Do what you love, and you'll never work a day in your life!

The average adult changes careers approximately 7 times during their life. Why do you think that is? People settle on careers every day. Performing the same daily tasks can quickly become monotonous if you aren't interested in what you are doing. So many people, probably yourself at some point, have switched jobs just for a change of pace. 

So, why not do something you love? Start in a broad area, gain experience, and eventually you will be able to zero in on something you are absolutely passionate about.  This is the path that David Hansen chose to take that eventually led to his 50+ year (and counting!) career in Men's Custom Hair Replacement.  

Born the son of an Illinois barber, David lived in the back of a barber shop during the majority of his childhood. From an early age he was exposed to the world of hair design, watching thousands of haircuts being performed. At the age of 12 he began to cut hair for his friends and class mates. This was the foundation of his career. As he learned the tricks of the trade from his father, he eventually decided that hair dressing, rather than traditional barbering, was more his style.

 In 1962, David moved to Chicago.  He took a job at Chicago's famous Continental Barber Salon, where he worked with the best stylists from all over Europe. He studied their techniques, which were new to him and the United States, and became so proficient he quickly became the most popular stylist at the shop. Impressed by his boss' many trophies, he asked for some advice on how to win some of his own. He agreed to show David the ropes of not just styling natural hair, but how to create and style men's hairpieces.  He began to enter and win styling competitions, then hairpiece competitions.  It was then, after over a decade of learning different areas under the broad umbrella of the hair world, that David found his absolute passion. 

 David Hansen opened his first Custom Hair Restoration Salon for Men in 1965. He was so enthusiastic about his craft that he continued participating in Men's Hair Replacement competitions, and teaching other barbers and hairdressers his craft. When he would meet someone with skills unbeknownst to him, he would show not jealousy, but an incredible desire to learn from them. He had a desire to be the very best, not for bragger's rights, but to be able to give men who are suffering a hairpiece that was absolutely realistic and completely undetectable.  

His business grew exponentially over the years. Although success was always a friend to him, he observed that as his business grew, the less of a difference there was between his pieces and the inferior ones of his flashier rivals.  in 1980, he downsized, getting back to a more personal relationship with his customers. He vowed to work on each person that walked through the door himself, and that each piece he created would be even more realistic than the next. 

The love for what he does has kept him in business with a loyal and steady clientele ever since. He holds himself to a higher standard, able to find the balance between functionality and style.  Many of our clients have commented that he knows their hair better than they do. He will work on each piece until it is to the exact specifications it ought to be.  By the time a client walks out the door, there is no indication whatsoever that he is wearing a Hair Replacement System. 

The passion David Hansen has for the work that he does reflects in the quality of each piece he creates. His love for his art has given him over 50 years of experience, and over 50 years as the very best in his field. He is an inspiration for me, and all those that meet him.  

How To Pick A Base

The Base of the Hair Piece is the foundation of a hair restoration system.  Hair can be attached to a base in several different ways, and bases are made of many different materials. So how do you know what to look for in a base?  How do you know what type of base is right for you? Here's a list of common ones, including what we use at David Hansen Custom Hair Replacement.

1. The skin injected hair replacement is one of the newer forms of hair piece bases. The injected skin is an exceptionally thin base. Each hair is injected rather than knotted into the hair replacement system.  Since the hair is injected into the base at various angles it replicates natural hair well, however it restricts the movement of the hair.  The injected skin replacement systems are much more delicate than a fine welded mono system because the entire system is made from a thin, transparent, skin like material. Though they are comfortable, they also have the highest risk of tearing.

2. Polymer hairpiece bases are made of silicone or polyurethane, and are made to look and almost feel like your own skin. They are made of stronger materials than French and Swiss-lace bases, so they are very durable, easy to care for, and long-lasting. The hairline of the piece should be made of lace to create a more natural look, since the polymer itself has a plastic-like look to it. Also, the silicone or polyurethane base can become very hot, sticky and uncomfortable -- even in cooler weather.

3. French lace is one of the most common hair piece bases for both men and women. French lace is incredibly thin, light and almost undetectable. This base also helps keep your hairpiece looking natural and feeling snug. For an even more fine base, choose a Swiss-lace base. This ultra-thin lace base is almost completely invisible. The only draw back to the extra-fine Swiss-lace base is that it is so delicate, it calls for special care to prevent it from tearing or becoming ruined.

4. Monofilament bases are similar to the look and feel of the French- and Swiss-lace bases but are not made of lace. The stiff monofilament conforms to the shape of the head is able to hold the shape. One drawback of the monofilament, similar to the silicone or polyurethane hairpiece bases, is that you will need to add lace to the front of the base to keep your hairpiece looking natural and more like your own hair.

5. Fine welded mono is a lace base system with each individual hair hand tied into the lace. Each hair is added independently by hand to match the hairs color and texture. The fine welded mono is entirely composed of a lace material. The way David Hansen designs the fine welded mono systems is to look natural, placing the patch material half an inch under the edge to soften the hair line. This enables you to achieve an undetectable and natural looking hair line. The patch material used for the fine welded mono pieces is a thin bio skin which mimics the color of your own skin, similar but sturdier than the one used in an injected skin base. This makes it harder for anyone to notice the base material that is on your hair replacement system.The fine welded mono is excellent in any climate, since it is well ventilated and allows the scalp to breathe. The fine welded mono base is very light weight and far more durable than a skin injected base. These bases also keep their original form, ensuring a perfect fit every time. These are the bases that we use at David Hansen, since they are the only option that offers the complete package-durable, comfortable, breathes easy on the scalp, lightweight, and completely undetectable. 

The Hairpiece: You Get What You Pay For

Think of a hairpiece as you would a new suit, as something to compliment your appearance.

    If you visited a tailor to have a suit made, he would take your precise measurements, inquire as to your intended use for the outfit, and then, together, you would select the cloth for the garment. After you left his shop, he would spend hours carefully sewing the suit to meet your specifications.

    If the price of a tailored suit were above your means, but you still desired quality, chances are your next choice would be a selection from a reputable men's store. You would have several ready-made outfits from which to chose, most of which would be carefully-sewn copies of creations by well-known designers. Of course, the fit wouldn't be as perfect as that of a tailor-made suit, but most of these stores have someone available to make required alterations, enabling you to still be a well-dressed man.

    The final alternative available to you would be to settle for a ready-made suit off the rack in some discount house. In most cases an alternations man wouldn't be on hand, so you would have to settle for a suit closet to, but not exactly, your size. More than likely, this would not be a suit in which you would gain extra pride by simply feeling its cloth or by examining its workmanship, but at least it would serve its purpose. Your outfit would be another one of many mass-produced garments that is just a suit, nothing more.

    And so it is with hairpieces. They range from the tailor-made exclusives all the way to those that will just get by. If you are concerned enough about your appearance to even consider buying a hairpiece, you should ask for one that is the closest to your natural hair as possible, one that will serve you well and be a wise investment.

    Remember, a hairpiece should be the most personal and individual component of your wardrobe.

davidhansen.com

Things to know when living with a hairpiece

Things to know when living with a hairpiece

When a person starts to wear a hair replacement system, there are certain things they must know in order to have it look natural and last for as long as possible. Here I will explain how it is to live with one and still live your daily life.

When thinking of getting a custom-made hairpiece, it would typically take 6-8 weeks from order date to come in to get it to the right specifications. The specifications would include color, texture, wave pattern of your natural hair and style. Reasons for that are not only to give the natural look but also to prevent any changes to the style when you come in for fitting of hairpiece.

Typically, a hairpiece can weigh about 2 ounces. It weighs that little after the cut and styling with your own natural hair. This is an advantage for you since it will feel undetectable and blend in with your own.

If you have read my previous blogs, I have stated that a tape on hairpiece is the best way and most sanitized way to wear a hair replacement system compared to when you bond on a hairpiece. It takes just a few minutes to put tape on the hairpiece. The tape used would be double-sided tape, and all that is needed is a few small pieces. When put on properly and when applied to a clean scalp, the hairpiece will not budge. Winds would blow YOU away before the hairpiece!

The hair replacement specialist will explain and show you how to place and tape on the hairpiece. If you can spare 3-4 minutes a day and have a wide-tooth comb or a bristle brush, a tape on hairpiece is for you. With time and more practice, you will probably do it with-in 1-2 minutes.  That type of comb and/or brush is best not only for your hairpiece but also for your own natural hair.

For the hairpiece to last the longest and keep looking its best, it is best not to shower and sleep in it. If you leave the hairpiece on, you are shortening the life of it. Your hairpiece is like clothing; you wouldn’t shower or sleep in it if you intend to wear it continuously. It also best not to swim or do strenuous activities outdoors whiling wearing it. Extensive sun can also cause the hairpiece to lighten in color, as much as 3-4 shades lighter. It is best and also suggested to have a synthetic one to knock around in and also your custom made hairpiece for all other activities.

When the hairpiece is in need of a servicing, bring it to your hair replacement specialist. The hairpiece is just like a car, you would take it to a mechanic unless you are a mechanic yourself, and it goes the same for the hairpiece. It must be cleaned with special fluid that performs best only by a professional. Typically, every time you would need a haircut, the hairpiece should be treated just as good.

A hairpiece, if taken care of, would last up to a year and maybe longer, with few or no adjustments or repairs required. The main “repairs” needed for a hairpiece is re-coloring, addition of more hair, and/or replacement of base.  It may seem like a custom made hairpiece is expensive but it would be well worth the money in the end compared to a stock piece, which you would probably have to keep buying month after month and end up paying the same amount. Quality is always better than quantity. Hope this helped to give some answers and feedback. Good Luck & Good Looking

David Hansen,

The Ultimate Mens Hairstylist & Hairpiece Specialist

Chicago, IL

www.davidhansen.com

312-943-8171

How to choose best hair loss system from best person

How to choose best hair loss system from best person

     By researching and investing the time to find the right hair replacement system, you will save money and time in the end. You can avoid disappointment with the finished product with the right start. To start you should have trust in an expert of hair systems. When you have that trust, you will feel safe and you will know “the expert” will help you look good.

         I believe you should stay away from mail-order hairpieces and pre-styled creations. It is preferably best to buy a hairpiece from experts that specialize in manufacturing their own custom-made hair replacement system. Only then will you own a quality, customized product. With a custom-made hairpiece, you’re measured with all the curves and shapes it has to perfect the fit of the hair system, to give it the right fit. With mail order, you get none of those specifications, which means the hairpiece might not “fit like a glove”. The correct hair replacement system is kind of like a good suit. You are measured over all to perfect the fit, so you will look good. You can choose the quality of material by how good you want to look, same goes for hairpieces. You will pay more to look your best, cotton vs. silk as mail order vs. custom-made. The right stylist will give you the correct option in their eyes for the best beneficial result for you, and not only be anxious to see money in the end.

  The steps involved in this is an interview and asking the right questions to decide if a hairpiece is in the right category for you. Asking a client questions about daily life activities will also clarify their wants/needs for the hair replacement system. A hairpiece is not a fountain of youth. Although it does help and take some years off a person’s age, it will not help you look like you did in your twenties. After the interview, the design and measurement are taken into account. Texture and color are also taken into account so that the custom-made hairpiece will look just as natural and blend in with your real hair. Amount of hair is decided on if you need a partial or a full cap hair loss system. Production of hairpiece does usually take 6-8 weeks, but that is only to benefit client into assembling hairpiece to perfection. As soon as hairpiece is completed, client is called in to get cut and styled with hairpiece on for the best look possible. Only then is when your new hair be secured into the right position.

        David Hansen’s sale is not complete until you (the client) is completely satisfied. I look to create a bond between barber and customer. I guarantee that hair replacement systems I create live up to the workmanship and quality of materials agreed upon. If any more questions feel free to ask me, I’m more than willing to give an honest opinion about the matter.  

David Hansen

The Ultimate Mens Hairstylist & Hairpiece Specialist

Chicago, Il

www.davidhansen.com

312-943-8171

What is your best choice? Tape On or Bonding a Hair Piece?

What is your best choice? Tape On or Bonding a Hair Piece?

With so many products out there to choose from it is hard to decide which is the best hair loss solution. Mother Nature changes her mood every day and you shouldn’t have to struggle with decisions such as that.

Since the hot and humid summer days are upon us people tend to perspire more than usual. It is during these days that having a hair replacement held on with tape is ideal, you can still enjoy most of your regular activities without worrying that the hair piece will fall off. The tape is made form two-way adhesive, strong and hypo-allergenic material. A custom made hair piece designed specifically for you can be ventilated, this allows your scalp to“breath”. You also have the option of taking the hair replacement system off in order to clean your scalp whenever necessary. The amount of tape needed varies depending on how much you perspire and the activities involved in your everyday life. A single piece can be used for a couple days or changed daily.

                                                           

Bonding is Semi-permanent which means it gets glued on for a relatively long time(1month to 3 months) without the option of taking the system off. There are both good and bad aspects associated with this method of hair replacement attachment. You don’t have to worry about your hair piece coming off in water, or about applying tape daily or every other day. The flaw in this becomes that because the piece is wore 24/7 its lifespan is very short. This leads to expensive routine visits to hair loss professional so that the hair replacement system can be removed/replaced and clean. Not giving the scalp enough breathing room can cause more damage to the hair that is left over and trying to grow. This is also very unsanitary resulting in unpleasant odor, as well as a collection of dead skins and oils underneath the piece. For some people leaving the hairpiece on without taking it off can also cause irritated skin and cause open cuts on scalp.

I prefer tape-on because it is simpler, sanitary, and more affordable. My clients enjoy this easier way of maintenance with fewer problems. I can show each individual how to switch tape on the hair loss system to make the process faster by the minute and EASIER for each and every individual. Being you have male pattern baldness, or hair loss from a medical condition (alopecia, chemotherapy), it is best to research your options and choose the right hair replacement system for you. Tape on and bonding each have its own pros and cons, but in the end it is always up to you.

Thank You,

David Hansen

www.davidhansen.com

Summer is here, time to look great

With summer here people tend to be more self-conscious about their looks. With that in mind we live in a world where good looks and a good set of healthy hair is beautiful. In the world of hairpieces the same motto applies. Researching options and finding the right solution to give you that self esteem boost will not only improve your attitude but will give you an aura and everybody will be able to sense it. In my profession clients ask me plenty of questions about the right hair loss solution from stress causing male pattern baldness to a medical condition, such as chemotherapy. Where there is a will there is a way, and I can make that way happen.

The best method for you will be chosen with the right research, being surgical or non-surgical. Non-surgical hair replacement is non invasive, so usually is pain free, compared to surgical where “surgery” is needed. Surgical is also not always guaranteed that the balding area will take, it is also expensive, painful and time consuming. Non surgical is the safest way in restoring your natural hair. Although some companies pride in stock pieces with low prices, I, David Hansen, pride myself in the custom made hair pieces that are specifically molded to fit a clients head that are worth the money in the long run.

Having a background and business of well over 50 years, a non surgical hair piece made with my help, would be the most resourceful and most stress free way to go. David Hansen offers the highest quality, undetectable hair system that are custom made for every individual to fit their everyday needs.

Thank you,

David Hansen

www.davidhansen.com