Seeing people struggling with hair loss inspired Trichologist Dr Leticia Mupawose to start Feso Africa, a business that manufactures hair loss products.
Hair loss is caused by several factors, for women it can be caused by years of styling, braiding and relaxing. For men, hair loss can be a result of hormonal changes, medical conditions or ageing. "When I was a hairdresser, I noticed that people were struggling with hair loss, and I was inspired to help them by researching the causes and treatment for hair loss,” said Dr Leticia Mupawose, who is currently the Founder and Director of Feso Africa.
Hair loss can be psychologically devastating1 and can negatively affect a person’s quality of life and self-esteem. Dr Mupawose turned to science to find a solution to hair loss. She then enrolled to study trichology - a sub-specialist arm of dermatology that studies diseases or problems related to the hair and scalp, as well as their treatments. Through her studies, she was able to understand the complexities of hair loss and it didn’t take her long to find a solution.
After two years of research she developed a product that prevents hair loss. Today her business, Feso Africa, manufactures products for hair loss and also has a hair loss clinic situated in Morningside, Johannesburg. Their hair renewal products stimulate dormant hair follicles back to life and helps to restore scalp tissue that has been damaged by chemicals and traction alopecia.
Dr Mupawose adds that “all of their products are made from natural African ingredients, and hair loss consultations can be done at the clinic by qualified hair experts.”
Increased demand for products made with natural ingredients
In recent years, consumer preferences have shifted towards organic products. According to the South Africa Hair Care Market Forecast Report (2022 – 2027)2 by Mordor Intelligence, this will be a continuous market shift. The report stated that “more consumers are now looking for clean brands that use natural and organic ingredients."
Dr Mupawose hadn't anticipated the market shift when she started her business. Fast forward to 10 years later, Feso Africa is now a global brand available in eight African countries, Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
“After I had grown my client's hair, they would ask for hair products to help them keep their hair healthy, which inspired me to create hair maintenance products, "said Dr Mupawose.
Feso Africa is no longer only a hair clinic with hair loss treatment products but now the business also does anti-ageing facial creams, which helps with hyperpigmentation. Dr Mupawose’s passion for helping people inspired her to become an entrepreneur who, in addition to solving global issues, is creating jobs, boosting the local economy and positively impacting society’s emotional, physical and mental wellbeing.