Russell Gutch, owner of Changing Times Hair Designs (left), learned about Wigs for Kids from its founder, Jeffery Paul, a nationally recognized leader in beauty and hair restoration. CREDIT: Joe Ferline

Reprinted with permission from Town&Gown Magazine. Copyright 2002 by The Barash Group.

Centre Services

Wigs for Kids gives new looks through donated tresses

By Mary Waltman

If you are blessed with a head of healthy hair, why not share it with a child who has little or none? One Penn State coed decided to do just that. Jessica Heimer of Indiana (Pa.) decided she was ready for a big change in her hairstyle. After reading about Wigs for Kids on the Internet, she had 13 inches of her 17-inch-long strawberry-blonde locks shorn at Changing Times Hair Designs in State College, a participating salon. "I decided donating my hair would be a good idea because there are children who would love to have hair and I have more than enough to give," she says.

Wigs for Kids, a national nonprofit organization, provides natural hair replacement for needy young people who have lost their hair due to the effects of chemotherapy or radiation or as a result of a medical condition known as alopecia. Each recipient must be under 18, unable to afford a hairpiece and have a referral from a medical specialist.

Coping with a serious illness is tough enough for kids. Add hair loss from chemotherapy or radiation, and there is increased emotional stress. "Hair replacement can make kids feel better, because they look better," said Russell Gutch, hair designer and owner of Changing Times. "They can feel more like themselves again."

This past summer, Gutch, who is the only certified affiliate in Pennsylvania with the Wigs for Kids program, fitted a young female client who traveled from Perry County for new hair. "Loss of hair is a traumatic experience and requires compassion, integrity and understanding," explains Gutch, noting that consultation is an important part of the program.

Wigs for Kids depends on hair donations - straight, ponytail or braided can all be used as long as it's at least 12 inches long and not chemically treated. Seven shanks of hair from seven different donors on average are necessary to craft a wig for one kid, notes Gutch. Donated hair is cleaned, dried and wrapped in tissue or a plastic bag and processed to create a hairpiece specifically designed for a child.

Gutch, whose hair designs have been published in numerous magazines, left behind a highly successful job in New York to come to State College 25 years ago, seeking a more family-friendly environment. He later contracted with Zotos International as an educator in creative design perming, traveling to London, Italy and Tokyo to work with international designers. It was through faith in God and hard work, he says, that he experienced success in his career. Gutch became interested in Wigs for Kids through his professional association with Jeffrey Paul, national founder of the program, who has gained an international reputation in beauty and design. Describing Paul as "full of fire and energy," Gutch lauded his mentorship as a "tremendous resource."

Paul came up with the idea for Wigs for Kids when saw his niece, being treated for leukemia, reduced to tears because her wig had come off during gymnastics. Feeling her distress and frustration, he was moved to seek a solution to help her and others like her. Paul, who was in the business of creating beautiful hair to make famous people more glamorous, now wanted to help kids with hair loss regain their normal looks. In consultation with the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, Paul and his wife, Zena, created a process to make human-hair wigs that were comfortable and stayed in place. Since then thousands of kids in the United States and Canada have received new hair. Last year more than 100 kids received natural hairpieces.

Nationwide and in Canada there are 133 salon ambassadors that provide information and cut hair for donations. Thirty-seven certified program affiliates nationwide are trained to do consulting, fitting and sizing for hair-replacement systems. Since hair replacement costs anywhere from $200 to $2,000, monetary donations are always welcome to help finance a wig for a needy child. Through the "Adopt a Kid" program sponsors, either an individual or a group pays for an entire hair replacement. Sponsors may correspond with their kid by writing letters of support. Recipients are eager to show their appreciation and friendships are often formed.

Through Wigs for Kids, lives have been changed. "It isn't just technical. It involves compassion and caring. When children lose their hair, they lose more than something physical, they lose their self-image," says Paul. Hair replacement helps restore a healthy image again.

To donate hair call Changing Times Hair Designs at 238-3315. To become a sponsor or make a contribution call 800-883-7667 or (440) 333-4433. Learn more at http://changingtimeshairdesigns.com and www.wigsforkids.org.

Russell Gutch, owner of Changing Times Hair Design in State College, offers a complete array of hair services - from cuts of all styles to a variety of natural hair replacements. CREDIT: Photos by Sue Batcheler

Reprinted with permission from the Centre Daily Times. Copyright 2002 by the Centre Daily Times.

If You Look Good, You Feel Good

By Sandie Biddle

I don't know when I've had so many compliments. I got everything from "Love your hair" to "I don't know what's different but you look great." And it's all because I finally let Russell style my hair.

Getting my hair styled has never been on the top of my list. I kept my long, lank, graying hippie hair as long as I could - longer than I should. Then one day earlier this month, I gave in. I let Russell Gutch, owner of Changing Times Hair Design, do his magic.

Russell describes himself as "an artist and a salesman." He's definitely the best of both. He's spent 43 years styling hair and it still fascinates him. He studied for eight years in his native New York City, styled hair in Europe, spent 12 years with Zotos International, and had his own salon in New York. He's done the hair of the rich and famous.

Luckily for Happy Valley, Russell moved here nearly 25 years ago and has operated salons in Bellefonte and State College.

In addition to styling expertise, Russell employs technicians who are experts in hair coloration. Vivian will be completing a course at the end of April to become a certified colorist. She also has expertise in multi-cultural styling. Colleen is also an artist when it comes to coloring hair.

Called "dimensionalized color," the new color formulas add tones, highlights, and deposits of color to make a more natural statement. Gone are the all-over colors that look as if they were painted on.

"Dimensionalized color is just beautiful," Russell said. "It can add tonal values or create confusion with the gray."

I could use some confusion. And as Colleen said, "If you want to look fifteen years older, don't color your hair."

Colleen uses foils for a sun-streaked look. And there's something she calls a "color bomb." This adds a top layer of color and shine which seals in the new look - keeping it from fading. There's even a clear-coat shine for those who are happy with their natural color but want some extra glossiness.

Russell is strong in permanent chemistry and specializes in detailed wraps. "Creative design texturizing" is not your usual permanent. Russell can curl, curve, and coax just part of your hair. He can texturize certain parts of your hair, making it easier to do subtle styling. Permanents are much kinder to hair than they used to be and don't take as long. Colleen said perms can "now leave your hair in better shape than it was."

Beauty trends are back-to-basics right now - naturally toned hair colors and lightweight makeup. Light caramel colors and reds are big for hair.

Changing Times Hair Design specializes in hair replacements and hair extensions for men and women. Russell works with male and female pattern baldness and various alopecia- and chemo-related illnesses. He is part of the Wigs For Kids Program to provide low- or no-cost wigs to children in need.

Russell just returned from A Beautiful Hair Conference with Jeffrey Paul, where he learned the latest techniques in extended wear in hair restoration. In May, he will conduct a workshop in Cleveland on creative design texturizing and hair replacements.

Russell also offers many products to help keep your new hairstyle or color looking great. One line of styling products is his own - he created the formulas.

But let's get back to that haircut. Russell starts by talking to the client, learning what he or she wants, problem-solving and setting boundaries for the new style. Then he takes your input and designs a style that suits you personally.

His best advice about getting a new style, "Don't let anyone talk you in to anything you don't want. You have to feel emotionally sure of the style's direction. No two people are alike."

And you need to care for your new style. Like Russell says, "Your hair is a fabric. You have to work with it. You wouldn't take your nice cotton blouse, wash it, and then throw it in a dusty corner to dry. What would it look like then?"

He also impressed on me of the importance of looking good. "If you look good, you feel good." He's right. I love my new haircut and the compliments it gets. Now I get up in the morning and mousse and curl it a bit.

"It takes a commitment," he said. "Life is like an apple pie. If you get up in the morning, brush your teeth, put on nice clothes, and forget to comb and style your hair, you've left the sugar and cinnamon out of the recipe. It just doesn't taste as good as it could."

Thanks to Russell my life tastes a little better than it did.

Changing Times Hair Design is at 333 South Allen Street and can be reached by calling 238-3315.

Wigs for Kids

Marie Koudela was 15 when she was diagnosed with osteosarcoma. The chemotherapy used to treat this aggressive cancer caused her to lose
all her hair - an emotionally difficult situation for anyone, but
particularly for an image-conscious teenage girl. Thanks to Russell
Gutch at Changing Times Hair Design, though, she was fitted for a
series of free wigs (thanks to "Wigs For Kids"), styled to her
preferences. "It was one less thing to worry about during a very tough
time," says Koudela, who now uses her own experience to help others
going through the same difficulties.

An award-winning stylist with 47 years of experience, Gutch got
involved with Wigs for Kids through his professional association with
Jeffrey Paul, founder of the national program.

Wigs for Kids provides high-quality, natural-hair wigs for children who have lost their hair
due to chemotherapy or other medical conditions. Each wig typically
uses hair donated by twelve people. If you have at least 12 inches of
hair you'd like to have cut and donated, contact Changing Times Hair
Design at 238-3315. To find out how to make a monetary donation, visit
www.wigsforkids.org or www.changingtimeshairdesigns.com