BRADDOCK, Pa. (KDKA) — As the nation prepares to honor military veterans this Veterans Day, one local business owner is dedicating her skills to supporting veterans year-round.
Shanna Cochran, owner of Salon S.C. in Braddock, has a passion for helping people look their best. However, her desire to make a deeper impact led her to become a certified hair loss specialist. Cochran’s journey into the field began when she assisted her mother through her own struggle with hair loss.
“My mother experienced it, and to go through that with her and help her regain her confidence was powerful. Being able to offer that same support to veterans is truly incredible,” Cochran shared.
Through her expertise, Cochran helps veterans who may be facing hair loss, often due to the physical and emotional toll of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other health challenges. Her Braddock Avenue salon is now a registered vendor for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), allowing her to offer specialized services to veterans, including those covered by VA health benefits.
“A lot of veterans don’t realize that their benefits may cover these services,” Cochran explained.
Tiffany Simmons, a 10-year Air Force veteran and employee at the Aspinwall VA, was among those to benefit from Cochran’s expertise. After noticing her hair thinning over time, Simmons turned to Cochran for help.
“As we age, we often start to notice changes. My hair was thinning, and I was finding more of it on the floor,” Simmons said.
For Simmons, finding Cochran was a blessing. “Shanna has been amazing. She took the time to walk me through the process, including giving me a consultation and advice on proper nutrition and self-care to prevent further hair loss.”
Cochran offers complimentary consultations for veterans and their families, where she evaluates hair health and explores treatment options, including methods to slow or reverse hair loss or the possibility of wearing wigs.
“For veterans dealing with PTSD or other medical conditions, seeing yourself in the mirror with your hair looking great, whether it’s a wig or treatments, can be incredibly healing,” Cochran noted.
The connection Cochran feels with veterans is deeply personal. With several family members who served, including her father-in-law, grandfather, and uncle, she feels honored to help those who have served the country regain their confidence.
The “S.C.” in Salon S.C. stands for “Simply Confident,” a mission Cochran embraces wholeheartedly. “If you look good, you feel good. When you can present yourself with confidence, it can reduce stress and positively impact your entire life,” Simmons added.
Beyond her salon work, Cochran runs the non-profit Simply Confident, a program designed to help underprivileged children and women look and feel their best. Through these efforts, Cochran continues to impact lives, one veteran at a time.
