"Life and Love & Snow" is a limited series of candid conversations about personal Love & Snow experiences. Each person in the series is standing in their power, choosing to be vulnerable to help others they know have struggled in a similar way. Many have said they are sharing with this community because what has been created feels safe, genuine, and they personally feel cared for. I am honored to be part of deep healing journeys, because we know it's often about more than just hair. - Love
AN: "Since March 2021"
L &S: What initially drew you to Love & Snow? What was the initial purpose of your first Love & Snow purchase?
AN: "I had my first experience with Love & Snow with my Stylist Katie Hedges. During one of my appointments, she exclusively used the Restorative Hair and Scalp Serum + Intensive Hair and Scalp Tonic on my hair. We were discussing taking a cleaner more natural approach to my hair care routine to better support me along my Alopecia Areata journey that I have been working through for the last 18 years. Up until then I hadn't really considered how hair care products might be affecting my alopecia. Becoming more aware of the organic ingredients in Love & Snow helped me focus on looking at the back labels of hair care products to create a more holistic, organic hair care routine for myself."
L &S: Have you ever had a serious/complicated hair and/or scalp issue Love & Snow helped you with? What happened?
AN: "My alopecia is an autoimmune disorder that attacks my hair follicles; I've been living with it for the last 18 years. Stress causes inflammation that then shows up as hair loss in a circular patch that can range from a dime to a dollar coin size (though it's been a long time since the patches have been the size of a dollar). My scalp would get itchy and red. For years as part of trying to manage my alopecia the best I can, I have had to use a steroid solution, Rogaine, and injections from the dermatologist every 4 - 6 weeks (injections specifically when I am dealing with inflammation). This treatment routine would leave my hair feeling dry, brittle, fragile, and frizzy."
L &S: How did you use Love & Snow to help address the issue? Did you use both products? If so, how did you use them?
AN: "I use both the Restorative Hair and Scalp Serum + Intensive Hair and Scalp Tonic. I use the tonic twice a day and the serum every other day. When I wash my hair I put the serum + tonic in my hair and go to bed; I wake up in the morning and my hair looks great. I don't wake up looking like I got electrocuted anymore...ha, ha, ha. I use the serum more often at night and the tonic for a morning refresh to get ready for work. My hair looks fuller and has more volume."
L &S: What were the results? How long did it take to see the first signs of improvement?
L & S: How long has it taken to get to your current results?
AN: "I had committed to Katie to take the next six (6) weeks between appointments and really commit to taking care of my hair and scalp in a more holistic way. At six (6) weeks both my hair and scalp were already looking and feeling good and it has continued to just get better. At six (6) months my hair and scalp felt great. My hair grows better and doesn't break at the end. The ends used to be stringy, but aren't anymore. The hair growth has been substantial. There is less scalp inflammation with zero itch and less visible redness; my scalp feels happy. The texture of my hair has changed; instead of looking dry and frizzy, it's shiny and strong. I've fallen in love with my natural texture and don't even blow dry my hair anymore."
"While the steroid solution, Rogaine, and injections will simply be part of my journey; pre-COVID I would get a spot once every 2 years vs. a time where I would have to get injections every 4 to 6 weeks during challenging periods of inflammation. As a Nurse, after COVID things are more stressful, dermatologist appointments are a bit more frequent but nothing like before Love & Snow.
"My journey has felt isolating, frustrating, hopeless, and scary. Using Love & Snow has helped give me confidence, hope, and strength where I'm able to feel more in control of something that felt so out of control for so long."
AN: "My hair felt and looked great after the first time product was used during my hair appointment with my Stylist Katie Hedges. I went home and found the Love & Snow Instagram page and website and purchased product for myself right after."
L & S: How long has it taken to get to your current results?
AN: "I had committed to Katie to take the next six (6) weeks between appointments and really commit to taking care of my hair and scalp in a more holistic way. At six (6) weeks both my hair and scalp were already looking and feeling good and it has continued to just get better. At six (6) months my hair and scalp felt great. My hair grows better and doesn't break at the end. The ends used to be stringy, but aren't anymore. The hair growth has been substantial. There is less scalp inflammation with zero itch and less visible redness; my scalp feels happy. The texture of my hair has changed; instead of looking dry and frizzy, it's shiny and strong. I've fallen in love with my natural texture and don't even blow dry my hair anymore."
"While the steroid solution, Rogaine, and injections will simply be part of my journey; pre-COVID I would get a spot once every 2 years vs. a time where I would have to get injections every 4 to 6 weeks during challenging periods of inflammation. As a Nurse, after COVID things are more stressful, dermatologist appointments are a bit more frequent but nothing like before Love & Snow.
I didn't originally purchase Love & Snow products to replace any of my current products, but it turned out there were things I just didn't need anymore. I may use a little curl foam here and there, but that's about it. Love & Snow has helped me let go of products that were going to damage my hair, and helps build my ability to heal. Regularly caring for my hair and scalp has become an important time to take care of me. Over the years dealing with alopecia, I am learning how to move through stress more effectively and be able to recognize when a flare up might be coming on and keep it from getting so out of control."
"My journey has felt isolating, frustrating, hopeless, and scary. Using Love & Snow has helped give me confidence, hope, and strength where I'm able to feel more in control of something that felt so out of control for so long."