendly
and informal atmosphere and our team will be sympathetic to your needs.
We understand how important your privacy is, so you'll be completely hidden
from the view of passers-by. Non-pretentious, fun to be with but above
all professional, clients tell us that they look forward to spending time
with our team.
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Q How is the system maintained?
A Between appointments, you can wash,
dry and style your hair as normal. As outlined above, you'll need to see
us every 6 weeks - just like you would a normal hairdresser. On average,
hair grows at the rate of around half an inch/1.3cm per month and because
the system is attached where your hair meets the scalp, the system grows
with it. Therefore, at your six-weekly appointments, we "adjust"
the system by re-attaching it to the root of your hair. This also gives
us an opportunity to keep your style "refreshed", as well as
being able to keep a close eye on the condition of your natural hair.
Your appointment time will be between 30 minutes and 3 hours, depending
on the complexity of your individual system.
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Q How long does it last?
A The system will last between 12 to
18 months. Factors influencing this length of time include how well you
look after your hair, regular maintenance, personal choice and the nature
of your hair problem. If needed, your hair will be "refreshed and
replenished" during your six-weekly adjustment. And once a new system
is required, your old system can be taken out and a new one created on
the same day.
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Q What if I don't like it?
A This doesn't happen very often! However,
we can easily remove the system leaving your natural hair just as it was
when you came first came into the studio, with no mess, residue or damage.
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Q Once I start wearing your system, am I
then "locked into it"?
A Absolutely not. We can remove the
system whenever you like, leaving your natural hair in just as good a
condition as it was when you first came into the studio - and, in many
cases, better. There's no mess, residue or damage giving you the freedom
to go back to wigs, hairpieces or an alternative solution. In fact, with
certain hair problems, our clients' natural hair base improves to the
point where they no longer need our system.
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Look and Feel:
Q Will people be able to tell?
A No. Follow our simple care guidelines
and it'll be impossible to tell our system from a full head of healthy,
beautiful, real hair. Obviously, close friends and family who are aware
of your medical problem would see a dramatic difference! However, we have
clients who've been successfully using our system for well over eight years,
with colleagues and friends being completely oblivious to the fact that
the hair on their head isn't entirely their own. And because your own hair
intermingles with our system, the illusion is perfect.
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Q What will it feel like? Does it feel heavy?
A It may feel a little strange for
the first few days, especially since you'll now have so much more hair!
Because our system is integrated with your existing hair, it'll feel like
a part of you and very soon you'll be treating your head of hair just
as if it was all your own. And because the fibre we use is around half
the weight of human hair, your head won't feel hot or "heavy".
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Q Will my partner be able to feel it?
A The system is attached where your
hair meets your scalp and at this point you may feel a tiny bump where
the connection is made. However, apart from that both you and your partner
will be able to run fingers through your hair etc. without hindrance and
both the fibre and your existing hair will look and feel identical.
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Cost:
Q How much does it cost?
A Prices vary depending on the time,
expertise involved and the extent of your hair problem. We'll give you an
accurate costing during your initial consultation. As a guide, for the initial
creation and fitting of the system, costs vary between around £500
and £1,200, depending on the amount of work involved. With two designers
working on your hair simultaneously, the average time involved can be between
4 to 8 hours. Expect your six weekly maintenance appointments to cost between
£130 to £260, again, dependent on the work involved. Therefore,
once in place, our system will typically work out at around £25 to
£30 per week. And because you'll be able to use normal shampoos and
conditioners etc., you won't have to spend money on any special products.
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Q Why don't I pay VAT?
A Because of the nature of our service,
H.M. Customs have agreed to treat our medical clients as VAT exempt on
their fees. This only applies to clients with a medical problem - clients
who are simply looking to enhance a full head of healthy hair will pay
VAT at the current rate.
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Q Can I get NHS funding?
A A number of our clients have achieved
this, but it very much depends on the policy of your local Health Authority.
In our experience, you'll stand a better chance if you're currently supplied
with wigs or drugs etc. Start by asking your G.P. to investigate and,
whilst we can't act on your behalf, we're happy to help in any way we
can to provide the information you or your G.P. may need.
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Care:
Q How do I wash and dry my hair?
A Just
like you would a natural head of hair! We'll give you full and individual
instructions for this during your appointment. And, just to be sure, you'll
also get the opportunity of a "first wash" a couple of days
after your initial visit where you'll get a chance to wash and style your
hair yourself, with our supervision.
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Q Do I need to use any special shampoos or
conditioners?
A No. Your favourite shampoo and conditioner
is fine and you're free to use normal hairsprays and styling products.
Like most hairdressers, we wouldn't recommend you use a "2 in 1"
shampoo and conditioner. We do supply an inexpensive aftercare spray which
helps to keep the fibre in your style looking fresh and tangle free -
however, its use is by no means compulsory.
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Q Can I wash my hair every day?
A Yes, although there is generally
no need to do this. That's because the fibre used in the design is non-porous
and therefore doesn't absorb the everyday dirt, grime and smells that
human hair does.
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Q Will I be able to style it easily?
A Yes. Once again, the styling process is just the same as working
with real hair. And, if you've had little hair for many years and are
therefore unfamiliar with traditional styling techniques, we can show
you how.
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Q Can I use a hairdryer or rollers, hot sticks
etc.?
A Yes, and we'll give you full instructions
for this during your appointment. For styling, fibre is a wonderful medium
to work with - unlike real hair, it does what you tell it to! That's because
it reacts well to heat and will stay in position once set. This means
you can easily achieve some truly creative styles and, if you wish, change
your style at whim. For instance, wrap the fibre round your hand, give
it a blast with the hairdryer and you'll achieve a beautifully natural
wave. Then, if you want it silky straight, run your brush and hairdryer
along the length of the hair and you'll achieve a smooth and sleek look. Or, if you wish, you can use certain types of straighteners.
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Q Can I leave my hair to dry naturally?
A Yes. Once again, you can treat your
design just like your own hair.
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- Check out our information page here»
- See hundreds of pictures in our case study gallery here»
- Learn more about us here»
- For frequently asked questions
about our fashion work go here»
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