Frequently Asked Questions and Answers about Man Weave
What is a custom hair unit?
A custom hair unit commonly referred to as a “man weave,” is a hair extension for men (and women!) who are thinning or experiencing hair loss due to aging, genetics, alopecia, follicle damage from braiding/chemical processing, or any other reasons.
What is the difference between a custom hair unit and a toupee?
Custom hair units are versatile and allow the client to choose from a variety of styles that blend with their natural hair. The process of attaching the unit and then blending/styling it into your existing hair provides a very natural-looking result that is undetectable. Units are also significantly more secure than a traditional toupee that can easily become detached.
How does the hair unit stay in place?
A bonding agent specifically designed for use on the scalp that securely attaches to the unit. For those who wish to remove the unit at night, a specially designed tape can be used instead of the standard bonding agent.
Is there any type of surgical procedure performed?
There are no surgical procedures involved - the process is very similar to any other barbering/hair dressing service.
Does my existing hair have to be cut off where the unit will be placed?
Yes, the hair growing where the unit will be placed must be cut off in order to attach the unit securely to your head. Some units of hairdressing require natural-looking the removal of most of your existing hair. If you prefer not to cut your existing hair, the specially formulated taping alternative can be explored.
How long does the process take?
Applying the unit takes approximately 1.5-3 hours depending on style, type of unit, and the condition of your existing hair.
Is an in-person consultation possible or required?
Generally, consultations can be done via telephone/email. Photos of your existing hair and scalp are required in order to determine the best options for your particular situation. For this free consultation, you can email your photos to Detroitsassistant@gmail.com or text to 313.450.2345. Please be sure to provide at least 4 photos from various angles (front, back, side, top) of your current hair along with 1–2 photos of your desired hairstyle.
What do I have to do to prepare for the service?
The only preparation required is growing your existing hair out as much as possible so there is an adequate amount of hair to blend with the unit. We can work with a completely bald head as well but if you have the ability to grow hair before the process, it will provide for a more natural looking end result.
Are loc/braid/twist and long hair unit options available?
We currently offer a very customized dreadlock replacement service but in-person consultation is required. Since this service is highly customized, the minimum initial installation cost begins at $900 and can range up to $2500
How long do the units last?
Units last from approximately 3 - 6 weeks for short-term options and up to a year for long-term options. For long-term options, longevity is heavily impacted by how well you take care of the hair unit and regular maintenance. Short-term units need to be completely replaced every 3-6 weeks. Long-term units all require regular maintenance at additional costs. Maintenance consists of regular haircuts / edge-up every 2-4 weeks and removal reattaches every 2-3 months.
Should I purchase and supply my own hair?
We provide everything you need at the appointment - you do not need to bring anything with you. If you have purchased a unit that you would like to use, we require pictures of the unit to confirm if it can in fact be used with our process.
Can I get the unit wet (e.g., exercising, showering, rain, etc.)?
You can perform your normal daily activities with the hair unit, including exercising. However, extreme sweating or excessive exposure to water can loosen the unit. Each type of unit has specific maintenance directions and restrictions vary. You can swim in long-term units as you normally would but specific care is required following.
Can the unit be taken off, washed, and reapplied?
Only the long-term unit option can be removed and reapplied. This service is an additional cost, which is lower if you remove and wash the unit yourself prior to the appointment.
How do I maintain the unit if I live in a different state/country and cannot travel back and forth to Detroit The Barber regularly?
When you arrive for your appointment, we will show you how to maintain the style and answer any questions you have. We can also provide tips and instructions for your local barber/stylist.
Can I get a regular edge-up / cut with the hair unit?
Yes, you will need to get a regular edge-up / cut of service/hairyour existing hair as often as needed to maintain the style while wearing the unit (typically every other week).
Is a deposit required to make an appointment?
At this time, we require a non-refundable deposit covering part of the cost of installation in order to book service. Since each unit is customized, specific supplies will be purchased for your service/hair, and canceling would result in a loss on our end. The non-refundable deposit covers the cost of these supplies in preparation for your service. Deposits can be made online with a debit/credit card through a Square invoice or payment through PayPal or Cash App.
How much do the units cost?
There will be some variance depending on your individual situation but generally, the short-term units range from $250-$400 and the long-term units range from $700 - $950. Cost can and will vary based on the amount of hair you currently have, the desired style, and your hair type. Upon viewing your photos and appointment request, we can provide you with the actual cost of your particular service.
Can You Shower With A Hair System？
Owning a toupee is a very important step for many men who want to improve their quality of life. They want to boost their self-confidence as they are frustrated with the current state of their balding or receding hairline. A toupee should never be an inconvenience to the wearer. When purchasing a high-quality human hair system, customers want to have the somewhat same experience as it would be with their own hair. So yes, you can shower with a high-quality hair system. The wearer should not feel limited in their toupee. This is of course great news for wig wearers. Nonetheless, before you dunk your head under the shower, the hair system must be properly fitted with toupee glue or toupee tape. Most, if not all toupee adhesives are water-resistant and non-porous therefore if applied properly to attach the men’s hairpiece, the hair system will be fine. If your men’s toupee has just been fitted on your head, give it at least a day or two before you can get it in the shower.
Many of your clients, might be a bit hesitant to wash their hair system in the shower.
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Convenience -men live busy lives and most are not bothered with spending so much time on their toupee. They do not want to be inconvenienced by their hair system. A toupee should provide comfort in your everyday life and one should not feel they cannot get into the shower and get their hair wet.
Save time -taking care of your hair system should feel like taking care of one’s hair. Many men do not want to spend the whole day washing their hair systems, therefore having the ability to wash their hair systems in the shower like they would their own hair will be perfect.
Refresh style – maybe you are tired of the current style you have on. Sometimes getting under the showerhead and getting water in the hair system will help you refresh your style.
Natural for the wearer – for most of the wearer’s life they have been able to simply wash their hair in the shower, so why should it have to be different? A high-quality hair system is supposed to compliment your lifestyle and feel like and look like your hair. So the wearer gets the comfort of continuing their normal routine of showering in a hair system.
Blending in–hair systems are undetectable to most people which is what the toupee wearer wants. They might not be comfortable having to take off the toupee to shower in front of their partner, at the gym, or even on vacation with friends.
Chance to wash the hair system– this is the most important reason why you can and should shower with a hair system. Depending on how much coverage the hair system is providing it is a chance to get both your hair and hair system clean. Washing your hair system and your hair should be done at least once or twice a week.
The Importance Of Washing Hair System
A toupee is a valuable investment for any wig wearer so it is crucial to take care of it. Maintaining the hair system is the key to the longevity of the toupee’s lifespan. One of the crucial steps in taking care of the toupee is cleaning it. Ideally one wants to wash the hair system on its own especially to remove old residue. However, most people do not have the time and patience so consistently washing the hair system in the shower is the most convenient and effective way to clean the hair system. So why is it important?
Every day wearing the system is exposed to all sorts of elements. You want to get rid of dirt, environmental pollutants, germs, dead skin cells (from your own hair ), product build-up, and anything that might be on the hair system. Avoiding regularly cleaning the hair system can damage it. The gunk on a lace or mono base can clog into the little holes of the base material and over time begin to give the hair system wearer problems and eventually ruin the toupee.
High-quality toupees are made of human hair which is porous meaning it can only allow a limited amount of water and product before discarding the rest. If the hair still has products from a previous style it may be unable to take in any moisture, oils, or more product.
A shower in the hair system will allow one to have a clean canvas for moisture intake and therefore hydrate the hair. The wearer must ensure the hair system is properly moisturized to avoid dryness that will lead to hair breakage.
With freshly washed hair one can reset the hair for a fresh new style as the hair system is clean and ready to take in styling products.
Washing the hair system is a great way in achieving softness if the toupee has felt dry and brittle. After cleaning out all the gunk that has been drying out the hair and apply a conditioner that will soften the hair system.
It is also important not to forget that you want to maintain the health of the hair you still have. You do not want to cause any more hair thinning or balding because of neglect.
Bring back lust and shine. When the hair system is not clean and still has old hair products, it can get dry, dull, and just weighed down and lifeless. A great weekly hair routine in the shower will guarantee to bring life back to the hair system. Transform the hair system to shiny, full-of-life voluminous hair.
Precautions Showering in a Hair System
As much as being able to wash the hair system in the shower, you cannot wash it how you typically wash the toupee would without the hair system on. One needs to follow a specific hair routine method to effectively clean but preserve the structure of the habit system.
Some actions can hinder or damage the hair system in the shower which the wearer should avoid before washing the toupee in the shower;
Use only shampoo – please do not be tempted to use normal body soap to wash the hair system just because you are in the shower. Shampoos are formulated specifically for the hair and any other soap is likely to damage the hair system.
Over Shampoo – washing the hair system is great however do not overdo it. Overdoing it can leave it damaged, fade the hair system’s color, and dry which leads to dry, brittle hair and eventually cause breakage. Additionally, every time you wash the hair system shedding occurs and the density lessens. You want to lose as little hair as possible throughout its lifespan. Aim for no more than two washes in the shower weekly.
Harsh ingredients – we love shampoos but avoid those with harsh ingredients such as sulfates, parabens, alcohol, chemical fragrance, or mineral oil that will leave the hair extremely dry and brittle.
Hot water – hot water is very damaging to the hair system as it can strip out the hair, and damage the bond structure of the hair strands. Over time hot water will damage the base of the hair system
How To Wash Hair System in the Shower
Step 1: Start by saturating the hair system with warm water. As already explained, avoid hot water. Warm water is better than cold water at this stage to help take in products and clean better.
Step 2: Take the gentle shampoo. A fine size is enough. Use your fingers to apply the shampoo and carefully glide the fingers in one direction preferably the direction in which the hair strands of the toupee naturally fall. This will help in preventing forming any tangles. Do not apply too much pressure when gently scrubbing the hair clean. Rinse the hair with warm water, tipping the head in all directions to ensure that all the shampoo and gunk residue is cleaned out.
Step 3: Apply conditioner. Use the same technique you used to apply the shampoo. However, avoid the scalp and base material of the hair system, and Focus on the ends and middle of the hair strands. Let the conditioner sit in the hair for a minute or two. Rinse out with warm water or if you can cold water to close the cuticles to retain moisture and add shine to the hair.
Step 4: Dry hair. You can let the hair air dry before styling or you can choose to use a blow dryer. Use a microfiber towel to get rid of excess water. Place the towel on the head and gently dab it to soak in the water. Do not use a blow dryer on high settings. Apply at this stage any of your products and gently detangle them. Use the blow dryer on cool or low settings and hold the dryer a further distance than you normally would to carefully dry the hair as you style to your desire.
Do not forget to apply a light oil to lock in and seal in the moisture to the hair system.
There are so many great benefits and advantages of showering with the hair system. Take time to adjust the hair system care routine to accommodate and protect the hair system in the shower.
How To Tell If Someone Is Wearing A Wig
The hairline is usually the best place to start when trying to identify a wig.
Sometimes, however, a high-quality wig can elude you, even if you’ve inspected the hairline closely.
Similar to identifying if the hair is colored, the roots can help you see if a person is wearing a wig.
If you look at the hairline and there appears to be a discrepancy, that person might be wearing a wig.
More often than not, this will be the easiest, fastest, and most reliable method for wig identification.
This will be especially true for a poorly made wig or one that isn’t secured properly.
For individuals with a receding hairline, you might notice that the front of the hairpiece is not attached to by platinum-blonde where focusthe the hairline used to be.
This should be a dead giveaway since the hair is probably secured at the crown of the head.
Obviously, the only way that hair can grow is out of a root stemming from a hair follicle.
If you can’t identify the hair coming out of the root at the hairline, chances are you’re looking at a wig, or at the very least, a comb-over. Again, if the wig is made well enough, it may be possible to fool people staring directly at the hairline. In one case, in particular, this method can be entirely insufficient. This would be, of course, with extensions. Since extensions aren’t attached at the root, you’ll have no luck looking at the hairline. Some of the other tricks we’ll cover for wig identification will be more applicable to extensions, however. No matter how great a wig is, the color has to be an appropriate fit for the specific individual. You wouldn’t expect someone with brown eyebrows and roots to have platinum blonde hair on their head, would you?
Probably not. By that same token, you can’t expect that someone will have one color in their roots and a completely different color for the rest of their hair. Using this approach, you might mistake hair that has been dyed for a wig. While the colors should match for purposes of blending in, some people prefer a wig of a different color. In other cases, you might have someone who just chose poorly. Perhaps they thought they were getting one color, but it’s not quite right. Maybe they bought it online and the color wasn’t as advertised. Of course, there are always those who wear a wig proudly and couldn’t care less if others knew the hair wasn’t their own. Some people even want a wig to be a markedly different color from their natural hair. For these people, you shouldn’t have any difficulty identifying the wig. A color mismatch could be a telltale sign of the presence of a wig.
Keep an eye out for any differences in hair color, but don’t jump to conclusions when using this method.