A Special Place team visits the annual American Hair Loss Council Hair Now Conference in Charlotte, NC.
Jamela Hodgson, owner of A Special Place, is a proud member of The American Hair Loss Council (AHLC) since 2019. The AHLC is the only nonprofit trade association serving the hair restoration industry. Members include highly trained hair replacement and wig experts and other professionals in the field of hair restoration.The goal of the American Hair Los Council is to provide education and support for hair replacement specialists who provide exceptional service to individuals experiencing hair loss.
Jessica practices Micro PointEach year, the AHLC hosts a three-day conference called “Hair Now”. The vendor trade show provides the opportunity to experience the latest innovations in products and services from leading vendors and manufacturers in the industry. In addition, education breakout sessions offer hands-on education in all areas of hair restoration. One of our favorite opportunities at the Hair Now Conference is the chance to meet other passionate professionals and exchange ideas.
This year was very special for many reasons. Due to Covid, the 2020 conference was canceled, and in 2021, travel restrictions made attendance difficult for many. This year provided many the opportunity to attend again for the first time since 2019. For our team, it was also exciting to have it so close to home – in Charlotte, NC.
Micro Point Solutions
Three members of our team – Jamela, Merinda, and Jessica – traveled to Charlotte on Friday to attend a pre-conference full-day certification course in Micro Point. This exciting technology offers a unique form of extensions that can be used to fill in thinning hair. Taught by professionals from International Hair Goods, Micro Point offers a unique solution for individuals with mild to moderate hair loss who are looking for a natural-looking alternative to wigs and hairpieces.
Saturday American Hair Loss Council Education
On Saturday there were a number of special education classes to choose from. One that especially interested us was the topic of Alternative Hair Options for Trichotillimania Clients, taught by the professionals at Elan Hair Studios in Texas. Trichotillimania is a hair-pulling disorder that affects up to 1 in 25 people in their lifetime. We learned new and innovative ways to support this large but often misunderstood population.
Our team was also excited to learn more about LLLT (light therapy) to treat hair loss as well as conditions from Celluma Light Therapy. We were very impressed by the results that can be achieved with light therapy and look forward to implementing it in our salon.
Saturday also afforded us the opportunity to see live stage demonstrations of hairpiece application, cutting techniques, and more. We also visited the vendor floor for the first time, meeting with many acquaintances in the industry as well as making new friends!
At 2 pm, we met one-on-one with Kim Flores at Jon Renau, our longtime partner in the wig and hair replacement industry. We had a chance to see prototypes of the latest products and discuss the needs and wants of our clients. One of our requests was more options in large and petite sizes – and this was an opportunity to bring that request directly to the manufacturer!
Sunday Extensions, Hair Pieces and Wigs
Sunday, while the Panthers played a home game across the street, we were deep diving into hair loss education. Forty-five-minute classes were held all day, and our team split up to enjoy as many of the educational opportunities as possible.
One highlight of the day was a class in trichology from CR Labs. Based in Italy their exciting approach to scalp care and 3D printed hairpieces is revolutionizing the industry.
Jessica and Merinda were excited to learn about OnStage extensions. These reusable, high-quality human hair extensions are available in multiple lengths and textures. This incredibly versatile product is made with superior quality hair that is ethically sourced. The innovative non-damaging application technique makes it perfect for individuals with hair loss. We are looking forward to adding this service in-store soon!
Jon Renau unveiled their newest custom hair piece product – Cheveux Direct. This new technology will allow us to customize a solution for any type of hair loss! Our stylists are currently completing their certification and we will be offering this product soon.
Shanna Moll of Studio You provided a live demonstration of long hair bonding – the newest technique in hair replacement. This technique allows people to have a secure, realistic hair 24/7 without shaving or surgery
Monday Wrapping Up The American Hair Loss Council Conference
On Monday, we revisited the conference one last time – meeting with vendors and exploring new products. We saw another live demonstration from Shanna Moll, this time the removal and cleaning process for long hair bonding. We purchased several sample products to bring back to our studio.
We will not soon forget the rewarding experiences and education we received at the 2022 Hair Now Conference. We are now busy finishing our certification in several new techniques that we are so excited to present to you in the near future!
