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.

Client Testimony - Do's & Don'ts of Hair Replacement

Here are a few words from one of my satisfied, long time Clients!

Palm Springs "hair replacement" is for men "Wigs" are for women "hair replacement" is for men

I come across many men referring to hair replacement as wigs. After which I have to explain that wigs are for women and that men wear hair replacements, hairpieces, hair systems, toupees, or hair restorations. If a male suffering from hair loss types in wigs into the search engine they will most likely be bombarded by sites dedicated to women. These are not the websites you want to visit because these people do not specialize in men's hair replacement. You will receive a much better service at a company that specializes in ether men or women. Also while looking for a hair replacement provider make sure you do not get sucked into a hairpiece contract and that you are not dealing with a large chain (usually in larger companies you get worse quality of product and service). Sticking with a small local hair replacement studio that specializes in a specific gender and has years of experience is your best bet to get phenomenal hairpiece results.

PS. For best results buy a custom made hair system.

Hair Replacement Specialist
David Hansen
www.davidhansen.com

Hiar-Esteem

When someone begins to develop or notice hair loss, it can have an overwhelming affect to their life and  age, stress and even sickness, but in most cases it’s self esteem.  Hair loss, especially when first occurring, can lead to rash decisions. Dealing with the reality of the issue can be very traumatic for both men and women.  Regardless of the situation, the best thing to do is research your treatment options before making a decision.  Hair loss is often affiliated with old actually a hereditary matter.  Either way, your self esteem is put to the test.  We live in a world that advertises: having a head full of long healthy hair is beautiful.  Today’s society values good hair and studies even show hair implies power, virility, strength and youth.  This causes many to struggle with many other aspects of life like love and the work environment.  These everyday situations can bring on stress that may worsen the matter.  Stress related to hair loss can result in various psychological and emotional issues.  These include insecurity, isolation, panic, a sense of loss, and even depression.  Seek the proper professional help to guide you in the path of living a normal life and assist you with the mental aspect of the circumstances. Hair loss is a condition and not a handicap.  There are many different viable options that are available, which are evolving every day, to better aid the many people who struggle with hair loss.  Look into the latest and updated techniques that specialist offer, making sure you’re a candidate for the procedure and that the satisfied results are guaranteed.   Just remember and few basic points:  #1. Find out the cause of your hair loss problem.   #2. Research your options and the specialist in the field.  #3. Never make rash decisions for desperate results.  And #4. Never let hair loss get in the way of your life!     

Good Luck & Good Looking!

David Hansen,

The Ultimate Men’s Hairstylist & Hairpiece Specialist

www.davidhansen.com

 Chicago, IL

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