Hi Everyone,

Trichotillomania is not an easy thing to live with, both for the person it affects as well as their family members.  I have spoken with many mothers (including one of my own family members) who has a young pre-teen or teenage daughter who is living with Trich.  It is both frustrating and heartbreaking with no easy-fixes in sight. 

I have said it before and I will say it again The Trichotillomania Learning Center http://www.trich.org/  is a FANTASTIC resource for anyone dealing with this issue.   They provide information on the latest treatment options, educational books and dvds and where to find a support group in your area.

Here at William Collier Design we strive to create a safe & supportive evironment where young women (or anyone living with Trich) can learn more about the solutions we offer & re-connect to thier joyful, confident-selves. 

Just last week, one of our young clients (a 15year old girl) came in for her cut-in on her new, gorgeous, human hair wig.   She cold not stop grinning & mother said to me "This is the first time I've seen her smile in months".

That made my month! It is what everyone here at William Collier Design lives for! 

If you, or someone you know is living with Trichotillomania - please call us for a complimentary consultation to learn more. 

As always, I welcome your questions and comments.  

Warm Regards,

Carrie

SKYPE CONSULTATION APPOINTMENTS ARE AVAILABLE NOW!

Hi Everyone, 

NAAF is THE place to go to get the most current information on treatment options and support groups for anyone living with Alopecia.  They are in the process of creating a national registry which can ultimately help to provide more resources and information to researchers to help in their quest for a cure.  If you or someone you know is living with Alopecia, please click on the link below & take the time to register today.   Or go to www.naaf.org to learn more.   Here at William Collier Design we create custom solutions for many clients who are living with Alopecia - please call us for a complimentary consulation or SKYPE us at: william.collier46 to learn more about how we can help.  As always, I welcome your questions and comments.  

Carrie

THE NATIONAL ALOPECIA AREATA REGISTRY

Have you ever asked, “Who gets alopecia areata?” “How did I get it when no one in my family has it?” “Is it related to another disease?” “What are the chances my children will get it?” “What is the chance that my alopecia areata will turn into alopecia areata totalis or alopecia areata universalis?”

The registry is designed to answer those types of questions. The more people who participate in the registry, the more questions we can answer and the more resources we can provide for researchers and pharmaceutical companies to advance more studies and possibly find a treatment for this disease.

If you are new to alopecia areata and just got your first patch, please register. If you have alopecia areata universalis, please register. We need everyone so we can have the most comprehensive and validated resource for scientists to use to make new discoveries about alopecia areata. This registry will be the base of any future clinical trials to develop a treatment for alopecia areata.

<<<Current Progress Report as of September 2011>>>

How was this registry created?

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), one of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has funded the National Alopecia Areata Registry since 2000, providing over six million dollars to establish it and to gather initial information and samples. Federal funding for the registry ends on March 30, 2012, and then NAAF will continue to maintain it. In helping the registry to get underway, NIAMS indicated its strong commitment to research regarding alopecia areata. The registry creates an enormous opportunity to advance basic, clinical, and translational studies in alopecia areata. It also provides an essential resource for all investigators interested in studying alopecia areata, and it stimulates opportunities for additional research support from federal and private sources.

Why is this registry important?

Have you ever asked, “Who gets alopecia areata?” “How did I get it when no one in my family has it?” “Is it related to another disease?” “What are the chances my children will get it?” “What is the chance that my alopecia areata will turn into alopecia areata totalis or alopecia areata universalis?” 
The registry is designed to answer those types of questions. The more people who participate in the registry, the more questions we can answer and the more resources we can provide for researchers and pharmaceutical companies to advance studies and possibly find a treatment for this disease. Genetic samples collected by the registry have already advanced our genetic research to new levels!

What is a Disease Registry?

A disease registry is an organized network of centers that identify and register patients with a particular disease, collect relevant research samples from the most informative families with the disease, catalogue, and store information on the patients in a central database, and make this information available to investigators interested in studying the disease.

The disease registry does not conduct the research itself, but it facilitates research by all investigators who need patient populations that are well characterized by accepted criteria, and especially patients from families with multiple members affected by the disease in question. Once established, a disease registry is a research resource that can support many diverse types of investigation and clinical trials performed by other investigators. It provides critical structure and uniformity to research, and it enables investigators to pursue promising research directions. A disease registry is like the pint of water used to prime a pump that can then deliver gallons of cool, fresh water.

How Does the National Alopecia Areata Registry Work?

The National Alopecia Areata Registry is located at five sites across the United States where patients are examined and registered, and blood and tissue samples are taken when appropriate. The samples and data are sent to Houston, Texas, where they are collected and stored by the Principal Investigator. A Steering Committee made up of key members of the Registry oversees the functions of the Registry and determines the distribution of material to appropriate investigators. NAAF’s CEO serves on this Steering Committee.

Where Can Patients Be Seen?

The sites of the registry and the senior investigators at each site are as follows:

1. University of Texas, Houston, Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center
   Madeleine Duvic, M.D., Principal Investigator
2. University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado
   David Norris, M.D., Co-Principal Investigator
   Richard Spritz, M.D., Consultant
3. Columbia University, New York, New York
   Angela Christiano, Ph.D., Consultant
4. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
   Maria Hordinsky, M.D., Consultant
5. University of California, San Francisco, California
   Vera Price, M.D., Consultant

How Does the Registry Facilitate Research in Alopecia Areata?

A well-organized and well-run registry facilitates research in alopecia areata and maximizes the effectiveness of investigation by assuring that

1. Uniform diagnostic and classification criteria are applied to patients studied.
2. Fair access to patients and tissues are provided to all credible investigators with well-conceived projects, without regard to possible scientific overlap among projects.
3. Standardized and uniform information are available on each patient. (Everything is coded so no ones identity is ever revealed.)
4. Patient studies are coordinated with studies in known animal models, which greatly enhances the effectiveness of the overall research effort in alopecia areata.

What Type of Research in Alopecia Areata is Facilitated by This Registry?

Material collected by the registry greatly facilitates studies of the genetic basis of alopecia areata, the immunologic mechanisms of alopecia areata, basic hair biology related to alopecia areata progression and response to treatment, and neurobiology and angiogenesis related to alopecia areata. Clinical trials and better understanding of disease subsets are also expected outcomes of the alopecia areata registry.

How to Participate in The Registry?

You can register online or at any of the five registry sites.

The registration process is simple. You complete a screening questionnaire called the Short Form, which provides the registry with both epidemiological and statistical information about alopecia areata. You can complete this form directly online or you can download the form, fill it out, and mail it in to the address that is right on the form.

We also encourage everyone to complete a Quality of Life questionnaire. The registry personnel know that this life-altering disease can affect your life as deeply as a life-threatening disease. They want to put together the information they gather from this questionnaire in order to approach health insurance companies for better coverage. Your name will not be listed on any of this information.

If you want to have a Short Form and Quality of Life questionnaire mailed to you, please call the Clinical Coordinator at Joyce S. Osei at (713) 794-1442 or email the Clinical Coordinator at JSOsei@mdanderson.org. You can then mail or fax the forms back (again, the proper addresses and contact numbers are right on the Short Form). It is important to answer all of the questions, including those about other diseases, and to state whether affected family members are on your mother’s side or father’s side of the family.

The Short Form has questions asking about the “proband” in your family. The proband refers to the first affected person in your family who registered. If you are the first or only person registering, you automatically become the proband and do not need to fill that in. We connect families in the computer database by this information, so it is important for you to list any proband if you know that someone in your family has registered before you.

The second part of the Registry is optional. It involves completing a longer questionnaire called the Long Form, traveling to one of the participating sites (Houston, Denver, Minneapolis, New York, or San Francisco), having a brief skin exam, and donating blood for genetic and other research. The registry cannot pay for any travel expenses, but there is no charge for going to one of the sites and participating in the second part of the Registry.

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) has funded the National Alopecia Areata Registry since 2000, providing over 6 million dollars to establish it and to gather initial information and samples. Federal funding for the registry ends on March 30, 2012, and then NAAF will continue to maintain the registry. The registry funding by NIAMS indicated its commitment to advance research regarding alopecia areata. The registry has created an enormous opportunity to advance basic, clinical and translational studies in alopecia areata. It also provides an essential resource for all investigators interested in studying alopecia areata and stimulates opportunities for additional research support from federal and private sources.

Defined as a self-induced baldness and classified as an impulse control disorder, trichotillomania is a psychological condition that gives the sufferer the impulse to pull out their own hair. Affecting both genders, it is more common in women and causes them to pull out hair from their scalp, eyebrows, and eyelashes. Thought to be an extension of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) there are successful trichotillomania treatment options available.

At William Collier Design you will find FDA-approved topical products for trichotillomania treatment as well as custom hair systems, full head prosthesis, ready-made synthetic and human hair wigs, and specialty cutting for thinning hair. We offer non-surgical hair loss treatments for anyone experiencing hair loss.

We’re proud to be a premier certified Follea Atelier, carrying the Follea designs that are the most beautiful natural human hair creations in the world. Follea’s natural, fine hair comes in 30 radiant base colors prior to any high or low-lighting process. Whether you’re purchasing a temporary or a permanent treatment for your condition, we carry a broad range of natural hair collections to include, top of the head hair additions, fringes (bangs), and full head systems (wigs) — pre-made or custom.

When it comes to trichotillomania treatment we recognize the personal nature of this condition and understand your need for comfort. It's right in our mission statement: Commitment to personal dignity, quality of product and service, in a private secure environment. We offer a free initial consultation in a private and comfortable setting.
 

Did you know that male pattern baldness (also known as Androgenetic hair loss) is the most frequently encountered form of hair loss among men? It is estimated to affect 90 percent of men by the age of 50 as a consequence of hormonal function and genetics. It may begin at the front hairline creating a "U" shape with thinning and recession on either side of the tip of the "U" shape. Your hair may also appear finer and seem brittle on the top and crown. The hair loss can form a variety of shapes and sizes. This type of hair loss may appear on men as early as their mid-20s and frequently begins in the mid-30s.

Male pattern baldness is directly linked to hormones called androgens, specifically dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It attaches to receptor cells on the scalp and hair follicles, interrupting and interacting with the normal mechanics involved with healthy hair growth. Men who display male pattern baldness typically have lower levels of testosterone, but a proportionately higher level of DHT in their body. Other factors such as lifestyle factors and illness may cause hair loss as well.

We have many solutions for treating male pattern baldness. While there are medicines such as finasteride (Propecia) and minoxidil (Rogaine) that are well advertised, there is also transplantation as an option. Hair transplantation is very effective at treating male pattern baldness. Since hair follicles from the side and back of the head are resistant to the DHT androgens, hair is transplanted from healthy parts of the scalp to the affected areas. The surgery has become increasingly popular in the last few years.
 

Hi Everyone,

Late at night I see television commercials from a company that provides hair transplant services to it's clients - they make it sound as though it's the perfect option for everyone experiencing any kind of hair loss.  While transplants can be a great option for some people, for many others it simply will not work.

The #1 issue with transplants is that many people do not have sufficient hair in the donor area to achieve the coverage they need - if that is the case, hair transplantation will not be a viable option for them. 

For women, another big issue is the high likelihood of the transplanted hairs traumatizing their existing hair follicles which can create the potential for losing even more hair. 

At William Collier Design we have over 30 years experience in creating custom wigs and hair additions that look natural and beautiful for our clients.   Our technicians are highly skilled in their cutting and coloring skills and have consistent success in creating a finished look that allows our clients to work and be in the world with new-found confidence and vitality.  

I think the most important aspect of dealing with hairloss is to release any feelings of shame that may come-up.  There are more people in the world living with hair-loss than you would imagine.  Making the decision to explore the possibility of wearing a customized wig or hair piece that can augment your own hair is healthy, positive, self-nurturing step to take.    It is really no different that deciding you want to add highlights to your hair or getting a facial to make sure your skin looks it's best.  

And, best of all - these are NOT your Grandmother's wigs - our human-hair wigs and top-of-the-head hair additions are gorgeous, natural and virtually undetectable.  Check out some of our before & after photo's in our photo gallery

If you are living with hair-loss of ANY kind, help is at hand!  We offer a complimentary, no-obiligation consulation to discuss your individual needs and concerns and will work with you to create a solution that will fit your lifestyle and budget.  

Please call or email today to book an appointment - if you have hair-loss concerns, we can help!  As always, I appreciate your comments and questions.

Carrie Simmons

Hi Everyone,

Everyday we receive calls from people who are living with some type of hairloss, (Alopecia, Trichotillomania, Androgenetic, etc.) who have explored other hair replacement firms who very firmly insist they need to be "In a Program" in order to get the products and services they need. 

  These "programs" lock clients into a 1 or 2 year term (or sometimes longer) at an exorbitant rate.   They offer a lower-quality hair that is designed to be a "throw-away" piece that needs to be replaced every 3 to 4 months. 

At William Collier Design we do sometimes offer a "Program" option to our clients, the difference is that we view each client as an individual and tailor those programs to fit their specific needs, including thier budgetary requirements.

The other big difference is that our Wigs and Hair Replacement options are NOT throw-aways, our clients typically wear their wigs or top-of-the-head hair additions for a year or longer. 

If you have questions about the hairloss solutions we provide, please call us to book a one-hour complimentary consultation to learn more about the many different options that are available.

We will customize a plan that will be the right fit for YOU.  As always, we welcome your comments and questions.

Carrie

William Collier Design  

Hi Everyone,

Hi Everyone,

Yesterday we had a visit from one of our Vendors here at our Belltown Salon.  They brought in some samples of new human hair wigs and top of the head hair additions that are very affordable and look great!

These hair replacments use European Hair, and there are "All Hand Tied" options as well as machine made options to select from.  

Wendy, our senior technician particularly liked the new all-poly "top of the head"  hair replacement options.  She loved that the hair coming out of it looked SO natural and also that the poly-cap construction was very light and flexible.  

Our rep said that a brand new, custom order can be completed in just 4 weeks if we place a rush on it (for a nominal fee).

Of course, we still offer our high-end luxury hair as well!  William Collier Design has multiple options in every price point to meet every clients needs and budgets.   

Please call to schedule a complimentary consultation to come by in person to see and feel these wonderful new hair replacement options.

As always, I welcome your comments and questions!

Warm Regards,

Judi Collier

Hi Everyone,

This week has been a bit frustrating, it seems all of our vendors average completion times have become longer & longer - orders that used to be returned to us in 6 weeks now take 8-10 weeks, and custom orders that used to be completed in 8 weeks now take between 10-15 weeks.    And that's IF everything goes smoothly, and there isn't a random hold-up at customs or an issue at the factory.

I'm taking to the internet-waves to make you all aware so you can be PREPARED - my advice is don't wait until the last minute to place your repair or new orders - PLAN AHEAD!   

This is particularly true for any custom orders where we are working with a mold.  You want to allow 15 weeks for your order to be processed, made & returned to us.  Of course, stock orders can still be here within 24-48 hours.  

We typically require a 50% down payment to get the order started - however for long-term clients we have made payment arrangements upon request and are happy to work with you on a case by case basis. 

Remember, you can schedule a complimentary consultation at any time to discuss a new order - we have MANY new, beautiful, natural options available in every price point and I'm confident we can find the perfect option for you. 

As always, I welcome your comments and questions.

And for all you Seattleites out there - enjoy the sun while it lasts!!   

Judi Collier

Hi Everyone,

You can find the book at Amazon.com at;

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_35?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=understanding+transgender+diversity&sprefix=understanding+transgender+diversity

As always - I welcome your questions & comments!

Warm Regards,

Judi Collier

Hi Everyone,

We get a lot of questions about the styling and care of your human hair wig.  One of the main tools utilized to care for your wig or hair addition is a styrofoam or canvas head.  You will need someplace to place/store your wig at night.  We recommend a canvas wig head over a styrofoam head for a couple of reasons;

1) Canvas wig heads are more durable - they are not going to fall apart the way a styrofoam wig head will.

2) They also help absorb the moisture of a freshly shampooed wig, allowing it to dry faster.

3) They provide a more sturdy, comfortable base to operate from while styling your wig.

You will need a counter or suction clamp to place the wig head on - we prefer the counter clamp if you have the counter space to attach it to as it holds the head in position very firmly while still allowing you to move the clamp around from side to side and back to back while blow-drying and styling your hair.

Canvas wig heads come in two sizes - regular for medium to short hair lengths and "long-necked" for longer hair styles.  You would order based on your head size - typically a 1/2 inch to 1'inch smaller than your head circumference to prevent any stretching of your wig or hairpiece.

You can order on-line at; http://www.williamcollierdesign.com/store/index.cfm?CategoryID=10  or if you're in the Seattle area, call us to schedule a complimentary consultation to show you how to use a wig head to streamline your styling process. You will receive 20% off any clamp purchase when you buy a canvas wig head from now, until August 31st 2011!!  

Our goal is for EVERY day to be a great hair day!   

As always, I welcome your comments and questions.

Judi Collier  

Hi Everyone,

We have many clients who are living with Trich - it can be emotionally stressful and challenging to face on your own.  As with all growth opportunities in life, great healing and expansion can occur when we share and connect with others.   For those of you that can make it to Pennsylvania in September to participate in the annual Trichotillomania retreat and I would encourage you to make the trip!    Register on-line at The Trichotillomania Learning Center at; 

http://www.trich.org/involved/cal-retreats.html#sched

And as always, everyone here at William Collier Design is available & ready to help with providing you solutions to any hairloss your experiencing.  Feel free to call or email us for a free consultation appointment to learn more.

See below for an excerpt about the retreat from the TLC website - if you haven't been to their website before, check it out at:  http://www.trich.org/about/ab-intro.html   We consider the Trichotillomania Learning Center to be THE place to get educated about Trichotillomania and the latest research available on the subject.

Please feel free to offer your comments and suggestions!

Judi Collier

Trichotillomania 20th Annual Retreat - Sept 14th-18th 2011!

Come together for a unique opportunity for hair pullers and skin pickers of all ages, and their families, to learn and heal surrounded by a supportive community.

The four-day Retreat, set in a rustic, natural environment, provides the setting to step away from regular patterns and surroundings and learn useful new skills from some of the world’s most knowledgeable treatment professionals and workshop facilitators.

Workshops by expert specialists and facilitators provide solid education about current treatments, shame reduction, stress management & more, with an emphasis on experiential learning.

Be embraced by the beauty of nature and discover effective pathways to behavioral change, wholeness and recovery. Make new friends, learn new skills, have some fun and open the doors to transformation.

“Attending was an important inner demonstration of my courage and ability to face trich. Meeting all the wonderful people really helped me start to accept not only others, but myself.”

Hi Everyone,

As I'm sure most of you know, we are a strong supporter of the Transgender community here in Seattle & we have happily attended several Emerald City Social Club events.  I have been moved & uplifted by the courage and beauty in the people I have met - I believe the feminine ideals of grace and compassion are truly personified in these women.  

Myself and two of my stylists/techinicians are preparing to attend the Esprit Gala in Port Angeles this coming weekend (May 15th - 22nd) and are SO excited to have some fun with some of our favorite people.

We will be presenting a seminar on Wigs, the differences between synthetic & human hair - why we're different than other hair replacement companies (A. Because we are anal perfectionists  B. Because we care about you  C. Because we care about you)   And we are going to do a MAKEOVER on a willing participants wig!

If you are a member of the Transgender community and you're looking for a caring, supportive and private environment to receive your salon & hair replacement services in - we would love the opportunity to be of service to you.

Call us for a complimentary consultation appointment today to learn more about the services and products we offer.

We look forward to seeing you in Port Angeles!!

Warmly,

Judi Collier