Alopecia World
www.alopeciaworld.com
Where I get my hair
I have had many people ask me about my hair so again I thought I’d post a quick blog about my hair and where I get it…First off thank you for all the wonderful compliments . I got my hair from Madeline's Hair Replacement in Maine where I am from. The lighter hair is a custom piece I had done about two and a half years ago. One of the owners, Ken took a plaster mold of my head and then had a hair prosthetic custom made to match my scalp....it fits great! It is completely secure, I never worry about it moving or falling off, even in windy weather! It is made of 100% human hair so I can do pretty much anything I want to it….color it, curl it, straighten it…pretty much anything. I love it and the freedom it has given me! The darker hair is a semi custom piece that I got about 6 months ago to see how I like having darke hair. Also all of my hair systems have been covered at 90 % from my insurance company so I have had very little out of pocket expense.
This past May I graduated from college, I went on many interviews and was offered several jobs but the best job I was offered came completely unexpected…..Ken the owner who has been doing my hair for several years asked me if I wanted to put my business degree to use by working in his office at Madeline's Hair Replacement. Of course all the corporate jobs I had been offered had better pay and benefits but I didn’t even hesitate I was to thrilled to be offered a position where I could be more involved in helping other with alopecia and hair loss so I took the job at Madeline’s. I jumped at this opportunity and have been working at Madeline’s for about 10 months now. I love it….it has been really rewarding helping others who like me have lost there hair and are looking for not only hair to fix the problem but also some one who can relate and give them advice.
The most remarkable experience I’ve had so far came from a seven year old little girl who had been diagnosed with alopecia universallis. She came in with her mother and two siblings and I welcomed them and brought them into the styling room. It was very clear that she was extremely nervous and as Ken came in with her hair prosthetic she became so nervous that her breathing became irregular. I was sitting in my office but could hear her and it was obvious how nervous this poor little girl was. So ken and I agreed it would be great if I went in and talked with her to see if I could help in any way. So I went in and said hi, I then explained to her that I had alopecia just like her. She looked at me with disbelief and confusion. I then said would you like to see my head…she quickly sat straight up and shook her head yes! I took off my hair system and her eyes opened wide…she looked at me and said…“you don’t have any hair…just like me!” I said “no I don’t.” She was so thrilled and her nervousness melted away! I stayed with her and talked to her as Ken customized and styled the hair on her head. Just before he put the hair back on her for the final time the phone rang so I went to answer it. After, I turned around and she was standing in the door way to my office looking so beautiful with her new hair. She swished it around and said, “look now I look beautiful just like you” I My eyes filled with tears and I said, “sweetie you are always beautiful” That was the best experience ever…she left the salon feeling confident again and I will always remember that day for the rest of my life.
I am now apprenticing under the owner to learn the trade so that I will be able to custom design and style hair systems for people in the future. So I do work for a hair replacement clinic and while I think our hair systems are amazing a superior to the “wigs” out on the market today I will never try to push our products on anyone but if you are interested in getting information just let me know and I will be happy to give you our information.
Also we have done hair systems for people from out of state without needing to have the person come to Maine several times before and it works out great. Deciding to work at Madeline’s has been the best decision I ever made I wanted to be able to help others with alopecia and this has been the perfect opportunity! If you are at all interested let me know and I’ll send you our information but if not no worries and thank you for all the compliments! : )
This past May I graduated from college, I went on many interviews and was offered several jobs but the best job I was offered came completely unexpected…..Ken the owner who has been doing my hair for several years asked me if I wanted to put my business degree to use by working in his office at Madeline's Hair Replacement. Of course all the corporate jobs I had been offered had better pay and benefits but I didn’t even hesitate I was to thrilled to be offered a position where I could be more involved in helping other with alopecia and hair loss so I took the job at Madeline’s. I jumped at this opportunity and have been working at Madeline’s for about 10 months now. I love it….it has been really rewarding helping others who like me have lost there hair and are looking for not only hair to fix the problem but also some one who can relate and give them advice.
The most remarkable experience I’ve had so far came from a seven year old little girl who had been diagnosed with alopecia universallis. She came in with her mother and two siblings and I welcomed them and brought them into the styling room. It was very clear that she was extremely nervous and as Ken came in with her hair prosthetic she became so nervous that her breathing became irregular. I was sitting in my office but could hear her and it was obvious how nervous this poor little girl was. So ken and I agreed it would be great if I went in and talked with her to see if I could help in any way. So I went in and said hi, I then explained to her that I had alopecia just like her. She looked at me with disbelief and confusion. I then said would you like to see my head…she quickly sat straight up and shook her head yes! I took off my hair system and her eyes opened wide…she looked at me and said…“you don’t have any hair…just like me!” I said “no I don’t.” She was so thrilled and her nervousness melted away! I stayed with her and talked to her as Ken customized and styled the hair on her head. Just before he put the hair back on her for the final time the phone rang so I went to answer it. After, I turned around and she was standing in the door way to my office looking so beautiful with her new hair. She swished it around and said, “look now I look beautiful just like you” I My eyes filled with tears and I said, “sweetie you are always beautiful” That was the best experience ever…she left the salon feeling confident again and I will always remember that day for the rest of my life.
I am now apprenticing under the owner to learn the trade so that I will be able to custom design and style hair systems for people in the future. So I do work for a hair replacement clinic and while I think our hair systems are amazing a superior to the “wigs” out on the market today I will never try to push our products on anyone but if you are interested in getting information just let me know and I will be happy to give you our information.
Also we have done hair systems for people from out of state without needing to have the person come to Maine several times before and it works out great. Deciding to work at Madeline’s has been the best decision I ever made I wanted to be able to help others with alopecia and this has been the perfect opportunity! If you are at all interested let me know and I’ll send you our information but if not no worries and thank you for all the compliments! : )
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Comment by Katiebug on April 13, 2008 at 10:41pm
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Hey, I am very interested! Your hair looks amazing! I was talked into buying a $300 wig that looks VERY fake so I can never wear it. I live in Colorado so it would be great if I could talk to you about this! How did you get your insurance to pay for your hair pieces? My dermatologist told me that they usually don't because it's considered cosmetic. Right now I have Bluecross Blueshield. I thought you might know since you've gone through it yourself! Well, thanks again and hope to hear from you soon! - Katie
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Comment by Mary Lou on April 15, 2008 at 11:11am
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Nicole--Thank you so much for sharing such a beautiful story. Talk about being at the right place at the right time! Our daughter was diagnosed with alopecia at the age of 11 and I have been helping her to live with it all these years - trying to stay informed and trying to stay one step in front of her needs. She is now 28 years old and survived high school, college and is now a high school teacher and about to be married. Our goal as her parents was to allow her to live the life she would have lived as if alopecia did not become part of her reality. I told her that alopecia may have taken your hair, but do not let it take another thing from your life. She has lived her life this way, although I can see where alopecia has impacted a few things here and there. Part of the support I have given her has been in finding wigs that are as natural as possible. However, I am always on the hunt for wigs as they are so often discontinued or the new one does not hold up as long as the previous one, etc. I must say that I looked through the pictures of the members and one of the first things I noticed was your picture. I wondered whether you were wearing a hairpiece or whether your had partial loss or whether the picture was pre-alopecia. I'm so glad I checked the blogs. Please let me know how I can contact you regarding more information on your prosthesis. Lately, the wigs that we have been purchasing are lasting a very short time, so would like to explore other options. Would also like to discuss the insurance coverage with you. Please let me know how I can contact you. I just joined the site today, so am unfamiliar with the workings.
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Comment by Nicole on April 15, 2008 at 12:34pm
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Hi Mary Lou!! I am so happy to hear that your daughter, like myself has adapted to having alopecia. It is so great that you raised your daughter to see that alopecia takes away your hair....not your life!! Those with alopecia can live happy care free lives just like every one else!!I am also so happy to hear I can help you get a great wig for your daughter. If you want you can give me a call here at Madelines Hair Replacement. The phone number here is 207-571-3277 or toll free at 1-877-571-3277 I am here Monday thru Friday 9-5 and I almost always answer the phone unless I am out for lunch!! Feel free to give me a call anytime with any questions!! I'll talk to you soon!! : )
Have a great day!!
-Nicole
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Comment by Vicktoria (Katya's mom) on April 25, 2008 at 6:27pm
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Hi Nicole, My daughter (the girl in the picture) has AU. In this picture she is wearing a custom made wig, it does not need tape most times but it is not a vacuum. We are working on a vacuum wig for her. I was wondering, how is the hair system different from a vaccuum wig? Also, do you take the system off at night? If she is still completely bald when she enters high school, she might want something that doesn't come off, like a bonded piece. What do you think about those? Thanks Vicktoria
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Comment by Jackie on August 24, 2008 at 7:21pm
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Hi Nicole,
Please send the phone number for your salon. I would like to see if I can be fitted for a custom piece and what it will cost me.
Thank you!
Jackie
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Hi Jackie!
The salon number is 207-571-3277 or toll free at 1-877-571-3277. Feel free to give us a call any time we are open Monday thru Friday 9-5. I look forward to talk with you! :)
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Comment by Rose on June 16, 2009 at 8:00am
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Hi Nicole,
Do you glue/tape your wig on every morning and what adhesives/tapes do you use?
Thank you
Rose
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Hi Nicole,
Thank you for sharing all the information you have. I have a question regarding the dark wig, where did you get it? What brand is it? Thanks in advance for your help!
Comment
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