The time has come - you've decided on hair replacement. Or are you still thinking about it? Topper, toupee, hairpiece, hair integration, wig ... Especially at the beginning of your journey into the world of alternative hair, you're literally blown away by all the technical terms. If you want to know which type of hair replacement is right for you, then you're in the right place.
Wig - everybody knows it, right?
The wig is - next to the toupee - probably the best known alternative hair. It is also not an invention of modern times, but already had a fixed place on the heads of men and women in ancient Egypt. It is characterized by the fact that it covers the entire head area from the forehead to the nape. The hair is knotted on a montur - that is, a base made of tulle - which is sewn so that it fits tightly to the head. A wig is suitable for people who have either lost all their hair on the head (e.g. in the case of Alopecia Areata Totalis), who have too little hair to attach a hairpiece to it (e.g. in the case of Alopecia Areata or advanced Androgenetic Hair Loss) or for people who like to change their hair style frequently.
Toupee - that's that ill-fitting thing for men ...
The toupee has a pretty bad reputation. One inevitably thinks of straw-like mops on the heads of elderly gentlemen, which can be recognized as fake even from 100 meters away. Viewed quite neutrally, toupees are half-wigs that are often worn by men with advanced baldness. Of course, there are also high-quality parts of them, which are almost not recognizable in everyday life. To ensure the most natural look possible, new montures are constantly being developed - from lace, to monifilament, to foil. These can then be glued to the scalp.
Hairpiece or topper - which is it?
The term "hairpiece" is quite inaccurate and there are a number of other terms that all describe a similar concept: A small to medium sized montage designed to cover hair loss in the top of the head. You will also often read the terms kippah fall, crown extension or wiglets. This hair replacement is especially suitable for women suffering from Androgenetic Alopecia, but also for trichotillomania sufferers. Again, the hair is tied onto the montage and, depending on the person's hair status, is glued or clipped to the person's own hair with small clips. The topper covers a light top of the head, but can also be worn extension of the own hair.
Hair integration - a solid thing
A hair integration is basically a topper that is connected to the natural hair in one way or another. This can be done by weaving, where the hairpiece is "interwoven" with the natural hair. But a hairpiece can also be semi-permanently connected to the natural hair by means of adhesive technology or bondigs, heat or pressure. This hair replacement is worn day and night - it can only be detached and reattached by a second hair specialist. This variant is suitable for people with androgenitic alopecia, diffuse hair loss and people who still have enough hair for the attachments. Now you have at least a small insight into the world of hair replacement. Which method is right for you depends in large part on your current hair status. If you are "bald and beautiful", then a wig is the best option for you. If you still have some fuzz on your head like me, then I can highly recommend a topper! Feel free to write or comment if you have any further questions - I'm happy to share my experiences with toppers and hair integration.
