Live the dream.” That’s what Hair Specialist clients can look forward to, says Chris Garner-Giles. Chris is the owner of Hair Specialist, a hair restoration clinic that offers a full spectrum of hair restoration services.

The newest and one of the most popular methods of hair restoration services is Virtuesse by Virtual Reality. This non-surgical solution to hair restoration has become known for its “Hollywood look,” Chris explains. It also offers “Hollywood” instant glamour, yet the results are very much for everyday.

Customers can expect to have a full head of natural-looking hair after their first visit to Hair Specialist, says Joe Hennecke, a consultant. There is virtually no at-home maintenance that is any different than taking care of the client’s biological hair. Salon maintenance is needed approximately every three to six weeks.

“This is not your dad or mom’s typical toupee or wig,” Chris shares. “This is like a derma-lens—like a contact lens with hair injected in it. It looks absolutely realistic. It looks like your hair.”

Why is the name Virtuesse by Virtual Reality so descriptive of the process? Consider the reality of hair loss, Chris explains. For example, people who have hair loss and bald spots—especially women—don’t feel comfortable living the lifestyle that they would like to. They don’t want to get into a swimming pool or be out in the wind. They have their hair groomed perfectly to cover the bald areas, and they don’t want to participate in an activity that will mess up their hair.

Hair loss is difficult, but it is especially difficult for women. A woman’s hairstyle is so much a part of how she expresses herself. “We bring them back into a lifestyle where they feel confident. We are taking someone with hair loss and giving them their dream of full, natural-looking hair. We are giving them their life back,” Chris says.

The Hair Specialist staff members are trained to strive to be the best in the industry. The Virtuesse technique matches the color, style, and texture of the client’s own hair. The hair replacement technicians work with the client’s existing hair and add enough additional hair to give clients the style and look they want, Chris explains.

Clients may have heard about or read about the procedure recently. Chris points out that the Virtuesse by Virtual Reality system was featured on “Montel,” “Good Morning America,” and “Movie & a Makeover.” The Virtual Reality company and the Virtuesse system were also featured in the May 2010 issue of Good Housekeeping magazine.

Hair Specialist also recently offered a makeover event through Virtuesse by Virtual Reality that was covered by the local media. The demonstrations throughout the event brought about pleasing results that speak to the credibility of the process, Joe says. While 26 people signed up to be a part of the makeover event, 25 of them became long-term clients.

Client, Marilyn, says she wanted to call Hair Specialist for several weeks, and then finally made an appointment and talked to Chris. She compliments Chris, saying she was very professional and answered her questions. “At that moment I knew I was going to proceed with the Virtuesse procedure. I wished it could be done right then and there without waiting. It’s like surgery—you want it done now! The waiting is exhausting.”

Marilyn continues, “I love the concept because it’s your hair. It’s not too thick and full. I look and feel great—younger even!” Marilyn says her friends and family who remember when she had thin, fine, and limp hair think her new hairstyle makes her hair look so much thicker. Others think she has changed her looks somehow, perhaps by getting different glasses. “The question, ‘Did you get contacts?’ is the funniest,” she says. “People who know me very well have told me I look younger. I wish I had done this a lot sooner!”

Those interested in this new procedure can visit the Virtuesse by Virtual Reality Web site at www.virtualrealityhair.com.

The Hair Specialist is also celebrating a move that took place in November 2009. Its new location is at 1672 Van Dorn St. “We’re pretty pumped about our new location,” Chris says. The new location offers much easier, main-level access. The office is a lot easier to find, she adds. The building sits back from the street and affords ample off-street parking. “While it is easier to find,” Joe says, “it still offers privacy. Hair loss is very personal, so many clients like the semi-private entrance.”

I think the office décor is warm and welcoming and exudes a homey atmosphere. The walls feature muted earth tones. The office and the private salon rooms offer comfortable, yet elegant furnishings.
Chris is celebrating her fifth year as owner of Hair Specialist. She points out that she has been in the hair restoration business for 17+ years, while Hair Specialist was established more than 25 years ago. While there have been many changes and advancements in hair restoration procedures and products, Hair Specialist has “always been geared toward hair loss solutions,” she comments.

Hair Specialist continues to offer the full spectrum of hair loss solutions to men, women, and children of any age—“anyone who is in need of our services,” Joe says. “We are the only full-service hair restoration clinic in the Lincoln and Omaha metro region,” Chris adds.

Other services include laser hair therapy, which is a non-surgical approach. The laser light stimulates the blood supply in the scalp and the hair follicles to stop hair loss, according to Chris. Hair Specialist also offers follicular hair transplantation with Dr. Robert Reese, a surgical hair transplant specialist.

Products to help control hair loss are also offered at Hair Specialist. DHT Sensor is a product that uses a micro-emulsion delivery system to allow an enzyme complex concentrate to penetrate the scalp. The products for sale are designed to thoroughly cleanse, condition, and volumize the hair, Chris explains. The products encourage healthy hair growth and enhance the look of thin hair.

Joe and Chris are available to offer in-salon trainings for stylists. If a stylist has a hair loss client, Chris says that they want stylists to understand what the options are and where to refer their hair loss clients.

In addition to hair restoration, Hair Specialist offers regular salon services including cuts and styles. For more information, visit the salon at 1672 Van Dorn St., call 464-4111, or check out the Hair Specialist Web site at www.thehairspecialist.com.