A young girl had been struggling with a deep depression, feeling so down that she hadn’t bothered to comb her hair in months. When she finally went to a salon, she was ready to have a large, matted section of her hair shaved off, thinking it was beyond repair.
On August 8, 2017, the 16-year-old from Waterloo, Iowa, visited stylist Kylie Olsson at Capri College. She needed a photo for the upcoming school year but was prepared to go with a shaved head. However, Kylie saw potential in restoring her hair and spent 13 hours patiently detangling and reviving it.
During the lengthy process, the girl opened up about her battle with depression and how simply getting out of bed felt like a struggle. Kylie later shared the story on Facebook, where it quickly went viral, resonating with many who could relate to the girl’s struggles.
“It was one of the toughest cases I’ve ever dealt with,” Kylie recalled, noting that the girl cried throughout the session. Kylie emphasized the importance of parents taking their children’s mental health seriously, advocating for open conversations over pressure.
After hours of careful work, Kylie was able to restore the girl’s hair. The girl’s gratitude was evident as she told Kylie, “Thanks to you, I’ll smile in my school photo.” Readers praised Kylie for her kindness, hoping that this transformation would help the girl rediscover self-love and confidence.