ALOPECIA SUFFERER SETS UP SUPPORT GROUP
FOR PEOPLE WITH MEDICAL HAIR LOSS
A Northumberland alopecia sufferer has set up her own business and started a support group at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) to others with medical hair loss.
39-year-old Lyndsey Brack, from Ashington, set up her small wig business Diamond Solutions North East after becoming involved with pioneering medical hair loss charity mynewhair.
Lyndsey, who has suffered from Alopecia Universalis since the birth of her son 10 years ago, also runs a monthly support group at the RVI. Through her work, she regularly directs people to mynewhair and even modelled in a fashion show for Trendco Wigs to raise funds for mynewhair, Alopecia UK and Macmillan Cancer Support.
Lyndsey initially found out about the mynewhair charity, which provides advice and support for anyone who has experienced medical hair loss, through a Facebook page run by Alopecia UK.
mynewhair, which was founded and inspired by professional stylist Trevor Sorbie MBE, supports and trains a national network of independent salons and trained hair professionals who provide a wig-customisation service for their clients.
mynewhair directed Lyndsey to Tribeca Hair Salon in East Boldon, which is run by the charity’s co-founder and lead educator Darren Stuart. Darren sourced and customised Lyndsey’s wig – and the experience boosted her confidence to such an extent that she has since set up her own business and has started a support group for fellow alopecia sufferers.
Lyndsey Brack said: “I have Alopecia Universalis, beginning with bald patches appearing straight after the birth of my son, which I put down to the stress of an emergency caesarean section.
“Losing my hair was a tough time. I had no one that knew what I was going through and I didn’t know where to turn. I must have spent thousands of pounds on wigs, all of which weren’t right.
“It really was a very lonely, expensive time, and I had months of counselling, even missing my best friend’s wedding. It was just awful.
“Things changed when I discovered mynewhair. Darren at Tribeca just made me feel very comfortable. He cut my wig and I walked out of that salon - after around eight years of trying numerous wigs - feeling a million dollars. It really boosted my confidence and from that day, I fell in love with wigs and began to have fun with them.
“My business – Diamond Hair Solutions – was named after the wig that I got from Darren. I decided to set it up as I was always helping others on the alopecia page and my Instagram account, the_hair_i_wear.
“I contacted the RVI as I didn’t want others to go through what I did. I now run a monthly support group which has grown from just two people to 15 and I love it, even going along with the women to help them pick their wigs. The satisfaction I get from this is amazing!
“That visit to Darren’s salon has changed my life. I took a good friend along back in February and she was very happy too. I always recommend Darren at the hospital if anyone needs wigs cut or has a prescription for a wig.”
Darren Stuart said: “I’m delighted to have been able to help Lyndsey and it’s wonderful to see that she is now helping many others who suffer from alopecia. Medical hair loss can be devastating for so many people and the work that we do really does make a real difference to people’s lives.”
To find out more about Diamond Hair Solutions or Lyndsey’s support group, please call Lyndsey on 07470 282951or visit her Facebook page
www.facebook.com/Diamond-Hair-Solutions-north-east-450145695399858
To find out more about mynewhair visit www.mynewhair.orgor via Twitter @mynewhairorg, or follow the charity on Facebook and LinkedIn.You can also donate to the charity by texting MYNH00 followed by the amount you wish to donate, to 70070.
To find out more about Alopecia UK, please visit www.alopecia.org.uk.
-ENDS-
Image caption:Lyndsey Brack, founder of Diamond Solutions North East
Notes to editor
mynewhair is a charity founded and inspired by professional stylist Trevor Sorbie MBE. The charity provides advice and support to anyone who has experienced medical hair loss. It also has a national support network of independent salons and professionals who provide a wig-styling service.
The charity provides training seminars for hair professionals, who can then become part of the charity’s salon network – Salons that Care. They provide a wig-cutting and advice service to anyone with medical hair loss.
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