Hair Restoration and Replacement

When I first starting researching what to do about my hair loss I came across the term Hair Replacement System and I really didn’t know what it meant. It sounded like some sort of high tech treatment for hair loss that was revolutionary and completely different than anything I had seen before. Imagine my surprise when I realized it was really just a toupee with a new name. I thought, “that’s not very interesting.” But then I started to do some research and I realized the hair systems of today are completely different from what we knew even twenty years ago.

I’m sure you are very familiar with the old comedy movies that always made fun of a guy with a toupee or hair piece. Invariably the piece would fall off at the worst time, usually when he was eating his soup or trying to impress a pretty woman. The wearers of toupees saw this also and they started to be the butt of many jokes. This eventually caused a dramatic decline in their use. In fact, the number of hair pieces sold today is a small fraction of the number sold in the 1950’s and 60’s. The manufacturers saw this decline and realized they had to do something fast before their business slipped into oblivion. They decided to change the name and improve the product. Classic marketing 101.

Men’s Hair Systems

The hair replacement systems of today are much improved over their counter parts from forty or fifty years ago. One of the big improvements is in how the hair piece is attached to the head. It used to be that a rubber band was used to keep the hair in place. This invariably came loose and allowed the toupee to slip or fall off. Today, high tech adhesive systems are used which allow the wearer to swim, play sports, and even go out in a hurricane. The adhesive is applied to the scalp and the toupee is then placed where it is desired. This allows the piece to actually stay attached for weeks at a time so you don’t have to take it off at night any more. Usually, the hair replacement systems of today are worn for an extended period of time and then returned to the manufacturer for cleaning while a spare is then worn. This works great to keep the hair looking fresh while still covering up the bald spot.

If you want even more attachment you can get a hair weave system. With this type of system the natural hair is actually weaved through the base material of the toupee and combined with the hair attached to base. This gives an even more natural look than the hair system by itself. The problem with this idea is that it actually exacerbates the hair loss of the patient. In a condition known as Traction Alopecia this weaving actually causes the remaining hair to break off at the scalp or fall out and thus make the hair loss even worse. Weaves are not as popular as they once were.

Hair Extension systems

A place where weaving is still effective is in hair extension systems. Using a hair extension involves adding a partial covering of the head instead of a full coverage like you find with hair replacement systems. The extension is weaved into the hair in such a way that it is unnoticeable from the surrounding hair. If you use hair extensions them be careful because it can also cause Traction Alopecia.

Natural Hair System

Of course when choosing the proper system for your situation you will need to determine whether you desire human hair or artificial hair. Although there have been many advances in the manufacture of man-made hair material it still does not match the look and feel of natural hair. If you are going to spend the money for a high quality hair replacement system you might as well get the top of the line and that means human hair.

As you can see the old name toupee really should be thrown by the wayside. The new hair systems are much better looking and stay where they should. If you don’t find out more about this way to deal with hair loss then you are short changing yourself.