We were lucky to catch up with Melissa De Oleo recently and have shared our conversation below.

Melissa, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We love heartwarming stories – do you have a heartwarming story from your career to share?

Ever since my first psoriasis flare-up, I became deeply curious about everything related to the hair and scalp. In my desperation to understand what was happening and find ways to help myself, I came across trichology. I researched the best institutes and eventually began studying during the pandemic. It took me two years to complete my certification, and the more I learned, the more I realized it wasn’t just about me—I could help so many others dealing with scalp conditions. Knowing the kind of impact I could have on people’s lives only fueled my passion to keep learning. I’m now enrolled in a very challenging 87-week fellowship originally intended for medical doctors to deepen my knowledge and better serve my clients.

Melissa, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My path into this field started from a very personal experience. I was diagnosed with psoriasis over a decade ago, and at first, I just wanted to understand what was happening to my body. I was looking for more than surface level treatments I wanted real answers. That search led me deep into the world of scalp and hair health, and I quickly found myself fascinated by the science behind it all. That’s what eventually brought me to trichology, and I’ve been dedicated to it ever since.

Today, I focus on holistic hair restoration, helping people dealing with a range of scalp and hair issues. These include genetic thinning, autoimmune-related conditions like alopecia areata and psoriasis, and more complex problems that don’t always get the attention they deserve in standard hair care.

Outside of my work with individual clients, I also spend time educating hairstylists on scalp health. It’s incredibly rewarding to help them strengthen their services by learning how to better identify and support clients facing hair and scalp challenges. I also partner with beauty brands, advising on product development and offering training to ensure that what they bring to the market is both effective and rooted in real knowledge.

Currently, I’m in the midst of a rigorous 87 week fellowship through the EBHF program. It’s one of the most comprehensive hair loss education programs out there primarily designed for medical professionals. It’s definitely a challenge, but it’s also expanded my understanding and given me even more tools to serve my clients well.

What sets my approach apart is my focus on the bigger picture. I don’t just treat symptoms I try to understand the root causes, whether they’re internal or external. That mindset has helped me make a real difference in people’s lives, and it’s what continues to drive my passion. I’m proud of how far I’ve come, but more than anything, I’m proud to be someone people can trust to help them find clarity, confidence, and long-term solutions.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I was born in the Dominican Republic and lived there for most of my teenage years. Unfortunately, in my country, textured hair is often considered “bad hair.” My hair was relaxed at a very young age, and I spent much of my childhood making sure my natural texture wouldn’t be seen.

Moving to the United States was a huge cultural shift for me. I was amazed to see so many people confidently wearing their natural hair beautiful coils, curls, and waves everywhere. Straightening my hair had become such a big part of my identity, and I had to slowly unlearn the belief that my natural hair was somehow wrong or inappropriate, especially for important or formal events.

That process of unlearning changed a lot for me—not just personally, but professionally. It gave me a much deeper understanding of my clients with curly or textured hair, especially those who are also dealing with scalp conditions. I now host classes for moms who don’t know how to care for their children’s natural hair. In those sessions, I focus on both the “how” and the “why”: why it matters that children are taught to love their natural hair, and how we can support that love through education and proper care.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

I think the most effective strategy to grow your clientele is to truly love what you do. It might sound cliché, but when people can see your passion and how much you genuinely care, it makes a real difference. I’m fully invested in every single one of my clients. I make sure they know they have someone who truly listens and cares.

That connection is especially important in the field of trichology, because so many of the people who come to us are at a breaking point. They’ve already seen doctors, tried treatments, and still haven’t found relief. Being able to offer them not just knowledge but compassion can be life changing, and those same clients often become your biggest supporters and advocates.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.raices-hair.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melkurls/