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Dover woman’s incredible hair transformation by Novo Cabelo goes viral on TikTok and Instagram

13:41, 12 February 2024

updated: 18:17, 12 February 2024

A cancer survivor whose hair never grew back after chemotherapy has undergone an incredible transformation to ‘restore’ her locks.

Jo Knight, from Dover, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017, with her hair falling out during the gruelling treatment to fight the disease.

Dover woman Jo Knight with hair system specialist Rob Wood. Picture: Novo Cabelo
Dover woman Jo Knight with hair system specialist Rob Wood. Picture: Novo Cabelo

She assumed it would return, but was later told she had developed persistent chemotherapy-induced alopecia, leaving her practically bald.

However, the 47-year-old - who has also had a double mastectomy - was recently offered a brand new head of hair by social media star and stylist Rob Wood.

Mr Wood, who owns Novo Cabelo, specialises in ‘systems’ – semi-permanent custom hair pieces glued to the scalp – for people experiencing hair loss.

He typically focuses on men suffering male pattern baldness, with his tearjerking videos watched tens of millions of times.

But he also provides systems to women – particularly those with alopecia – and offered Mrs Knight the chance to try one out.

“When Rob contacted me and offered me a full hair system, I jumped at the chance,” she said.

“I’m very grateful to the team for such an amazing opportunity.”

Dover-based cancer survivor Jo Knight before her new hair was fitted. Picture: Jo Knight/Instagram
Dover-based cancer survivor Jo Knight before her new hair was fitted. Picture: Jo Knight/Instagram

A video charting the process from start to finish has been watched more than one million times across Mr Wood’s social media platforms.

Mrs Knight, who was also given a makeover by Kate Hughes, said: “It’s going to take time for me to adjust and learn to live with hair again, especially after so long being without it.

“My health is so important to me, and for me personally it doesn’t matter that I don’t have it, but it can have a big impact on other women whose hair is their crown and glory, it can be devastating.

“I’m a huge advocate for body positivity and not having hair, or breasts doesn’t define me. However, Rob said something to me, and it really stuck with me – ‘you deserve to have hair’.

“After everything I’ve been through, I actually do deserve to have hair.

@novocabelohair Joanne’s Hair loss transformation with @Mr Cabelo @Jack Mead @Kate Hughes Makeup Artist @Artero Hair Tools #hairtransformation #hairreplacement #hairsystem #novocabelo ♬ Music Instrument - Gerhard Siagian

“There will be times when I choose not to wear it. I would still like to wear my headscarf and I might even go shorter – who knows. But for now, I’m going to embrace it like my baldness.”

Mr Wood said it was an “honour” to give Mrs Knight a hair transformation.

“Jo is a truly remarkable woman and I’m so pleased we had the opportunity to work with her on this reveal,” he said.

“We want to utilise our platforms to spread positive messages and to normalise hair systems and tell the story of clients from different backgrounds and make hair replacement seen as commonplace for those who want to go the journey; it’s all about personal choice.”

Dover woman Jo Knight's hair never grew back after she underwent chemotherapy for breast cancer. Picture: Jo Knight/Instagram
Dover woman Jo Knight's hair never grew back after she underwent chemotherapy for breast cancer. Picture: Jo Knight/Instagram

“Permanent hair loss can be devastating for any man or woman, and it can result in low confidence, low self-esteem, anxiety and depression.

“Hair loss has a big implication for both men and women; however, the team still see a stigma around male balding and towards men who want to change the effects of hair loss through treatment.

“Male balding can have a detrimental impact on mental health and wellbeing, especially in some of our younger clients.”

Hair systems start at £350, depending on the style of hair, and last between three and six months, with a refit every three to four weeks.

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