How to Select the Best Hair System for You?
- Written by Lordhair Team
- Jul 16, 2024
- |
- 10 min read
We all know hair systems have grown in popularity in recent years, though they have existed for generations. Formerly called toupees and more recently hairpieces, these non-surgical hair replacement systems for men are becoming a staple for men and women experiencing hair loss.
What makes a good hair system all comes down to certain factors, and it is important that we carefully make these choices when picking our hair systems to get the best hair systems for our head type to increase chances of durability and fit.
Let's analyze what is needed to pick the best hair system:
Base Type
The type of base you choose for your system is very important as the base type determines the lifespan, breathability, and ease of attachment of a hair system.
There are three popular bases common for most hair systems:
Lace base: There are different types of lace bases, German lace, Korean lace, French Lace, and Swiss lace used in hair systems, with the most popular being the French Lace. The lace base is known for its breathability as the mesh allows heat to easily escape from your scalp. The lace base is perfect for those with an active lifestyle or those living in very hot areas. Lace bases often come with bleached knots, which ensure the system appears very natural and unnoticeable when properly attached. It is always recommended to use tape to attach your lace base, as glue might soak into the base, making it harder to clean. Popular lace base systems are the Champion system.
Skin base: The skin bases, also known as PU base, are very popular for their ease of attachment and natural appearance. These come in a variety of thickness, with the thinnest being 0.02mm, followed by 0.03mm, then 0.06mm and above. Skin hair systems are easier to attach and either tape or glue can be used with this base. Suitable for all seasons, it is especially recommended for those with a more sedentary lifestyle or those who live in places that are not very hot. Popular skin systems are the UTS, UTS 2.0, SuperSkin-V, and SuperSkin.
Mono base: Mono is short for monofilament. As the name states, these bases are made from monofilament which looks very much like lace but is sturdier, meaning they are very breathable and last longer. Same as lace, it is recommended to use tape with this system, and it’s also suitable for those with an active lifestyle or those living in very humid climatic conditions. They come in Fine Mono, Fine Welded Mono, and Super Fine Mono, all breathable but suitable for various hair densities. Their sturdy base means they have a longer lifespan. The most popular mono system is the Lite Cosmos with an 80% hair density.
Hybrid bases: Most hair systems come with a mixture of more than one base, such as NEO, which has both a skin peripheral and a lace top to ensure proper attachment and a breathable system. These systems are becoming increasingly popular as they can be worn all year round and suit every lifestyle. The most popular is the Neo hair system.
Base Size
Once you have determined which base type you prefer, the next thing would be the base size. Now the base size refers to the size of the material you would be attaching to your head and this is influenced by the size of the balding area.
Different products (frontal pieces, toppers, full cap systems, and hair patches) come in different sizes.
Frontal hair pieces: Suitable for those with a receding hairline and can be attached to the front only.
Toppers: As the name states, they are worn on the top of the head and often come in 8” x 10”. Lordhair has various sizes (6” x 8”, 6” x 9”, 7” x 9”, 8” x 10”) in stock. This size can be cut down to smaller sizes or customized as per your needs.
Full cap systems: Cover the whole head and scalp area and can be customized in various sizes based on the size of your head. They are suitable for men who are completely bald and want hair everywhere.
How to measure your base size?
Length: Measure directly across the center of the head, placing the tape measure at the center of the front hairline.
Width: Place the tape measure on one side of the head, starting 1" from the top of the temple and going up the top of the head to the opposite side (also 1" back from the top of the temple).
Alternatively, you can use a template maker to make a base template for your hair system and use this for your hair systems. These can be used to customize your base size, hairline, and contours. If you are still not clear about how to measure base size, kindly check the base size page for further instructions.
Hair Density
Another major factor in making sure your hair system looks as natural as your own hair is picking the right density for your hair. The right density would make sure your hair systems stay undetectable. Lordhair has various densities available and suitable for different people:
Extra Light 60%: This is the thinnest density and is suitable for aged people with sparingly spread hair.
Light 80%: This density gives a very natural appearance to those with thinning hair and is very suitable for the aging too.
Medium Light 100%: This is the most common hair density, suitable for everyone. This gives your hair a natural volume, which is the case for most men.
Medium 120%: Slightly thicker than medium light, this is suitable for younger people who enjoy a fuller head of hair.
Medium Heavy 140%: A lot thicker, this is suitable for those in their 20s. Notwithstanding, it gives you a much fuller head of hair.
Heavy 160%: This is too dense for daily wear and mostly only used for theatrical performances. It is advisable to always consult with customer service in case you need a heavy-density hair system.
Some think a heavy density makes a hair system last longer. This isn't true. The quality and care make a hair system last. If you choose this option, you'll have an unnatural, inferior, and detectable hair system.
We recommend choosing a density that looks like real hair.
Hairline
A disproportionate frontal hairline or contour might be a strong indication that you are wearing a hair system. Hence picking a system with the right hairline ensures that your piece stays natural and undetectable.
The standard contour will work for most people, and this is the most common hairline. On the other hand, if you have a much more receding hairline, you might want to opt for an A-contour.
Hair Color
It's worth noting that picking a hair color that matches your existing hair is really important as this ensures your hair system blends in seamlessly with your own hair, giving you that desired natural look.
At Lordhair, we have the following hair colors available for you and they cover all the hair colors available:
- Black series
- Brown series
- Blond series
How do you know which color is suitable for you?
- You can use a color ring to match your hair and determine your hair system color.
- Another option would be to send in samples of your hair taken from the front, sides, back, and center and properly labeled. Once we receive these samples, we can match your hair color. See how to take a sample:
- Let us help you. Contact us
Adhesives
Using the right adhesive to attach your system not only ensures your system fits properly on your head but also determines how easy it will be to clean your system which in turn affects the lifespan of your hair system.
The two most commonly used adhesives are tape and glue and these depend strongly on the base of your hair system.
It is strongly recommended to use glue ONLY with skin bases. This makes it easy to attach. If you use glue on lace or mono, the glue seeps into the mesh, making it very difficult to clean and if you are not an expert, might destroy the base of your hair system when cleaning. Recommended glues are ghost-bond.
For tape, this can be used on every system. However, we advise, if you are wearing a lace base, to ONLY use tape. This ensures your system attaches easily and can be easily cleaned hence prolonging your hair system.
Keeping these in mind, we are confident you can now select the best hair system for you.
It is ultimately recommended to always consult with a hair system expert before buying your hair system. Contact a hair system expert now.