How a haircut saved a man’s life: What a hero hairdresser said to a client that prevented a health disaster
- Man who went in for a haircut got advice from the hairdresser that saved his life
- Barbara Knowles-Tassell noticed a 10c size mole on the top of Neil Gibb’s head
- The hairdresser suggested the 66-year-old get the mole checked by a doctor
- It ended up being an invasive Melanoma and he got it removed immediately
- Mr Gibb has since gone into the salon to thank the 44-year-old woman in person
A man who went in for his routine haircut ended up getting advice from his hairdresser that saved his life.
When Neil Gibb went into Just Cuts in Belmont, in Perth’s east, hairdresser Barbara Knowles-Tassell noticed a mole the size of a 10 cent coin on the top of his head.
As it was the first time Mr Gibb had been to the salon, Ms Knowles-Tassell noticed the distinct mole and suggested the 66-year-old get it checked out.
When Neil Gibb went into Just Cuts in Belmont, in Perth’s east, hairdresser Barbara Knowles-Tassell (pictured) noticed a mole the size of a 10 cent coin on the top of his head
JustCuts said in a statement that the mole was a ‘suspicious shape’ and it was extremely lucky Mr Gibb’s hairdresser was paying attention.
As the 66-year-old had already missed an annual skin check, he took Ms Knowles-Tassell’s advice and got a scan.
After a scan, it was found the mole was actually an invasive malignant Melanoma.
Mr Gibb had a skin graft and emergency surgery at Royal Perth Hospital to remove the melanoma.
‘I had been procrastinating for more than a year to get my regular check-up,’ Mr Gibb told PerthNow.
The 44-year-old hairdresser said her top priority was taking her time with her clients and always makes sure to thoroughly look at her client’s scalp.
As it was the first time Neil Gibb (pictured, right) had been to the salon, Ms Knowles-Tassell noticed the distinct mole and suggested the 66-year-old get it checked out
‘I’m not qualified to say, ‘Hey look you have a melanoma’, but I definitely think we have the position to let clients know if something doesn’t look quite right — but without alarming them — which is what I did for Neil,’ she said.
Mr Gibb said you can never guess how quickly things like this grow and develop, so he counts himself a lucky man.
He has since gone into the salon to personally thank his hairdresser for her help.
‘Barbara could have gone ahead and just cut my hair and said, ‘See ya later’. But because she said something, she potentially saved my life, the 66-year-old said.