Wigs Offer New Options for Hair Replacement
By Lisa Bianco

At Greg Jockel Hair Colour Dezign in Wexford, you’ll find the kind of excellent salon services you’d expect: hair design, hair color, manicures, pedicures, skin care and even reflexology. But you may not be aware of a service actually getting known these days by word of mouth, when clients spread the word among friends and family. What’s being referred to is the growing reputation Greg Jockel salon is building for its wig services. Delivered by professional wig consultant Carol Opalisky, Carol is a licensed board-certified cosmetologist with extensive training in the artistry of hair replacement and a more than 40 year career of running upscale salons.

“Eighty percent of our wig customers are word-of mouth referrals. And yes I do work with lots of clients who are chemotherapy and cancer patients. But about a quarter of my clients just want to change their look. Some of my clients are CEOs who need to attend an evening event and want the option to throw on a wig to get ready quickly. I have clients from age 4 to 99.” says Carol. “For women who have lost their hair the salon has a reassuring feel since it doesn’t look like a clinic. There’s a private room in the back for wig consulting.”
When asked what clients like in particular about her manner, Carol is candid. “They like the intimacy and privacy of our salon and the fact that I give them real knowledge about wigs. I share with them the tricks of the trade so to speak.”

Carol recommends that chemotherapy patients come to the salon before they've lost all their hair. "That way I can duplicate their current color and style," she asserts, and adds, "It's the best time to get a wig." For clients with alopecia areata who lose their hair when the immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles, Carol often relies on photos, or matches a wig based on the person's color and complexion.

Once these clients receive their wigs, begin wearing them and feel normal again Carol says unequivocally, "It's life altering! They're so incredibly relieved to feel pretty again. As women it's really important for us to have our hair. Many of my clients feared they would be stared at or shunned if people saw them without hair. It's a sad fact that our society is comfortable with men going bald, but not women. These are the times when I feel that I'm really helping people and it reminds me of why I went into this kind of work."

Carol's extensive training in hair replacement gives her a sharp eye for good wig construction, and a thorough understanding of what makes a quality wig. She deals mostly with synthetic wigs in a high quality price range — between $250 to $500. Human hair wigs turn out to be much more pricey — with good quality starting at $800 to $1000. "I look at the quality of the wig's cap, its weft and durability, the quality of the hair... people want to wear a wig that doesn't even look like a wig. High quality synthetic wigs fit the bill. That's what I aim for. Plus synthetic wigs are so much easier to care for. Once a month you shampoo with a wig shampoo and the style stays in. Shake it out and it's ready to wear. Synthetic wigs are easy care compared to human hair wigs which must be treated just like human hair — with a wash, set and blow dry."

With more than 40 years of salon experience Carol has operated her own salon in State College and Harrisburg. What started her off in the wig business was her own mother's need for a wig 15 years ago after being hospitalized. This led to Carol's decision to open a wig boutique. Her special interest and passion for hair replacement has blossomed from there.

For more information about Greg Jockel Hair Colour Dezign, and wig services with Carol, please call the salon at 724.934.0211, or visit the website at www.gregjockel.com.

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