A County Durham hair salon is changing the lives of people suffering from hair loss and their incredible transformations have blown up on TikTok.
Novo Cabelo is a Seaham-based hair replacement company run by stylist Rob Wood providing clients with "hair systems" that are cut and glued on to blend in seamlessly with their existing hair. TikTok videos showing the amazing 'before and after' makeovers have gone viral, raking in more than 24 million views on the social media platform.
The hair pieces are said to last up to six months and cost around £350. And it was money well spent for Gary Groom from Wynyard.
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The celebrant and retired college principal lost his hair at the age of just 14 but told ChronicleLive that he had always wanted to have a hairstyle. And now his dreams have come true after letting Novo Cabelo work their magic in May 2022.
The 59-year-old said he didn't recognise himself when he looked in the mirror and saw a full head of hair.
"It was quite an emotional experience seeing it for the first time," Gary said.
"It was quite surreal. Looking in the mirror I knew it was me but it seemed like a different person was looking back at me.
He continued: "It is unbelievable how realistic it is. People have been overwhelmingly kind and said, 'you looked lovely before but this really suits you.'
"So many people have said, 'it has taken so many years off you.'"
The video of his transformation has gained more than 330k likes on TikTok, with viewers saying, "Wow, this is amazing! He looks so good, at least 20 years younger!"
Gary was keen to break down the stigma around hair replacements and hoped his experience might inspire others considering it to give it a try.
"There is a bit of a taboo around it," he said.
"It's like a toxic masculinity thing. Men aren't supposed to be bothered they are bald, so when you take an interest in yourself like that it can be seen as a bit self-obsessive and a bit vain.
"But if you have not had hair all of your life, why wouldn't you [give it a go?]"
Gary said since getting the replacement he feels more confident and better in himself. He added: "You can't underestimate the impact it has had - it has been unbelievable."
Brenda Vickers from Walkergate was also left amazed by her transformation in October 2021 and said it has been "life-changing". The 79-year-old retired office worker had spent 10 years struggling with thinning hair and decided to give Novo Cabello a try after hearing of their work through a relative.
"The transformation has been unbelievable," she said. "People have said it has taken years off me. I heard about it through a relative's granddaughter and it was a light bulb moment for me because my hair had been thinning.
"I don't know if it is hereditary, age-related, or hormonal. But five years ago I was diagnosed with Coeliac and one of the things is that it can cause hair loss, so it could be a mix of all this."
Brenda attended her appointment with her regular hairdresser who saw how it was applied and helps her to maintain her style in between Novo Cabelo appointments.
"The hair system is fabulous," Brenda added. "It has just transformed my life completely."
Brenda's transformation racked up more than 172k TikTok likes. With one comment saying: "This is so wonderful! Brenda looks incredible and certainly nowhere near her age before or after!"
Novo Cabelo director, Rob Wood, said the hair systems are helping both men and women and called the transformations "emotional."
“Hair loss has a big implication on both men and women, however, we do still see a stigma around male balding and towards men who are wanting to change the effects of hair loss through treatment," he said.
"Male balding can have a detrimental impact on mental health and wellbeing, especially in some of our younger clients.
"Our social stats speak volumes and the support and demand for our services has exploded over the last year, but there is at times this deep-rooted stigma associated with men wanting to rectify and improve their situation for their own confidence."
"We want to utilise our platforms to normalise hair replacement and tell the story of clients from different backgrounds and make hair replacement normal and seen as common place for men to have these replacements."
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