Shipley-based Thathairlineguy boosting people's mental health

Brendan Kershaw, 34, of Clayton, has opened Thathairlineguy, a scalp micropigmentation studio based at Kirkgate.

Scalp micropigmentation is a non-surgical hair loss treatment for people suffering with baldness, receding or thinning hair.

It is the creation of hair follicle simulation which offers the look of real hair on someone's scalp. The procedure, similar to tattooing, places colour pigments to replicate the look of hair.

The procedure can take up to four sessions to complete, with each lasting for between two and two-and-a-half hours long. There is a break of between seven and 14 days between each session for the scalp to heal.

Brendan Kershaw, owner of Thathairlineguy

The full procedure is priced between £500 to £1,000 depending on how many sessions a person needs to have. They are priced £200 per session.

His business opened up in April and he has had clients come to his clinic from all over the district, West Yorkshire and Oldham.

Mr Kershaw speaks from first-hand experience about the service.

He says he was low in confidence and self-conscious due to his receding hairline three years ago and looked into scalp micropigmentation.

He travelled to Birmingham to have the treatment completed as he found not many places in the north of England offered the service.

He was delighted with the results and returned to the second city a few months later to complete an intensive training course for his scalp micropigmentation qualification.

Mr Kershaw used to run a roofing business and helped to set up the lateral flow Covid testing centre at St George's Hall in Bradford last year before focusing on his new business.

He said: "The job satisfaction I get from start to finish is great.

I have had clients in tears after they have had it done, saying it will give them a confidence boost

"It is a form of tattooing on the scalp. We use a completely different ink to tattoos. It is around three to four years before a client needs a top-up.

"I use a specialist needle and specialist ink.

"Some of my clients say they won't go out without wearing a cap after they have lost their hair.

"I have had some clients who are in their mid 20s.

"I had a receding hairline from my mid 20s and it really effected me. It's people's confidence and mental health that is effected by losing their hair.

"It's not a 9-5 job. I work around my clients' lives. I'm over the moon with how the business has gone so far. It's been a whirlwind.

"I have big plans. I want to be the go-to guy in the north for it.

"I just want it to be affordable for everyone. The procedure down south for someone's full head can cost between £2,000 and £2,500."