Category: Hair Loss

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Choosing the right Hair System Adhesive

Hair System Adhesive selection image

Choosing the right Hair System adhesive can be confusing. Holistique is here to help.

Selecting a hair system adhesive best suited for your needs may seem easy, but with all of the options available you could find yourself overwhelmed and confused.

Your choice of adhesive should be based on your lifestyle, climate and scalp sensitivity.

Firstly consider how long you will wear your hair system, what sort of climate you live in; humid, dry, hot or cold? What sort of lifestyle you have, do you swim, go to the gym, sit under air conditioning all day? Do you sweat or have a sensitive scalp? Once you have the answers to these questions you will be on your way to working out which adhesive is best for you.

Water based or Solvent based?
Traditionally, hair system adhesives are solvent-based, much like other types of glue. This technology has been around for a while and some excellent products Ultra Hold, Mity-Tite, For Women Only exist that will ensure a tight hold for extended wear. These types of hair system adhesives require the use of specialised preparation solutions (Scalp Protectors) before application and solvents for removal C22; S3 Sensitive Skin; Lace Release; Ghost Buster, Ultra Safe.

Despite the advanced application and removal products available, those with very sensitive skin or conditions like eczema or psoriasis may still experience dryness and irritation. Some people even have mild allergic reactions to the chemicals used in these products, which can impact the length of time they can wear their hair system with comfort.

Fortunately, these concerns have led to the development of excellent water-based hair system adhesives Safe Grip; Ghost Bond and Great White that are much gentler on the skin and offer many additional benefits. Water-based adhesives are generally easier to apply and remove and some offer a level of hold for periods of time comparable to solvent-based adhesives. They often require less preparation and can be removed with soap and water. This is ideal for those with extra-sensitive skin who want to reduce the amount of products they use on their scalps. A water-based adhesive will go on clear and is not stringy like the traditional solvent-based alternative, which makes for an attractive appearance that requires very little touch up.

However, even the strongest water-based adhesive will not last as long as a solvent-based. If you do not have sensitive skin or allergies and you need to wear your hair system for more than two months, the solvent-based adhesives could be a better choice.

Each hair system adhesive responds to weather and certain climates differently, so bear in mind your lifestyle to best understand the kind of adhesive that you need for optimum results. For example, swimmers and athletes may require a waterproof adhesive, as moisture may compromise the integrity of the hair system hold. Sun and humidity not only do damage to the hair system but also may affect the adhesive. Bacteria can be a major issue for hair system wearers, especially in high humidity and the scalp becomes sweaty. Look for adhesives with an anti-microbial formulation that will ensure you feel cool and comfortable, and consider scalp preparation products Scalp Scrub; No Sweat to help combat any bacterial issues.

If you prefer to use hair system tapes then you can find more information in our JUNE blog post.

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Hair System Knot Sealer Top-Loc Knot Sealer by Walker Tape

Image of Walker Tapes Top–Loc Knot Sealer for Hair Systems

Holistique recommends Top-Loc Hair System Knot Sealer from Walker Tape Co. as it is brilliant at reducing the shedding of hair that sometimes occurs on your lace front wig as it ages.

Use between applications and simply spray on the inside of mesh units to seal and protect the delicate knots. This will reduce shedding and extend the life of your hair system. Top-Loc Knot Sealer is an alcohol-based formula and is low odor so you can use indoors. Its also great to use to seal tape tabs.

WATCH TOP LOC HAIR SYSTEM KNOT SEALER PRODUCT VIDEO:

(please note that this products labelling has updated since this video was made)

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO BUY TOP LOC HAIR SYSTEM KNOT SEALER >

Maufacturer information

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Which hair tape is best for me?

Let’s Cut the Red Tape

One of the most frequently asked questions is “Which hair tape is best for me?” and the answer is as tricky to answer as “How long is a piece of string?”

It depends on a myriad of circumstances such as your lifestyle, how long you wear your hair system, climate, scalp condition and a raft of others in-between. However, the main criteria for choosing your hair tape is to decide the length of time you want to wear your hair system and this will determine whether you need a short, medium or extended wear tape.

If you choose to bond your hair system but remove it daily (or every 1-3 days) then you will want to choose a low-tack tape that is still secure but designed for short term use so you can safely remove it from your scalp without damaging the base. Hi Tack tape from Walker Tape is a great hypoallergenic tape that provides relief for sensitive scalps and is the lowest tack tape in the range and will provide a good bond for 1-5 days.

Extended wear tapes are designed to last approximately 1-4 weeks depending on the tape but the length of hold will depend on body chemistry, lifestyle and maintenance routine and so a 4+ week hold is not guaranteed in every case – typical hold times vary and are about 2-3 weeks on average. When considering an extended wear tape it is recommended that you take into consideration other factors such as:

Oily skin: if you have very oily skin, chances are that any tape will break down much faster. For example, a four-week tape might only last you three days! Some tapes might not necessarily be designed for oily skin, but are known to work well such as Ultra Hold and Supertape

Sensitive skin: if you know yourself to have sensitive scalp skin or are having a reaction to another adhesive, you may want to consider tapes which are manufactured to medical grade or hypoallergenic standards. Good examples of these tapes are Pro Flex and No Shine. This is in no way to be considered medical advice. If you have a skin reaction, please discontinue the product and contact a physician immediately.

Shine free: if you wear a light density hair system or you want to bond to a delicate lace base then choose a tape designed to have no or low shine such as No Shine or Lace Front Support (also known as Blue Liner)

Another consideration is what type of hair system you wear. It is highly recommended that you use Sensi-Tak directly on poly edges or traditional skin bases prior to attaching your extended-wear tape to your hair system base. Sensi-Tak (also known as Red Liner) tape is clear with a disposable red liner. It will securely adhere to the poly, but greatly diminish the amount of time and effort needed to clean the base since it doesnt break down like an extended-wear tape. Red liner tape will not compromise the length of your bond provided you use a second extended-wear tape on top of it to attach to your scalp.

Hair tapes come in various sizes, widths and strips. Contour tape strips are mostly commonly used at the front hairline or back of the hair system. Tapes also come in rolls that vary in both length and width. The rolls allow you to customize the area of your hair system that is taped – they also allow you to purchase a hairpiece tape that will fit the exact width of your polyurethane perimeter. Rolls of hairpiece tape normally sell in widths of 3/4″ and 1″ and in lengths of 3 yards or 12 yards so you will have plenty to work with before you run out and need to re-order.

No matter where you buy your toupee tape or what type or size you prefer to use, its important to know how to best apply and wear it, which we will look at in a future blog post.

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Water, Water Every Hair: Why your water may be the reason that your hair system is drying out

image of lady with dry hair

Many people who wear hair systems, especially those with long hair, experience the annoyance at one point or another that their hair system is drying out. 

There are several factors that lead to a hair system is drying out such as harmful alcohols in hair products, heat styling and blow-drying. But there is one factor that is commonly overlooked: the quality of your water.

What’s in your water?

Hair system wearers take special precautions to protect their hair from swimming pool water because it is well known that chlorine dries out the hair. It also causes oxidation that makes the hair lighten or change colour, but did you know that most of the treated water that flows into your home can contain more chlorine than a swimming pool? Yep, that means we might as well wear a swim cap in the shower every day!

Although chlorine may be great for killing bacteria, it wreaks havoc on our hair: chlorine sucks all of the moisture (and colour) out of your hair creating tangling, frizzing and breakage. Conditioning the hair system using leave-in and rinse out conditioners, hair serums and oils can help reduce the drying effect of chlorinated hair but this isn’t always enough. Even if you even if youre faithfully conditioning your hair and avoiding heat styling and harmful alcohols, the chlorinated water in your home may be undoing all your hard work.

Filter out the nasties:

The best way to protect your hair from chlorine is to filter it out before it gets into your hair and scalp. Purchasing a water filter is a great way to remove the harsh chlorine in your shower. Although this can sometimes be expensive, the benefits – not only to your hair – can in many ways outweigh the cost. This could be the missing link that’s preventing your hair system from being smooth, soft and manageable.

However, if you cannot afford to install a water filter, and wearing a swim cap in the shower is not an option, you can find many other useful tips and hints on how to look after your hair system in our other blogs – here is a good tip for reducing tangles.

A full range of hair care products can be purchased from our on line shop.

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Bad hair day – What a Tangled Web

Image of woman having a bad hair day

Weve all had a bad hair day. You know the one where you wake up and your hair looks like a bird’s nest and nothing that you do helps?

Tangled or matted hair can be extremely frustrating! Especially when you wear a hair system. The hair in a system is already dependent on you to add moisture because it does not produce its own sebum. Trying to get the tangles and mats out of a hair system can lead to costly repairs or even total replacement of your system. So it can be an expensive venture when your battle plan for a bad hair day is not executed properly.

Tangles come from friction on the hair system and the first rule always has to be prevention is better than cure. A major cause of friction comes from sleeping with a pillowcase made from coarse materials. The 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. Avoid wearing hats or helmets for extended periods of time. This will also help to lengthen the time bonding adhesives stay effective. Friction is also caused by excess combing and brushing. Using a moisturising product like Nearly Natural Moisture Mist will help reduce friction while youre in front of the mirror styling your hair.

On a bad hair day, 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. By detangling your hair system the wrong way, you may inadvertently be diminishing the condition and life span of your investment.

Here are some simple, safe and effective tips that every person wearing a hair replacement system can use to get minor hair tangles out and avoid the frustrating bad hair day:

  • Before getting into the shower, wet your head and brush all the hairs toward the same direction. This adds moisture to the hair strands and will ease friction while washing.
  • If your hair is tangled before you get in the shower it helps to dilute your shampoo with just a little bit of water before applying. This will also make it easier to rub the shampoo in to the hair.
  • Using a wide-tooth comb 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 need practical hair help then I am ready, willing and able to help and advise you. You can get in touch with me in several ways, detailed on my  CONTACT PAGE >