A big-hearted East Lothian hairdresser has retrained to specialise in hair replacement treatments for cancer patients - after seeing friends and family suffering from the side effect while battling the disease.
Debbie Innes was inspired to try and help as many people as possible after seeing the devastating effect cancer can have.
And the 39-year-old, who has been working in the industry for 15 years, has now opened a new salon in Musselburgh, named Virtuoso.
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She hopes that she and her team can help as many people as possible at the salon, which is in the East Lothian town's High Street.
Debbie said: "I’ve been doing hair for 15 years. I started out doing Gents Barbering then furthered my career and trained in ladies hair.
"I found my real passion in the industry with colouring and became a colour specialist but I took almost a year out due to personal reasons.
"For a while I believed my journey doing hair was over but I longed to be back in the salon."
During her hiatus, Debbie began reading up on hair loss after seeing a loved one and clients enduring the phenomenon following cancer diagnoses.
She explained: "During my break I was at a crossroads with my career and got into researching hair loss and the effects it has on so many people.
"This is something I’ve experienced first hand with many clients through the years and also through personal experience.
"A family member suffered from hair loss during her fight with cancer and I furthered my education and trained in mesh integration techniques.
"These give clients confidence and solutions when dealing with hair loss and it gave me a new mindset.
"I decided now is the time to open my own salon that not only does amazing hair everyday but an added service that can change people's lives.
"Our team at Virtuoso are award winning stylists with years of experience under our belt and welcome everyone into our salon."
The salon was previously a painting and decorating shop and showroom but has been revamped with the help of talented local workmen.
And Debbie says she loves the work the tradesmen did to transform the shop into the salon.
She said: "Everything was done using local workmen and companies and we all love the place.
"I want to say a huge thanks to Whiteford Developments, Keith Lang Painting & Decorating, William Cowan Plumbing & Heating Services, Paul Harvey Electrical, and Mikas Designs, Signs & Wraps.
"They've managed to turn it into a spacious, luxurious salon which has a lovely ambience. It's amazing, I'm delighted with how it's turned out."
The salon can be found on Instagram here.
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