The Constant
Starting at Impressions front desk in 2006 when he was 19 years old, General Manager Paul Petrowsky is a seasoned professional who owner Sarah Taylor says is responsible for much of her own success.
by Stacey Soble
A Tale of Three Hair Loss Clients
When clients notice they are losing their hair, they'll frequently turn to their stylists for advice. Here three stylists and their clients share their experiences with a new scalp serum.
by Staff
September 12, 2019
Shawn Wiley and his barber Johnny Marciano celebrate his new hair growth.
4 min to read
People rarely talk about their own hair loss and thinning, but when they do, stylists frequently are the ones whom they confide in about how devastating the consequences can be to one’s quality of life.
While it’s important for salon professionals to have a rudimentary understanding of the reasons for hair loss and when to direct a client to a medical professional, it’s also critical that they arm themselves with information, products and techniques to help clients on the path to improving scalp health, hair growth and looking their best to help them regain self-confidence.
On a path to improving hair health, product manufacturer Mereltä turned to nature for inspiration. The company discovered special microalgae, pioneered the science, developed the technology and created a nourishing scalp treatment that restores the scalp’s health safely, while promoting increased hair density.
Mereltä’s flagship product is Root Renewal, a serum that nourishes the scalp and transforms limp, fragile, thin hair into thicker hair with body and flow. Scientifically formulated and dermatologist-tested, Mereltä’s scalp serum is proven to revitalize hair to its authentic fullness and brilliance with more volume, improved texture and renewed softness.
Here, three stylists share the hair loss tales of three clients and the help they found with this new scalp serum:
Client Rosemary Tessier not only noticed her hair growing back, she appreciated the additional softness and shine.
Rosemary Tessier—A Return to Fullness
Rosemary Tessier’s hairdresser, Vicky Keer, at Phoenix Salon Suites in Florida, was the first to notice her hair loss, and it left Rosemary worried sick. “Using the Mereltä’s anti-aging scalp treatment daily for serval months, I got my hair back, with added softness and shine,” Rosemary Tessier. “I love how easy, light and weightless it is on the hair.”
After working with Rosemary, Keer made her own observations: “I am impressed. For Rosemary, Mereltä Root Renewal was effective in promoting thicker hair with more volume. I notice hair loss with quite a few of my clients nowadays, and would happily recommend it.”
When stylist Barbie Braccia first noticed that that the bald areas on her client Michele Stokes's scalp were filling in, she thought she might have had a hair transplant.
Michele Stokes—Seeing is Believing
As professionals, stylists know firsthand that the most precious truth about everyone’s hair is hidden under the surface, within the scalp.
“Between stress and getting older, my hair was thinning and friends noticed small bald areas sporadically around my head. It was distressing,” says Michele Stokes, who started using Mereltä and gradually noticed that her thinning hair was less noticeable and her hair appeared thicker.
“When I saw Michele after she had used Mereltä for a few months, I thought that she must have had a hair transplant. Her hair was healthy and thicker, like I have never seen her hair before,” says Barbie Braccia of Barbie’s Hair Solution in Massachusetts.
A before and after of Shawn Wiley.
Shawn Wiley—From a Male Client’s Perspective
Women aren't the only clients complaining about thinning hair: “I was upset that my hair was thinning. After a few weeks of using Mereltä Root Renewal daily, I noticed my scalp was darker and my hair thicker and healthier. I haven’t stopped using the product and nothing less than fabulous has come out of it. Now, I am very confident about my hair,” says client Shawn Wiley.
Johnny Marciano, owner of Marciano’s Barbershop in Massachusetts, tells us about Shaw, his long-term client: “Shawn showed thinning, and receding. It happens with age, and Shawn is in his 30s. Recently, I noticed that Shawn’s hair is thicker and bulkier, and the crown of his head had filled in. I never saw such results before. I learned that Shawn has been using the Mereltä serum for months. I can definitely see the difference. His hair has a natural shine, is thicker, and more manageable, the same way it was years ago.”
While clients are seeking efficacy with Mereltä, many also appreciate that the product is cruelty-free, plant-based, and easy to use. Mereltä’s Root Renewal is free of sulfates, parabens and silicones. It is weightless on the hair, and can be used in combination with other hair care products.
“Mereltä’s new scalp treatment is efficient in reducing shedding and restoring thicker and healthier hair. This algae-based treatment safely increases aesthetic hair density, hair strength and shine,” says Joseph Greco, president of Greco Hair Restoration Medical Group.
For more information, visit merelta.com.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
More Salon Management
The Most Wonderful Time in Salons and Spas
Planning is in full swing for the most anticipated events and promotions for the 2026 holidays. As owners share their favorite ways to celebrate, they prove that a carefully planned event can also build culture, increase client loyalty, boost sales, and set a business up for a successful 2027.
by Stacey Soble
Leading with Empathy, Humility and a Mastery of Systems
When things run amok at Mane Attraction Salon, Owners Chris and Jenny Knudsen say General Manager Sami Hernandez is their go-to resource and ultimate sounding board. Meet Sami in this installment of Meet the Manager.
by Stacey Soble
Pagoda Brings AI-Powered Operations to Skinovatio Medical Spa Locations
Pagoda, a new AI-native operating system for scheduling, payments, patient records, marketing, and client communications, launches at Skinovatio Medical Spa in Arlington Heights, Illinois.
by Staff
How Women are Rewriting the Rules of Grey Hair
At a panel discussion hosted by L’Oréal Professionnel in Paris in early July, French Philosopher Sophie Galabru explored the cultural shift where women are increasingly choosing natural, personalized color results over traditional grey coverage. In an exclusive interview with SALON TODAY, Galabru and L’Oréal Professionnel Colorist Pierrick Beringer discuss this shift and how salons and colorists respond.
by Stacey Soble
Warm Leadership and Analytical Precision
At Salon Blonde, Director of Operations treats the staff as the salon's most important guests, while her wonderful 'nerdy' side, loves data, systems, and numbers. Find out how she makes Salon Blonde tick.
by Stacey Soble
Trotting the Globe, Forging Connections, Fostering Artistic Creativity
In an exclusive interview with SALON TODAY, Salon Owner Salvatore Minardi reflects on his past 18 months as Intercoiffure America Canada's World Talent Exchange Ambassador and how his experiences will help encourage cultural and artistic exchange and support greater engagement between ICA and the global organization Intercoiffure Mondial.
by Stacey Soble
Client Retention Guidebook
Everything you need to know about client retention as a salon owner.
Success Grown from Within
Owner Shelby Bills says her general manager, Sydney Osborne, reminds her of the power of leading with heart. Find out how Osborne became a great leader in our lastest installment of Meet the Manager.
by Stacey Soble
How Salon Leaders Can Process the Pain and Lead Forward When a Team Members Leaves Unethically
In her latest blog, Kati Whitledge identifies the five stages salon owners go through when a team member leaves the salon unethically, offering advice for each stage.
How AI Is Closing Revenue Gaps for Salons and Spas
The beauty and wellness businesses pulling ahead aren’t just working harder—they’re using AI to capture demand, personalize pricing, and convert more of every guest interaction into revenue. Here’s what the benchmark data reveals about the growing gap between AI adopters and everyone else.
Sponsored by Zenoti
The Premium Talent Magnet: The Modern Salon Playbook for Attracting Six-Figure Stylists
Stop chasing recruitment ghosts on generic job boards and start curating an elite team. Discover the framework that top-tier salons use to bypass phone tag, automate visual portfolio vetting, and attract high-earning, culture-first beauty professionals directly through real-time messaging. Turn your recruitment process into an exclusive brand invitation that keeps your highest-ticket chairs permanently filled.
Sponsored by Beautista
Five Revenue Leaks Hiding in Your Salon
Your calendar looks full, but is all of that demand actually converting to revenue? From phantom rebookings to underpriced peak hours, the 2026 Benchmark Report exposes five revenue leaks that most beauty and wellness businesses don’t even know they have.
Sponsored by Zenoti
The Heartbeat of Zandi K's Success
After moving to Colorado and teaching at a cosmetology school, Allison Stock joined Zandi K as a stylist, eventually becoming part of the Leadership Team, Education Team and Master Bridal Team. Today, as Director of Operation, Stock is Owner Nicki Wenz's right hand, managing human resources and operations, education and career development, and coaching and culture.
by Stacey Soble
Rethinking Retail in the Era of E-Commerce
In a world dominated by e-commerce, salon owners push back with proven strategies to increase retail sales while motivating team members to educate their clientele and delighting clients with retail-themed events and clever merchandising displays.
by Stacey Soble
The Harper Ellis Hair Co. Certification Program Teaches Stylists a Smarter, Safer Way to Install Extensions
The company's Concealed Bead Method is raising the bar for what professional extension education can deliver.
by Staff
The Micro-Salon Blueprint: How Kat Scott Quadrupled Income by Maximizing Her Suite
Scott maximized her micro-salon by transitioning from stylist to strategic owner, focusing on recruiting and station-sharing. By prioritizing her ownership role over behind-the-chair work, she grew her team to six stylists within the two-chair, 150-square-foot space before eventually moving to a larger facility.
by Staff