Everyday Heroes of Hair in Novi
In Novi, a business is changing lives by tackling an issue that impacts millions: hair loss. A local salon, Project Hair Company, is offering a specialized service called a “hair system”, likened to a modern, custom-fit toupee. This revolutionary service has people visiting from across the state and beyond.
Despite its general taboo, hair loss is extremely common. In fact, stats show that the hair wig and extension market was worth an astonishing $7.7 billion in 2022, and projections suggest it’s on track to hit $15.7 billion soon. It’s clear that solutions for hair loss are in high demand.
At the heart of this business are two hair replacement experts, Rebekah Lakies and Sara Micallef. Their mission? To take clients from hairless to care-less. One of them recently helped a 19-year-old college student from Kalamazoo. Heavily impacted by genetic hair loss, he sought the salon’s services to not only regain his hair but reclaim his self-confidence.
The benefits of this treatment are profound. It allows those suffering hair loss to fit in with their peers, to look their age and to regain their confidence. And while the unique service isn’t cheap, at $600 a pop, it’s a cost many are more than willing to bear.
But there’s more to this. National Hair Loss Awareness Month is observed every August, reminding us of this all-too-common issue, and it’s here that Project Hair Company truly shines. While hair replacement generated $1.5 billion in 2022, it’s not just about the money for Lakies and Micallef. They believe it’s a matter of raising awareness that there’re options beyond wigs and transplants.
These hair pros offer an array of cosmetic solutions for diverse issues from hereditary pattern baldness, to burns that hinder hair growth, chemotherapy effects, variations of alopecia, and even scars from unsuccessful hair growth methods, such as surgery.
Their expertise ranges from full bonding, perimeter bonding, clip-on toppers, system hairpieces, and strand-by-strand extensions. Female clients, in particular, are drawn to “toppers”, a $1,000 service that disguises thinning or bald spots by clipping into the top of the head.
The clientele comes from near and far. In fact, about 200 clients yearly visit the company in Novi, some traveling across states from Chicago and Ohio.
Lakies and Micallef aren’t merely providing a service; they’re offering a lifeline to those grappling with hair loss. Each client receives a personalized plan to achieve the look they crave, complete with a bespoke hairpiece varying in color, length, and texture. These hairpieces can last from a few months up to a year, empowering clients to step out confidently in society.
As Lakies aptly puts it, “When you make people happy, confident, and you see the whole picture come together after so much nervousness, it’s huge.” Indeed, a mane may seem a triviality to some, but to those bereft of it, it can mean the world.
