If you are new to non-surgical hair replacement, how do you choose the right hair system? The biggest dilemma you may face is -- where exactly do you start? There are so many choices online! We know how daunting the process can be for men who have only recently discovered that non-surgical hair replacements are a solution to baldness. At Yiyohair, we want to help you find the most suitable hair system, explained from several categories to make your choice easier.
We have broken down the process of choosing a hair system into two basic components - base and hair. In this complete hair system guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about how to choose a base material and find it on the website.
Rest assured, whether you choose lace base, clear poly skin, mono-filament or silk top base, or you still don't even know what they mean. By the end of this article on the basics of non-surgical hair replacement, you'll know what type of base material you should choose!
Why is it important to choose the basis of your hair systems?
Choosing the right base is the first step in getting the best hair replacement system for you, because some hairstyles don't fit with some bases, and different bases have different life spans, some bases are not suitable for certain ventilation methods (how hair is tied to the base),
Some base materials are not suitable for certain hair densities, and the fidelity of the hair replacement system depends on the base material.
How to choose the hair systems base?
When ordering a men's hair system, there are usually 3 options available, which we describe in detail below
- Most suitable hair systems newcomer: Select stock hair systems;
- Can't find the right hair systems in stock: By customizing the hair systems, you can edit a pre-designed base;
-Professionals who use hair replacement for men: Create a toupee base based on your preferences.
Base Type
Different toupee base types have their own advantages and disadvantages, and different base types are suitable for different types of activities, or for different hair styles.
When you see lace toupees, lace front hair units, skin hair systems, mono hair systems, silk top hairpieces, or any other type of basic material, These refer to the type of base of the hair system. If that sounds confusing to you, Yiyohair interprets each of these basic material types for you.
Skin hair systems
As the name suggests, it looks and feels just like your own skin. Commonly referred to as the skin hair system, the thin skin base is essentially a piece of clear plastic (similar to plastic wrap, but thicker). The hair is injected and v-looped or knotted on the base, moving just like your own hair. Especially in the frontal area, the base of the skin blends seamlessly with your skin. The translucent material creates the ideal illusion of hair growing directly from the scalp, giving you the most natural look. It is made of polyurethane, also called Poly or PU. Thin substrate is later pure polyurethane, but it is not NPU.
While the thin skin base is the easiest type of hair system to attach to, the thin skin is very fragile when removed and cleaned, so you must be very careful not to tear the hair unit when removing it. Yiyohair A variety of skin bases of different thicknesses, which can be clearly measured according to their thickness. For example, the thickness of ultra-thin skin is 0.02mm-0.04mm, the thickness of thin skin is 0.04mm-0.06mm, and so on. The thickness of the skin base also directly affects the service life of the hair replacement system.
0.02-0.04mm is by far the thinnest skin toupee, which feels and looks like you're not wearing anything. This is why the ultra-thin skin hair system has become one of the most popular toupee for men. Since it is so thin, most wearers will keep it on (for about 1 month) before discarding it. This eliminates the need for disassembly, cleaning, maintenance and reattachment.
Of course, I'm not saying that hair systems don't need cleaning and care. Because your hair system usually cleans when it's attached to your head in the shower. It's like maintaining your real hair.
The 0.04-0.06mm and 0.06-0.08mm, or thicker skin bases are more durable, making them a popular option for wearers who want to wear them slightly longer and don't care about having to remove and clean the hair system every week. Substrates of this thickness are also known as thin peel, transparent PU, transparent peel, and transparent poly. Ultra-thin skin refers to the skin base 0.02-0.04mm thick, just a simple polyurethane material. The skin base of other thicknesses is also made entirely of polyurethane.
Ventilation suitable for skin hair systems:
V-looped
Injected
Single knot
The venting method, or knotting method, simply refers to the way human hair is tied to the base.
Skin base toupees have hair density compatibility:
0.02-0.04mm skin = Extra light to Light density (60%-100%)
0.04-0.08mm skin = Light to Medium light density (80%-120%)
0.08-0.12mm skin = Medium light to Medium density (100%-140%)
0.12-0.14mm and thicker skin base = Medium to heavy density(120%-160%)
Hair density means how "thick" and "heavy" the hair is. In other words, how many knots are tied to the base per square centimeter. The thinner the skin base, the less hair it can hold, and too much hair can tear it. Just like the load-bearing walls inside a house, there is an upper limit to the amount of weight they can bear.
Lace toupees
Soft, light, delicate and completely breathable, lace is a mesh material that comes in two varieties, French or Swiss, with the hair tied in knots. Swiss lace is the most delicate and needs to be handled carefully. The advantage is that it is very natural and not perceptible, but its service life is very short, generally only lasting about two months (Notice! There are only a few machines in the world that can produce Swiss lace, and the annual output of Swiss lace is also extremely limited. The Swiss lace wigs, Swiss lace toupees, and Swiss lace toppers on the market are not made of real Swiss lace. If your Swiss lace hair system is extremely durable, then you need to be careful, it may be counterfeit Swiss lace!). French lace men's toupees are stronger and more durable than Swiss lace toupees, easier to remove and clean, and can last up to 3-5 months if properly cared for and maintained. If you exercise a lot, lace toupee is your best choice because it's breathable and perfect for men who live in hot areas or sweat a lot.
With regard to the ventilation of the lace base, we usually tie a single knot at the front hairline and a double knot elsewhere to help create a natural hairline.
Suitable for men full lace wigs knot method:
Single split knot
Double split knot
Double knot
Single knot
Lace bottom hair system density compatibility:
French lace = Light to Heavy density(80%-160%)
Swiss lace = Extra light to Medium light(60%-120%)
Lace front hair systems
A popular choice for many men with hair loss is lace front hairpieces, with the rest of the base made of another material for added firmness and a natural look on the front, so men's lace front wigs are among the most popular types of hairstyles.
Mono-filament hair units
What is the mono Hair System? Mono-filament (short for mono) looks similar to a filament mesh, only the lace is made of fibrous material and mono uses a plastic material to filament the mesh. As a result, it is thicker and stronger than lace, and will definitely last longer. They can carry a medium thickness of hair, such as 120% or 130% medium density, while being very breathable due to the holes in the mesh, and last for more than six months, which is suitable for those who are looking for a full thickness of hair and want to save some money with a long-term investment in mind.
Mono-filament base toupees are often called mono top hair systems because mono-filament base toupees are usually used for the top area (i.e. the top of the head) and not on the sides as it does not produce a natural edge like the front of skin or lace.
Mono-filament is divided into the following categories:
Fine mono (#3 net bottom)
It is most commonly used on crowns
Breathable (for those who sweat)
Durable
Appropriate hair density = Medium light to heavy density (100%-160%)
Fine welded mono (#0.12 net bottom)
Create a natural look that suits the front hairline
Breathable (for those who sweat)
Durable
Appropriate hair density = Medium light to heavy density (100%-160%)
Super fine welded mono (#0.11 net bottom)
Has smaller holes than other Mono-filament types and is quadrilateral (rhombus)
It is more delicate and hard to the touch
Appropriate hair density = Medium light to heavy density (100%-160%)
Skin, Thin Skin, PU, NPU, Clear Poly, Polyurethane, poly coating, poly with Gauze - what's the difference?
As we discussed above, thin skin is a layer of pure polyurethane (aka PU/poly). But there are some other differences that need to be discussed to give you a clearer idea of what these terms mean.
Thin skin (often called leather or PU) is called thin skin because of its thinness and because the material is made of polyurethane. When one refers to skin or thin skin, it means that it is molded into a very thin polyurethane, which is very soft and delicate like plastic wrap. Thin skin is used for skin bases 0.04-0.10mm thick. It is concluded that Skin=Thin Skin=PU=Clear Poly.
Other materials may use polyurethane but not thin skins, as they are not thin enough to be classified as thin skins and may be mixed with other materials. Essentially, polyurethane is the name of the material (it's a kind of undried glue), and thin crust is the name of the basic type, which is made of pure polyurethane.
There are two other types of substrates that use polyurethane. Let's look at other PU based hair systems.
Poly with gauze
Poly with gauze is made by applying a layer of polyurethane to the gauze, tying the hair, and then applying a layer of polyethylene for strength. In general, the gauze used as the basis for the hair replacement system is very thin, almost like a mixture of silk-like fibers and linen-like materials. The gauze itself is not allowed to knot hairs on it because it does not maintain its structure. Whenever gauze is used, it is made of two layers - a layer of gauze and a layer or polyurethane. However, when you see this substrate on a website, it is often simply named gauze, aka polyurethane with gauze, or skin with gauze. This is a very strong and durable material and is great for pasting tape as polyethylene is very easy to clean, unlike Raysi or mono-filament which doesn't remove the glue between mesh holes easily.
NPU
An NPU consists of three layers: a layer of lace or a layer of mono-filament; A layer of polyurethane; And a layer of gauze. NPU is often mistaken for PU. In fact, NPU and PU are not the same. An NPU consists of one layer of PU (aka polyurethane) and two other layers of material - gauze and filament bottom (lace or mono-filament).
Many non-surgical hair replacement retailers themselves may not have the correct written description, so you can create confusion when choosing the basic materials. That's why it's important to seek help from a specialist hair system manufacturer like Yiyohair.
The NPU is sturdy and easy to clean, but it doesn't look very realistic when viewed closely from the top. This is why NPU is often used to base the edges of the outer hair system, as shown below.
Mixed base
These are all the types of basic materials you can find on your wig system. But in fact, there are dozens of base designs to choose from, as most of the base designs are made from a combination of different materials due to their different characteristics, natural appearance and durability. Therefore, you can find your favorite base type based on different features, or customize the base type.
Lace with clear skin or poly coating hair systems
The Lace front hair units achieve the natural look of a crown growing from the scalp, with a crisscross (also known as a scallop) hairline at the front, and are easy to remove and clean weekly.
Mono-filament top with PU perimeter hair systems
These hair systems combine a mono-filament base with a skin base and are very popular among those who value a durable and long-lasting hair system while being easy to attach and filament clean toupee.
Mono-filament and lace with NPU hair units
Most of these designs are designed to incorporate the best of each material. For example, lace front hairpieces is popular in the non-surgical hair replacement industry because of its natural front lines that skim back; The skin base is easier to adhere to and clean, and can show the true appearance; Mono-filament is one of the strongest base materials and is quite affordable due to its long life.
About the ventilation of men's toupees
The ventilation of the hair replacement system, also known as the knot method, is used to tie the hair to the base.
Aesthetics don't really matter when you're tying your shoelaces, just make sure the string doesn't come apart, and there are many different ways to tie a knot. But when it comes to tying human hair to a material base and making it look like it came from a real scalp, the complexity of the process is second to none. How do you make sure the hair stays on the base but doesn't look like a disaster? The art of creating the natural look of modern hair systems lies in the ventilation!
The hair system can have different knots; Some are more durable, while others are less noticeable. Let's take a look at the different types of ventilation for men’s toupees:
V-looped
It's not even a knot, exactly, because it's not tied at the base. But it is one of the most popular forms of ventilation in the fur system. It involves injecting hair down into the skin and passing it up again, creating a V shape.
Pros: It's undetectable and most natural, as hair seems to grow naturally from the scalp.
Cons: V-Looped are not very durable and are the most prone to hair loss.
It can only be done on the base of the skin, as other base types of toupee are not suitable for this method.
Single Knot
Tie your hair in a knot at the ends of your hair, with the knotted hair extending in the same direction to make it look flat.
Pros: It can be combed in any direction, so it is especially suitable for the temples and side of the scalp.
Cons: Easy to loosen.
We rarely use a single knot on the front or on top, which is less durable than a single split knot.
Single split knot
Single split knot Single split knot is the most common type of knot in a hair replacement system, and is done by splitting the strands in opposite directions, tying them once so that half of one strand stays on one side of the hole and the other half on the other side of the hole for a more fluffy-looking look.
Pros: Natural looking, less conspicuous than double knots, less shedding than single knots and v-looped, and can be combed in any direction.
Cons: There are different angles to the hair in this ventilation technique, so it may not be the best choice for certain hairstyles (usually short or super short)
It is used primarily as a base for skin and lace. In lace hairpieces, this knotting method is used especially in front of lace to create a natural, gradual hairline.
On skin and hair systems, if you're more interested in durability than a natural look, Single split knot is a good choice.
Double knot
A double knot is the same as a single knot except that it is tied twice. The double knot is considered the most durable knot and the hair can be combed in any direction.
Pros: Durable and easy to take care of.
Cons: Highly detectable knot.
A double knot is more visible than a single knot, so it is mostly used for backs, mostly for lace and mono-filament bases. This type of ventilation is more commonly used for women's hair toppers. This is why undetectable knots are not needed, as they will be hidden under your natural hair.
Double Split Knot
Same as a Single split knot, except that it is tied twice and less likely to fall off, and can be combed in any direction.
Pros: Durable.
Cons: Highly detectable knot.
Especially when used on lace and Single base designs, the Double Split Knot is more durable and less conspicuous than the Single split knot. More dramatically, we don't usually use a Double Split Knot in the front area of the hair system unless the client requests it.
Bleached knot
The bleach knot is used to hide the "knot" caused by tying hair to the base mesh.
Pros: The bleached hairline is completely undetectable.
Cons: Chemicals are used in bleaching, which causes the roots to become brittle and break easily.
Usually, after tying the hair to the base, we brush a bleach solution over the knot area. Then clean the entire hair system, resulting in lighter roots.
INJECTED
The injection venting mode is only suitable for skin, silicon or PU based designs and leaves no knotted marks, helping to achieve a natural look. We put the hair on the mold and use a special needle to inject the hair to the bottom. After that, we turn the base over and trim off any excess fur on that side. Then we use a layer of glue to hold the hair in place. There are two types of injection knots, the Flat Injected Knot and the Lift Injected Knot.
Flat Injected Knot
The hair is injected into the base of the skin at an acute Angle, so the hair is not perpendicular to the base and naturally falls to one side. This ventilation allows you to separate them easily and randomly.
Pros: Natural looking and imperceptible.
Cons: Due to the injection Angle, the hair direction is fixed and cannot be combed freely.
Lift Injected Knot
The hair is injected into the skin or silicon base at right angles, so the hair will be perpendicular to the base and you can style it in any direction. For this knotting method, we need a thicker base so that it holds the roots firmly in place.
Pros: Hair direction and style can be arbitrary
Cons: The base material is thick and easy to spot.
About hair color
Here you can find all the colors in our Men's toupee. For gray hair toupees, the number after color # refers to the percentage of gray hair mixed in. For example, #1 is jet black, while #110 is jet black hair with 10% gray hair, and #140 is jet black hair with 40% gray hair. Also note that the grey hair mixed in can be synthetic fiber, human hair, or yak hair.
About hair density selection
Caucasians, who naturally have thinner and thinner hair than Indians, may need less dense wigs. Older men also tend to have thinner hair than when they were younger, so for a natural look, it's usually best to choose wigs that reflect this. In summary, your choice of true hair density depends on several factors:
Step 1. Your natural hair density
Step 2: Age
Step 3: Hairstyle
Step 4. Basic materials
Density refers to the amount of ventilation at the bottom of the hair system. Choosing the right density is one of the most important factors, as it determines whether it looks believable.
At Yiyohair, we offer 6 different density levels,
Extra Light 60%-80%
Light 80%-100%
Light to Medium 100%-120%
Medium 120%-140%
Medium to Heavy 140%-160%
Heavy 160%-180%
Extra light is more suitable for people over the age of 50, as men of any nationality don't have too much hair at this age, while 140-180% is best for young men, as they are still growing up.
In general, the higher the density of a man's toupee hair, the easier it will be to detect, because trying to carry more hair means your hair system has a thicker base, which reduces its authenticity. Dense hair units are usually more expensive and less breathable, because thick hair doesn't leave more room for air to circulate, and it's more time and effort to maintain hair.
Therefore, it is important to choose the right hair density, rather than blindly pursue high density hair. There are many factors that go into matching the right hair density, and age is the first one to consider. If you are in middle age, about 40 years old, then you wear more than 140% density hair system, then it will look fake! The actual amount of hair you have is a very important consideration when choosing hair density.
Be sure to keep up with the density of your existing hair, it is common for men with hair loss to have no hair on the top of their head but still have thick hair on the sides. In this case, you can choose a density that blends in with your existing hair.
The basic type of Toupee affects hair density
Different base materials hold different amounts of hair. Swiss lace base and ultra-thin skin can only hold Extra Light to Medium Light hair (60%-100% density) while mono-filament or silk top bottom can hold medium to heavy density hair (120%-180% density). If you live in a hot area, or if you exercise regularly, the lace hair system is the best choice for you. The inventory density of Full French lace toupee is about 90%-110%. If you need a higher density, you can choose a combination of lace and poly coating basis, such as Q6, which can bear a higher density without any pressure.
Wavy and curly hair is often a visual nuisance, and wavy or curly hair can look much thicker than straight hair. Each toupee supplier has its own hair density ring, so our density may be different from that of other suppliers. Since each men's toupee is hand-woven, you may find that the density of the hair varies from order to order.
How to choose my front contour shapes?
The front contour is the degree of receding hairline. Men begin to have receding hairlines rather than straight lines as they get older, even without actual hair loss.
When you choose the hair replacement system basic design, the front contour comes in six different styles: A, AA, B, BB, C, and CC. CC is the most common type of front contour and is used in most primary systems. So named because when the inside is turned out, the base is C-shaped. On the head, it uses a straight line. The difference between C and CC is that C looks straighter on the head. Contour C is the most popular choice for men in their 20s or 30s, while Contour AA is similar to men in their 40s and 50s. AA is for those who prefer a natural look the most. For older men, they often prefer a slight dip as well, as a near-straight hairline may not look real on them.
Size of base
1.Perimeter
This measures the distance around your head. Starting at the center of your front hairline, place the tape flat on your head, moving from your ears toward the back of your head, holding the tape at the nape of your neck, then around the other side of your head, just above your opposite ear, back to the center of your front hairline.
2.Front to back
Place the tape measure in the center of your front hairline and measure directly from the middle of your head to the nape of your neck.
3.Bring your ears to your forehead
Place the tape on your temple, just in front of your ear, and measure from your hairline at the base of your temples, across your hairline along your forehead, until you reach the same point in front of your other ear.
4.Top temple to temple (i.e. temples to temples)
Place the tape on the bottom edge of your sideburns in front of your ears, then directly across your head to the bottom edge of your opposite sideburns.
5.Ear to ear over head
Place the tape from the edge of the hairline at the top of the ear and directly across the top of the head to the edge of the hairline at the top of the other ear.
6.Back of head temple to temple
Place the tape on the head of the leading edge of the hairline (the temple area) and around the head above the occipital bone to the relative leading edge of the hairline (the temple area).
7.Nape width
This measures the width of the hairline at the nape of the neck. Place the tape measure at the lowest point of the bone behind the ear (mastoid bone) and measure across the neck to the opposite mastoid bone.
Useful tips for taking proper measurements:
First of all, use a cloth measuring tape
The second, measure the tape against the head, but not against the head
Then, place the tape flat on your head without kinks and twists
The last, use the same tape measure at least two times to ensure accuracy. Consistent measurements indicate that your measurements are correct. If you do not measure correctly, your hair system may not fit.
How to use toupee tape to attach your hair system?
Before we begin:
Make sure the two surfaces to be glued (scalp and system) are clean, dry, and free of oil. Remove any stubble/hair from the scalp area to be glued.
Please note that shampoo should be avoided for 24 hours after attachment.
What you need:
Scalp protective film
Adhesive tape
Eyebrow pencil
Hairpin
The steps are as follows:
- Apply a thin layer of scalp protectant to the lace and scalp (in the area where the tape is).
- Remove the protective paper from one side of the double-sided tape and apply it around your scalp, except for your front hairline. Do not apply tape to the front of your scalp (about 1 inch back from your front hairline and temple).
- Remove the remaining protective paper.
- Place the front of the system in place, then roll the system back over your scalp, making sure your hair doesn't get stuck to the tape.
- Press firmly on the tape area to secure the hair system to your scalp, then smooth it out to avoid wrinkles or wrinkles.
- Using a light brow pencil, trace a few dots about 10cm across the outline of the lace. 1/8 inch in front of the leading edge of the lace.
- Now clip the front of the lace to the back and secure it to the top of your head with bobby pins.
- Place the tape along the hairline you just drew. Place the tape over the dots, but do not cover them.
- Wipe the spots off your forehead.
- Gently pull the lace front forward through the tape. Using the flat edge of the comb, press the lace down.
- Simply blend the brush into your hair.
Tip:
- Leave a small space between the tape on the sides and back to allow water and shampoo to escape when wearing the system for extended periods of time.
- Spray a thin mist of alcohol onto the tape, then onto your scalp where the tape is. This will allow you to align the system before the adhesive on the tape sticks.