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Hair Systems - The Difference Between Stock And Custom

Hair systems are not all the same, some hair replacement providers use stock which is nowhere near the quality of custom made hair systems.

Hair systems aren't all created equal, learn the difference between stock and custom before you buy.
Hair systems aren't all created equal, learn the difference between stock and custom before you buy. (Wix Free Image)

Hair Systems - What are they? Where do they come from? What are they made of? How do they work?

These hair system questions are just the tip of the iceberg, and you had better ask them before you consider wearing one on top of your head.

What is a hair system?

Hair systems also known as hair replacement systems have been around for a long time. Do you remember those late night infomercials back in the late 80s? Millions of men suddenly felt as though all of their balding problems had been solved. Unfortunately, back then the hype was greater than the actual product. The reality is, hair systems don't cure baldness, they simply cover it, and in most cases the process is not only expensive, it's also uncomfortable.

Today, the search for a hair loss solution is just as palpable as ever with millions of men and women searching for a way to end their struggle with thinning hair. There are many paths to choose from and each has its own set of pros and cons. From the dreaded toupee, to the easily spotted wig, cover up solutions are often the go to option because of their affordability. However, when it comes to being called out, these two offerings are at the bottom of the barrel for anyone who wants a natural looking head of hair.

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Not looking to wear a wig, well then how about lasers? Lasers? Yes, laser scalp stimulation is actually a thing. It's another tempting option being offered by hair restoration companies. Some places charge per session while others are selling laser head gear that you can wear on your own time. In theory, laser hair regrowth sounds like an advancement in hair restoration technology, but clinical studies have yet to prove any significant results of this method. Much like a light saber, it looks good, but doesn't really cut the mustard.

How about a hair transplant? Hair transplant surgery can work for some people but results do vary quite a bit depending on the person. A lot of factors come into play with hair transplantation surgery. First off, in order to be a candidate for a hair transplant, you need to have an ample amount of donor hair. "Donor hair" refers to the hair follicles your scalp continues to produce throughout your lifetime. In the case of male pattern baldness, men usually have a horse shoe rim of hair around their balding area that never falls out. The hair restoration surgeon then extracts hair follicles from this area and transplants them to the bald area of the scalp. Got a lot of fringe hair? Well then you may be a candidate. However, the downside is hair transplants don't usually work to cover the crown of the scalp. And furthermore, not all transplanted hair follicles succeed in continuous growth. Genetic hair loss is a condition that doesn't go away, so there's no guarantee that you'll be able to keep the hair that was transplanted. This procedure also leaves scars, scars that you'll need hair to cover the appearance of. Is hair loss really worth going under the blade numerous times?

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Ok, how about drugs? The multi-billion dollar pharmaceutical industry wouldn't possibly miss out on the potential sales of hair loss solutions now would they? No way! If there's a pill that claims to cure an ailment, people are going to consume it. The revenue stream created by hair regrowth drugs in 2018 was in the 4.8 billion dollar ball park. A drug by the name of minoxidil is considered to be the active ingredient in hair regrowth and or preventive hair loss products such as Rogaine. And as popular as hair regrowth drugs are nowadays, recent clinical studies show that of 100 women who consumed 25 milligrams of oral minoxidil once a day for a year didn't exactly witness miraculous results. Slowing down the process of losing hair is one thing, regrowing a full head of hair is another, and the reality is, as of February 2019 there's still no drug on the market that produces the latter.

So this brings us full circle back to the hair system. What exactly is a hair system? In simple terms, a hair system is a hair piece that is systematically adhered to your head.

What is a hair system made of? That all depends on who produces it. Some companies create hair systems out of synthetic hair, some with natural human hair, some with a blend, and others, well, you can never be too sure. A horse is a horse of course of course, and if it's used in a hair system you can bet a hay bale it's going to be coarse! With any considerable purchase, it's always wise to do your research. Make sure that the hair system provider you choose is a company with longevity and a long list of client history.

Where does the natural hair come from? Natural, human hair used in the hair replacement industry comes from all over the world, and like coffee, it's good for your conscience to choose a fair trade hair provider if possible. Next, it's important to know if the hair system your going to purchase is stock or custom. There's often a big difference in price, and also a very noticeable difference in quality. In the hair replacement industry, "stock" refers to hair pieces that are cut from bulk hair rolls. Imagine cutting a square from a roll of carpet and glueing it to your head! It's true, some hair replacement providers actually cover your scalp with glue, adheres the piece to your head and then trim it. If you want to keep costs down, this could work for you, but if you want your hair to look like it's naturally growing out of your scalp, it's not.

Custom hair systems are made to order from scratch. The process takes longer, but with all the attention to detail involved, it can be worth the wait. First, a measurement of your thinning area is taken. Then, from an exact template of your scalp, a thin mesh, skin like base is created that fits your head and your head only. This is an extremely important step to consider taking, because the shape and contours of your scalp are unique and if the base fits perfectly it will practically disappear when applied. Next, a small hair sample is then clipped from your existing hair in order to be matched by human hair that meets the same exact characteristics. The color, highlights, waviness, straightness, and curliness is all taken into consideration when matching your hair sample. The density of your natural growing hair also comes into play when creating a custom hair system. Not everyone has an extremely thick head of hair, even in the prime of their life. So in the creation of a custom hair system, the hair that is woven into the mesh base is done so meticulously in order to recreate your natural growth pattern. This usually means you'll be able to see some of your scalp through the hair system and that's a good thing if you want it to look natural.

How does a hair system work? Unlike the stock hair systems mentioned earlier in this article, custom hair systems provided by Suisse Natural Hair Salon are connected to your natural growing hair by means of the "Invisible Attachment™" technique. Instead of covering your scalp with glue, Suisse's process allows your scalp to breath by strategically anchoring monofilament to the parameter of your natural growing hair. The process can sometimes take over an hour to perform, but the results speak for themselves. Since 1987, Suisse has helped thousands of men and women recreate a natural looking head of hair that not only feels good to the touch but can also boost your self esteem by giving your self image that much needed upgrade. If you're suffering with thinning hair, Suisse can help. Suisse won't claim to regrow your precious locks, but they can help you look like it grew back! Call (617)244-9414 or click here to schedule a private consultation.

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