When Deon Brangman decided to relocate his barbershop, Made to Fade, from Palmetto Road to the City, it took him six months to find somewhere to rent.

He wanted more space so that he could add new services such as permanent make-up work and scalp micropigmentation, known as SMP.

“SMP is a non-surgical procedure where tattooed dots are used to cover up people’s bald spots, or to create the illusion of full, denser hair,” he explained. “It can also be used to camouflage scars on the scalp.”

The hold-up was largely due to confusion over his offerings. Some of the potential landlords he approached had never heard of SMP or PMU, and rejected his rental application because they did not think the idea would fly.

Eventually, though, the adage proved true — the best things come to those who wait. He was thrilled to find a location in the heart of Hamilton.

Made to Fade recently opened on the ground floor of the Washington Mall, next to the English Market, offering barbering and aesthetics services.

Mr Brangman said: “This is a really high-traffic area, especially at lunchtime.”

They are seeing former clients and many new faces.

“It has been very busy,” he said. “Some of our clients like to have a liquid lunch at the Beluga Bar before coming to us.”

At present, Mr Brangman has four employees, and five work stations.

“I have a separate space for my aesthetics services, which I call Estético Studio,” he said. “If I ever wanted to, I could hire another barber, and let them handle the hair while I focus on the tattooing.”

Barbering, though, is his first love.

“I enjoy building relationships with my clients,” he said. “Some of them have been with me for more than ten years, which is awesome. I have been watching them grow and mature while they have been watching me do the same.”

Mr Brangman first became interested in the trade at the tender age of 12.

“I did not like the way the barber had done my hair,” he said. “I tried to fix it myself and did a really bad job.”

The interest persisted long after his hair grew out again.

“As a teenager, I worked for different barbers,” he said. “That was largely how I learnt my trade.”

He started full time about 20 years ago.

With the change in location comes a rebrand for Made to Fade. It has a new logo depicting a barber’s pole against a backdrop of city skyscrapers to give it an urban feel. The colour scheme is black and gold.

He offers services ranging from the traditional hair tidy-up with a hot foam shave and hot towel treatment, to the less typical spray fibre enhancer.

“That is when these little fibres are sprayed on to somebody’s hairline or thin spots to create a fuller, denser look,” Mr Brangman said. “That is a good option if the client is going for a photoshoot, or a special event, and wants to look their best. The fibres will last two to four days, depending on the client’s lifestyle. If they go swimming or sweat a lot, it will last a shorter time.”

Made to Fade also offers a variety of steam machines that can incorporate a bit of lavender or eucalyptus.

“We also apply 24-carat gold strips under the eyes,” Mr Brangman said. “That helps with rejuvenating areas that have become swollen or puffy. Gold is supposed to be a top conductor for electricity. Having that on your face helps to bring the youthfulness back. That is quite popular.”