Not sure how to make your hair replacement clients more comfortable?
Here are some tips directly from women with hair loss
1. Privacy- Have the ability to create a separate room for your hair replacement consultations? Privacy is the #1 concern of women when they visit a salon for the first time. If your salon acts as a full service salon, then women are less likely to feel comfortable in front of the rest of your clients. Don't have the space for a separate room? Consider offering a before-opening or after-closing appointment to your clients if they aren't comfortable. Or, set aside a specific time for these appointments when other appointments won't be taken. Remember, there is no way to avoid taking the hair on and off in the salon during a consultation, so please be sure to warn them of this for their appointment.
2. Options- not only in design but also make and most importantly, cost. The shops who offer bonding and non bonding options as well as human and synthetic hair are my preferences for referalls. OnRite offers a large variety of wigs for women of all ages, and children. They even have hair replacement options for men that are the most natural I've ever seen. A great tip is to have several options on site in case a woman wants to try something on during her appointment. Have a blonde, brunette, black and grey option. At least one long and short, one curly and one with bangs. Have at least one of the higher quality and one of the less expensive. And in my opinion, have one from the Gemtress line, and one from the Gem Kids line.
3. Comfort- Make the women as comfortable as possible. Be understanding. Be a listener. In many cases, you will play the role of friend/confidant/supporter beyond your duties as their stylist. This is likely a very difficult process for them emotionally. Some women come alone and need you to give them your honest opinion about what looks good, what they can afford, what they can care for, etc. There will come a point when you should worry less about the sale or the profit, and more about her comfortability. A comfortable and happy customer will come back for her second wig and provide referalls to friends. When clients bring in their wigs for repair or touch ups, offer them a separate area with snacks where they can wait, so they don't have to go out in public if they don't want to.
4. Patience- This could be their first time purchasing a wig. They may have a stack of medical bills waiting at home. For children, this could be very uncomfortable and way beyond their own maturity level to accept the changes they are going through. For a woman, this is a huge piece of what defines them as a woman. You should remember that you may not make a sale that day. I wasn't able to decide in one appointment. Wigs can be expensive, and they represent a great deal of change in a person's life. Aside from being understanding, you must be patient. Allow the client to go home and talk to their loved ones about the decision. Please don't pressure them. Just call them the next day to let them know you are thinking of them, and appreciated their trust for such an important time in their lives. If you don't hear back within two weeks after that call, try calling again to let them know you'd love to have them back and try on another option.
5. Be open to customization- a woman doesn't want to just feel like "Priscilla" or whatever the name of the styled wig is... she wants to feel like herself! Every client, including the ones who want hair replacement for style reasons unrelated to health and medicine, want to look their very best. I know that when I went to Salon Rispoli, I wanted my wig to look how my hair did before it fell out. Mario created a wig with high and low lights and then cut and styled it on my head. Because of that extra step, he made me feel like he really cared. Plus, I loved the finished product! Customization make take extra time, but it is worth offering! Ask you clients if they would like any color work done, or a certain hair style. Just because it is a wig, doesn't mean it should look like one!
6. Give back- Consider making a donation to a worthy foundation such as the National Alopecia Areata Foundation, the Children's Alopecia Project, the American Cancer Society, and so on, for every hair replacement sale. If a woman sees that a local shop not only offers a great selection, but also gives back money to a cause close to her heart then she is more likely to choose you over another salon. Or, you could put a large portion of your proceeds from those sales into a scholarship fund for a future customer who cannot afford a wig.
**Also, consider offering other hair replacement options in your salon. Many women need hair extensions instead of wigs. Some want eyebrow pencils, eyebrow temporary tattoos, false eyelashes and so on. One stop shopping can relieve their stress and create a more trustworthy atmosphere!
Remember, when a customer is going through chemotherapy, their hair loss can be very sensitive to them. They are going through so much in their life and the last thing they should have to worry about is their hair- make the commitment to provide comfort and support. Help them feel like themselves again.
And remember- when a customer has Alopecia Areata/Totalis/Universalis, they may be dealing with it for the rest of their lives. The more comfortable you make them, and the lower your prices, the more likely they are to return! The average Alopecia patient goes through three wigs a year- if you treat them well, you may benefit in the long-term!
Have other tips? Leave a comment at Kayla's Corner for Women & Kids with Hair Loss! Looking for a trustworthy salon to meet your hair replacement needs? Visit Hairloss.com's provider directory!
Have a great week everyone!
Hugs from DC!
-Kayla
