Types Of Hair Replacement Systems

There's no doubt that non-surgical hair replacement systems are the best “cure” for baldness you can get.  There's no surgery, risk to your health or other complications. They're also completely style-able and – crucially for decisions like this for most people – completely reversible if you don't like what you see.

But the big question for most people who are considering hair systems for men or women is a simple one. Is it worth it?

What types of hair replacement systems are there?

You can view all our hair replacement systems here but let's start with some basics. There are a few common types of hair replacement systems out there:

Full skin base

This is the most natural-looking hair replacement system available. The base is so thin that it becomes a part of your skin. Thus, it's completely undetectable.

Some of the leading specialists in non-surgical hair replacement, such as Cochrane and Co. of London, recommend this type of system if you're nervous about a close inspection.

Full lace base

Occupying the middle ground between being undetectable and being durable, a lace base will last for a longer period than a skin base.

Lace / monofilament base with polyurethane edge

When your main concern is long-lasting durability, a lace or monofilament base with a PU edge is likely the right choice for you.

Like the other types of hair system mentioned here, these are available in multiple varieties.

Skin with lace front

This is a combination of the two approaches mentioned above. It gives you a little added extra peace of mind in front while being even more subtle everywhere else.

sizer on a table

Non-surgical hair replacement pros and cons

Advantages:

  • 100% non-invasive: surgery that isn't necessary is almost always to be avoided. But there's no surgery and thus no chance of scarring, headaches or other pain with a non-surgical hair loss solution.
  • You get instant results: most surgical hair replacement methods or hair loss medications can take up to six months to actually achieve good results. Hair systems do a better job and they do it instantly.
  • You can easily go back: if you don't like the results, you can revert to your normal look straight away.
  • You know what you're getting: the major worries associated with surgical methods – apart from the surgery itself – is that you don't know what the outcome will be.
  • You don't need any donor hair: most surgical techniques involve essentially moving your hair around your body. If you don't have healthy hair follicles elsewhere, this may prove to be a problem!

Disadvantages:

  • Not permanent: this can be a positive or a negative depending on your point of view – definitely the possibility of easily reversing your decision goes into the “plus” column! But you will need to replace your hair system every three to five months, with the cost that entails. This needs to be weighed up against the financial and health costs of other options.
  • You need to maintain your system: you need to regularly care for your hair system. It's the same sort of care you'd do for your regular hair anyway, but it's still worth bearing in mind.
  • Your natural hair still grows: if your natural hair is completely gone, then this won't be an issue. But for those areas where your hair is still growing will need to be kept close-cropped so as not to disrupt your hair system.

Your decision

The pros and cons of non-surgical hair replacement will almost always be weighted heavily towards the positive column. But the final decision will always be down to you. A huge number of men and no small number of women rock the bald or shaven-headed look these days. You can look great whatever you choose to do.