Category: Pattern Baldness

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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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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 >

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Hair loss Trick or Treat

Picture of a pumpkin bandaged up

Halloween is upon us again, the traditional time for children to trick or treat. Soon your relaxing evening in front of the TV will be rudely interrupted by a swarm of ghouls, witches and goblins demanding sweets and treats with menaces… Halloween is traditionally a time when we remember all things scary and for some of us nothing is scarier than the thought of how to deal with hair loss. 

If you find yourself facing hair loss, what do you do?

Many will try every trick in the book to try to disguise hair loss, and certainly there is a myriad of options available on the market. Undoubtedly these solutions can prove to be very helpful. Millions of hair loss sufferers are currently using a variety of internal and external hair loss treatments such as Propecia and Minoxidil. Other solutions such as topical anti-androgens and hair thickening sprays also prove to be beneficial. Trying one or some or a combination of these products can feel very reassuring, giving you a feeling that you are doing everything possible to try to disguise your hair loss. Some find that having tried any or all of the applications, nothing helps. What do you do then? The ultimate trick is to cover up hair loss by wearing a hair system, and unquestionably the quality of many wigs and systems currently available prove to be a godsend to many balding beauties out there.

What then if you want to treat the baldness instead? Sadly there is no ‘over the counter’ treatment that is going to regrow hair once it is gone. If there were, no-one would be bald. Although topical treatments can slow down hair loss, they will not cure baldness. Hair restoration treatments such as transplanting or grafting have proven to be extremely effective and can restore a full head of hair in many cases. Consulting a trichologist can assist in diagnosing what type of hair loss you have and to find the best possible treatment for you.

Whether you decide to trick or treat, the most important thing to remember is that hair loss is not the scariest thing that can happen in your life. Some find it both mentally and physically uplifting just to bare all and live happily with their hair loss. However you decide to deal with your hair loss, make sure you make the choice that is best for you; after all those that matter, don’t mind and those that mind, don’t matter.

Get in touch – Holistique can help.

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A Close Shave

To shave or not to shave, that is the question. But what is the answer?

For many women suffering from hair loss, there is a very real prospect that one day they may have to address the thorny issue of whether or not to shave their head and bare all.

It is a sad fact that more than 1 in 10 women will have suffered from hair loss at one stage or another and this can have a devastating impact on their lives. Women hair loss can be triggered by any number of contributory factors but the truth is that no-one is entirely sure why it should happen. Anything from hormone imbalances, dietary deficiencies, stress, weight loss, cancer treatment or simple hereditary factors can start the hair loss process and in many cases it does not stop.

Whatever the cause of hair loss, the solution is just as unclear. There is an abundance of hair loss remedies out there, some more noteworthy than others, but for many women there may come a time when they realise that there is very little that can be done to reverse their hair loss and a decision needs to be made. Should I go bald and beautiful or should I cover up?

Celebrities like Demi Moore and Natalie Portman chose to shave their heads for the sake of their art; Jessie J chose to shave for the sake of charity, but the thing these women have in common – apart from the fact that they are beautiful – is that their hair loss is temporary.

What happens when your hair loss is permanent?
The brave amongst us may well decide to shave and be done. I applaud those women who face their fear and do it anyway, and are happy in their own skin (or scalp!). What about the less brave, which let’s face it, is the majority of female hair loss sufferers. Covering up hair loss with a wig, hair system or hairpiece is a simple and popular solution. Wigs are worn by young and old alike for many reasons other than hair loss. Some women choose to wear a wig for no other reason than they fancy a change or that it compliments an outfit. There is no longer any stigma associated with wig wearing, and there are thousands of stunning wigs available to choose from.

Whatever the decision about shaving, the one thing that is of paramount importance is to be comfortable with your decision. It may not be an easy road getting there, but once you reach the crossroads and have chosen your path, just rejoice in the decision and trust it is the right one for you.

If you are one of the many thousands of women out there needing practical hair help then I am ready, willing and able to help and advise you. You can get in touch by calling 01494 523834 or filling-in the contact form below. I hope to hear from you soon. Eileen.