Living with Alopecia

Hair Loss, Heartache and New Hope
By Yvonne Marchese
Phoenix Women Magazine
July 2009

How lovely it is when a gentle breeze caresses your hair and lifts your spirits? Imagine being preoccupied with trying to keep on a wig instead of enjoying this experience. For many Americans suffering from a rare disorder, this is their reality.

Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune disorder resulting in sever hair loss that occurs in 2 percent of the general population, equally affecting men and women. While the condition can be found in persons of any age, it is more3 common in children and young adults. It generally presents itself as patchy hair loss, resulting in perfectly round bald spots that may come and go depending on the severity of the condition.

Complete hair loss is a traumatic experience - one with which Wendy Coco is all too familiar. At an age when most toddlers' hair begins to grow longer and thicker, Coco was losing hers at a remarkable rate. In kindergarten, her mother bought her a wig, which she says looked and felt like a bird's nest.

It didn't take long for fellow students to realize Coco was wearing a wig and thus began years of bullying. "I remember that one girl would literally torment me. She would walk beside me and keep jumping up to try to pull my wig off," says Coco. "The boys managed to do it twice, and a couple of times it blew off in the wind. I just wanted to shrink and fall off the earth."

When she hit puberty, Coco's condition had progressed to Alopecia Totalis, which meant losing her head and facial hair completely without any chance of it growing back - and it was getting worse.

By her 30's, she had progressed to Alopecia Universalis - a condition in which there is absolutely no hair left anywhere on the body. "This is the most severe stage of Alopecia Areata," says Sean Dirodis, a consultant from National Hair Centers in Phoenix. "Only one in 100,000 people will develop this form of Alopecia."

Seeking Support
Coco recalls the lack of support from her parents throughout her childhood. "They were very insecure and somewhat ashamed because I was different from other children," says Coco. She remembers the look of disapproval from her mother when she would adjust her wig in public.

Coco admits that she has developed some social anxieties as a result of the treatment she received from both loved ones and total strangers during her lifetime. But today, at age 54, Coco is finally building confidence and self-esteem thanks to her husband Tony. "Tony responds with support and love. He reassures me," says Coco.

And it was Tony who researched and suggested Coco explore the new technologies available in hair restoration. "He told me that there had to be something better out there than synthetic hair wigs," Coco says. Together, they visited studios in Phoenix, finding what they hoped for at National Hair Centers.

High-Tech Hair
Coco now wears a full head hair system. "I call it my hair! It allows me to live my life," she says.

When asked what she would say to others who suffer from the condition, she replies, "Be comfortable in your own skin - you have nothing to be ashamed of. Find that confidence within yourself. That's the most important lesson."

Hair Loss Treatment for Women

Phoenix Women Magazine
By Yvonne Marchese
June 2009

When Charlene Tatz was in high school, she learned that becoming the class clown was the best defense mechanism to her thinning hair dilemma, which may have been linked to an early bout of ringworm. Charlene is not alone. It is estimated that half of women in the United States will suffer some form of hair loss during their lifetimes.

For many women, this loss of their "crowning glory" can translate into a nearly unspeakable sadness and loss of self-esteem, especially as the message all around us is that a full, healthy head of hair is linked with femininity and sex appeal.

Dave McKenna, image consultant for National Hair Centers, a hair restoration center in Phoenix, says there are actually many causes for women's hair loss. While the most common causes are genetic, he says, "Issues such as stress, medication, birth control pills, hygiene, environment, age, menopause, weight loss, hormonal imbalances and thyroid are all contributing factors." And, of course, with chemotherapy, most women lose all their hair.

Charlene struggled through her teenage years with ever-increasing hair loss, which initially manifested as very fine and limp hair. Attempts to make it look fuller and thicker failed miserably. "I tried perms, rollers, picking it out, hair spray...but within 30 minutes, I was right back where I started." Some relief came for Charlene with the development of her womanly curves, which shifted the boys' attention from her hair.

"My hair never really fit," she recalls. "I was beautiful...from the neck down." She coped with her embarrassment and humiliation by becoming the butt of her own jokes, making self-demeaning comments such as, "Don't take a picture of my head because it will ruin the picture."

Charlene admits that she suffered through a range of emotions. "I felt sad, discouraged, aggravated, pissed! I never felt like I was pretty." After scorching her hair with a bad perm, she turned to wigs but found them uncomfortable. Charlene also feared that they would "get caught in a man's button and come off."

A lifetime of shame came to an abrupt end 12 years ago when Charlene saw a television commercial for hair restoration. "There was a woman riding in a convertible, her hair flowing in the wind. I wanted to be her!" she remembers. She called the hair restoration clinic the same day. Today, Charlene is strikingly beautiful at 69 years young, and she has left all those youthful insecurities behind.

TODAY'S TECHNOLOGY

The technologies available in hair restoration today are a world apart from the plugs, cookie cutter nylon wigs, bad toupees and spray on hair that once represented the industry. McKenna says there are a variety of solutions for women, depending on their lifestyles and the degree of hair loss. These options are broken down into three basic categories: non-surgical hair replacement, retention alternatives and hair transplants.

Non-Surgical: There are many options, however, the most technologically advanced is a top-of-the-line, custom designed prosthetic that acts like an eighth layer of skin, with individual hairs injected strand by strand.

Retention: There are three scientifically proven and FDA approved solutions to help with hair loss: Propecia, Rogaine and the most common, laser treatments. Propecia and Rogaine are effective in stopping hair loss in the crown area, but re-growth statistics are significantly low, especially in the temple and hairline areas.

Laser treatments stop hair loss and thicken the hair in all areas of the head; however, not everyone is a candidate for this treatment. Hair follicles are necessary to re-grow hair, so someone who is completely bald would not benefit from this solution.

Hair Transplants: During hair transplant surgery, hair is taken from the back of the head and transferred microscopically to the front. Most women are not candidates for transplants because they lose their hair differently than men. While men tend to lose hair on the top of the head and in the crown, leaving good "donor" hair in the back, women's hair loss is generally more diffused over the entire head. Frequently, there is no good donor area available for transplantation.

Charlene opted for weaves woven into her existing hair for many years, but as hair restoration systems became more sophisticated, she graduated into a SensiGraft Hair System that adheres to the scalp with surgical adhesive and remains in place for up to six weeks.

For Charlene, finally having beautiful hair is life-changing. "I feel wonderful, sexy, glamorous," Charlene says. "My hair makes all the difference in how I look at myself. Whether it's windblown, straight or curly, it doesn't matter, because I feel terrific! I can do all the normal things-wash my hair, blow dry and use a curling iron. I can put it in a ponytail or go swimming.

McKenna says that 50 percent of his client base is comprised of women, many of whom are just learning that "grandma's wig" is not the hair replacement option they're forced to accept. Most women are thrilled when they learn the variety and versatility of solutions available today.

Yvonne Marchese is the President of Marchese Enterprises, a full-service marketing and advertising firm in Phoenix. She is also the Production Supervisor for the reality TV show, "Hair Loss Confidential"

www.nationalhair.com
602-230-0000

Dr. Weiss 2008 Top Doctors
One of the Valley's Best Doctors

Dr. Barry Weiss, chief surgeon at National Hair Centers, is internationally recognized as an innovator in surgical hair restoration and has performed thousands of hair transplants for more than 25 years. Dr. Weiss, a board certified facial plastic surgeon, is highly acclaimed for his ability to combine technical and artistic expertise in the creation of front hairlines. He is best known for his development of Micro-blending of Follicular Unit Grafting. Industry-wide, surgeons agree this procedure produces the most natural looking head of hair. Dr. Weiss graduated from the University of Illinois and is Board Certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the American Board of Otolaryngology and the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgeons. Dr. Weiss has been performing hair transplant surgery at National Hair Centers since 1997. Located in central Phoenix, NHC is the largest hair restoration company in the US providing hair restoration solutions for both men and women since 1975.

National Hair Centers
5828 N. 7th Street
Phoenix
602-230-0000
Nationalhair.com

Daughter Follows in Father's Footsteps with
National Hair Centers

Lisa Zimmerman's father, Arnold, remembers when his wife talked him into letting their only child work at the company he founded, National Hair Centers.

He reluctantly hired her as a receptionist in 1977 for his 2-year-old Phoenix company.

A rebellious child who moved out of her parents' home as a teenager, Zimmerman says she actually likes working at her dad's company, learning new skills on the job.

"By 1979, I knew this was what I wanted to do," she says.

Over the years, her father began to trust her judgment. He remembers, for example, when she wanted to buy a fax machine for the office.

"I said, 'What do we need a fax machine for? We've never needed a fax machine,'" he says. "She talked me into it. Two or three weeks later, I said, 'How did we do without this thing?'"

The same thing happened when she wanted to buy a computer for the office.

"I have file cards here to tell you everything. What do you need a computer for?" he recalls saying. "We went over that, over and over. I finally gave in, and we got the computer."

Now, the company has several sophisticated computer programs, some created specifically for the hair-replacement business.

By the time Zimmerman's father was ready to retire in 2001, he felt comfortable that she would do just fine as president and chief operating officer. At 77, he still stops by and visits the office.

"She's really doing a very nice job," he says. "She's doing things that I would not have thought of."

Zimmerman manages to balance her role as mother of a 17-year-old son and president of a 35 employee company by finding time to play her base guitar and ride her Harley-Davidson motorcycle with friends.

"If I'm really stressed out, I'll go play the bass, and it will be gone," she says. "It puts me in a different place."

She had a stage built in her spacious home, where she invites friends to jam with her. Although she doesn't have her own band, she sits in on sessions when her friends play at various nightclubs in the Valley.

Diane Geshwind, Zimmerman's business consultant for more than 10 years, says the guitar provides a healthy diversion for her client.

"I think it's wonderful she has that release," Geshwind says. "So many business owners don't. They live for the business. Don't get me wrong: She works long, hard hours and takes work home, but it's very good she has that outside interest."

She describes Zimmerman as a cautious, deliberate, critical thinker.

"She wants to be sure she has all the information before she makes a move," Geshwind says. "She's very level-headed."

Yvonne Marchese, owner of Marchese Enterprises Inc., says she is amazed at how much Zimmerman accomplishes at one time.

"She could be in the middle of a marketing meeting with me, where we're discussing everything from media to creative to graphic design, and (she'll) take a phone call from the Web site guy while she's on another phone call from a Transitions member across the country and deal with an internal issue," Marchese says. "It amazes me she's able to do all those things, literally at the same time, and keep focused and not skip a beat."

National Hair Centers is a founding member of Transitions International Group, which is composed of individually owned and operated hair-restoration affiliates worldwide that share information and patients. The Phoenix company has two board-certified surgeons who provide hair-transplant services at the center's 11,000-square-foot facility.

Several associates are walking testaments to the services provided, including "virtual reality" hair restoration, the latest nonsurgical method.

Does Zimmerman take advantage of any of her company's services?"
"I'll never tell," she says.

Profile: Lisa Zimmerman

Title: President and chief operating officer

Company: National Hair Centers

Web: www.nationalhair.com

Age: 48

Significant other: Ron

Children: Son, Jay, 17

Residence: Phoenix

Associations: Transitions International Group (board member), American Hair Loss Council, International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery, National Hair Society, Better Business Bureau

During lunch: "Work."

Most treasured memories: "Vacations with my parents, traveling throughout Europe and Australia."

Autobiography title: "Never a Dull Moment."

Will never forget again: "Never leave your teenage son home alone when you go out of town."

When happiest: "In my band room, where I play my bass guitar. Fortunately, I am able to play as loud as I want without disturbing my neighbors."

Phobia: "Flying. I do have to fly often, but I'd rather not."

Dream: "Since my favorite thing to do is play the bass with rock bands, I dream of playing bass with a band in a huge venue, in a cold-out concert."

Proudest career moment: "When my father gave me recognition in front of our business peers at an international industry convention."

Greatest influence: "My father, who has always been hard-working and entrepreneurial. I try to emulate him in both my professional and personal life.

June 2008

National Hair Centers is owned and operated by Lisa Zimmerman. Chris Webb and I, Society member Lucinda Beaty and her assistant Nicole, visited Lisa at her studio in Phoenix, AZ. Lisa gave us a tour of her impressive two story building; here are some of the highlights: Hair Replacement began in the Zimmerman family back in 1975 when Lisa's father Arnold started his hair replacement business. Lisa joined the family business in 1977. Their building in Phoenix, AZ was purchased in 1990, went through renovation and design and then National Hair Centers opened in 1991. In 2000, Lisa Zimmerman took over the business from her father.

The 1st level of the building has client waiting rooms, 22 styling rooms, a hair transplant medical area, and a special Virtual Reality VIP area. Each of the stylists has their own section in the work rooms. Lisa has 35 employees to help run the business. Lisa's assistant, Sarah Villaverde, plays a critical role helping control this expanding business.

95% of Lisa's hair transplant clients are men. Dr. Barry Weiss is Medical Director of National Hair Centers. He is a member of the ISHRS (International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery) and we had the pleasure of meeting him while he was in between surgeries. He will be attending the next ISHRS annual meeting in Canada. National Hair Centers has two dedicated Virtual Reality stylists and their clients have a special VIP area. VR clients receive special upgrades and ID cards. Most of Lisa's VR clientele are men although her Virtuesse clients are growing.

The second level of National Hair Centers consists of a laser therapy room and lounge area where clients relax before their laser therapy session. National Hair Centers is recognized in the Phoenix area as a full-service facility offering medical and non-medical hair loss solutions. She has been successful in obtaining new clients through advertising. She has her own graphic artist on staff and has a marketing person that comes in a couple times a week.

Lisa also sits on the board of the Transitions Group. I would like to thank Lisa for allowing us to visit her center and taking the time out of her busy schedule to give us a tour. Please visit the centers website at www.nationalhair.com

National Hair Centers Marks Three Decades of Growth

May 2008 - by Lynn Ducey

The hair restoration industry is becoming increasingly popular - not just among aging baby boomers seeking to preserve their graying locks, but also among a younger population apt to take action when it comes to their appearance.

"Twenty years ago, our clientele was really a more mature male. It was less than 5 percent women. Today, that is split right down the middle. We are seeing younger and younger people coming in," said David McKenna, senior image consultant with Phoenix based National Hair Centers.

With more than two decades in the hair restoration industry, McKenna himself has received treatments at the center and is proud to show off his results.

"There's been tons of research done on hair and hair loss, and it's really all about how people feel about themselves. They were afraid of doing anything because of what people were going to say. But today, it's not as big a deal," he said.

According to a study conducted by the Chicago-based International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery, more than 100,000 hair restorations were performed nationwide in 2006. While that marked a 7 percent increase from 2004, the number of nonsurgical treatments increased by a whipping 34 percent during the same period.

Surgical treatments replace and move hair follicles, while nonsurgical treatments include using hairpieces and weaves made from human hair. Unlike the toupees of the past, those in the industry say today's options are high-tech and undetectable.

And while men make up about 90 percent of surgical patients, women comprise about 30 percent of those seeking nonsurgical options, with most seeking services in their 40s and 5os, said ISHRS spokeswoman Karen Sideris.

And just as the clientele is changing with the times, so too are the technology and methods used to alter a person's appearance.

Many physicians specialize in surgical procedures, while businesses offer nonsurgical restoration options. National Hair Centers specializes in hair transplant surgery, laser therapies to encourage hair growth, and even a product called Virtual Reality - a customized toupee with a thin, flexible, skin like membrane.

McKenna compares the changes in hair restoration technology to the visible differences in cell phones from a few years ago to today.

"That's our biggest focus-that naturalness of it. It's all about undetectability," McKenna said.

"We will actually fix transplants that were does years ago," said Lisa Zimmerman, president of National Hair Centers. "We can soften a front hairline and correct any type of imperfections."

Today, the Phoenix-based company even offers a genetic test that can determine with 95 percent to 98 percent accuracy whether a client is likely to develop pattern baldness in the future.

Zimmerman said many seek hair-replacement options because they suffer from medical conditions such as alopecia or are losing their hair because of chemotherapy. Consultants and physicians work with them to achieve their desired looks.

"With alopecia, you can lose all your hair or just in patches. Then, it comes and it goes. It's very emotional," said McKenna.

Zimmerman would not disclose financials for the privately held company, but she said revenue has grown consistently by 10 percent to 15 percent each year since the company was founded 33 years ago. Typically, National Hair Centers sees more than 100 clients a year, she said.

National Hair Centers
www.nationalhair.com

International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery
www.ishrs.org

Zimmerman Brings New Energy into Dad's Old Biz

Volume 10, Issue 6, June 2008
By Claire Bush

When Lisa Zimmerman joined her father Arnold at their family business in 1976, there were just four employees in the fledgling hair replacement company.

Today, National Hair Centers at 5828 N. 7th St. is the largest firm of its kind in the United States, with a staff of 35 employees who perform cosmetic wizardry for the folically challenged ranging from off-the-head hair replacement to surgical, permanent restoration.

Arnold Zimmerman founded the company in 1975, after working as a salesperson in the hair replacement industry in Washington D.C. When the family moved to the Valley, Arnold opened a location in Glendale, then moved to Maryland and 7th Street in 1979. The company relocated to its current location on 7th Street in 1990.

Lisa became president when Arnold retired in 2000, and now oversees a surgical team of doctors and technicians, along with a dozen licensed cosmetologists, image consultants and administrative staff. Her son, Jay, a student at Arizona State University, also recently joined the firm and will be learning the business from the ground up.

Things have come a long way since the days of old fashioned "hair plug" transplant surgeries, according to marketing director David McKenna. On an average day, doctors at the facility perform at least one hair transplant surgery, where hair is taken from the back of the head and transferred microscopically to the front. The process takes between four to eight hours to complete. Although the majority of clients are men, more women are becoming candidates, according to McKenna, who says that the procedure is virtually undetectable.

The company also offers state-of-the-art hairpieces, hair weaving and polyseal hair restoration, where hair is injected into a thin base and then attached to the scalp, processes that can be used for chemotherapy patients and others who have lost hair for genetic or medical reasons.

Charlene Tatz first visited with the center 12 years ago to combat the effects of her thinning hair. For seven years, Tatz had weaves woven into her existing hair. Five years ago, she opted for a polyseal hairpiece that is attached to the scalp and remains in place for up to six weeks. "Now I have hair to work with," Tatz says, adding that the procedure has altered her perspective and considerably upped her self-esteem. "It has made me feel better about myself," she explains.

Over the years, Tatz has acted as an unofficial spokesperson for the firm, often counseling others who are considering the option by sharing her experience. "I'm very open about my hair, " Tatz says. "I've had a very good experience with the staff there and it's my way of giving back."

Estevan Rodriguez has had four hair transplants done at the facility over the past 10 years. "I had male pattern baldness in my family, so I decided to do something about it," he says, adding that his public relations job requires a positive image. "It really does make a difference. I've been very pleased with the results."

Some of the clients are visiting to combat the effects of hair loss during chemotherapy. For them, the center's staff members provide a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on, along with hairpieces and styling advice, according to McKenna. "We see chemo patients every single day," he says. "It's very rewarding work; we know we change lives here."

Although the center's staff deals with sobering events during work hours, it's not all gloom and doom. After hours, Lisa recharges by playing bass guitar in a rock band and exploring the back roads of Arizona on her Harley. She also travels several times each year to meet up with others in her field through Transitions International, a global organization of more than 60 hair restoration companies who share educational, marketing and business strategies.

Whether she's counseling a client, meeting with staff, tuning up her guitar or getting her cycle ready for a ride, Lisa is upbeat about it all. "We're like family here," she says. "We really care about the clients. It's pretty neat when you know you can make a difference."

Meet Your Neighbors

Dr. Barry Weiss - June 2008

Age: 68

Town/Neighborhood: North Scottsdale

What I like most about living here: The weather is incredibly consistent. I can plan to do just about anything at anytime.

Changes I would like to see in the area: Less random growth, more city planning

When and why I moved here: I moved here in 1998. National Hair Centers offered a great opportunity to continue working, doing work that makes patients highly satisfied.

Where I lived before: San Francisco Bay area

My family: I have three children and seven grandchildren

What I do: Hair transplant surgery at National Hair Centers in Phoenix, where I help people improve their appearance through my craft. Some people use a canvas to create art.

Previous occupation and why I left: Always a physician, a rewarding occupation

If I had picked a different occupation, it might have been: High-fashion photographer

My interests and hobbies: Golf and skiing

Causes I care most about: Global warming and population control, which are interchangeable.

The traits I admire in others: Honesty and sincerity

People who inspired me (and how): my parents - loving and positive

My guiding philosophy: Do what is right, not expedient or to gain money or power

My advice to today's youth: Trust yourself, don't ride others' coattails, pay attention to detail, be careful and don't be greedy.

Laser Those Locks

August 2008

Laser therapy seems to cure all ills these days. Add to the list for this miracle treatment hair repair. National Hair Centers in Phoenix provides laser therapy for damaged hair afflicted by outdoor and indoor elements including pollution, swimming pool chlorine, color treating, blow drying, flat ironing and just general exposure. Laser therapy works for every hair type and can treat moderate to extreme damage. It works by exposing the hair to low-level laser light for 20 minutes a few times a week; clients can read or catch a quick nap. The laser light, which is not heated and completely noninvasive, stimulates the scalp and hair follicles, helping to reinvigorate the structure of the hair and its ability to grow stronger and healthier. It can also thicken fine hair.

John McCain

Hair Today: All of the great presidents had great hair: John F. Kennedy, George Washington, Ronald Reagan, Theodore Roosevelt.

So National Hair Centers wants to make sure GOP presidential front-runner Sen. John McCain of Arizona is ready to mirror those before him. The Phoenix-based hair restoration chain is offering its services to McCain just in time for Super Tuesday.

"Senator; there's no reason to be thin on top if you make it to the top," says the invitation to McCain.

Should McCain take the offer seriously? Look at Rudy Giuliani: major hair loss, major loss of support. Mike Huckabee: a bit Huckabald. Mitt Romney: OK, he may not need any help.