To whom it may concern:

I want to shout out from the rooftops how thrilled I am with the results of my hair treatments at De Oliveira Hair Care Systems. The single best thing about it is that they work!

Until I was fifteen, in the 1960’s, I had such thick hair that my regular appointments at Vincent & Tony Hairstylists always included “thinning” my hair. Not only that, but my hair was thick enough to routinely break plastic combs.

In my mid-teens, my hair began thinning noticeably. This was most troubling for a young girl. While the loss was even, all over my scalp, and I did not actually have bald spots, I was concerned enough to start searching for both the reason and a reversal. At the very least, I would have been content if my hair had merely stopped thinning.

My family doctor(s) could not come up with any satisfactory answers, though consistently the advice was to change shampoos and/or wash my hair less frequently. With the advent of blow-dryers, I found that I was washing my hair every day to avoid the plastered – down look that thin “bed – head” hair frequently creates.
Six weeks after the birth of my first son, when I was in my mid twenties, my hair fell out in handfuls. I cut the hair on the top of my head very short, and brushed it forward.

Over a long period of time, my hair thickened ever so slightly; but it was when I was only in my late twenties that I found the thinning of my hair so disturbing that I started making the rounds of dermatologists, the names of many of whom you would recognize. They all agreed that there was no cure. Some said it was hereditary androgenic alopecia. Medical tests for hormone problems or a thyroid condition were negative.

When I was in my late thirties, my bathroom drain was constantly clogged with my hair. My family doctor prescribed Rogaine, which I tried for several months. There were several concerns, one of which was that its application meant that my hair always looked “greasy”. Additionally, although it seemed to prevent further hair loss, there was no regrowth. Not only that, as soon as I stopped using Rogaine my serious hair loss immediately recommenced; permanent prevention of hair loss would have required a lifetime commitment to monthly expense, and daily application. The latter was worrisome because of possible side – effects.

I also tried topical formulae suggested by my family doctor, and by my massage therapist. Over the past few years, I have tried supplements, homeopathic medicine, Chinese herbs, and acupuncture. Nothing helped.
Periodically, I continued to seek out different dermatologists. They confirmed that my hair was not “well – rooted”. One recommended hair transplants. He said that he did not think I was a great candidate, because the hair on the back of my scalp was so thin; but he was willing to try two transplant sessions at a total cost of $10 000, after which he would evaluate the viability of continuing the process. I declined.

By that time, I was so self – conscious about my hair that I was miserable. I spent a lot of time thinking of ways to camouflage my problem. As much as possible, I avoided situations where people would have an opportunity to see the back of my head. My being a teacher meant that this was not always possible.

By the spring of 1997, I was so self-conscious about my appearance that I constantly prayed for a miracle cure for hair loss. I was delighted to learn about “permanent” hair systems. I chose bonding. Initially, the results were satisfying, and I was quite happy with “my thick hair”. There were problems, however: the hair matted badly; though this was said to be unusual, no offer to replace the expensive hairpiece was made. It was impossible for me to scrub my scalp between treatments. Once a month I had to go to the salon for a thorough washing of my hair and a protein treatment for my hairpiece. Within two weeks, the hairpiece would start to loosen and I would feel uncomfortable for the next two weeks until my salon appointment. For the rest of my life I would be tied to monthly treatments and bi – annual, costly hairpiece replacements I was too self – conscious to become involved in an intimate relationship. After ten months, I removed the hair system permanently. I had missed the feel of the sun and wind on my scalp.

Possibly because of the devastating tragedy, I had suffered in the spring of 1997, and possibly because of the hair system (glue, incomplete hygiene, constant pulling on my hair) my hair loss was worsening at an alarming rate. So was my state of mind over my ever-increasing difficulty in covering my scalp. At all times I wore either a hat or a wig.

The hair loss continued. By the fall of 1999, it was evident that there was absolutely no new growth. What hair I had was falling out. Just touching my hair caused it to fall. There was hair in the food I prepared, on the floors, on my pillow and bedclothes, in my books, on the table, EVERYWHERE. I started washing my hair less and less frequently. And I consumed with trying to figure how to get away without a wig or hat.

By the beginning of December, 1999 I was washing my hair only every two weeks or so. Once more, I decided to try another dermatologist. I was sure that this one, a young man, would be up on the latest. He was apologetic when he assured me that there was no cure, and nothing to be done for me. Strangely, this time on hearing the news I did not burst into tears while still in the doctor’s office.

I stopped praying for help, and became resigned to the fact that it would be only a matter of time before the hair loss would be complete. I was beginning to take more seriously the idea of adopting the bald head as a fashion look.

On my December 27, 1999 visit to my naturopath, Dr. Lucas Bozonovski, he told me about a patient whom he had not seen in several months. In the intervening time, with De Oliveira Hair Treatments, the hair on the previously bald patient had started to regrow. Lucas was so impressed that he had gone to speak to Mariana De Oliveira about her work.

On December 28, 1999 I had my first De Oliveira treatment. My hair stopped falling out the same day. By the third treatment hair regrowth was obvious. With a combination of in- salon treatments and home treatments, my hair is coming back, healthy and strong. The casual observer is now unable to detect that I have hair loss. Where formely scalp was visible, I now have a cushion of hair.

My hair regrowth is not yet complete, so I continue to faithfully do my treatments every day. Improvement is noticeable almost on a daily basis. The time and effort required to achieve optimum results have been worth it!!! I wanted my hair back so badly that I made following Mariana’s instructions, and doing my treatments, my priority. Nothing has tempted me to miss them.

The entire staff at De Oliveira has been so kind and supportive that it seems as if they take my progress personally. What impressed me on my first visit, only eight months ago – their knowledge, their professionalism, their caring, their patience, their teaching methodology, their clients, their testimonials, their optimism – continue to impress me.

In July, I started wearing hats only as a part of my outfit, and as sun protection. I love the feeling of having hair, of having my very own real hair. It is hard to explain, but now I feel like a complete and real person.

Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou to Mariana, Nella, and Sandra!!! Thankyou for giving me “swingy” hair, and restoring my confidence. All the thankyou’s in the world seem insufficient. Your work is invaluable.

Ruth H.