I was thrilled to interview Helena Gibson, a leading San Diego trichologist and the creative force behind the award-winning, all-natural restorative hair care line that's taking the beauty world by storm. Inspired by her mother's personal journey with premature hair loss, Helena has dedicated her career to understanding and addressing the complexities of hair loss. From her renowned wig salons, Strut Hair Solutions, which have provided comfort and confidence to countless individuals facing various hair loss challenges, to her groundbreaking hair care products that have garnered prestigious Universal Beauty Awards, Helena's passion and expertise shine through. Join us as we delve into Helena's remarkable career path, her innovative approach to hair care, and the heartfelt inspiration behind her transformative work.
Posh Lifestyle & Beauty Blog: Could you share with us your journey to becoming a trichologist?
Helena Gibson: My 20+ years in the hair loss industry as a trichologist began with a personal mission – to support my mom as she struggled with thinning hair. What started as a quest to help her soon transformed into a broader mission to reshape the dialogue around the emotional impact and shame associated with hair loss, becoming a voice that brings this crucial conversation to the forefront and can help others overcome the shame of hair loss and regain their confidence.
Posh Lifestyle & Beauty Blog: What initially sparked your interest in this field?
Helena Gibson: When my mom started struggling with fine, thinning hair, I remember going with her to wig stores to look for solutions, and how hard it was to find something that looked natural and made her feel comfortable wearing a wig. I could see the emotional toll this was taking on her, and I realized the connection between healthy hair and wellness.
I started to research the topic, and the more I learned, the more I realized other women must feel the same way. I was on a mission, and that mission included opening a wig store, Strut Hair Solutions, expanding Strut to include a second location, earning nearly a dozen certifications, writing two books, creating, and teaching a course Called the Salon MBA on the fundamentals of running a business and scaling it to seven figures, training hundreds of hair stylists, and ultimately creating my own product line Unveil Restorative Hair Care.
Posh Lifestyle & Beauty Blog: What motivated you to create Unveil Restorative Hair Care? Was there a specific gap or need in the market that you identified?
Helena Gibson: I have spent my career in every facet of the hair care industry from styling celebrities’ hair, to writing a book, being an educator and owning and operating two successful hair replacement studios.
I’ve tried and sold it all – new products, new types of hair extensions, the latest wig crazes, the DIY hacks – and I realized there was something missing in the prestige beauty industry. Many of our clients would share that they did not want to use products containing minoxidil and synthetic ingredients and were desperate for clean ingredients that wouldn’t cause harmful side effects but did not sacrifice the efficacy they so desired.
My goal is to educate people on the importance of the mental toll that hair loss can have on our confidence & self-esteem. To achieve this, I set out to create a line of clean, natural products that address hair breakage, shedding, and thinning without toxic chemicals. I decided to develop my own product, my way. This is how Unveil Restorative Hair Care was born.
Posh Lifestyle & Beauty Blog: How does your background in trichology influence the formulation of your hair care products?
Helena Gibson: As a trichologist, I have a deep knowledge of health, shedding, loss, damage, breakage, thickness, products, wigs, extensions, and more. I am also certified for men’s hair replacement, women’s hair augmentation, and medical hair loss. My background in trichology has informed and inspired the formulation of my hair care products in several ways. My in-depth knowledge of hair anatomy, including the hair shaft, follicle, and scalp, and my training to diagnose various hair and scalp conditions, such as hair loss, as well as continuing to stay abreast of scientific research have all helped in formulating my products with effective and safe ingredients, such as plant stem cells and tetrapeptide-3.
Posh Lifestyle & Beauty Blog: Can you walk us through the process of developing your hair care products? What factors do you consider when formulating them?
Helena Gibson: Launching the Unveil Restorative Hair Care line has been most interesting and fulfilling. From concept to creation, it has been quite a journey. It took two years to perfect the formula for Unveil. Studying and learning about clean, non-toxic ingredients to put into our products. Working with our formulator to get the same efficacy as synthetic products. You might wonder why is this such an effort and critical part of the journey? Because what we put into our bodies and on our bodies affects our overall system. It’s all absorbed. That’s why it was important to me to create products that are non-toxic, sustainable, vegan, cruelty-free, fragrance-free, gluten-free, silicone-free, hormone-disruptor-free, carcinogen-free, irritant-free, anti-aging, and award-winning.
Posh Lifestyle & Beauty Blog: What sets Unveil Restorative Hair Care apart from other hair care brands on the market?
Helena Gibson: I want to inspire women and men to feel the best they can, so they can show up authentically in the world. We all feel better when our hair looks good and it changes the way we interact with family, friends, and basically the world. Unveil harnesses the power of plant stem cells and tetrapeptide-3, creating an ecosystem that promotes thicker, fuller hair growth and reduces shedding and breakage. Unveil only offers non-toxic, clean, sustainable, cruelty-free, and restorative hair-care products that promote a personal state of wellness, so we feel confident and can show up as our best self.
Posh Lifestyle & Beauty Blog: How do you ensure that your products cater to a diverse range of hair types and concerns?
Helena Gibson: Because my products are natural, they are suitable for all hair types, including curly, straight, oily, dry, and color-treated hair. It’s also important that my products are well tolerated by sensitive skin and hair types and by using natural ingredients, I ensure that my products are suitable for a wide range of individuals.
Posh Lifestyle & Beauty Blog: Your brand emphasizes the importance of natural ingredients. Could you elaborate on the benefits of using natural ingredients in hair care products?
Helena Gibson: Natural ingredients are so critical for hair care products – and for overall wellbeing.
First, they are gentler on the scalp and our hair, more easily tolerated, and are less likely to cause irritation or allergic reactions compared to synthetic ingredients.
Second, natural ingredients, such as plant oils, botanical extracts, and fruit extracts, are rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and nutrients that nourish and moisturize our hair and scalp. Because natural ingredients are often sourced from renewable plant-based sources, they are more sustainable and environmentally friendly than synthetic ingredients – plus they are free of harmful chemicals like sulfates, parabens, and synthetic fragrances!
Posh Lifestyle & Beauty Blog: Can you share a particularly memorable success story or moment in your career that reaffirmed your passion for trichology and hair care?
Helena Gibson: I was recently on a heath retreat and learned more about how genetics play such a small role in the expression of our genes compared to our diet and the products we’re exposed to. We have more control over our overall health than I think most people realize. This has fascinated me the last few years and definitely contributes to the product formulations we are creating here at Unveil Hair Care.
Posh Lifestyle & Beauty Blog: How do you stay informed about the latest advancements and trends in trichology and hair care?
Helena Gibson: I attended many seminars and trainings throughout the year. I also subscribe to and read our industry trade publications as they come out. Finally, I’m part of some industry associations where we mingle with others in our industry to share ideas and business strategies.
Posh Lifestyle & Beauty Blog: What advice would you give to aspiring trichologists or entrepreneurs looking to enter the hair care industry?
Helena Gibson: I’d tell them to choose education and certificate programs that provide comprehensive training in the anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the hair and scalp. And then combine that education with practical experience as well because it is crucial for developing clinical skills and working with clients. Look for internships, apprenticeships, or even volunteer opportunities at clinics or salons. It’s also important to stay informed about the latest research in trichology by continuing to develop professionally by attending conferences and networking with other professionals in the field.
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