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When you think about men’s hairpieces, chances are you visualize a toupee from the old days that hangs over the side of the head and looks incredibly obvious. Thankfully hair technology has come a long way and for you or the man in your life who is finally facing noticeable and unstoppable hair loss, we have men’s hairpieces and other discrete solutions to help, but first some facts and science.
Facts About Men’s Hair Loss
When it comes to hair loss you’re not alone. In 1992, the World Health Organization classified male pattern baldness as a disease, rather than a cosmetic condition.
- The average man loses 50 to 100 strands of hair a day (which is normal), and it’s part of our normal hair cycle. When you start losing MORE than 100 strands a day, it’s time to be concerned.
- 25% of men at age 25 are already losing their hair.
- 40% of men have noticeable hair loss by age 35. By age 60 that number rises to 65%.
- 30% of men age 50 to 59 experience symptoms of andropause, or “testosterone deficiency syndrome”
- You will lose 50% of your hair before you notice it. Recession along your hairline or at the crown of hair is the earliest signs of hair loss. The hair becomes thinner, shorter and finer looking in a process that’s called miniaturization. Eventually the follicle in your scalp stops producing hair all together.
The Science of Hair Loss
Every strand of hair on your head has three stages of life: the androgen, or growing, stage; the catogen stage, when hair is no longer growing and begins to detach; and the telogen, or resting stage, during which hair is shed. The androgen stage can be anywhere from two to six years long, but DHT shortens that cycle. For many men, the follicle simply stops, sometimes it has gone dormant, so it’s still living, but just not producing.
40% percent of men will see some degree of hair loss by the age of 35. And yet, despite the fact that so many men experience hair loss and thinning, it is commonly misunderstood and often goes untreated. Just because a man is beginning to lose density doesn’t mean that there’s no recourse available to him, nor does it mean that there’s only one cause behind it.
What is the most common form of hair loss?
The most common form of hair loss is male pattern hair loss, or androgenic alopecia, aka “common” male pattern baldness that accounts for more than 95% of hair loss in men. It is sometimes mistakenly believed that dihydrotestosterone (DHT) causes hair loss, however that’s not the case. In fact, male pattern hair loss is caused by a sensitivity to DHT. In other words, lower the DHT and keep more hair. It’s also a myth that your hair loss comes from your mother’s father.
Is it true that my hair loss comes from my Mom’s side of the family?
No! The genes responsible for your hair loss are not from your mother’s father. It starts in the genes, which come from both your mother and your father. Sometimes you can be born with DHT sensitivity that will shrink and shorten the life of your hair follicles.
Is my hair loss permanent?
Not always. Some causes of hair loss can be temporary if your hair loss steps from disease, medical treatments, medication or even the physical/mental stress of surgery or even COVID-19 (telogen effluvium). Chemotherapy can lead to hair loss, but new science shows it can be mitigated with cold ice caps during treatments.
Some medications that treat high blood pressure, inflammation, hormonal imbalances or depression can trigger hair loss. Always check with your doctor to know if any medications you are prescribed can trigger it.
What are the stages of hair loss?
Enter: Men’s Hairpieces (but they aren’t your Dad’s rug!)
When hair loss happens there are many, many solutions available today than there were even 30 years ago. Breakthroughs in wigs and hair extensions allowed for the creation of the man weave, or cranial prosthesis…the more formal name for men’s hairpieces. They are installed in a nonsurgical, safe, noninvasive way that allows you to recover your dignity, confidence and a full head of hair in just one session.
- You can leave them on 24 hours a day
- Rain, wind or rain won’t bother it
- You can sleep with it, shower with it or exercise with it!
Myths About Men’s Hairpieces
Everything you think you know about hairpieces comes from unfortunate “gust of wind incidents” at a family barbecue, or from comedy bits on TV where the men’s hairpiece flips up like a trash can lid embarrassing (and exposing) the man who is just trying to have some dignity dealing with hair loss. It would surprise you to know that the Duke himself, John Wayne, wore a men’s hairpiece. So did Frank Sinatra, Fred Astaire, James Stewart and Gene Kelly.
Myth #1: Men’s hairpieces can fall off at any given time
That USED to be true, but not anymore. For one thing, the bases are more customized to more closely fit the contours of the head and more specifically YOUR head. Once it is blended in and fully secured, it’s not going anywhere easily.
Myth 2: Men’s hairpieces can’t be styled like real hair and they’re tough to maintain
Note that SOME men’s hairpieces just like extensions or wigs are made with synthetic hair or hair from mixed sources with the cuticles not properly sorted, leading to hair that gets matted, tangled or has a fake looking plastic sheen to it. The best men’s hairpieces are made with 100% Indian Remy hair that is properly sorted and well cared for to begin with before being made into a unit for your scalp. Because it’s real hair, it will act like real hair when it comes to styling, so you can use all the pomades, waxes, mousses or creams you enjoy to get the style you love without any fuss. They also are very easy to maintain if you properly take care of it just like your own hair.
Myth 3: Men’s hairpieces don’t fit everyone’s heads
Anyone can buy a cheap men’s hairpiece online that is a one size fits all, and yes…in that case if you have a large head or smaller head than the average the result will look not so great. The best men’s hairpieces however are fully customizable, being able to cut and shaped specifically to the shape, diameter and contours of YOUR head so the result is totally discrete and seamless.
Myth 4: Anyone can tell someone is wearing a men’s hairpiece
For all of the reasons above, if it's not made with real, high quality hair, or not shaped correctly, not secured correctly or has a low quality base than yes, you can tell! However the best men’s hairpieces today are made to such a high degree of quality and precision in the hands of a professional installing it for you that the result is totally discrete.
What Are The Best Men’s Hairpieces?
When it comes to the best men’s hairpieces, when we decided to make ours we wanted to make sure we made a high quality, durable, fully lifestyle compatible and discrete men’s hairpiece that would make you forget you were wearing it.
The best men’s hairpieces need to made with 100% Indian Human Remy Hair
As mentioned above, the hair you wear matters. 100% Indian Human Remy Hair (the hair we use) is the highest quality hair on the market, naturally light and airy, it moves effortlessly with lots of bounce. It is tangle-resistant and easy to style. It is naturally dark brown, blending in with virtually all hair types, especially African American hair. Best of all, it can be easily custom colored by barbers or stylists to match any hair color.
The best men’s hairpieces are durable, lightweight and fit your head.
If you’re looking for the modern hairpiece, it needs to be long lasting and suit both your life and fit you properly. The best men’s hairpieces are mounted on a featherweight skin base or swiss lace that allows you to wear it for 6 weeks without ever taking it off. Every 4 weeks you just visit your stylist to have it removed, cleaned, groom and then reapplied. They should be breathable, itch free and allow you to part your hair any way you like.
What’s the best way to care for men’s hairpieces?
Caring for your men’s hairpiece is simple and straightforward and really no different than what we recommend for people getting hair extensions.
- You MUST get your men’s hairpiece removed, cleaned, groomed and reinstalled every 4 to 6 weeks maximum. Doing so will ensure it will last you 1 to 2 years.
- Just like you shouldn’t with your real hair, you should avoid any shampoos and conditioners with harsh chemicals such as sulfates and parabens. Instead, use hair care products that are made to work with hair extensions and hairpieces.
- Cleanse gently, letting the shampoo and conditioner do the work. Never scrub using your fingers or nails. Remind them that unlike their real hair, the hair isn’t connected to the follicle, so no oils can reach the hair from their scalp…so there is no need for scrubbing.
- When applying the conditioner, use a wide toothed comb to comb through as opposed to using the fingers. As you rinse off the conditioner, use the wide toothed comb to shift the hair around as the water hits it.
- ALWAYS wash or wet the hair before combing. Any dry tugging can weaken the bond or potentially damage the hair in your men’s hairpiece if it is dry.
