Cosmetic Hair Loss Solutions (cont.)

Hair Systems and wigs

Hair systems, as they’ve become euphemistically known in recent times refer to nothing more than a wig or a toupee. Admittedly they have come a very long way in recent times in terms of appearance, fit, and bonding, but nevertheless they are simply a mat of hair placed over the balding area and groomed to blend with your natural hair. Some absolutely stunning results can be achieved using this method. Of course, the look, fit and feel of a hairpiece will vary depending on the type of hairpiece used, and the skill of the wigmaker in cutting and fitting the hairpiece. Hairpieces are made of two different types of hair – human hair and synthetic hair. Obviously a better quality hairpiece is made from human hair, but this is also reflected in the cost. At the upper end of the cost scale, you can expect to go for a number of ‘fittings’ in order to get the perfect cut, fit, and blend for your hairpiece, and in normal situations you would purchase two hairpieces as you then always have one while the other is in for ‘maintenance’. A hairpiece can range from a simple mass produced wig, to a fully customized tailor made hair unit with real hair. As with most things, it comes down to how much you’re prepared to pay.

A hairpiece is attached to the scalp in a number of different ways, depending on the type of hairpiece selected. Fastening can be achieved by the use of clips, adhesive tape or a bonding agent that literally glues the hairpiece to your scalp. Another method is ‘hair weaving' where existing hair of the patient is woven through the base of the hairpiece and the unit is fixed in place. This of course requires regular tightening as the natural hair grows out. All of these methods have their upsides and downsides and will depend largely on your expectations of the hairpiece. Be wary of the ‘maintenance’ costs of owning a hairpiece, particularly if the manufacturer claims it is proprietary in any way. That is to say that only they can perform the maintenance required on the unit. This is where many suppliers of hair systems make the most of their money, as they essentially have you as a recurring customer for life. Before making a decision to purchase any one particular hair system, it is always a good idea to shop around and compare units, prices, and maintenance fees.