Style: September 10, 2021

24 Style | Feature
Surgery to remove the ovaries saved her life, but at around
the same time Nici lost her job and her mum became
very unwell. Stress and hormonal changes are well-known
triggers for hair loss.
In time, Nici started studying for a counselling
qualification, and she spoke with her hairdresser, Janine
Gräter, about options. They decided to try a topper to
cover the patch at the front of her head where there was
nothing to clip onto.
Armed with a medical certificate (as the doctor could
find no hair follicles) Nici, with Janine’s help, was able to
apply for the wigs and hairpieces subsidy available from the
Ministry of Health. It assists those who suffer from serious
hair loss due to a medical condition or certain cancer
therapies. The reduced cost helped, and Nici now has three
hairpieces, covering day and night looks.
“I have curly hair, so Janine perms the piece for me. I love
my topper – it’s thick and blends in. It has a fringe in it – I’ve
never had a fringe before! It’s good as you can’t see the
edges, even when it’s windy.
“Janine cuts the hair, colours it, tones it – she matches it
perfectly to your hair. My partner says they’re natural and
pretty, which is huge. I’m so much more confident wearing
one. I see so many women living with hair loss but it’s still
a taboo subject. I want people to know they have a choice.
You can’t live your best life if you’re not embracing yourself.”
ACT EARLY
Like many new mums, Padmaja Redekar experienced postpartum
hair fall.
“Hair shedding every day was very daunting and it felt like
I was losing confidence slowly. It took me a while to gain
control over my hair again.”
As a trichologist, Dr Padmaja is energised to meet the
hair and scalp problems women face. Proceedings at her
Hairmantra clinic start with a consultation, where she takes
note of a client’s family history, diet, menstrual cycle and
health background.
“By the time they come to me, generally 50 per cent
of the damage is done. Scarring can be quite bad by that
stage,” she explains.
Low-level laser therapy penetrates the scalp to work at the
hair follicle level. This is one of the main treatments Padmaja
offers, with encouraging results.
“Hair grows at about half an inch a month. When I see
reduced swelling and new shoots of hair after a few months
it puts a smile on both our faces – it’s an amazing feeling.”
Lindy Cai, a university student in her early twenties,
experienced female-pattern thinning while still at high school.
“It was very bad… I would always get huge clumps of hair
landing on my clothes.”
Lacking in belief after several failed attempts to find help,
Lindy’s laser treatment sessions with Padmaja “helped with
my confidence and gave me useful advice for my thinning
hair”. She started to see results after two months, and new
hair had emerged within six months.
“The empty gaps were becoming less visible and I could
feel it was thicker than before.”
Lindy encourages others to take note of their health and
lifestyle. “I used to suffer from stress and sleep deprivation; I
knew I wasn’t in good health, but I ignored it.”
Depending on the diagnosis, Padmaja also offers chemicalfree
and anti-DHT treatments, supplements and concealing
nano fibres to temporarily cover gaps and provide a fuller look.
Post-Covid, the trichologist noticed a spike in enquiries and
credits that to the stress many people were under. “Balanced
emotions help keep hair balanced,” she says.
Padmaja hopes that women will talk about this issue more,
and come forward earlier. Janine agrees: “If we can just drop
some of the shame around the issue of women’s hair loss, we
can get to the solution quicker. You don’t have to suffer in
pain – you can have hair.”
ABOVE FROM LEFT: Nici Clark conceals her condition with a topper, designed and styled by Janine
Gräter; Dr Padmaja Redekar assesses the health of a client’s hair and scalp.