How to Get a Custom Hair System Built for Your Exact Needs

A stock hair system works fine for most guys. You choose a close option, and it works. But some hair loss doesn't fit into "most guys." Matthew's didn't. Instead of settling for something close enough, he went custom. Here's how that changed things for him.

Key Takeaways: 

• A physical scalp template gives your custom system a precise fit
• Full cap wigs suit hair loss extending beyond the top of your scalp
• Custom systems require early ordering before major events because production takes time

Matthew’s hair loss story

The Challenge of Hair Loss After Illness

Matthew battled with cancer as a young man and even now, more than a decade later, his hair has not grown back to how it once was. Such is the scarcity of his hair and the fineness of what little hair he does have, Matthew believes his own hair makes him look like he is still suffering from cancer. Ever since his recovery, Matthew has resigned himself to shaving his head and a lifetime of hats. He even allowed his social life to be dictated by whatever dress code there may be. 

Matthew did not realize that sourcing his own customized full cap wig was an option until he came across Lordhair …

Discovering Full Cap Wigs For Men

Because Matthew’s hair loss stretched across his entire head, a basic stock hairpiece was never going to do the trick. Most stock units are built just for the top of the head (maximum size 8” x 10”). They rely on your existing natural hair at the back and sides to blend everything together smoothly. Matthew didn’t have that luxury. He needed a piece that wrapped all the way down the back and sides of his head. Simply put, he needed a full cap wig for men. Lordhair was able to build a full cap unit entirely around his unique situation. He picked out every single feature himself. Then, he mailed in a physical scalp template. That template helped map out the exact base shape. The result? A look that practically mirrored the thick hair he had before he got sick.

Matthew opens up about his battle with baldness and how a custom-made hair system from Lordhair has turned his life around

How Matthew’s hair system has turned his life around: "I’ve been able to take my life back"

Hair systems can transform your life, and Matthew’s words really will go a long way to allaying any fears you may have about wearing a hair system. What’s more, he can positively vouch for the impact a hair system can have on your life.

“I remember being so worried it would be super noticeable or super expensive or super time-consuming. The truth is nobody notices. I read somewhere that people really don’t examine you the way you examine yourself. They’re the main character in their own story. They’re not looking at you that hard. You’re being way harder on yourself than anyone else will. My friends at work just went with it. We have the pandemic so we’re working at home. Everyone just assumed that I grew my hair out. My family was supportive – it’s not even a topic of conversation. We don’t talk about it. It looks just like my old hair before I lost it. They did such a good job. It’s not noticeable at all. Is it noticeable a little bit? Sure, but this looks a hell of a lot better than wearing no hair at all, before going out looking like a hot dog in public, or wearing a hat everywhere or trying to wear a bald cap to a wedding. Honestly, I’ve just been able to go back outside and take my life back.

People think it is high maintenance but it’s not any more than real hair. You get one haircut and that’s it, you’re done for the next few months. People think you’ve got to set aside all this time or it’s going to be a lot of care. It’s really not. Set aside 30 minutes, maybe an hour, to take it off, clean your head, put it back on and shave. That’s it. To me, that’s not a negative. To have my life back, to have my confidence back, to feel like me again, 30 minutes every couple of weeks is not a big deal. So, I really can’t imagine it would be for anyone else.”

Designing a Custom Hair System: Key Features and Specifications

If you’ve been inspired by Matthew’s story and would like to have a similar hair system. The best way to start is knowing clearly what choices you are going to make. Matthew didn’t just pick something out of a catalogue. He selected every major feature for his full cap wig. That meant choosing the base design, overall shape, specific curl pattern, and the exact hair type. His specific order highlights just how much control you get when you go the custom route instead of settling for a pre-made stock unit. 

Below are some examples of the features of Matthew’s hair system. These are all features that are not available to choose from when you order a stock hair system from us. 

*Bleached knots are a feature of certain stock systems of ours but with a custom order you can choose just where you would like the bleached knots to be.

**Remy hair is an option for some of our stock systems but regular Indian Human hair is the default option.

For full guidance, watch the visual guides on choosing a hair system or read How to Order a Hair System for Men: The Complete Guide.

Stock Hair Systems vs. Full Cap Wigs: Understanding the Difference

Comparing Coverage Area and Scalp Dimensions

Generally, standard stock toppers measure up to 8 inches wide by 10 inches long. They’re built to sit right on the crown and seamlessly blend into whatever natural hair you have left on the sides. But full cap wigs for men are a whole different ballgame. They are significantly larger, stretching all the way down the back on your neck and around your ears to give you total coverage.

For context, Matthew did not have any hair left around the edges so a topper just was not going to cut it. He needed something that covered the entire canvas, and his custom full cap delivered exactly that.

Creating an Accurate Scalp Template and Measurement Guide

Making a physical template is hands-down the best way to give the factory an accurate guide for your base. It maps out the exact borders of your hair loss, letting the production team build custom hair systems that mold perfectly to your unique scalp. 

How to Make a Template for a Hair System

Matthew packaged his custom template and sent it to us using our Pick-Up Service. That mold dictated the shape of his full cap base and dialed in his custom front hairline contour perfectly. 

Here’s the thing, if making and mailing a physical mold just isn’t possible for you, taking precise manual measurements is the next best step. Using a flexible measuring tape to capture the exact dimensions shown in a full cap guide ensures the unit still reaches everywhere it needs to go. Getting those numbers right is absolutely crucial.

How to Get Head Measurements for a Full Cap Wig

Custom Ordering with Lordhair: Savings and Ordering Process

Lordhair custom hair systems give you the freedom to build a unit completely around your day-to-day lifestyle. You’re in charge of the hair quality, the base material and overall dimensions. Plus, you get to call the shots on the finer details like curl pattern, natural hair direction, base material color, exact grey percentages, specific bleached knot zones, hair type and density.

To kick off the process, the smartest move is to mail in a physical scalp template and if possible a small hair sample. The mold acts as the foundation for your base while the hair clipping ensures an accurate color match. If you hit a roadblock, the customer service team is always ready to guide you through the tricky parts of ordering custom hair systems. 

Contact us today for a free consultation. Our experts will be more than happy to assist you!

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Keep an eye out for seasonal savings, too. Lordhair periodically offers discounts on custom systems throughout the year. Grabbing those discounts when they pop up is a great way to save.

This September, Lordhair is offering savings on custom hair systems, double points, and a free Refresh travel size with U.S. orders. Click the banner to find more details.

Finally, if you have a big event coming up, always order early. Factoring in production time (up to 14 weeks) ensures your new hair arrives well before the holidays, parties and special events you’re looking forward to.

FAQs

How long does it take to create a custom hair system?

Standard production time is 8-12 weeks. Lordhair offers a Rush Service for an additional cost, which reduces production time to 6-7 weeks. Building custom hair systems takes some time simply because they are crafted strictly to your specs. The factory first has to create the base from your template then ventilate each strand of hair by hand. 

How do I maintain and clean a full cap custom wig?

Looking after custom full cap systems is very similar to managing a stock topper. At least once every 2 weeks you will need to remove the system, clean both the system and your scalp thoroughly then reapply. See video tutorials on hair system maintenance.

Can people tell if I am wearing a custom full cap hair replacement system?

No! Like most guys, Matthew was terrified his new hair would look super obvious. His actual reality was completely different. He mentioned that literally nobody noticed. His coworkers just figured he grew his hair out while working remotely. He admitted someone staring intently might spot something if they knew what to look for but proper personalized hair replacement looks infinitely better than hiding under a baseball cap every single day.

Should I go for a stock hair system or a custom hair system?

It basically depends on your budget, the level of fit you want, and your timeline. Stock systems are more budget-friendly and quick to get. Custom systems are tailored to your specifications for a perfect fit, but it takes longer to produce. For a full comparison, read Stock vs. Custom Hair Systems: Which One Is Right for You?.

How long does a custom hairpiece last?

It usually lasts from one month to six months, depending on the base type and your daily maintenance. Refer to How long do Lordhair hair systems last? for details.