Hair Loss Clinic Restores Hair And Confidence

By Nancy K. Crevier

As a young woman, Patty Andrew was extremely self-conscious about her skimpy amount of hair. She struggled with the embarrassment of female pattern baldness, a hereditary trait, from the time she was 18 years old, and eventually resigned herself to a future dominated by caps and scarves to hide her disappearing tresses.

“But Marsha Scott changed my life,” declared the Newtown resident. Ms Andrew is an 11-year client of Marsha Scott, the developer of the Marsha M. Scott Method for hair replacement, and owner of Marsha Scott’s Hair Loss Clinic For Women, at 30 Grassy Plains Road in Bethel.

 “I had tried everything, from Rogaine to vitamin treatments to scalp treatments. But nothing helps once the hair follicle dies,” Ms Andrew said.

When a friend discovered Ms Scott and urged Ms Andrew to contact the hair loss specialist, “I was really amazed at what she had done for my friend. So I thought, ‘What do I have to lose?’ I’d already lost my hair,” recalled Ms Andrew.

Initially, Ms Scott used a hair weaving technique to supplement Ms Andrew’s own hair. Shortly after Ms Andrew became her client, though, Ms Scott developed the semi-permanent hair replacement method she uses for most customers today.

The Marsha M. Scott Method uses 100 percent human hair attached to a porous cloth skullcap for Ms Andrew, who is mostly bald on the top of her head. Each hair system is customized to the individual, using a plaster of Paris cast of the head as the base. The hair system is then affixed to the scalp with a medical adhesive, or integrated into the client’s own remaining hair.

The process takes less than an hour for an average head of hair, and is a pain-free and nonsurgical solution to replacing hair. Once it is attached, the hair can be treated as natural hair.

“I can wash it, blow dry it, curl it or use electric rollers,” said Ms Andrew. “Nobody knows that it is not my own hair. The only thing my hair doesn’t have that anyone else does, are the natural oils,” she said. Lacking those natural oils, her hair system does not attract odors or dirt, said Ms Andrew — a real plus for the 20-year veteran server at Pizza Palace. “With a hair system, I find it takes less daily care,” Ms Andrew said.

Additionally, said Ms Andrew, the hair system feels as natural as her own hair once did. “It is light and it moves nicely. It is not hot or itchy like a wig,” she said.

Depending on how well the hair system is cared for, it can remain in place for up to eight weeks before needing to be removed by Ms Scott, cleaned, restyled, and replaced. A personal hair system can last for up to three years before needing to be completely replaced.

It was because of her own diabetes-induced hair loss that Ms Scott directed her energies toward developing a system that would give women a safe and comfortable alternative to wigs, extensions, and hair weaving, said the hair loss specialist.

“One out of seven women in the United States has a problem with thinning hair,” said Ms Scott. “When she can no longer camouflage [the fact that her hair is thinning] or hide anymore, that is when she begins to seek a solution. Women don’t want wigs. They are uncomfortable,” she said.

As the acting vice president and member of the board of directors of the American Hair Loss Council, Ms Scott said she is able to access new technologies and find out about new procedures.

“It’s like doctors; we are always looking for the newest and best methods,” she said. Those findings are what led her to develop the Marsha M. Scott Method, and to be recognized for her professional achievements in the area of women’s hair loss. She has also founded a support group for women, called At A Loss. The group meets quarterly, said Ms Scott, depending on the number of women who sign up at her website, www.hlcfw.com. The Marsha M. Scott Method was featured in 2009 on the Better Connecticut show, as well.

“Everyone [in this business] has his or her own techniques, so far as preparation, pretreatment, and the actual method of attachment,” said Ms Scott, who believes her method gives the best results in the greatest number of cases. “This is better for the hair than hair weaving or other means of attaching hair,” she said. “You can avoid traction alopecia, which can occur from the tight weaving of hair, and leads to even more hair loss,” said Ms Scott.

Since opening the hair loss clinic, she has serviced hundreds of clients, said Ms Scott. Most of the women she sees are dealing with hair issues related to heredity, age, or hormones. She caters to a female clientele, referring requests from men to other hair replacement specialists.

“The clinic is set up for women, and it allows for a woman’s privacy,” she said.

“We are here to help any woman who is suffering from hair thinning or hair loss,” emphasized Ms Scott, “and I make it affordable, through payment plans, for any woman.”

“Losing your hair is devastating,” said Ms Andrew. “With this hair system, you get a new attitude. You look good and you feel good about yourself. Every one of Marsha’s clients has a different need,” said Ms Andrew, “whether she has lost her hair due to cancer treatment, alopecia, or another hereditary issue that affects hair growth. Marsha applies her broad knowledge to the needs of each client.”

To see a demonstration of the Marsha M. Scott Method of hair replacement, visit the website at www.hlcfw.com. The Better Connecticut episode can also be viewed at the website.

Ms Scott is happy to provide a free initial consultation. For an appointment, call 203-792-1800.