The Patient's Guide to Hair Restoration - New Hair Institute

Cleaning
Some types of hairpieces are easy for the client to remove and replace.
This allows more frequent scalp cleansing than with permanently attached
hairpieces. The client must choose between convenience and security; both have
advantages and drawbacks. Shampooing cannot remove skin cells, skin oils,
shed hair, and other debris that accumulates between the netting and the scalp
with a permanent hairpiece. These kinds of hairpieces must be removed from
time to time to clean the piece and the underlying hair and scalp.
Duplicates
Many clients have a second hairpiece made to wear while the first is being
cleaned and perhaps re-styled. The initial expense of this option is justified by the
increased lifespan of both pieces.
Frontal Hairline
Unless the client has natural hair remaining in his frontal hairline, the
border of the hairpiece may be highly visible, tending to separate from the scalp
and leaving a visible line. Hiding this space can be the most difficult challenge of
the wigmaker’s art. However, an experienced craftsperson can accomplish this,
and the results can be excellent.
Accelerated Hair Loss
Some hairpieces have the effect of accelerating hair loss. This may be
caused by some of the methods of attachment or the physical or psychological
stress induced by the hairpiece. One example is seen with a pair of identical
twins. In identical twins, hair loss is virtually identical, but in this case, it was not.
One twin used a hairpiece and experienced greater hair loss than his sibling who
did not use a hairpiece.
Methods of Attachment:
The greatest worry for any person who wears a hairpiece is that it will
unpredictably come off and be extremely embarrassing. Wig makers have put
much effort into devising methods to attach the pieces securely. Each solution
has advantages and disadvantages.
Tape
Tape with adhesive on both sides is one of the simplest methods of
attaching a hairpiece. Tape, however, can leave a sticky residue of adhesive on
both the skin and the net foundation of the hairpiece. In addition, tape tends to
become unglued when the hair is pulled or when the wearer sweats. This type of
attachment is especially unsuitable for people who like to exercise in hot, sunny
weather. Swimming and diving also tend to loosen the attachment of taped-on
hairpieces.
Clips and Snaps