As anyone who has spent a bad hair day grimacing at their own reflection will know, your hair can seriously affect your mood. Imagine how it feels then, to completely lose it – whether through alopecia, hormonal changes or male/female pattern hair loss.
Inanch Emir, an extension and hair replacement specialist, is one person who can help, even in the most extreme cases. She helps men and women who ‘have spent years trying to hide their hair loss’ at her London salon, Inanch, and the results are truly transformative.
‘In severe cases, clients often avoid windy weather, bright lighting, social situations or activities such as swimming and exercise, because they are constantly worried about their scalp showing,’ she explains. For many of these people, the answer is a Cesare Ragazzi CNC Hair System – one of the most effective non-surgical hair replacement systems available.
Made from 100 per cent human hair, it is designed to replicate the appearance of a natural scalp as closely as possible, says Ms Emir. When clients visit they start with an in-depth consultation, which lasts a couple of hours. ‘We analyse the condition of the scalp, remaining hair density, lifestyle, colour matching, texture and client’s expectations,’ says Ms Emir.
If a CNC system is suitable, they then take highly detailed measurements and create a mould of the scalp, so it can be customised to the individual client. ‘We also colour-match and design the hairline and density, to ensure the result looks natural and age-appropriate,’ says Ms Emir.
The moulds are handmade in Italy, which takes around 12 weeks, and then ‘integrated with the client’s existing hair using a combination of very discreet attachment techniques, depending on the amount of existing hair’, Emir explains.
Inanch Emir, an extension and hair replacement specialist
A before and after shot of a client who had suffered from female pattern hair loss, alongside the effects of chemotherapy
‘Many clients become emotional when they first see themselves, because they say they finally feel like themselves again’ says Ms Emir
The results are amazing. One case that Ms Emir shared on Instagram shows a woman who was almost completely bald, but after her appointment has a full – and beautiful – head of hair.
‘In this case, the client was experiencing advanced female pattern hair loss, combined with diffuse thinning across the top and crown area,’ says Ms Emir. ‘The situation became more distressing as she was undergoing chemotherapy treatment, which accelerated hair loss further.’
Unsurprisingly, this had ‘a significant emotional impact on [the client’s] confidence and wellbeing’.
Another client who visited the salon had suffered from trichotillomania – a mental health condition characterised by the compulsive urge to pull out hair from the scalp.
There are a host of other reasons people can lose their hair – Ms Emir lists ‘traction alopecia, genetics, hormonal changes, menopause, autoimmune conditions, stress, nutritional deficiencies, medication and medical therapies’ among the reasons.
One reason CNC systems are a good option is because they are comfortable. ‘The base is incredibly lightweight, breathable and custom-made to the client’s scalp,’ says Emir.
It also preserves what hair they do have underneath. ‘The client’s hair does not need to be shaved before application,’ Emir explains. ‘The system is attached using medical-grade adhesives, allowing the client’s natural hair underneath to exist and grow beneath the breathable base.’ All in all it feels ‘far removed from traditional wigs or hair replacement systems’.
A before and after shot of a client with the mental health condition trichotillomania
A male client with receding hairline and thinning caused by dihydrotestorene shrinking hair follicles
Of course, this level of customisation doesn’t come cheap, with the systems starting from £3,000 upwards, and ongoing maintenance appointments required every six to eight weeks. Longevity depends per client; online, people report them lasting between 12 and 24 months depending on the client and upkeep.
The results, however, are life-changing for clients. ‘The emotional transformation is often just as powerful as the physical one,’ says Ms Emir. ‘Many clients become emotional when they first see themselves, because it gives them a sense of normality – they say they finally feel like themselves again. It allows them to stop thinking about their hair every minute of the day. They feel more confident at work, socially and in relationships.’
Consequently, Ms Emir finds working with these hair replacement techniques one of the ‘most rewarding’ aspects of her work. ‘Hair loss can have an enormous emotional impact,’ she says. ‘Seeing a client smile, become emotional or regain confidence after years of struggling is something that never loses its impact.’
