Who’s Helping You?

Back in June, I did a post about customer service and yesterday I was reminded of just how important it truly is.  When you start working with a representative from a company it can be tough to continue the relationship if your contact is on vacation, out of the office for an extended period of time or leaves the company.  When considering a hair replacement solution, it is a very personal topic and many times, the clients I consult with become comfortable speaking with me and only me about their hair loss.  So what happens now as I am currently out of the office for an extended period of time?

Vicki, the salon’s General Manager has taken over my role!  Before my leave began, she was integrated into my daily communications with our current hair restoration clients and potential clients considering a hair loss solution.  She was given access to all my notes and was able to step in and pick up right where I left off.

Now you may be saying to yourself, “well isn’t that what should happen in someone’s absence?” and your absolutely right, it is, however, in some businesses, especially larger companies, that’s not always the case.  I was communicating with a large company on a customer service matter for quite some time.  Yesterday, I called the person I had been speaking with to find out they were on vacation.  From there, I was bounced around from representative to representative trying to find someone who could help me while my contact was out.  No one had any information on my situation.  As a consumer, it was very frustrating  and what had been a positive customer service experience quickly turned in to a not so positive one.

So this interaction caused me to reflect on Santangelo’s and made me appreciate the fact that we do things differently.  Our customers are always at the top of our mind and we make sure that our hair restoration clients are well taken care of regardless of who is in the office!  We know hair loss is a sensitive subject for most men and women dealing with it and customer service is key in easing someone’s anxiety about pursuing a hair replacement solution…and that’s the Santangelo’s difference!

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A Santangelo’s product to be featured on national TV!

Reallusions, the hair system line offered exclusively at Santangelo’s in Western New York, is going to be featured on The Balancing Act, a new show airing on Lifetime Television.  The Balacing Act features 4 women dealing with life’s trials and tribulations and some are facing hair loss.  The show chronicles them going through the consultation process, determining which hair loss solution is right for them and then the grand finale will feature their reveal!

If you’ve been considering a non-surgical hair replacement option such as Reallusions, ,but you’ve been nervous or scared to take the leap, this show will be a great opportunity for you to see first hand what you can expect as you go through the process.

The Balancing Act airs every morning at 7:00 a.m. on Lifetime Television.  On Monday, July 30th, be sure to tune in as this is the interview and consultation segment that features the ladies beginning the hair replacement process.  Then mark your calendar again for the big reveal on Monday, August 13th.

I’d love to hear from you about the show, so please feel free to call me at 716.681.7120 or email me at jcalero@santangelohair.com with your feedback! – Jennifer Calero

In the mean time, take a look at our photo gallery and get an idea of what Reallusions can do for you!

What makes Santangelo’s different?

As with any major purchase in life, the clients that I meet with often do their “homework” before coming to see me.   They almost always do research online and sometimes, they get consultations from other hair replacement companies.  I often get asked the question, “what makes Santangelo’s different from Hair Replacement Company X?” so I thought our blog would be a good place to answer that question!

There are several things that make Santangelo’s different, the first and most important, is our comittment to customer service.  We aren’t a huge corporation that has written procedures for handling customer concerns.  We work with our clients on a case by case basis to insure that they get a solution that fits THEM and THEIR NEEDS, not just follows a policy.

Second is our staff and the way our company is structured.  Our staff is second to none.  They like what they do and it shows.  We provide regular training to keep them up to date on the latest trends in the industry and we encourage them to grow as professionals by learning new techniques and services.  As a result, we have low turnover rates so we won’t be seeing someone new every time you come in.  One of our Technicians has been with us for over 15 years!  That is unheard of in this industry!

Given that our company is locally owned and operated, our owner has some skin in the game.  He wants to make sure we are all doing what we can to keep Santangelo’s reputation positive in the community and to retain every client that we work with.  To do this, he hired a General Manager to oversee the non-surgical side of hair replacement as well as our salon and spa and then there is also myself, the Hair Replacement Consultant, that walks you through the process of choosing a solution.  By having two people specifically devoted to these functions, we are able to insure that a certain level of quality is maintained.

If you choose a hair transplant surgery with us, you’ll really see a difference!  Unlike our competitors, we bring the Doctor to the patient.  A Consultant is with you throughout the entire process, including the day of the procedure.  You get the Consultant AND the Doctor’s cell phone number to leave with in case you have any questions or concerns after hours, which again, is practically unheard of!  When you do a surgical hair transplant with Santangelo’s and Dr. Agnesi, you truly get personalized care and a personalized hair loss solution.

There you have it, the Santangelo’s difference spelled out in black and white.  Non-surgical and surgical hair restoration are competitive industries.  In order to survive, you have to be a step above your competitors and at Santangelo’s we do that by providing exceptional customer care!

Patience Pays Off

For almost two years, this client has faithfully attended Laser Hair Therapy visits and taken every recommendation we’ve made to him.  The outcome…more hair!  When this client first came in for his consultation, he was wearing his hair very short, almost completely buzzed because it was thin and there was nothing else he could do with it plus the thinning was more noticeable when it was long.

He started out doing a one year Laser program in the salon, then after his first year, he purchased an iGrow unit and began using it at home in conjunction with the dhtSensor products.  At about 18 months of total use, he also started taking Finastiride prescribed to him by our Surgical Hair Restoration Expert, Dr. Agnesi.  The photos on the bottom right represent his progress between 18 and 21 months of use.

Restoring your own natural hair is possible, you just have to be patient and remain consistent with your treatments.  What’s next for this client?  He’s going to continue using the iGrow laser and the dhtSensor products indefinitely.  He also plans to continue taking Finastiride.  If he can’t restore a full head of hair using these methods, he has considered doing a small hair transplant to complete his transformation.  Because of the progress he’s achieved with the laser, if he does decide to do a hair transplant, the procedure will be much smaller and much less expensive.  Patience paid off for this client!

Client Success Story: New Body + New Hair = New Life

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Catherine S. is proof that when you are not happy with your appearance and you make the commitment to change it, amazing things can happen!  I want to share Catherine’s story with you because I think she will be an inspiration for anyone considering hair replacement or for that matter, anyone that is not happy with what they see in the mirror.

Her journey to a change began in 2003 when she was in college studying to be a Veterinary Technician.  She was stressed, not exercising and not eating properly.  She started gaining weight and noticed that it was having a negative impact on her body.  After joining a weight loss program she lost 70lbs but over the course of a few years, and several other attempts to keep the weight off, it eventually crept back on.

In 2008 she decided to do something more aggressive. Several years before, one of her family members had a successful gastric bypass surgery and Catherine began considering the option for herself.  With a team of Doctors leading the way she began the process of  preparing herself for the changes her body would go through.  Her Doctor also explained that hair loss and thinning hair could be a potential side effect of this procedure, but she felt the benefits outweighed the potential costs and in May 2009 she had the procedure.

Just a few months after she was starting to feel good.  Her body was changing and she was happy with her decision but she also noticed her hair had started thinning.  The front and the crown started to get so sparce she considered purchasing a wig or wearing a bandana 24-7…until she came across Santangelo’s website!

Catherine came into my office and wanted to know her options.  We talked about Hair for Life and how wearing a hair system could really change the way her hair looked.  She decided on the spot that she wanted to get started and a few months later, she came in for her first delivery and left with a full head of hair.  Here’s what she had to say about her experience:

“I felt comfortable at my consultation discussing my hair loss and my expectations.  The consult was very professional and I was very happy with my options, the pricing and payment options. I have been very happy with the whole hair system process.  The hair stylists have been great.  I enjoy the process and also the fact that the system can be cut, colored and styled any way that I want it!…All in all I have a happy ending…I have achieved and stayed at my goal weight (I lost a total of 115lbs) for 2 years, I have great hair thanks to Santangelos, and I am busy planning my wedding!”

Now in 2012, Catherine has a new life.  She has the body she’s always wanted, the hair to match and she’s found someone special to share her life with.  Congratulations Catherine on committing to change, achieving your goals and on your upcoming wedding, we can’t wait to do your hair!

Myths About Hair Loss

When someone is dealing with hair loss, they often search for ways to make sense of it.  They want a reason as to why this is happening to them.  I’ve found that some clients find comfort in associating their situation with the common myths that have been passed down from generation to generation about hair loss.  During my consultations with prospective new clients I often hear things like “well my Mom’s family lost their hair,” or “I wear hats alot,” or even “I shampoo my hair every day.”

The truth is,  these statements are all myths out there about hair loss.  According to the American Hair Loss Association androgenetic alopecia, more commonly known as male or female pattern baldness, is the most common cause of hair loss and is inherited through genetics from either side of someone’s family, not just the Mother’s, another common myth about hair loss.

Hair loss can be caused by many other things such as the environment, a medical condition, even nutrition so before you blame hat wearing for your hair loss, it’s best to speak to a medical professional and get some real answers!

Here are a few useful links to help you understand hair loss and to learn whats a myth and what’s not.

http://www.cbsnews.com/2300-204_162-10006727.html?tag=page

http://www.americanhairloss.org/Types_of_Hair_Loss/introduction.asp

 

How do I know which hair loss solution is right for me?

Gone are the days of Grandpa’s toupee!  Now, consumers have options to choose from when considering a hair loss solution, but with options comes questions, like which hair loss solution is right for me?

Most full service hair replacement studios, including Santangelo’s, offer free, no obligation consultations.  At Santangelo’s, consultations are confidential and are not a high pressure sales pitch.  Instead they are more of an educational opportunity.  The Consultant will ask some questions about your health, your hair loss history and also about your lifestyle in an effort to help recommend which solution might work best for you. 

Once the Consultant has your options narrowed down you can expect them to go into detail about what each solution entails.  This is a time for you to ask questions and take in all the information you  need to make an educated decision.   

Depending on how long you’ve been dealing with your hair loss problem, you may or may not need some time to think over your options.  Some decide to join us on the spot, others need to sleep on it.  Either way, we are here to help and answer questions, so ask questions and get excited.  Once you choose a hair loss solution, the way you see yourself in the mirror will change for good!

Welcome to our new blog!

Thank you for visiting, we are excited to launch a new blog about hair loss, hair replacement and hair restoration in Western New York (WNY). 

Santangelo’s is WNY’s premier hair replacement and hair restoration studio.  We have been in business for over 40 years and we have helped hundreds of local clients restore their appearance by providing cutting edge hair replacement and restoration services.

If you or someone you care about is suffering from hair loss, follow our blog, we can help make everyday a good hair day!

The posts found here at santangelohair will be written from the perspective of a Hair Restoration and Replacement Consultant.  At Santangelo’s, the Consultant meets with all potential clients to explain their options and help them choose the hair loss solution that will best fit their needs. 

For more information about Santangelo’s, visit our website at www.santangelohair.com.