David Hansen's Hairpiece Repairs: How to Make a Good Thing Last!

ATTENTION: TO ALL WEARERS OF HAIR REPLACEMENT SYSTEMS!

Is your hairpiece losing hair?

Does your hairpiece have a torn base?

Does your natural hair have more grey than your hairpiece?

Before you toss it, bring it in to us!

David Hansen Custom Hair Replacement for Men now offers hairpiece repairs, Hair

Additions (colored and grey), Base Repairs, And MORE! 

We offer base repairs, hairpiece alterations, hair additions for thinning pieces, and gray/white additions to keep the piece consistent with your natural hair color to ensure an undetectable look. Our ventilator, Mimi, has over 40 years experience with Custom Hair System reconstruction and Repair. Mimi adds the hair, strand by strand, tying specific knots to allow each individual hair complete mobility on the base. So it moves just like real hair!

At David Hansen Custom Hair Replacement, We Do ON-SITE Hair Piece Repairs, so you can simply bring it by if you live in the Chicagoland area! Most repairs take 2-4 hours, so same-day pickup is usually possible. Please allow 4 working days' notice for all hairpiece repairs. 

Don't live near Downtown Chicago? That's not a problem. You can also Mail in you hair piece from anywhere in the country to get it repaired! First, send us a picture of your hairpiece at davidhansen@davidhansen.com. Let us know what repairs or additions you would like in the email. We will send you a free personalized quote with a time estimation and availability for your piece to be repaired. Then, mail your hair replacement to:

David Hansen Custom Hair Replacement for Men

770 N. LaSalle suite 200 north, 

Chicago, IL 60654. 

We will repair your Hairpiece NO MATTER WHERE you got them! Thats right, David Hansen Custom Hair Replacement for Men will repair your Hairpieces from other manufacturers!

Still not sure if we are worth it? Try us out without ANY risk whatsoever- ALL of our Consultations are FREE. Bring us your Hairpieces that are missing hair, need new hair added, or that need other form of repair.  This includes lace patching, base repair, and adding grey/white hair. At David Hansen Custom Hair Replacement, we want to see you and your Hairpiece looking your very best! 

Questions or Comments Regarding our Hairpiece Repairs? 

1. Leave a comment below,

2. Email us at davidhansen@davidhansen.com, or

3. Call us between 10am-6pm, Monday-Saturday at 312-943-8171

How to Extend the Life of Your Hair Piece

Custom hair pieces are made with precision and superior materials, so they can be pricey. However, this can be a very worthy investment if you take proper care of your piece.  A well made piece can cost about $1500-1700. If it is also cared for, cleaned regularly and stored correctly, it can last for up to 10 years. When you break that down, that is roughly 50 cents a day for the hair piece.

So what are the best steps to take to make a hair piece last 10 years? The answers are very simple. It only takes a few little things each day to keep your hair piece soft, flexible, and looking like new.

1. The method of adhesive used to attach a hair piece is crucial in determining its life expectancy.  Using a bonding (glue) method requires constant wear for 2-3 months at a time. This will shorten the life of the hair piece by 75%. Even the most durable natural human hair piece will only last 2-3 years when using the bonding method.  Surgical tape is inexpensive, easy to change, and allows the wearer to remove and adjust the hair piece while still providing a secure hold. A hair piece secured with surgical tape WILL last longer than a bonded piece. To learn a little more about tape vs. bonding, read our previous posts.

2. Keep your head clean. A hair piece can take on excess oil from the scalp if it is worn for too long and become dirty. It is also the cause of hair pieces sliding around on the head. The excess oil from the scalp damages the adhesive of the tape and makes it less effective.  Always thoroughly shampoo the hair AND scalp to ensure the piece stays clean and creates a clean surface for secure attachment.

3. Keep your piece clean. Hair pieces do not need to be washed as often as live hair, and they can dry out and turn a yellowish hue if shampooed too frequently or with shampoos that contain sulfates. Hair restoration salons like David Hansen Studios clean pieces with the proper tools and shampoos when clients come in for haircuts every 4-6 weeks.

4. Know when to take your hair piece off. Take your piece off before showering and sleeping. If you are going to swim with your head UNDER the water, take it off. It is that simple. Shampooing the piece with regular hair will cause it to age quickly. Sleeping in the piece can cause matting that has to be brushed out with force, causing the piece to lose hair and develop bald patches. If you are going into a pool, but do not plan on getting your head wet, you can wear it.  Chlorine and other salts and minerals that are found in pools, oceans, and other bodies of water make the hair brittle and cause it to break easily and often.  Taking your hair piece off at these times WILL protect the integrity of the hair and extend the life of your piece.

5.  Change the tape. A clean scalp can allow  you to re-use tape once on occasion. Check the tape on the piece after removing it. Press your finger to it to check the tackiness. If the tape has lost its stickiness, remove it and replace it. Putting new tape on top of old tape (layering) can cause the adhesive to melt and create a very sticky mess that will need additional cleaning. Tape is inexpensive and can be purchased pre-cut from David Hansen. It's so simple!

A lot of keeping a hair piece clean comes back to common sense. By creating good hair piece habits, you can enjoy your custom made hair replacement system for years to come!

Getting Ready for Your New Hairpiece

If you have decided to invest in a custom hairpiece for the first time, congratulations! Custom pieces are the best way to give you that flawless look. And, as with everything, the better prepared you are to be fitted for your piece, the easier the process. Here are a few steps you can take to ensure a pleasant, productive road to your perfect hair.

1. Let it grow!
When you come in for your first visit, we take a hair sample and draw a map of your hairline.  A perfect hair sample is between 2 and 3 inches long. At this length, we will be able to match 100% human hair to your color and texture. If your hair is too short, you'll have to come back once your hair has reached the right length. Letting your hair grow in advance will allow us to map your hairline clearly and get a good hair sample.

2. Know your options. 
Custom hair pieces are usually attached in one of two ways, bonding and tape. It is VERY important to know the differences between these two methods. While bonding (glue) allows the wearer to keep their hair attached for months at a time, the scalp can become irritated and sticky from nonstop wear. Surgical tape requires the wearer to take the piece off before sleeping and showering. Following the tape method not only extends the life of your piece by years, but is a much healthier option for your scalp. You can read our blog on bonding vs. tape for more information.

3. Keep your head clean. 
A clean, dry scalp will hold tape securely all day, and sometimes for a second day,  depending on how much oil your skin produces. However, excess oil buildup and combined with the natural heat that your head produces will cause bonding glue and surgical tape both to become gummy and messy, with a much weaker hold. Our pieces have the lightest bases that are professionally ventilated. This allows your scalp to breathe and gives you the most comfortable fit. They also blend right in to your scalp, making it impossible to distinguish from your natural hair. Wash your scalp and your natural hair (not your piece!) daily.

4. Keep your hairpiece clean. 
Remove used tape from your piece one it has lost its tackiness. Some people may be able to use the same tape for a second day if their scalp is kept very clean and does not produce much oil. Placing new tape directly over the used tape can cause a sticky buildup that slides around on the scalp. Changing your tape regularly will ensure a secure, comfortable hold each day and will also extend the life of your hair piece.

5. Take it to the cleaners. 
Hair pieces require a gentler brand of care than natural hair. It can dry easily if washed frequently, and can also oxidize (takes on a yellowish hue) if exposed to shampoos with salts, or if frequently exposed to intense sunlight.  Avoid hairspray as well; it contains alcohol that severely dries out the hair. Brushing your piece will remove most dust particles that collect. We recommend that you bring your hair piece back to us every 3 months for a professional shampoo and re-styling. We use sulfate and salt-free shampoos that maintain the integrity of the hair. Regular cleanings will keep your piece in good shape for years to come.

I hope that these tips have helped you better prepare for your new hair piece. Sticking with these simple steps will help you extend the life of your hair piece, giving you a wonderful experience for years to come.

Pain Free Hair Pieces Compared to Micrografts

Pain Free Hair Pieces Compared to Micrografts

There are plenty of causes for losing of hair and balding, be it hereditary baldness or from a medical illness or treatment (alopecia, chemotherapy, etc) but there are only a few solutions to treat it. A person might choose the medical treatment and undergo the pain of dealing with the incisions of the cutting and placing of the hairs and then have to deal with the healing time period known as getting a micrograft

               

A better solution is to wear a custom made hair piece specifically made to your specifications. I would give you the option of a full cap or partial hair piece fit to your needs. This hair system gives you natural look to the best hair replacement method in Chicago without the pain.

David Hansen,

The Ultimate Hairpiece designer & Specialist 

www.davidhansen.com

312.943.8171