Yalmikia Edmonds is the founder of Levonye Professionals and a certified Hair Loss Practitioner. Her style of helping others feel empowered and restored after suffering from any form of hair loss has transformed women and girls whose self-esteem has taken a hit and giving them the power to build their confidence once again. Let’s meet her, discuss her journey and talk about some ways women can deal with the sudden loss of confidence after hair loss.
Women/Girls may lose their hair for many reasons whether its genetics, childbirth, stress or overall health. What are some the main reasons women you encounter have experienced hair loss?
Medical conditions such as (PCOS, thyroid disorders) over-processing their hair with chemicals, hormonal imbalance, (DHT), induced hair loss cause by medications, nutritional deficiency and stress.
Why do you think many women have an emotional attachment to our hair?
It provides a way to express who we are by how we wear our hair. Also, because it symbolizes our femininity. Cultural and ethnic identity and personal appearance
Why is hair restoration an important step in women/girls taking back the reins and getting back to their best self?
- Restoration of Appearance: Hair loss or thinning can significantly impact a woman’s appearance and how she perceives herself. Hair restoration procedures, such as hair transplants or treatments, can help women regain a fuller, healthier-looking head of hair. Restoring their hair can improve their overall appearance, which can have a positive effect on their self-image and how they present themselves to the world.
- Boost in Self-Confidence: Hair loss can have a profound impact on a woman’s self-confidence. It may make her feel self-conscious, insecure, or even withdraw from social activities.
By undergoing hair restoration, women and girls can regain their lost confidence and feel more comfortable in their own skin. Emotional Well-Being: Hair loss can lead to emotional distress, including feelings of sadness, frustration, and loss of identity. It can be a constant reminder of changes in one’s physical appearance and may even contribute to feelings of depression or anxiety. Restoring their hair can help women and girls feel more like themselves again, improving their emotional well-being and overall happiness.
- Expression of Personal Style: Hair restoration can provide women and girls with more options for styling their hair. It allows them to experiment with different hairstyles, colors, and textures, enhancing their ability to express their personal style and creativity. Having the option to style their hair in various ways can be a source of joy and self-expression, contributing to their overall well-being.
Was there a specific catalyst that motivated you to become a certified Hair Loss Practitioner?
I am able to provide specialized services and solutions to clients struggling with hair loss. This can be incredibly rewarding as they witness the positive impact they have on their clients’ lives.
Sometimes a recent diagnosis and related treatments may cause hair loss, so women have to deal with not yet being able to get back to themselves while they are still trying to heal. How can they stay motivated during this time?
- Join a community of Women who are experiencing hair loss such as Facebook group and attending Town-hall meetings.
- Seek Information regarding the Cause of their hair loss. This will help assist them with learning to accept and then move forward with an action plan.
- Practice self-love, self-awareness and self-identity.
- Listen to positive music like jazz, gospel etc.
- Build your spiritual foundation with God.
What is your most popular hair restoration technique and/or treatment?
Nonsurgical hair replacement, SMP, Laser therapy, and wigs
What advice would you give to a woman experiencing major hair loss for the first time who is struggling with a negative mindset and thoughts of not feeling beautiful?
- Practice self-love, Self-Awareness and self-identity. Pray and practice leaning into more of God or whatever they may believe in.
- Practice speaking words of beauty affirmations (I provide this on my website)
- Practice positive thinking every day.
- Spend time with loved ones.
- Be patient and kind with yourself as this is an uncharted territory.
How do you instill hope into women on a hair restoration journey to keep going while also being satisfied with every part of the journey?
Set realistic goals doing this will help women achieve milestones, which provides progress and keep her motivated. As a professional I listen to my client’s story. In those moments I provide them with my empathy and compassion. I listen to their concerns and frustrations.
Create a safe space for them. Celebrate their small wins and big wins. Providing them with feedback and following-up with them by offering a routine check-in.
Bonus Tips for the Connected Woman!
And there’s more to help the connected woman get her groove back after hair loss.
Self-esteem can be fragile, and it’s possible to lose it. A traumatic event can also be a blow to your confidence. How can you deal with a sudden loss of confidence? Is it possible to recover and regain the confidence that is gone?
Your confidence levels can fluctuate, but there are ways to cope.
How Confidence Can Disappear
In many cases, trauma or a negative event is behind this issue.
Confidence can disappear after an embarrassing or difficult moment. For example, your self-esteem can diminish if a presentation at work is mocked and ridiculed by coworkers. Your confidence can be hurt by cruel words and laughter.
Another common cause of low confidence is arguments. Fights with your significant other or family members can make you feel unsure and unhappy about yourself. They can lead to doubts about your abilities and skills.
How the Loss is Manifested
The loss of confidence can appear differently for each individual. You may react to it in several ways:
- Some people deal with a loss of confidence by freezing and not being able to make decisions. They’re scared of making another mistake, so they avoid all decisions.
- Others deal with a loss of confidence by becoming defensive and argumentative.
- Another ineffective coping mechanism is to pretend nothing is wrong.
If you feel like your confidence has been shattered, try these strategies to restore it:
- Step back and evaluate. Experts recommend stepping back and evaluating the situation in a calm manner. It’s important to examine the situation without letting emotions take over.
- Why did the loss of confidence occur, and how can you prevent the same issue from repeating itself?
- You may benefit from talking to a therapist or good friend about the event and your loss of confidence. Get an unbiased opinion, so you can start to see the patterns.
- Often, childhood issues are behind confidence losses. There may be deep rooted issues that need to be resolved.
- Finish something else. Finishing a task that has been left undone for a long time can boost confidence.
- Experts share that finishing a chore or work assignment can give an instant self-esteem boost. This is caused by the brain realizing that you can still accomplish great things.
- Find something on your to-do list that is easy to complete.
- Get help. Sometimes it’s necessary to get outside help to deal with low self-esteem. Be honest about your situation and sudden loss of confidence. You can’t receive help unless you’re open to it.
- Look for local therapy groups that deal with confidence issues.
- Consider going to a therapist and setting up weekly or monthly appointments.
- Find a close friend or family member who can serve as a confidante.
- Keep in mind that some people may need more help than others to regain their confidence. Don’t be discouraged if your confidence doesn’t return right away.
- Review past accomplishments. After a traumatic experience or embarrassing moment, it’s easy to think that you’re a failure. However, remembering past accomplishments can serve as a reminder that you’ve done many things.
- Go back and look at old rewards from school or college.
- Talk to your parents or siblings and ask them to share something positive about your childhood.
- Go through your old photo albums or journals to remember happy moments. Dig through your attic archives to unearth treasures from the past.
- Try to remember that you have made a positive impact on the world.
- Give yourself grace. Sometimes even in a time of doubt you have to be your biggest cheerleader and give yourself flowers. Don’t let hair loss steal your joy. Affirm yourself daily with empowering thoughts. You are beautiful just as you are. Your hair does not define you or your confidence. You are enough.
It’s normal for your confidence levels to vary over time. Avoid letting a temporary situation turn into a permanent loss of confidence! Actively pursue strategies that can bring back the self-esteem you’ve been missing.
Wanting to reach out to Yalmikia and find out more about her and services?
www.levonyeproffessionalsbrand.com
1-800-536-0516
Schedule a virtual consultation
and check out her free e-book here:
I also have an e-book titled, “Why am I Experiencing Hair Loss?
https://www.dropbox.com/s/tcjxkajk29c1bmv/delivery5k%20words_OK-1.docx?dl=0
