A Newtownabbey woman has opened her doors and her heart to hair loss patients in a bid to boost their confidence, often at the most difficult time of their lives.
Janine McCoppin owns The Brow Craft and Academy and specialises in working with women who have lost their hair through chemotherapy or alopecia by providing microblading and microshading treatments.
It comes after the mum-of-three faced her own alopecia diagnosis two years ago. Now in her own space, she is helping women of all ages with their own hair loss journey and through both the highs and the lows.
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Janine, 32, told Belfast Live : "I've been working in the beauty industry since I left school and started specialising in brows around nine years ago. I opened my first salon two doors down from here about three and a half years ago and then began teaching brow techniques shortly after that.
"I specialise in all things brows as that is my true passion. Being a brow fanatic, I absolutely love what I do so I wanted to create a salon that was unique with a friendly atmosphere where men and women alike feel welcome.
"I always had a passion for art in school and I would sit for hours on end drawing and coming up with new ideas. I enjoy being creative and use my creative flair in everything I do."
Janine's passion for brows has progressed into a brow training academy to grow her love for the brow industry and create future brow craft artists.
"I expanded into this current building so I could teach semi-permanent make-up courses. I've always loved doing the semi-permanent side because I have a lot of clients with alopecia or who are going through chemotherapy and lost their eyebrows as a result."
Around two years ago, a blood clot was discovered in one of Janine's lungs, which was caused by the contraceptive pill. She was also experiencing stress, resulting in her hair starting to fall out.
"My doctor diagnosed me with alopecia as my hair started to fall out around the sides and at the back but then grow back again," Janine explained.
"At the time I was working really hard and under a lot of pressure having recently started the business. My breathing got really bad and was nearly passing out when talking to people.
"I'm only starting to get better now but the anxiety side of it all meant that I was constantly in and out of hospital."
Janine's own experience of hair loss made her determined to help others in a similar position, whether due to alopecia or cancer.
"There are different forms of alopecia and for some people, their hair doesn't grow back at all and it affects all ages. One of my clients has had no hair since the age of five due to losing one of parents at a young age," she explained.
"When it comes to cancer patients, I offer emergency appointments on my days off to get them in before they start their chemotherapy and lose their hair. That kind of treatment, both physically and mentally, is a huge thing to go through.
"I think that's really important in terms of self-esteem and to stop people feeling self-conscious at what is often the most difficult time of their lives.
"I love working with my clients and being able to hear their stories while I can also vent to them as well. It's a very rewarding job making people feel good about themselves at a time in their lives when they need that extra support the most."
The Brow Craft runs monthly clinics specifically for clients struggling with hair loss.
"It's all free of charge and we call it the 'pay with a smile' service. I don't like to see people suffer in silence when there is help and support out there," Janine added.
"Often one of the most difficult times of your life can come with some debilitating side effects but facial hair loss doesn't need to be one of them. Everything we do is strictly confidential and we don't discuss it with others."
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