We recently connected with Christine McMillan and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Christine, thanks for joining us today. We’re complete cheeseballs and so we love asking folks to share the most heartwarming moment from their career – do you have a touching moment you can share with us?

There was this one day at the salon that I’ll never forget. My client walked in with a hesitant step, her eyes a mix of hope and apprehension. I could see she was trying to hide it, but her struggle with hair loss was written all over her face. As she sat down in my chair, I could sense her vulnerability, her silent plea for understanding.

I started by gently asking her what she envisioned for her hair. She hesitated for a moment, then opened up about her journey with hair loss. It was more than just losing strands; it was losing a part of herself, her confidence, her sense of femininity. She spoke about how society’s standards had made her feel less than whole, like she didn’t belong.

Listening to her, I realized how crucial it was to create a safe space, where she could share her story without fear of judgment. As I worked on her hair, I made sure to not just hear her words, but to truly listen, to empathize with her struggle, and to validate her feelings.

By the time she left the salon, I could see a glimmer of light in her eyes, a newfound confidence that hadn’t been there before. It wasn’t just about the hairstyle; it was about the connection we had formed, the understanding that she was so much more than her hair loss, that she was beautiful, strong, and worthy, just as she was.

For the first time in a long while, she felt like she had someone rooting for her, someone who understood and empathized with her struggle. She knew that her hair loss wasn’t a problem to be fixed, but rather a part of her story that deserved to be acknowledged and addressed with care.

With me by her side, she felt empowered to seek out answers, not out of desperation, but out of a desire to understand what her body was trying to communicate to her.

Together, we embarked on a quest for understanding, exploring options and possibilities, not just for her hair, but for her sense of self and identity.

Sometimes, the greatest gift we can give to someone is simply to listen, to empathize, and to reassure them that they are, and always will be, enough.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Hey there, I’m Christine! With 17 years under my belt as a hairstylist, I’ve really honed in on my passion for wavy and curly hair textures. My journey in the hair care world has been quite the ride, leading me to finish certifications as a hair loss specialist from TrichoEDU and Karen Gordon Hairloss, Alma TED, and even a Trichologist certification from TrichoEDU. Right now, I’m diving even deeper into the field with the International Association of Trichology program to stay ahead of the game when it comes to hair and scalp health. Oh, and you might catch me sharing my expertise on the Stylist Panel for Curl Magazine.

I own my own mini eco friendly salon, Rock Paper Scissors Buford. In conjunction to the salon I have a sister branch devoted to educating clients on their own scalp health, Scalp Garden. Healthy, thriving scalps really depend on the habits you build at home!

But it’s not all about work for me! I’m all about embracing life’s adventures, whether it’s hitting the trails for a hike or indulging in some delicious eats. Traveling is another big love of mine, taking me to far-off places and opening up my world in the process.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

You know, I used to think that as long as your hair looked good, your scalp was doing just fine. I was so wrong!

I had to do some serious unlearning to realize that neglecting scalp health is like planting seeds in barren soil. From going to bed with wet hair to being lazy in the shower and not working the scalp enough during a shampoo, as a society we are unknowingly setting our scalps up for disaster. Turns out, scalp health is absolutely crucial for the whole hair-growing process.

Now, I tell everyone all about proper shampooing techniques, saying farewell to going to bed with damp locks, and prioritizing giving your scalp the TLC it deserves. Trust me, a healthy scalp = happy hair!

If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?

While I’ve always been passionate about cosmetology, if I could turn back time, I’d definitely nudge myself to lean into trichology much sooner. Don’t get me wrong, styling hair will always be my first love, but diving into the world of scalp health has been a game-changer. There’s just so much to learn and explore when it comes to trichology! Understanding the intricate workings of the scalp and its impact on hair health has opened up a whole new realm of possibilities for me. It’s like unlocking a treasure trove of knowledge that not only benefits my clients but also deepens my appreciation for the art and science of hair care. So yeah, if I had the chance for a do-over, you can bet I’d be all in on trichology from the get-go!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.scalpgarden.com
• Instagram: @scalpgarden
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ScalpGarden

Image Credits
Honeyroot Photo + Film Angel Rose Photo