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!

Refer a friend or family member!

Know someone who could use some help dealing with their hair loss issues.  

 Send them my way for a David Hansen Experience! 

A hairpiece created by David Hansen inspires confidence in the way you and feel.

The Ultimate hairpiece designer

Contact Us Today!!!!!!    312.943.8171   or   www.davidhansen.com

*No Contracts    * Free Consultations     *50 years experience     *Custom made

Your insurance company may pick up your bill for your hairpiece purchase!

Did you know if you are someone who is dealing with alopecia, medical related balding or cancer related chemotherapy and/or radiation and need to wear a hair system, toupee, wig, or hairpiece, that your health insurance plan may cover the full cost.  You’ll be surprised to know that most insurance companies will cover between 80 - 100% of a “cranial prosthesis.”  Insurance companies are starting to realize the important role that cranial hair prosthesis plays in the life of someone suffering with the side effects of these medical conditions. 

Here are a few tips that may help you figure out if you can go through your insurance and be reimbursed for your new purchase.

- When filing your claim, be sure to refer to your hair system as a cranial hair prosthesis   

- Read over your policy and double check your coverage portion. 

  (Make sure your policy covers expenses for prosthesis or prosthetics)

- Request a prescription from your physician for your full or partial cranial prosthesis

- Check with your physician for details and referrals for proper specialists and procedures in the field

-Write a letter to your insurance company to clarify the necessity of your prosthesis

- Make sure you, your physician and your specialist fill out and sign all proper documents

- Be sure to keep personal copies of all your paperwork and invoices  

Good Luck & Good Looking!

David Hansen

www.davidhansen.com

Preparing for Hereditary Balding

Dealing with the first stages of Hereditary Balding?

 

If you know your future, know your options!

David Hansen Studio is here to help you.

www.davidhansen.com

312.943.8171

Chicago, IL 60654

Male Pattern Baldness

Have a question about Hair Systems or Hair Replacements?

Send us an e-mail to: 

davidhansen@davidhansen.com 

Get help with information, buying and 

managing your hair systems.

www.davidhansen.com

312.943.8171

Chicago, IL 60654

Hair Replacement With Rogaine, Minoxidil, Nizoral, and or Propecia.

In my 50 years as a hair replacement specialist I have encountered individuals from all walks of life. Men who have tried it all without getting the results that they desired. This waste of time and money only lead them to irritation and disappointment. After years of getting their hopes up just to realize another product has failed them, they usually decide to go back to or give hair systems (also referred to as hairpieces, toupees, and hair replacement systems) a try or shave their head. Somebody who cares about their appearance and tried so hard to save his hair should not have to shave it off.

The complaint that I found repeating most often was that topical products such as Rogaine, Minoxidil, Nizoral, and or Propecia made the persons hairs fall out. This may not happen right away, but after you don’t see any results and stop using the product your hair falls out. The hairs get so used to the product it falls out without it. Many times clients found their hair falling out even shortly after starting using Rogaine, Minoxidil, Nizoral, and or Propecia, distributors’ claim that this has to take place in order for new hairs to grow but they do not guarantee that the new hair will grow back.

Irritation and dryness of the scalp is also a side effects noticed by many users of Rogaine, Minoxidil, Nizoral, and or Propecia. The high content of alcohol (especially in the Rogaine) makes the hairs dry, brittle, and prone to breakage. This also has a great impact on the scalp, causing dandruff, itchiness, burning, irritation as well as swelling, and blisters.Some men have also noticed a drop in their sexual drive and performance.

Lastly if you do consider gambling with Rogaine, Minoxidil, Nizoral, and or Propecia make sure you are not allergic to the product. Some issues resulting from an allergic reaction are rashes, itching, chest pain, hives, dizziness, lips, fainting, and face. Other side effects include difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, swelling of the mouth or tongue, fast heartbeat, sudden, unexplained weight gain, swollen hands or feet.

David Hansen
www.davidhansen.com