The ins and outs of non-surgical hair replacement
Getting older is the biggest risk factor for hair loss. Both men and women may suffer thinning and hair loss as they advance in age. However, there are many other causes of hair loss including genetics, diet, medications and even underlying health conditions. Losing hair is therefore a problem that many people grapple with every single day. One of the most common interventions for this problem is surgical hair replacement. However, only a few people who can afford it will be able to choose this option. In light of this, most people will turn to non-surgical hair replacement options to find reprieve. Below is a breakdown of the top non-surgical options that can help replace hair.
Hair extensions and wigs
Many people will find solace in getting artificial hair to replace their lost hair. Hair extensions and wigs are therefore very popular in society today. Women go this direction often compared to men. However, there are extensions and wigs available for both men and women. The top merit is that this method is not invasive and can be easy to maintain. On the other hand, removing the extensions or the wigs may leave people feeling inadequate.
Remedies that boost hair growth
For those who want to replace their natural hair, considering remedies that boost hair growth could be the key. There are many medications available in the market for this. However, before using any product, make sure that it is safe. One great product that is approved by the FDA is Minoxidil. Clinical trials that have been done show that 80% of users will notice some significant change in hair growth. The official trade name for this product is Rogaine. This remedy is available to people without the need for a prescription. It is also very affordable and will not cost more than $20 a month. On the flip side, the remedy does not promise all people perfect results. You will have to try and see how well it works for you.
Hair care products that boost hair growth
There are oils and shampoos in the market that have been specially formulated to boost hair growth. They are enriched with various ingredients that go a long way to repair any damage and to encourage volume in your hair. Using these products could help greatly. However, they will not be an overnight intervention. You will have to use the care products over a long period of time to see the difference. Also, make sure to use products that are safe.
Diet changes and supplementation
It is common knowledge that what you eat plays a pivotal role in determining the status of your hair. Getting proper nutrition will boost overall hair growth. Adding a multivitamin will further boost your hair outcome. Keratin is the protein found in hair that needs to be boosted for healthy hair growth. Vitamins and herbs will boost keratin in your body. Improving your diet will involve eating good sources of protein and taking in plenty of fruits and vegetables. Supplements that contain a wide range of vitamins will work well. Also, choose those with minerals like zinc, copper, selenium and iodine. A healthy diet can also prevent hair loss.
Men's hair loss consultation process
For many men looking into hair replacement solutions, researching every possible fact on hair pieces online isn’t uncommon, neither is watching countless before and after videos. This may seem like the easy part, because if you like what you see during your investigation, the next step is to book a consultation to discuss your options in person. For several, this can be a very daunting and scary prospect. This blog will talk you through step by step every aspect of the consultation, from the cost of them to actually seeing a hair piece on your head and will ease all of your hair replacement worries!
Once you have taken the big step of booking in your free consultation whether over the phone or online, one of our highly trained consultants will give you a call to give you some brief information on our hair replacement solutions prior to you coming in. This is just to ensure you are aware of our prices, what we do etc., to save you a wasted journey if it’s not what you’re looking for!
At The London Hair Clinic, it is imperative that potential and current clients are treated with the upmost discreet service. Therefore, all consultations and maintenance appointments are completed in a private room in our Central London clinic.
You will be greeted by our reception team who will bring you to our waiting area and offer you a beverage. The consultant will then be ready to see you, and will take you through to the room your consultation will take place in. Our consultants are qualified Trichologists who will be able to offer you advice on your hair loss and answer any questions you have. We are regulated by the Institute of Trichologists and the Trichological Society.
The consultant will first ask you to tell them a little about your situation and what you’re looking for, just to get some background info. It is really important to us that we are completely transparent with our clients, whether potential or regular, as to what we think will work for them.
We often see men who haven’t lost much hair, and are simply looking for options for the future, or for their worries to be reassured. We will never push a hard sale or advise clients who we don’t believe will benefit to order one of our hair systems. We want our solution to change your life, in the best way possible!
Once you have discussed yourself with the consultant, they will bring in some hair pieces to give you an idea of what we can make for you. All of our hair systems are made from virgin hair, and the consultant will talk you through and show you examples of each kind of hair we offer, European, Indian and Luxury.
Every possible query that could come up regarding hair replacement will be taken through with you, and we book out a free hour-long consultation to allow for this. We also run through a checklist with you to ensure we have been through everything and there is nothing left unsaid.
If you decide that you would like to go ahead with an order for a hair replacement system at your initial consultation, this can be placed on the day. The consultant will discuss and decide with you if you would prefer to go for a bespoke or semi-bespoke order and talk you through any differences between the two. Once you have decided, all of your specifications such as colour, length, density etc. will be referenced, along with a plastic mould and measurements being taken of your scalp. If your hair allows, we will also take a sample of this. The consultant will ensure you are in charge of every aspect of your new hair, so you know exactly what you will be getting when you piece is ready.
They will then discuss with you the type of bond you will prefer to have, whether that’s a hard bond where you come in to see us every month, or something that you maintain yourself at home. This doesn’t have to be decided on the day, but we will talk you through each option.
We fully educate you on each option available, so that you feel you are making the most informed decision possible when it comes to this life changing choice.
Our consultations are no-obligation, so we are more than happy for you to go away and have a think about your options, of course contacting the consultant whenever with any questions you may have, you will be given their business card with their direct email address and number. You are more than welcome to come in as many times as needed before you make your final decision, at no extra cost.
All of our prices are set, so the quote you are given at your initial consultation will stay the same, whether you decide to go ahead straight away or not. We will give you a copy of our price list so you have it to hand when making your decision on what is best for you.
Our reputation with prestigious organisations such as Katie Piper Foundation, along with referrals from the NHS are testimony to our expertise in hair loss solutions.
If you would like to book in for your free consultation, or would like one of our consultants to give you a call first, please give us a call on 0207 404 6040 or email info@thelondonhairclinic.co.uk
Keeping your system in the best possible condition for as long as possible!
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Now that you’ve got your new head of hair, you don’t want to lose it. Which is why it’s so important to keep your hair system maintained to a high standard, so that not only does it look great, but feel great too!
Your hair system is exposed to various circumstances and conditions that can wear it out and tear it down. We understand that you value your hair system and want to care for it in the best way possible. Learning to care for your hair system is inexpensive and time saving. By the end of this blog post, you’ll be able to deal with any issue that can arise with wearing a hair system and keep it looking its best at all times!
Shampooing and conditioning your hair system is key to keeping your hair system squeaky clean however shampooing your hair system more often than necessary can do more harm than good. The good news is that your hair system won’t require regular shampoo washes as often as natural hair but on other hand nobody wants to smell or touch a dirty head so cleaning your hair system with shampoo and conditioning is a necessity. Our general rule is to do it only when you need to. We recommend giving your hair system a good old shampoo cleanse once a week. Any more and you risk drying out the hair or causing tangles. A cheeky trick we’d urge you to do is condition your hair system every day. Regular conditioning will help hydrate and strengthen the hair as well as keeping it healthy and softer for longer. In fact, we believe in the power of conditioning so much that we also suggest using a leave in conditioner every day after showering.
A great product we recommend to keep the hair on your piece nourished is Protein Spray by Label M. This spray is great for hydrating the hair, and can be used daily. It is very light and won’t make the hair look greasy or weigh it down.
Now that you’re an expert in cleaning your hair system, we’ve complied a simple list of do’s and don’ts on how to keep your hair system soft because who doesn’t like a velvety mane.
DONT’S
- Excessive shampooing
- Constant swimming and exposure to chlorine
- Blow drying your hair frequently
DO’S
- More conditioning, you can’t go wrong with some leave in conditioners
- Use hair products that contain SPF
- Air dry your hair
In the ideal world your hair system would stay soft forever, until then all hair wearers will struggle with keeping their hair system as soft as it was on the first day.
The not so fun part about hair is the tangles. When the hair in your hair system gets tangled, it can mean a lot more than just a few extra minutes of combing in the morning. Detangling your hair system, the wrong way may inadvertently diminish the condition and life span of your investment. It’s not all doom and gloom however, lucky for you we have some safe do it yourself tips on detangling the hairs.
- Before getting into the shower, wet your head and brush all the hairs towards the same direction. This adds moisture to the hair strands and will ease friction while washing.
- If your hair is tangled before you get into the shower it helps to dilute your shampoo with a small quantity of water before applying. This will also make it easier to rub the shampoo into the hair.
- They might not look like much but a wide tooth comb does wonders when it comes to brushing your hair and safely removing tangles. Wide tooth brushes or a specially designed vent brush in the shower while you shampoo will help prevent hair strands from intertwining and getting caught on each other.
If you’re still with us, we’re not trying to scare you but much like real hair, your hair system is prone to hair loss. Hair replacement systems are vulnerable to friction because they lack a substance called sebum. Sebum is a natural oil secreted by the follicles of your growing hair to lubricate and protect the hair shaft against friction and static.
Friction and bacteria are a dangerous duo that can wreak havoc on your hair system but the good news is that you can fight back! Together or on their own, friction and bacteria can cause physical trauma to your hair. Limiting this trauma will help prevent hair in your hair system from falling out and keep it looking its best for longer.
Major causes of friction come from sleeping with pillowcases made from coarse fabrics. Constant contact with linen leads to hair breakage. Most times, simply using a satin pillowcase will dramatically reduce the level of friction and extend the life of your hair system but we understand not everyone is a member of the royal family to opt for satin bedding so any kind of bedding made out of soft fabrics should do the trick.
As promised, tending to your hair system isn’t a complicated puzzle so grab a pen and paper because here’s what you’ll need to care for and maintain your hair system.
- Sulphate free shampoo and conditioner (required)
- Vent brush (required)
- Satin pillowcase (recommended)
- Knot sealer (recommended)
- UV protection spray (recommended)
- Leave in conditioner (required)
- Water spray provided (required)
We love a nice hat, especially in the winter to keep your ears warm and cosy or if you’re jetting to Majorca, nothing says I’m on holiday like a straw hat however you should avoid wearing hats and helmets for extended periods of time. This will help to lengthen the time bonding adhesives stay effective.
Friction is also caused by excess combing and brushing. Use a lubricating agent like water or leave in conditioner which will help moisten the hair and reduce friction while you’re in front of the mirror styling your hair to your heart’s desire.
Now that we’ve covered the key points in cleaning your hair system and caring for it, let’s brush up on what we’ve gathered so far with a quick summary.
- Always use sulphate free shampoo and conditioner
- Do not shampoo your hair system everyday but once or twice a week. Consider conditioner and leave in conditioner your new best friend.
- Sleep on soft pillowcases to reduce friction.
- Use a knot sealer to prevent hair loss and any UV protection sprays to help prevent oxidisation when out in the sun.
- Even if you’re not famous Olympic swimmer, use a swimming cap when swimming if possible.
And the most important tip of all, enjoy wearing your hair piece!
Hair systems - virgin hair vs processed hair
So, you’ve made the choice to go ahead and join the world of hair replacement by ordering a hair system. Great! You may think the big decision is over now, but it has only just begun. Choosing the right type of hair that will be used to make your hair piece is crucial in not only giving the most realistic look and feel, but also ensuring the longevity of the piece.
The ethnicity you choose for your hair system will depend on your own heritage, skin tone and hair colour. But within these different categories of hair (Indian, European etc.) there are two qualities of hair to consider, virgin hair and processed hair.
Virgin hair (in hair systems) is hair that has had absolutely no chemical processing, and is in the same condition as when bought from members of the public through our programme Hair Harvest. The hair still has the cuticle intact, meaning it behaves like normal hair that is growing from your scalp. It has movement (if desired) and doesn’t have a false look or shine. Virgin hair lasts the longest as it will not deteriorate in quality like processed hair. The natural shine and texture of the hair will remain throughout the reasonable life of the hair system.
Processed hair is entirely different. Processed hair is usually bought/taken from temples in Asia, or sourced from hair that has been thrown out from hairdressers etc. The hair starts as very dark to black hair, is stripped of its cuticle, bleached, coloured to chosen colour and then coated in silicone. Not only will the silicone wash off leaving a very dry hair underneath, the colour will also fade to a yellow or orange. Once the chemicals have stripped away (only a few washes after being fitted) the hair becomes very hard to manage and will need replacing around every 2-3 months if you’re lucky! Most clients don’t get even that amount of time from a processed hair system, and if they do, the months are filled with problems.
At The London Hair Clinic, all of the hair used for our systems is guaranteed to be virgin hair. We never process our hair, and it is only coloured if desired by our clients. This ensures that our client’s hair always not only looks amazing, but also feels amazing, and allows for our clients to go about their life with a great head of hair and full confidence!
Living your everyday life with a hair system
The thought of transitioning to wearing a hair system can be extremely daunting for most individuals and not to mention highly embarrassing at the prospect of relying on a hair piece. The feeling that it may be noticeable, un-natural is most likely to put most people off. In fact, the whole aspect of non-surgical hair replacement will frighten anyone who may not have enough knowledge about hair systems.
Although hair systems are not widely discussed and may be considered taboo, in recent years they have become increasingly more popular with both genders and more so with male clients. The increasing popularity is down to the new-found confidence and lease of life that a simple hair system can provide. Most people have expressed how the transition has transformed their life for the better, and now view life from a positive way. The purpose of this article is to inform individuals on how to maintain a hair system and how it will affect your everyday lifestyle activities.
Will my hair system stay on forever?
Although the idea of having a hair piece last a life time seems ideal for most clients, this notion is unrealistic. The reasoning behind this is due to the simple fact that everything is relative to the individual, meaning life styles vary which then impacts the durability of the hair system. The prospect of investing in a hair system can be expensive and personal to the individual which therefore means that caring and maintain the hair system is not an option and should be taken seriously. To avoid feeling disheartened about your hair piece it is very important to understand the time and effort it takes to care for it, which in turn avoids dissatisfaction in the long term.
In an ideal world, the hair system would be able to withstand anything but still maintain its original condition, however, this again is not practical. The hair systems are made from virgin human hair and therefore should be treated in the same way. There are many questions and fears surrounding hair systems, one of the most frequently asked questions is whether the hair piece will fall off during everyday activities such as swimming, being in the sun and wearing a hat. These are perfectly normal questions to ask before investing in a hair piece, and having a consultation is the perfect opportunity to open about your concerns regarding hair systems in the consultation.
Can I exercise with a hair system on?
Once you have your system bonded on, it is advised to wait 24 to 48 hours before exercising, for the bond to set. Therefore, your body temperature needs to remain cool. The waiting period is recommended to avoid getting your head wet, swimming, psychical activity or anything that will involve your body releasing excessive sweat or an increase in your temperature. This is a concern for individuals who work out on a regular basis, and the length on which their bond lasts will have a significant difference.
Swimming is also not an issue, however excess exposure to chlorine can damage the system, which is why wearing a swimming hat is highly recommended for further protection.
So, what problem will you face, in terms of getting your hair system wet?
As explained previously once the hair system bonding has passed the setting stage (meaning it feels solid, tight with no obvious lifting) the hair system can then be exposed to water and is fine to get wet. It is recommended to avoid regular exposure to heat and steam, therefore washing the hair daily can cause great damage to the hair system. The issue is not so much the water, but the actual heat and steam from washing the hair and regular exposure will cause the bond to soften temporarily and then once your body returns to the original state, the hair system will reset again.
Having said this, most people tend to have a rebond (The system is take off, washed the retreated) every four weeks and by this time, the bond will naturally form. However, the speed of the breakdown varies for everyone due to the uniqueness of the body chemistry and the chemical makeup of the adhesives that are being used. There is not an actual way to determine which adhesives work for you, without trying. However, the specifications of the adhesives can help you to work out which adhesives you require. For example, some adhesives are waterproof or water based, where as some are more appropriate for people who have allergies.
The biggest question to ask is, will it fall off?
One of the main concerns people have regarding hair systems is whether they fall off, once the bond starts to breakdown. The simple answer to that question is No. The prospect of having your hair system fall off is mortifying, but you can be assured that if it slightly lifts, it will not come off completely.
It’s now time to fight off all your hair loss anxiety. Firstly, we recommend that the best way to overcome this is to seek professional advice. To get all your questions, worries and enquiries answered!
Why not schedule a free non- obligatory discreet consultation with our well-experienced consultants here at The London Hair Clinic?
Call us on 02074046040
Hair piece (toupée) vs hair system
Coming to terms with losing your hair can be very stressful and the process of opting for a hair replacement can be a huge step. A lot of men get confused, in terms of knowing what to look for, since there are different types of hair replacement options, such as wigs, hairpieces (toupee) and hair systems. These terms are often used mistakenly, and without the knowledge, it can be almost impossible for people to know the difference between them. Here is a brief explanation to highlight the difference between a toupee hairpiece and a hair system.
A large portion of statistics show that by age 35 around 40 percent of men will experience male pattern baldness, which is usually when they choose to address it. At our hair clinic, we meet with numerous men who would prefer not to go through the course of hair transplants or surgical hair substitutions, so we offer a workable solution that works without having to go under the knife.
So we ask, is a hairpiece the same as a hair system? The most appropriate response is NO. A hair system and a hairpiece are two totally different things.
A toupee or a hairpiece invokes all kind of images such as the badly fitted toupees on elderly men that have been the brunt of much silly comedic commentary. Hairpieces are regularly mass created, factory line made wigs that are awkward to wear and that surely trick nobody. The hair used is regularly sub-quality human hair or synthetic hair that can give off an unnatural look.
On the Other Hand, a hair system is an awesome choice for any individual who is experiencing hair loss, thinning hair, or a large degree of male pattern baldness. Not at all like an ordinary hairpiece, a hair system is made bespoke for you. The base of the piece is made by taking a mould of your scalp, so the size and shape of area of loss is perfectly covered by the system and the blend between this and your own hair is flawless. Our hair systems feature a super thin breathable base that is custom fitted for a lightweight, barely detectable feel on your head. All hair used is 100% virgin human hair, matched to the colour, movement and texture of your own hair.
What we provide at LHC
Our clinic professionally chooses the highest quality of natural human hair keeping in mind the end goal to is to match up to your own natural hair or the desired look you want. With a huge choice of colours, textures, wave patterns, thicknesses, and lengths of hair, we can create a hair system that definitely coordinates your personalised vision. Additionally, hair systems provide an imperceptible, regular, and extremely reasonable result. The system gives you the option to brush the hair away from your face, part it any way you like, and most significantly looks just as if the hairs are growing from your own scalp. The best part is that with a hair system, you are not constrained in terms of your everyday life activities. You can live life to its full potential, without limitations or the dread of losing your hair in a windstorm. Our system is intended to withstand work out, running, sports, work activities and many other relevant everyday movements.
Please give us a call on 02074046040, to book a free non- obligatory consultation, where our well-trained consultant can offer you advice and recommendations of what services we have to offer, for your specified needs.