Pros and Cons of having a Hairpiece or Toupee

Many men wear a hairpiece or toupee to cover their baldness. A toupee is an important hairpiece made of natural or synthetic hair. A toupee is also known as the partial wig because it helps men cover partial baldness.

Men's wigs are always in demand because of their natural-like appearance. Men use liquid glue or special two-sided tape to hold in place the toupee with existing hair, especially on the head's back and sides.

Although hairpieces and toupees are mainly designed and manufactured for men, some women also use them for hair lengthening purposes. In today's article, we will discuss the pros and cons of having a hairpiece or toupee for bald men. Read on!

Pros of Toupee or Hairpiece

Men wear a toupee to hide their male patterns baldness quickly and efficiently. Research shows that hairpieces are suitable for men of all ages. Toupees are known as the best hair systems because you can style them as you desire.

You can dye, color, perm, or wash your toupee or hairpiece without any problems. Besides, it gives your hair a realistic appearance by making your hair look thicker and beautiful. Unlike other hair applications, a hairpiece is lightweight, meaning you won't feel the load on your scalp.

Appear like Natural Hair

The most exciting thing about wearing a toupee is that your hair will appear naturally thick and gorgeous. A tape or glue is an essential accessory used to hold this hairpiece for a long time. You can even wear it for a month.

Men who wear toupees made of 100% human hair achieve a natural appearance. It won't interfere with your day-to-day activities. You can even go swimming while wearing a toupee.

Breathable and Undetectable

The toupee's base is thinner and breathable, making it a safe product for men. Besides, a hairpiece made of 100% human hair is undetectable on your scalp even when you or someone touches your hair.

If you have a sensitive skin and can't use other hair products, you can use a hairpiece made of natural hair. However it may still cause scalp irritation, redness, or skin allergies in the long run.

Cons of Toupee or Hairpiece

There are various benefits of wearing a toupee or hairpiece to cover your baldness or scalp-related conditions. However, it has a few downsides, such as some products are not comfortable for men and do not fit their scalps.

Unnatural Look

A hairpiece made of synthetic hair won't align well with your hair, meaning you won't achieve a natural look. The problem worsens when you perform certain activities like swimming because your hairpiece will come off quickly. Experts say that this often happens when one wears a synthetic toupee with low-quality glue.

High Maintenance

Although you can clean the hairpiece in the shower, you have to remove it and scrub it to maintain your hairpiece. The purpose is to clean your toupee inside out and remove all the accumulated oils and adhesives.

Some toupees or hairpieces are made of a durable base material, and you can wear them for a long time. Research shows that hairpieces with monofilament durability and polyurethane adhesion can be worn for 4-6 weeks.

However, after the time has passed, you have to remove the hairpiece and then clean up the product and your scalp. Because this requires time and effort, many men don't like to wear a toupee.

Final Words

Although there are some good quality toupees in the market today, we recommend consulting with your primary doctor or a qualified dermatologist to make sure your scalp is healthy and capable of carrying a hairpiece or toupee as well as to make sure it won’t damage your skin in the long run.

Alopecia: Types, Causes, Treatment Options

Recent reports show that over 320 million Americans suffer from some form of hair loss. Among them, more than 20% are under the age of 30. It means every 1 in 5 people in the U.S is losing their hair. Studies show that hair loss conditions affect more men than women. In today’s article, we will talk about a common hair loss condition known as alopecia.

What is Alopecia?

According to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF), alopecia is an autoimmune characterized by fall out of hair in small patches. Although these patches are unnoticeable initially, they become apparent and identifiable over time.

A person suffering from alopecia has a compromised immune system, which attacks follicles and causes hair loss. According to MedlinePlus Genetics, the condition affects one in every one thousand people in the U.S. Although there are several types of alopecia, the most common types of this condition are androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata.

Types of Alopecia

Different alopecia types are alopecia areata, androgenic alopecia, alopecia totalis, traction alopecia, and Cicatricial alopecia.

Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata is a common hair loss condition and an autoimmune disorder that results in thinning hair, leading to patchy hair loss. Although the most obvious cause is genetic, some studies show that higher levels of stress hormones also trigger the condition.

Androgenic Alopecia

It is a type of alopecia that affects both men and women, leading to hair loss. The condition is called male-pattern baldness in men. Androgenic alopecia leads to a well-defined hair loss pattern that begins above both temples. The hairline forms an “M” shape over time. Studies highlight that androgenic alopecia has many causes, but in females, the condition is triggered by hormones, including ovarian cysts, contraceptive pills, menopause, and even pregnancy.

Alopecia Totalis

Alopecia Totalis is a skin and hair medical condition. It is quite different from alopecia areata that leads to complete baldness. Unlike androgenic alopecia that causes pattern baldness, the totalis leads to complete scalp baldness. Studies show that the cause of this condition is unknown, but the triggering mechanism is most often disturbances in the immune system.

Traction Alopecia

Traction alopecia is a condition caused by external factors. For instance, several studies have reported that pulling on the hair repeatedly can cause traction alopecia. People can also develop this hair loss condition when they wear braids, buns, and tight ponytails. Besides, if you are using chemical products, including paraben and sulfate-based shampoos and heating products, your likelihood of getting the condition increases.

Cicatricial Alopecia

Also known as scarring hair loss, the condition is characterized by thinning and breakage of hair strands followed by scarring on the scalp. Researchers believe that the condition is caused by a group of rare diseases that directly affect hair follicles. As a result, your hair follicles are replaced by scar tissues, leading to permanent hair loss.

Causes of Alopecia

In general, alopecia has different causes because there are various types of hair loss conditions. However, the condition is most often believed to be caused by autoimmune disorders when the faulty immune system attacks hair follicles. Some of the common causes of alopecia are:

Genetics: Hereditary conditions or genetics is the most common cause of alopecia. For example, male and female pattern baldness, also known as androgenic alopecia, is widely associated with genetics.

Hormonal Changes: Alopecia is also caused by changes in vital body hormones. Hair loss in women is most often triggered by hormonal changes during pregnancy, labor, childbirth, and menopause. It also occurs due to problems in the thyroid gland.

Medical Conditions: A growing body of research evidence shows that a compromised immune system causes conditions like alopecia areata. However, hair loss also occurs due to ringworm (scalp infections) and trichotillomania (hair-pulling disorder).

Medications: Everyone knows that each medication or drug available on the market produces certain adverse effects. Medicines used for cardiovascular problems, hypertension, gout, arthritis, and depression have harmful side effects, including alopecia or hair loss.

Hair Products: The use of hair styling products such as cornrows, pigtails, ponytails, shampoos, gels, conditions, and hot-oil hair treatments can lead to hair loss. For example, traction alopecia is caused by the pulling of hair and the use of hair styling products.

Treatment for Alopecia

Research shows that there is no sophisticated treatment option for alopecia. However, the symptoms or intensity of the condition can be controlled by medication and homemade remedies. Some of them are:

Topical Immunotherapy: The treatment option is useful for people with alopecia areata. It involves applying chemicals to the scalp to cause an allergic reaction, leading to hair growth eventually. However, the therapy does not work for everyone.

Corticosteroids: These are drugs with anti-inflammatory properties to treat autoimmune diseases. Health professionals and dermatologists often give this drug through injections into the scalp. However, corticosteroids are also available in the form of pills, creams, and ointments. Although corticosteroids are effective, they take a long time to regrow hair.

Minoxidil: It is an effective treatment option for curing pattern baldness or androgenic alopecia. Minoxidil is an FDA-approved drug used to treat hair loss conditions in men and women. It contains beneficial ingredients that stimulate hair growth. Some studies show that the medication may take about 12 weeks before a person sees hair growth. Remember, the treatment does not work for everyone. Therefore, it is best to consult your dermatologist.

Homemade Remedies: Although there is a need for more research, some studies show that essential oils or natural fruit or vegetable juices can treat alopecia. These include garlic juice, onion juice, almond oil, cooled green tea, coconut milk, honey, and rosemary oil. Apply a small number of oils or juices on your scalp and rub it for a few minutes. Leave it for some time, and then wash your hair with a natural shampoo.

Scalp Micro Pigmentation: Permanent and non-surgical effective scalp treatment where tiny micro size dots are tattooed onto your scalp to replicate your real hair follicles. Learn more here.

Everything You Need To Know About Hair Fibers

An imbalanced diet, inadequate hormonal production, aging, and stress can trigger hair loss in both men and women. Research shows that reduced hair volume is due to increased follicle sensitivity to androgens' normal levels. It causes follicles to shrink and produce small, thin hair strands. These strands are smaller in diameter and shorter in length.

Hair fibers are usually derived from natural hair, keratin, and cotton, add volume to your hair and improve its overall appearance. They fill the thin spots on your scalp and give it a thicker and fuller appearance. In today's article, we will talk about hair fibers, their types, pros, and cons. Read on!

What are Hair Fibers?

Also known as hair building fibers, hair fibers are products available in sprays and concealers. They are usually made from different materials, but plant-based derivatives, including cotton, are the most widely used fibers' materials. The reason is that plant-based materials are natural and cheaper.

The best hair fiber is made of 100% pure and natural keratin material. Studies show that keratin is a protein that helps build and maintain hair structure. Today, hair fibers are available in different colors and shades.

Types of Hair Fibers

Today, you can find a wide range of hair fiber brands and products on the market. However, there are two main types or categories of hair fibers. These are human hair and synthetic hair fibers. Let's take a closer look at them!

Human Hair Fibers

As the name indicates, human hair fibers are made from 100% real hair. These hair fibers come in different forms, such as wigs, extensions, and hairpieces. You can cut, wash, color, and blow-dry human hair fibers easily.

Because human hair fibers are natural, they are stronger and heavier. Research shows that human hair usually lasts longer than other types of fibers. Human hair is an excellent choice for those who want more flexibility in styling options.

Simply put, you can style human hair in different ways to maintain the most natural look. Although human hair fibers have many benefits, they also have some downsides, such as more styling time and maintenance. Every time you wash your hair, you will have to restyle it.

Synthetic Fiber

Besides natural hair fibers, you can also find different synthetic hair fibers, such as acrylic, Kanekalon, polyester, and polyvinyl chloride. Synthetic hair fibers come in various qualities, and you can determine the quality by different factors, such as shine, texture, and movement.

Synthetic hair fibers have many benefits, such as maintenance and affordability. They are a great option for people who are looking for high-quality products at affordable prices. The pre-styled synthetic fibers can save a lot of time because you don't have to restyle your hair. They maintain the original shape and look throughout time.

Advantages

Both men and women use hair fibers to target different types of hair loss and thinning, such as pattern baldness, Telogen Effluvium, postpartum hair loss, etc. Hair Fibers are easy to use, affordable, and effective products that can enhance your scalp appearance for shorter periods.

Hair fibers are often available in powder or spray form and can give your scalp a fuller and thicker appearance. The purpose is to improve your look and add some style to your personality. They are safe for most scalps and can fill in bald spots quickly.

Available in multiple colors, you can choose a product that best fits your needs. There is no need for using weaves or glue with hair fibers. Likewise, both human hair and synthetic fibers are effective and affordable options compared to hair transplant surgery.

Disadvantages

Hair fibers have many disadvantages, such as they can fall off at touch, and you may not feel them like natural hair. Most hair fiber products contain synthetic keratin, which does not work well with most scalps.

Synthetic hair fibers can be messy and impractical. Most of them can't resist water, which means you have to apply them again to have a thicker volume or hide bald patches. So, this makes them unreliable for many people. Moreover, they can cause skin problems, such as itching, irritation, and even inflammation.

Final Words

Hair fibers are an effective and cost-effective solution for people who want to conceal hair loss and thinning hair. There are many products available on the market. However, not all of them are the best and can meet your requirements successfully. That's why you have to choose a product made with natural ingredients, such as keratin, to enhance your appearance. Good Luck!