Hair has always been an important way in which people could express their personality and style. That’s why loss of hair turns into a great source of anxiety.

Hair loss is, unfortunately, a fact of life for many men. A receding hairline usually predicts a larger bald area, and baldness means a large blow to a man’s self esteem especially since hair is perceived in our society as a symbol of youth and desirability. In the United States, some 35 million men are losing or have lost their hair from male-pattern baldness, according to the American Hair Loss Council. There is a variety of solutions for hair replacement, among which are included: hair transplantation, flap surgery, medication. Maybe the most comfortable and hassle-free solutions are provided by the wigs, hair pieces, toupees, (or hair replacement systems, as they have been more recently called). Historically, wigs and hair pieces are the oldest and most common methods of disguising hair loss; the main difference between the wigs in the 1700's and today’s wigs are their size, styles and some methods of attachment to the scalp.

In this field, we may say there is nothing better than a well-made hairpiece or wig, and nothing worse than a badly designed, manufactured or styled wig; we may say that in some cases, they deserve the bad reputation. A good hairpiece will have perfect resemblance with the man’s natural hair, in color and styling, while badly manufactured ones will make evident the difference between the man’s hair and the toupee. This is why anyone who purchases such a hairpiece should ask a lot of questions and be very well informed before choosing.

But let us clear up some differences between all the terms used to define various types of artificial hair replacement. Technically, wigs are foundations placed over the bald area of the head, with hair placed onto the foundation. Wigs, both in men and women, tend to cover the entire scalp, while “hair systems” for men (also called “hair units”) only cover the balding area of the scalp, just the same as hair pieces/toupees do. The difference between a hair system and a hair piece lies in the method of attachment: a hair system will be attached by a specialist, so as to remain attached for 4 to 6 weeks; hair pieces can be attached by the persons themselves, with the usual adhesive.

The term “system” implies more than just a hairpiece, also including customer education and training in the methods of general care and styling. With systems, the specialist will do the removing and reattaching, as well as a thorough cleansing of the client’s head and of the “system”. A careful inspection of it is done, and adjustments if necessary; then it is restyled, reattached and finish-styled, together with the client’s own hair. The result is that a completely natural look is carefully maintained, so that it will never be noticeable that the person is wearing a hair replacement system.

If undecided whether to buy a hand-made or a machine manufactured hairpiece or hair system, you should take into consideration the much more natural appearance of the former; this is influenced by the amount of hair in the cap as well as by the way the hair moves when the wig is worn; hand-knotting gives them a better quality in both respects. Not to mention that they can be much lighter and cooler than machine-made ones.

As with almost anything on the market, prices can vary a great deal. However, if you need a good hair replacement system, you should have it custom-made. It is important that you find a company who will consider your particular needs, as each person’s needs are different. Should the costs be much higher than with other companies, make sure you inquire what makes their product different, or special, as compared to other products.

The custom made process will begin by taking an exact pattern of the balding area; a working form should be made, either of plaster or of furniture foam, that takes the exact form of the head; taking only the contour of the balding area is not enough, as every head shape is different, and you might not get a perfectly fitting piece. The foundation for the hair replacement system is then constructed, according to the working form; once they make sure the foundation fits perfectly, the hair is inserted and knotted with a special needle. This is done one hair at a time. It is a tedious job and you must be aware that it will take some time before it is completed.

A well-fitted hair replacement system passes unnoticed. The noticeable ones are either not custom made or they are not properly color-matched for that individual. Another possibility is that the sun has caused it to discolor, making it stand out from the wearer’s original hair. Natural hair changes color with age, and this can be another problem for the wearer.

Foundations: naturally, if you want to wear the hair replacement 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, you’ll want a foundation that is as light as possible, undetectable and very durable. You must choose the material for the foundation with special attention. Nylon, polyester, silk, polyurethane are some of the materials used to construct the foundations. The most popular type of foundation is the fine monofilament mesh, which has a consistency of material similar to women’s stockings.

The hair used in the construction can either be human or synthetic. The best human hair, but also the most expensive is the European one. Human hair is softer and silkier than synthetic fibers. Human hair can be colored and permed, thus being recommendable for clients who like to work with their hair. Many feel it is well worth the effort necessary to care for them. By comparison, synthetic hair can be quite natural looking, and synthetic hairpieces / hair systems are available in a variety of shades, tones and curl/wave patterns. They keep their style and are much easier to care for. Blends of natural and synthetic hair are also available, and these often offer the advantages of both, but the wearer should be very careful in following the care instructions.

There is a variety of ways to attach a hairpiece, from the more traditional ones to new and “exotic” ones. The traditional methods include bonding (with glue), metal clips or simple tape. The wig can be thus taken off with ease, but can also fall off in the most unexpected situations, causing public embarrassment. Some new methods include a kind of wire loops surgically stitched into the scalp, and “tunnel grafting” – that involves forming living loops of skin that can accept plastic fasteners then secured to the wig. However, uncleanliness, odor and even infections can easily occur with these.

Thus, it is essential that, in addition to maintaining the cleanliness of the hairpieces, the scalp be maintained in perfect hygiene conditions. Keeping the scalp clean will help avoid diseases and irritations. It is also advisable that any adhesive be tested prior to use, on a patch of skin, for 48 hours.

Caring for the hairpiece implies maintenance with scrupulous care; you can swim or shower with your hairpiece on, as you may see in various advertisements, but that will shorten its life. Water affects the color and styling, while soap, water chlorine and salt can damage them in the long run. A very good piece of advice for hairpiece wearers would be to have at least two of them, for replacement while one is being cleaned or repaired, or for any catastrophe that may occur.

Hair Loss

Female Hair Loss

Male Hair Loss

Hair Diseases

Hair Loss Charts

Hair Transplant

Hair Transplant Procedures

Hair Transplant Diagram

Hair Transplant FAQ

Women & Hair Transplants

African American Hair Transplants

Frontal Hair Transplants

Crown Hair Transplants

Follicular Unit Hair Grafts

Realistic Goals

Consultations & Choosing a Doctor

Hair Transplant Post Op Recovery

Other

Finasteride (Propecia)

Minoxidil (Rogaine)

Dutasteride (Avodart)

Hair Cloning

Scalp Reductions

Wigs

Hair Systems (Toupes)

Old Style Hair Plugs