For Yalmikia Edmonds, hair is more than a profession—it’s a mission rooted in empathy, purpose, and transformation. A licensed cosmetologist, certified hair loss practitioner, and inspirational speaker, Edmonds is the founder of Levonye Professionals, where she works with women experiencing alopecia, thinning hair, or seeking preventative care. But what truly sets her apart isn’t just technical expertise—it’s her unwavering commitment to healing both the scalp and the soul.
More Than a Stylist
Edmonds began her journey in traditional cosmetology, but personal tragedy and spiritual awakening led her to something deeper. After enduring a painful divorce and the heartbreaking loss of her grandmother to breast cancer—a woman whose hair she once lovingly cared for—she began to understand the emotional weight that hair can carry.
“I had gone through a lot… I experienced some things in my own personal space, which is a big part of why I go above and beyond for my clients. Even though our pain points may be different, I know how it feels to have a deficit,” she tells BlackDoctor.org.
“That was the beginning of my journey—and how I got into hair loss care. My grandmother was a part of this journey. She passed away from breast cancer, but before she did, I was her hair care provider,” Edmonds continues.
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“I cared for her hair throughout her illness. When she began losing it due to chemotherapy, I had to figure out ways to style her hair, to camouflage the early signs of hair loss. I also saw how difficult it was for her emotionally. She couldn’t look at herself in the mirror because she no longer recognized herself. Watching her go through that process—crying, feeling less like herself—it really hurt me. It put me in a space where I started thinking: I wonder how many other women are going through this? I just knew there had to be more,” she says.
Although Edmonds doesn’t have alopecia, she has experienced thinning hair and understands the emotional impact it can have.
“Even I have to do something to make my hair look good, to keep it and give it the fullness and length I want. After going through that experience with my grandmother, I realized I no longer wanted to do just traditional hair. I wanted to do something more meaningful—something that could really help women,” she adds. “The journey was long, but it was definitely worth it.”
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This calling led her to focus on hair restoration, particularly for women with alopecia.
“…It felt like God was pushing me to do something greater—something in service that was just more meaningful. And not just for the customer, but for me. Because for me, I can’t really operate in my true potential if it’s not connected to something that’s life-changing, something that transforms a woman’s life,” Edmonds shares. “I target both markets, but my focal point is servicing women with alopecia. A lot of my clients are referred by dermatologists, or they come from private practices. That’s where many of our clients are—women who’ve tried everything to restore their hair, and nothing worked.”
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A Safe Haven for Healing
At Levonye Professionals, Edmonds doesn’t just offer hair replacement services—she creates a sanctuary. Her salon is built around privacy, sensitivity, and dignity—key elements often missing in traditional salon spaces. Her clients, many between the ages of 50 and 91, are treated with the same care you’d offer a loved one in crisis.
“We also teach women how to transform their pain into purpose—for example, how to monetize their experience and turn it into something positive,” Edmonds says.
Some of her clients have endured unimaginable trauma—domestic violence, illness, or years of silent suffering. Edmonds’ work transcends aesthetics to restore self-worth and emotional well-being. Each year, she hosts “Alignment & Alopecia,” a signature conference where clients share their journeys and reclaim their voice.
“One client shared that her husband hit her in the head so hard she had to get a metal plate—and that trauma led to her hair loss. Hearing stories like that made me want to take real action to support these women beyond the physical transformation,” she explains. “Once they address the emotional side, they can start to thrive. You wouldn’t think hair loss could lead to suicidal thoughts—but some women isolate themselves, refuse to leave the house, only order food online, just to avoid being seen.”
“Some clients wouldn’t go to family functions. Others stopped dating or put their dreams on hold. Our services don’t just restore hair—they help women walk into their purpose,” Edmonds adds. “I get to do what I love, and now they get to do what they love.”
Lessons in Language, Privacy, and Purpose
For stylists seeking to support clients facing hair loss, Edmonds offers practical and heartfelt advice: prioritize privacy, choose words with care, and recognize the emotional burden clients carry.
“There’s a lot they can do, but one of the biggest things is privacy. That’s the first thing clients mention in our consultations, and it’s foundational here,” Edmonds says. “Think of them like newborns—fragile and sensitive. When women come in, they’re quiet, guarded, often because previous stylists didn’t handle their situations with care. They’ve had stylists laugh at them or make insensitive comments. Even calling someone ‘bald’ can be incredibly triggering. I use the term ‘pain point’ instead. It’s important to be mindful of your language in these spaces.”
She urges stylists to consider the client’s perspective.
“How would you want to be treated? Would you want to be exposed in a public area, sitting next to a big window, while you’re at your most vulnerable? Probably not. Privacy and empathy are everything. Also, educate yourself. I went through a whole learning process to understand how to serve this community with care and compassion.”
Edmonds has developed training programs for professionals who want to specialize in hair loss services—because the needs of these clients go far beyond a typical blowout.
“It’s more like being a specialist—almost like a gynecologist or primary care provider for the scalp and hair,” she adds. “For many of our clients, this is medical. They wear cranial prosthetics—it’s no different than someone getting a breast prosthesis or a prosthetic leg. It should be treated with that level of seriousness and respect.”
Her salon reflects that philosophy: soft music, warm lighting, and a calming environment, including handwritten notes from previous clients displayed on the wall—a testament to the power of shared experience.
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The Mental Health Link—For Clients and Stylists Alike
As we recognize National Hairstylist Mental Health Awareness Day, Edmonds opens up about the emotional toll this work can take, and the importance of caring for her own mental health.
“I went through depression. I shut my business down for two years after my divorce,” she recalls. “I couldn’t serve clients when I was suicidal myself. Energy transfers. If you’re hurting, your clients feel that.”
Her advice to fellow stylists: seek help, practice self-awareness, take breaks, and explore accessible resources like ZocDoc, which connects clients with therapists.
“You can’t give your best if you’re running on empty,” she says. “Mental health isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity.”
“A lot of what I recommend to my clients, I also do in my personal life. I have a therapist I talk to once a week. I meditate. I practice salat. I pray. And I do what I love, which is hair…,” she notes.
She also emphasizes the importance of rest and intentional solitude.
“For me, that means taking time off. And on my days off, I’m usually quiet, at home, just being with myself—maybe even being lazy and doing nothing at all. That’s what self-care looks like for me,” she says.
Journaling has proven to be highly beneficial for Edmonds.
“When my grandmother transitioned, it was traumatic to witness her pain. So therapy, journaling, prayer—those are my tools. I journal a lot to get thoughts out of my head. I’m also intentional with my time and how I spend it,” Edmonds adds.
Living the Purpose, Fueling the Mission
Helping women heal through haircare has given Edmonds clarity about her calling—and transformed her work into a powerful mission.
“This work allowed me to finally show up as who I was created to be,” she says. “We’re co-creating healing here. I’m helping my clients step into their light, and in doing so, I’ve stepped into mine.”
Her clients don’t just leave with wigs or weaves—they leave with hope, confidence, and direction. Many have gone on to start businesses, write books, and speak publicly about their healing. Edmonds ensures they have the platform to shine.
Levonye Professionals is active on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube. The website features blogs, downloadable resources, and a free eBook for women experiencing hair loss.
“We have a mailing list, webinars, and annual events,” Edmonds concludes. “If you’re walking through this journey, you’re not alone. Just look us up and see for yourself.”
