Changing Times Hair Design

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.

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."

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

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

For 30 years, Wigs For Kids has helped young people, including many local children, with cancer and other medical ailments, look like themselves. The organization continues to develop strong ties with THON, Penn State, and the rest of the region.

Every few moments, as Marie Koudela sits across a table and talks with ease about some of the challenges she�s faced in her young life, her left hand moves toward her head and she runs her fingers through her hair, giving a slight tug at the end before resting her arm again. For most, the action would simply be something they do out of habit or maybe when they�re nervous....

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Stylist works to change lives one wig at a time By Brendan McNally

Take one look at Russell Gutch, and you'll know he's a New Yorker. He's a charismatic, smooth-talking Italian -- collar popped, hair combed back -- with a slight accent that has The Bronx written all over it. But if you ask him about the work he does for Wigs for Kids, an organization that provides free wigs to children with cancer, the 69-year-old's toughness melts away.

"I get pretty emotional," he said after a pause. "When you see the kids when they are being treated -- the condition they are in -- it makes me emotional." Gutch, who owns Changing Times Hair Designs, 333 S. Allen St., is the only stylist in Pennsylvania certified to make prosthetic wigs for children. Most of his wigs go to children suffering from cancer. More than 150,000 strands of individually hand-knotted human hair and 80 hours of work go into each custom-made wig. Children can "sleep, shower and swim" with Gutch's wigs on, he said.

Wigs for Kids Executive Director Mark Campo said the wigs would usually sell for $3,000 to $6,000. But thanks to Gutch, children can be children again at no cost. Gutch makes the wigs for kids with cancer free of charge. "I am there to make them feel like a kid," Gutch said. "I look at their face, and I know: They're back."

In 2004, Marie Koudela, the first child to receive a wig from Gutch, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma at the age of 15. She went through 16 chemotherapy treatments and surgery to replace cancerous bone in her leg. During treatment, she couldn't walk. Still, she said losing her hair was one of the hardest parts. When she was going through the hardest trial of her life, Gutch made things just a little more normal, she said. "He made things easier," she said. "That was just a great gift, not to have to worry about appearance."

Today, Gutch only owns one salon, which he runs with the help of assistant Susie Battles. But he used to be a big-time New York stylist who studied and trained for nearly a decade to rack up certifications in cosmetology, barbering and hair replacement. He moved to State College from New York in his early thirties to raise his family, and friends say he's fit in pretty well ever since. After moving to State College, his wife, a cancer nurse, sparked his interest in volunteering for Wigs for Kids. It didn't take long before he was sold. "I took one look at the equation and said, 'Wow, it would be neat if I could get [Wigs for Kids] into THON,' " Gutch said. " 'If we could pull that off, it would be fantastic.' "

He did pull it off, but it took 12 years and a lot of luck. After more than a decade, Wigs for Kids' big break literally walked into Gutch's salon one afternoon, when a student involved with the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon came by selling ads for a directory. The two got to talking, and Gutch's charm did the rest. Just like that, Gutch landed a speaking spot for Wigs for Kids' founder and internationally renowned hair stylist Jeffrey Paul at THON. The partnership has lasted, and this year alone, Wigs for Kids collected 45 ponytails at the dance marathon. THON raised $7,838,054 this year, but those 45 ponytails might make just as big an impact as all those millions of dollars. "There is a strong link between self-image and self-esteem and the ability to heal," Campo said. "Restoring that self-image can have a huge impact on a child." He said Wigs for Kids receives 10 to 12 thousand ponytails a year from around the world, but the sad reality is the wigs Gutch designs cost a lot of money to make. Wigs for Kids has yet to receive a cent from THON, he said. "We're not done," Gutch said. "We need funds. We got hair, but we need to find a way to get into the [Hershey Four Diamonds Fund]." Finding a spot for Wigs for Kids in the Four Diamonds Fund, Gutch said, would be icing on the cake for his "marvelous career." But no matter what, the charity has a bright future in State College.

"You know, I'm not going to be around forever," Gutch said. "And the torch someday is going to have to be passed." Battles could be the new torchbearer for years to come. Gutch said he couldn't run the salon without her: After coming on board three and a half years ago, Battles is already managing the salon like a veteran. Battles said she knew Gutch since she was a child. In the summer, she would walk by the salon every day on her way to the Schlow Centre Region Library, but she never imagined she would work there someday. "He used to have all these different colored wigs for the holidays," Battles said. "So as a kid, I kind of thought he was crazy." But after working for him, Battles' impression of Gutch completely changed. Now, she is learning the trade firsthand from Gutch and will be traveling to Florida in September to get certification for hair replacement and hair extensions. With that certification, she could work more closely with Gutch and maybe take his place as the next person in Pennsylvania certified to make children's prosthetic wigs. But until then, Gutch plans to continue the work he loves doing. "My children say to me, 'Dad, why don't you retire?' I am retired," he said. "I'm doing my job. The satisfaction is taking your God-given talent and giving it back."

Gutch said as he has gotten older, the young students at Penn State have been coming into his salon less and less. He said that's OK, but he wants students to know: He's still "hot" when it comes to cutting hair. He likes to tell the story of how he and Paul came into the salon one night to cut the hair of four students for THON. "The funny part is, we walk in the door, and they took one look at Jeff and I and say, 'These guys know how to cut hair? A couple of old geezers?' " he said, laughing. "It was a rush, though. We were jamming. We were having some fun." Gutch will tell you that "if you look good, you feel good." But when he makes you look good, it's obvious he feels even better. Hanging on the wall of his salon, he still has a picture of him and Paul from that night. Their faces were beaming. "Russell is a guy who has a heart as big as the great outdoors," Campo said. "He goes out of his way to help people." As much as Gutch has been given, he's given back a lot more. He makes people feel good about themselves every day, and he's made kids feel more like kids during the hardest time of their lives. And those children will never forget it.

Six years later, Koudela is a junior at Penn State majoring in nutritional sciences, but she still calls Gutch a "great friend." "He's just a great person and compassionate about what he does," she said. "He really wanted to help in any way he could." But for Gutch, he was just doing his job. "That's the game," he said. "I'm a hair stylist."
Reprinted with the permission of The Collegian, Inc. Photos courtesy of The Daily Collegian.