Hair pieces

So how can you get the right hair piece?

There are two main materials a hair piece is made of:  mesh or polymers.

Mesh hairpieces are made of polyester or nylon materials.  They have a natural and undetectable appearance.  They are also light weight, cool and comfortable.  There is a downside to a mesh hairpiece though.  They are:

• More expensive
• Less durable
• Must be replaced frequently
• May react with body acids and cause damage to the piece

In the alternative is a polymer hairpiece, which is made of silicone or polyurethane materials.  This material can be very durable and less expensive and easier to attach.  The bad part of polyurethane and silicone is it is hot and uncomfortable to wear.  It may also leave an uneven appearance making it visible.

So while those are the most common types of materials, how do you find the best hairpiece?

The best hairpiece is made of natural quality hair that is matching to your regular hair.  The most expensive pieces are made from European hair that is grown naturally and therefore is grown in a variety of colors, textures, and even curls or waves.  There are cheaper options, but the hair may be darker and straighter and not match your regular hair.  It also may look dry and break easily.  The more natural hair that is used, the better it will look, but human hair is fragile and will need regular maintenance.

How do you attach a hairpiece?

The attachment of your hairpiece is vital.  First it will help make its appearance look natural and second the attachment could create problems with the hair you do have, especially if you have to use bonding or adhesive.

Semi-permanent:  The first possibility is a semi permanent hairpiece.  These are usually placed on and removed by a stylist once every six weeks.  The hairpiece is placed on your head with a liquid adhesive or bonding.  This may not be good for your head or your hair.

With a semi-permanent hairpiece, your natural hair is woven into the bottom of the hairpiece.  Because of this, you can have an accumulation of flaked off skin cells or oils, which are difficult to properly clean with a regular shampooing.

Another option is double-sided tape, which is easy and you can remove it whenever you want.  It can leave a sticky residue in the area where it was attached; however, this can be removed when you shower.  One disadvantage to the tape is if you are sweating profusely or go swimming, the tape will likely not hold.

Finally, you can use a clip attachment, which are metal clips that are attached to the underside of the hairpiece to your natural hair.  These clips may be secure and are easy to remove.

Hairpieces are common treatments, but the better the piece, the more money you are going to spend.