Different Methods of Holding on Hairpieces

In the world of those who wear hairpieces, there are only a few options of applications and a great foundation.  You should also know how important they are and roles they play when it comes to comfort and convenience. For those who wonder about your options when purchasing and wearing a hairpiece for the first time, this should give you a little insight on the subject. 

From the past to the present, the application process has a great influence on the lifespan of your hairpiece.  Methods include clips, bonding and 2-sided adhesive tape.  When choosing a method, make sure it’s the best option for you.  Women usually find the clips to work out the best; for adding fullness in thinning or balding areas.  My top pick for applying men’s hairpieces would be the tape.  My reasons come from both experience and research.  Tape has many advantages that my customers look for.  It allows for quick and easy application and removal.  This plays a great role when it comes to showering, sleeping, and playing sports.  Removing your hairpiece during these activities will help preserve your piece.  Clean up is a no brainer.  This process only involves pulling off the old tape and washing it in the proper solution, and back to new! When it comes to a great  foundation, I enjoy the durability and strength of using a fine welded mono material.  Its light weight, breathable, and the ability to hold shape makes it an ideal medium to use in making a custom fit hairpiece.  I also use a lace-front finish. Both adds to the undetected and natural look.  Finally is the option of bonding, which I am 100% against.  The reasons why include the messy job of cleaning a hairpiece full of glue, the limitation of removing it when you desire, and hygiene issues is may cause from improper ventilation.  We all have our own favorites, top picks and reasons, but as a hairstylist and specialist for over 50 years, I think tape is the best choice!         

Sports, Exercise and Hair Replacement (hair systems, hair restoration, toupee)

Exercise and sports are a large part of a healthy lifestyle.  Most commonly exercise is used to control ones weight, but it also combats health conditions and diseases, improves mood, boosts energy, promotes better sleep, and puts the spark back into your sex life. With all these positive aspects related to exercise and sports you do not want to sacrifice a healthy lifestyle in order to look good.  In many ways exercise and hair replacement are related. They both make you look and feel good about yourself, and help one maintain a youthful appearance. With exercise and a hair system you can look and feel your best!

It is possible to wear a hair replacement and continue to exercise; you just have to know about a few related facts.

WEAR THE RIGHT HAIR REPLACEMENT!

I cannot stress this enough, do not get a bonded hair system if you are trying to stay active. When you get a hair replacement system bonded on there is not enough air circulation getting through to your scalp creating a raisin effect. All the moisture from your head ends up on top of your scalp and under your hair system.  Not only is this unsanitary, smelly, inconvenient, but it also creates itching, irritation, and discomfort. In the worst case scenario you can end up with open lesions which can get infected due to the lack of oxygen and amount of dirt and buildup.

A lace piece will provide a lot more air circulation, but remember make sure to eventually take off your piece and wash the scalp underneath to prevent major odor. If you are afraid that the hair piece will not withstand vigorous exercise you can apply a stronger hair replacement tape. Ask your hair replacement provider to order you a two way adhesive tape that is stronger that the regular hair replacement tape.

Another aspect to take into consideration is to not swim in your replacement system. Chlorine is not good for any hairpiece, it can be an easy way to damage your hairpiece, and will reduce its life span. Like with anything else to keep it looking its best you have to take care of it, so take care of yourself and look your best!

Your Friend

David Hansen

Hair Replacement Specialist

www.davidhansen.com

Before You Buy a Hair Replacement (hairpiece, hair system, and toupee) Care and Maintenance

Before you buy your hair replacement you should learn about what is involved in keeping your hair system clean and looking its best.

1. Make sure you get your hair cut by a professional who is in the hair replacement business. Take your time and find the best hair replacement specialist in your area or travel outside to a different state or city. Usually the larger companies are less personal with their clients and their products are not of high quality. Many times they also hire people right from beauty school who do not have the experience in cutting-in hair replacement. Try finding someone who has been in the business for a long time and they know what they are doing. Ask if you could come in and see them work on one of their clients. If a person is confident in their abilities and the final product they will be more likely to let you observe them at work (you want to know what to expect). Since a hairpiece is a long term investment make sure you find the best specialist possible (unfortunately there are few left). Another advantage of getting a hair replacement specialist cut your hair is that they prepare it for the hair replacement system. It lets them study your hair, its movement, what it will and will not do, its texture and feel. Then ounce the time comes that you need to get a hair replacement system your hair will blend a lot better with the system.

2. To extend the longevity of the hair system you should avoid swimming in the system, chlorine, lake water as well as salt water damages the hair. Also avoid having your hairpiece out in direct sunlight or under florescent light for an extended period of time as this oxidizes the hair making it slowly lose its natural color.

3. Make sure you get regular maintenance done on your hair replacement system. As you notice that it is time to get a haircut make sure you go to a hair replacement studio. Bring your hairpiece along for its regular maintenance, at this time you can also bring your other pieces to get cleaned and styled as well. When you get a haircut from a hair replacement specialist they know exactly how to cut your hair so that the hair system blends in without destroying the hair piece. As you take your hair system in the patch material as well as the hair will be cleaned, the hair piece styled so that it is ready to wear. If you need to clean your hair replacement system in between haircuts make sure you take off the tape first. Turn on lukewarm water, come through the hair piece before submerging it into the water (this will prevent major tangling and pulling out of the hair). Wash it with a gentle shampoo moving your hand in circular motions; make sure you rinse out the entire residue. Only towel and air dry your hairpiece using a brush or comb to style it (you should leave the hairdryer drying to a professional). Once again for best maintenance let the professional handle and wash the hair replacement system.

4. Do not use regular hair spray on your hairpiece. This will speed up the oxidation of the hair piece as well as leave residue on the individual strands of hair. This residue is very hard to take off and looks like white dots on the hair. The hair spray will also dry out the hair making it more delicate and brittle. Instead of using hair spray turn to water. Purchase a spray bottle, fill it with water and mist it over the hair system. After it dries it will lock in the desired style. If you have to use hair spray use one designed specifically for hairpieces. I have one that I recommend on my website www.davidhansen.com you can purchase it by calling my salon at 312-943-8171 or emailing me at davidhansen@davidhansen.com (the hair sprays cost $15-$20 each).

5. Do not wear a base ball hat that is fitted too tightly; get them a size or two bigger. This will prevent dents from forming in the hair system.

If you follow these suggestions and have regular maintenance done owning a hair replacement system should be as easy as one, two, there. You wake up put new tape on (if needed, you do not have to replace tape every day. As long as it is still tacky you do not need to put new tape on) put the hair replacement on your head. Comb or pick the hair through, mist with water if needed and you are on your way out.

I hope this blog was informative for more questions you can visit my website provided below or contact me by phone or email I am always glad to help.

David Hansen
www.davidhansen.com
davidhansen@davidhansen.com

Hair Replacement With Rogaine, Minoxidil, Nizoral, and or Propecia.

In my 50 years as a hair replacement specialist I have encountered individuals from all walks of life. Men who have tried it all without getting the results that they desired. This waste of time and money only lead them to irritation and disappointment. After years of getting their hopes up just to realize another product has failed them, they usually decide to go back to or give hair systems (also referred to as hairpieces, toupees, and hair replacement systems) a try or shave their head. Somebody who cares about their appearance and tried so hard to save his hair should not have to shave it off.

The complaint that I found repeating most often was that topical products such as Rogaine, Minoxidil, Nizoral, and or Propecia made the persons hairs fall out. This may not happen right away, but after you don’t see any results and stop using the product your hair falls out. The hairs get so used to the product it falls out without it. Many times clients found their hair falling out even shortly after starting using Rogaine, Minoxidil, Nizoral, and or Propecia, distributors’ claim that this has to take place in order for new hairs to grow but they do not guarantee that the new hair will grow back.

Irritation and dryness of the scalp is also a side effects noticed by many users of Rogaine, Minoxidil, Nizoral, and or Propecia. The high content of alcohol (especially in the Rogaine) makes the hairs dry, brittle, and prone to breakage. This also has a great impact on the scalp, causing dandruff, itchiness, burning, irritation as well as swelling, and blisters.Some men have also noticed a drop in their sexual drive and performance.

Lastly if you do consider gambling with Rogaine, Minoxidil, Nizoral, and or Propecia make sure you are not allergic to the product. Some issues resulting from an allergic reaction are rashes, itching, chest pain, hives, dizziness, lips, fainting, and face. Other side effects include difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, swelling of the mouth or tongue, fast heartbeat, sudden, unexplained weight gain, swollen hands or feet.

David Hansen
www.davidhansen.com