The Definition
A hair system (i.e. hair unit, non-surgical hair replacement, hair piece, male wig, toupee) is real human hair or artificially made hair attached to a base material like lace or polyurethane (PU).
The Benefits
These systems are worn to cover a part of the scalp that has lost hair. Hair systems are said to be "non-surgical" because they provide men who have male pattern baldness an opportunity to conceal their hair loss with an immediate, effective, and naturally looking solution without the need of surgery. It is securely attached to the scalp with a skin friendly adhesive (glue or tape).
The Long-Term Care
Every new system should be fitted and applied by a professional; however, the system can be removed and reapplied at home for proper maintenance.
General
NSHR involves the careful selection and attachment of high quality hair systems by matching the hair color, texture, style, and lifestyle. The process begins with the consultation to determine the scalp area and customization of the hair system to fit individual needs. Then during the installation appointment the hair system will be meticulously attached to the scalp and blended to create a natural appearance. In order to do the installation, once we have decided the best placement for your hairline, we will then remove the hair on that area to securely attach the system onto the scalp. After the hair system is secured, we will blend the hair system into the biological hair to make the two look seamless together.
NSHR is a semi permanent solution. While the hair systems are designed to be durable, they will require periodical maintenance, adjustments, and replacements to accommodate natural hair growth and changes.
The lifespan of a hair system is all dependent on you and how well you care for and maintain it. We use three different types of hair systems, each with a different average lifespan:
Absolutely. NSHR is a versatile solution that can address various stages of hair loss, from early signs of thinning hair to more advanced stages of balding.
NSHR is often considered the best solution for men who are balding due to its numerous advantages:
Cost & Maintenance
NSHR Consultation: $50 · NSHR Installation: $600 · NSHR Maintenance: $150
Some men opt to do their maintenance at home, but I do not recommend doing this until you are familiar with the hair system.
Caring for your system is simple. You will only need to shampoo and condition once a week, apply leave-in conditioner once daily, and brush/style your hair system just as you would your natural hair. I will provide detailed care instructions and recommend suitable products to maintain the quality and longevity of your hair system.
Maintenance means the hair system will be removed, the scalp and hair system will be cleaned, and then the hair system will be reapplied. This has to be done every 7 days to 4 weeks depending on method of application and person. On average, maintenance will be done every 3 weeks. If you plan on doing your maintenance at home, I recommend the tape application due to it being easier to clean and reapply. Some clients only come in when they need new hair systems and do all of their maintenance at home. It all varies on lifestyle, body chemistry, and care for the hair system.
In some cases, your insurance may cover this based on what type of hair loss you are suffering from. The key is to obtain a prescription for a "cranial prosthesis" from your doctor or physician, including medical code A9282. Make sure the prescription does not say "wig" — a wig is a fashion item and is therefore not medically necessary. Your prescription will include a procedure code used to submit your insurance claim. In most cases you are limited to one claim per year.
Additional costs would include shampoos, conditioners, leave-in conditioners, a good brush, a silk pillowcase, and styling products. If you plan on doing your maintenance at home you will also need tape or glue and a cleaning solvent.
Lifestyle
Absolutely. Only avoid swimming for the first 24-48 hours after applying the hair system. When showering, do your best to avoid getting the system wet unless you are washing it, especially around the hairline and edges, to increase hold times. Swimming is completely okay to do with your hair system. After swimming, be sure to shampoo and condition all of the salt or chlorine out as it can dry out and damage the hair if left in.
Absolutely. Hair systems are designed to be lightweight and breathable, allowing for a comfortable sleep with no discomfort or irritation. We recommend using a silk or satin pillowcase to avoid tangling or knotting.
Hair systems are crafted and designed to be virtually undetectable. The seamless blending and natural appearance of the hair system will ensure that people won't be able to tell that you're wearing a hair system, unless you choose to tell them.
Yes, it is human hair. However, I only recommend depositing color and not trying to lighten the hair. Sometimes hair systems do not take well with lighteners. If you want highlights, we recommend getting a hair system that is the color of the highlights you want and then coloring the rest of the hair system to match your biological hair.
It can be from time to time, depending on the application method. When the hair underneath starts to grow back, sometimes that can cause itchiness, but nothing intolerable.
Other
The base we choose will be based on breathability, durability, and the most natural hairline. If you are an active person who wants a more breathable option, a lace hair system with perimeter bonding will be best. Skin hair systems are still breathable, just not as much as lace. Thin skin hair systems would be best if exposing the hairline, although they typically have a shorter lifespan due to the super realistic appearance. You can always change which base you want when it is time for your next install.
Bonding methods are chosen based on your lifestyle and scalp health. If you are an avid sweater or have an oily scalp, a silicone or acrylic based glue or tape would be recommended. Most tapes we use are hypoallergenic. Water based glues can provide great hold and easy cleanup for those who don't sweat as much. Tape will be easier for anyone doing at-home maintenance. You can always change which bonding method you are using.
Ultimately, the best hairstyle for your hair system is the one you are most comfortable with and that suits your personal preferences. Although any style can be achieved, we recommend for your first system to go with a style where the hairline is not exposed so that you are not in a state of worry if people will notice your new hair.
All hair systems look natural and seamless. In our opinion, the thin skin base offers the most natural and undetectable hairlines. Be aware that these hair systems typically do not last more than 1-2 months, so replacing them will be more costly.
Having grey hair is no problem at all. No matter if you have a small or larger percentage of grey hair, there are different hair colors that include grey to create a natural and well blended hair system.
No. Adhesives are specifically designed for scalps to not block your follicles or clog your pores. You will continue to grow hair underneath your system without any change to the amount of hair or speed that it grows. There are some tapes that contain latex, so if you have a latex allergy that would cause a reaction. We only use hypoallergenic tapes.
Stock hair systems come in a very standard shape and size and will be custom fit to suit your needs. A custom system allows you to choose density, shape, color, wave pattern, etc. Custom systems are not necessary. They are also more costly and can take 3 or more months to produce. Most companies will require an order of more than one custom hair system in order to place and create one piece.
NSHR is a non-invasive solution that should not cause damage to the natural and existing hair when applied properly.
Wearing a hair system is like wearing contact lenses. It takes a little bit of practice and getting used to, but once you are familiar with it, it is very quick and effective.
A lot of clients will travel to get this service done. We recommend doing a virtual consultation (please reach out in advance for this), so you don't have to fly out twice. However, whenever you need a new hair system, you will have to make the trip again, unless we can recommend someone in your area.