If you are planning to wear a wig daily, whatever your reasons, you need to have realistic expectations about the longevity and how to get the most out of your purchase. Despite the wonderful products that are available today, it is still a wig and will not have the exact same properties as the hair that grows out of our heads. We do strongly recommend that when making your purchase, you consider buying two as that will extend the life expectancy of both pieces. With the vast selection of price points available, chances are you can find two pieces that together will fit into your budget. For those committed to human hair, be sure to consider that it must be cared for the same way as the hair on your head, so it is not low maintenance. It will need to be washed more frequently, blown and styled for it to look exactly as you want. You may become adept at doing this yourself, or you may need to take it to a salon for styling. Having a backup synthetic version will enable you to pull it on and go, not care about humidity or heat and its effects. Because there is a permanent style to a synthetic wig, it will retain the same look as the day you purchased it. Synthetics sometimes can have a bit of a shine; this can be remedied with a dry shampoo. If you choose to sleep in a wig, which isn’t recommended, the lifespan will definitely be affected. You cannot control how you move in your sleep and therefore, you could spend extended periods of time with hair askew in different directions with the weight of your head in it. Wigs should be brushed to remove tangles each time you wear it. Turn the wig inside out to comb the return at the nape of the neck. Do so gently, with short strokes working from the bottom up. Never start at the top and vigorously brush to the bottom. This will yank the hair and can cause damage to the strands. Synthetic wigs can suffer from friction frizz if you are wearing a longer length that grazed your collar, particularly in the winter when we wear coats. There are de-tangling sprays or processes available at wig salons that can aid this situation. Likewise, you should also be cognizant of how you handle the hair when the wig is on your head. Repeatedly running your fingers through the top of your hair to brush away from the face can cause a lace front wig to roll or rip. The lace front can be replaced at a cost, but then comes the issue of matching the color or grade of lace. It is best to refrain from habits such as these. A simple solution for this is to spray a wig brush with an approved hairspray for wigs and brush gently away from the hairline. You should let the hairspray dry completely before wearing it. If you wash your wig frequently, it is imperative that you rinse the hair thoroughly. Avoid putting conditioners or oils close to the base. It should be at least 2 inches from the base, never near the roots. Apply from the bottom and work your way up the hair. Always be sure to “block” your wig after washing, meaning place it on a mannequin head. A rubber one is preferable as it allow the piece to breathe. Placing it on a head will prevent hair from coming back through the cap and it will also prevent the wig from stretching providing that the head is smaller than your head. Feel free to watch our step by step, wig washing tutorial at https://youtu.be/YMORXtI73b4 It is not recommended to chemically process a human hair wig if you want it to last and remain as it was when you purchased it. There are consequences and noticeable differences ranging anywhere from breakage, to flattening to a loss of shine and or color. You can never know exactly how your wig will react and there is no recourse for damage to the wig, it is at your own risk. Additionally, if you do so, it voids any and all manufacturer warranty. Please schedule a consultation by calling (203) 987-5948 ext 1 or visit our website www.althairsolutions.com |
Tag: Alternative Hair Solutions
Your Piece of Mind
Did you know that stress is one of the most common causes of hair loss in woman? Your body’s way of responding to any kind of demand or threat can be both internal and/or external. Gaining weight and hair thinning are just two ways of your body reacting. When you experience stress your nervous system responds by releasing a flood of stress hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol into your body.
Generally it is physiological stress that causes hair loss. Some physiological stress examples are: major surgery, a weight gain/loss of more the 15 pounds, severe calorie restriction and going off oral contraceptives are the most common ones. This type of hair loss is usually temporary as long as the stress is temporary. Once the stress event is over hair generally begins to grow back and the normal hair cycle resumes.
Be patient and kind to your self. For your piece of mind, know that clip in toppers or wigs can help bridge this temporary hair loss time. Owning this type of accessory can be a huge time saver for the busy woman. You hair can look terrific in just a few minutes when you learn how how simple it is to wear.
To learn more visit www.althairsolutions.com or call (203) 987 4948 ext 1
Face Shape – which best describes yours?
There are so many options in hair today. Choosing what is best for you can be narrowed down by first deciding your face shape. Here are a few ideas for flattering your face shape with Alternative Hair options. These tips will also work for your own hair.
Heart: Think Reese Witherspoon, Halle Berry or Scarlette Johansson
The HEART Shape Face is characterized by a wide forehead and a narrower chin. Bring some hair onto the forehead to disguise its width. Keep hair close to the head at the eyes but make it slightly full around the jaw, and below and in front of the earlobes.
Square: Think Demi Moore, Minka Kelly or Natalie Portman
The SQUARE Shape Face is characterized by a wide hairline and jaw. Square shaped faces need height on top and narrowness at the sides. Comb the hair off the forehead to add height to the face. Curly texture and wisps of hair around the face break the wide, straight lines common to the square face.
Round: Think Paula Deen, Penelope Cruz or Cameron Diaz
The ROUND Shape Face is characterized by a wide hairline and fullness below the cheekbones. Sometimes extra weight can make face appear round and the neck may appear short. These faces look very good with a geometric or linear style. Add height, when possible, and long, wispy side areas to make the cheeks look narrow. Comb hair close to the head on the side and at the nape.
Oval: Think Kate Middleton, Tina Fey or Julianne Moore
The OVAL Shape Face is longer than wide, with a jaw that’s narrower than the cheekbones. Because the oval shaped face has no dominant areas and is so proportional, this face looks good with just about any hairstyle, length or texture. If you were born with an oval face, consider yourself a lucky girl. This is probably the most normal face shape there is, because it has perfect proportions—it’s not too square or too round allowing you a multitude of options for hairstyles.
If you can’t decide what shape best describes your face then setting up a private wig/hairpiece consultation will help you determine what styles can work best for you. Contact (203)987 5948 ext 1 or visit www.althairsolutions.com and fill out a consultation questionnaire.
Hats off to the Summer | Alternative Hair Solutions
As summer kicks off what’s a girl to do? We want to look fabulous but we also want to be comfortable. Finally there is a perfect solution. Breathable, lightweight ‘on trend options’ for the warmer weather. With barbecues, pool time and picnics there is no need to stress over your tresses. Our private studio will show you how simple this and other options can be.
Now you can keep your focus on the fun stuff like making the perfect Lemonade or Potato Salad.
Perfect Potato Salad:
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups creamy salad dressing
Directions
-
Prep 10 minutes, Cook 30 minutes and Ready In 40 minutes
- Bring a small pot of salted water to a boil. Add potatoes; cook until tender but still firm, about 15 minutes. Drain and cool.
- Place eggs in a saucepan, and cover completely with cold water. Bring water to a boil. Cover, remove from heat, and let eggs stand in hot water for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from hot water, and cool.
- Peel the eggs and cut around the egg white; keep the yolk whole.
- Dice the egg whites and potatoes. Combine in a mixing bowl and add the salad dressing.
- Toss the potatoes and egg; crumble the egg yolk on top and serve chilled.
Hats off to the summer, keeping it simple and the perfect potato salad! Call us at (203) 987 – 5948 ext 1 or visit www.althairsolutions.com
Thinning hair and/or total hair loss| Alternative Hair Solutions
Thinning hair and/or total hair loss (or more formally known as, alopecia) can occur for many reasons. It can affect just your scalp or your entire body from conditions like trichotillomania, when someone pulls and tugs on their hair creating small patches of scalp consciously or unconsciously, which can lead to partial or total hair loss. It’s more common among teens and college students, especially when they are experiencing pressure from school or social interactions.
A zinc deficiency can lead to a direct result of thinning hair. It’s often associated with hypothyroidism, which is an overlooked cause of alopecia. Thyroid hormones are essential for the body to absorb zinc. It can also be found in foods like cashews, pumpkin seeds, chick peas and spinach, but sometimes it’s necessary to use supplements.
Other key factors that lead to thinning hair and/or total hair loss include heredity, hormonal changes, medical conditions, medications, or stress; any of those can lead to hair loss or the more formal name alopecia.
Today, stress levels are at an all-time high. Finding better ways to release stress can be helpful. For example, a good book, exercising, a great massage, a sport, or a hobby is a step in the right direction. Good nutrition is also an important asset for your total body.
For many of us, we don’t even realize when we are internalizing stress. As women, we can be calm, cool, and collected on the outside, but our insides can be a tangled web of emotions that ultimately surface through disease, hair loss, or depression.
Thinning hair and/or total hair loss does not discriminate, regardless of age or gender. There are many different types of alopecia. The usual suspects that can add to your risk factor are family history, age, poor nutrition, stress, or certain medical conditions such as lupus, diabetes, and cancer.
We can control some of the risks of thinning hair and/or total hair loss, but of course, there are several that we cannot. Learning the options that are available to you can provide a source of relief immediately.
For thinning hair, many times a simple clip-on hair piece is all that’s needed. There is also non-surgical bonding for areas of semi-permanent or permanent total hair loss. Wigs either synthetic or human hair are yet another option. Some women choose to just wear a scarf or trendy hat.
Thinning hair and/or total hair loss can either be temporary or permanent; therefore, it’s important to see your doctor as soon as you begin noticing a change in your normal hair, or are experiencing unusually high levels of stress.
Feel free to book a complimentary consultation with us to learn the options available for you or a loved one. Call 203 987 5948 ext 1 or visit www.althairsolutions.com to learn more.
My Hairitage | Alternative Hair Solutions
I’ve always spent an inordinate amount of time seeking follicular perfection! Looking effortless was an exhausting effort. I was challenged — no, rather, petrified — when it came to the simple act of handling a blow dryer and a brush.
Over and over I tried to instill that being “overtressed” adds more years than wrinkles, layers frame the face, hair should have body, hair that is washed too often can be damaged, and that I should resist heated styling tools. After all, well-maintained hair signifies health, youth, and professional credibility. From the Marie Claire magazine, “there is age, and there is hair age,” and I never wanted anyone to guess my age via my hair. I was conscious of having age-appropriate hair while also being trendy — a conundrum of sorts. Why was hair judged so harshly??
After being blindsided by cancer and the impending hair loss, I was thrust unwillingly into the hair o sphere that is wigs and hairpieces. Not having the courage to embrace “bald is beautiful” I had to venture into an arena that I previously thought was for celebrities, definitely not me. As I did my research, I found that wig and hairpiece revenue in the US is quickly heading toward the billion dollar marker. NY Magazine proclaimed “On any given day, New Yorkers encounter as many wigs on their morning commute as fake Goyyard bags”
Thanks to Lady Gaga and Nicki Minaj, wigs are not only accepted, they are touted.
I had to convince myself to embrace it, not to hide or deny it. As a fashion executive for 30+ years, I was used to taking risks. Why should this be any different? Each month as I perused the fashion magazines, I marveled over Anna Wintour’s bob, or wondered if I could possibly rock a pixie like Halle Berry. I got to try them all, something that I would have never done voluntarily. I now subscribe to the mantra that variety is a testament to my creativity.
Wigs today are virtually undetectable thanks to the great strides made in their quality and construction. There’s hair that blows in all directions, real parts that reveal scalp even if you have hair underneath, lace fronts that allow you to wear hair off your face and not hide behind bangs, the botox alternative. There’s highlights, lowlights — you name it.
Gone are the days of me risking my life in a nor’easter to get to a pre-dawn blow dry appointment before work, or spending the equivalent of a night at the Four Seasons to pay for a mediocre hairdo while on vacation. I will gladly visit rain forests or golf in Scotland because I know at the end of the day I won’t resemble a chia pet while pretending to have a good time.
Instead, I now say hello to sleeping in, and indulge my desire to find out if blondes have more fun. Wigs are my opportunity not only to change things up, but also to finally get the follicular perfection I was always longing for.
The most important attribute to pulling off a wig is really just this: ATTITUDE.
Contact us at Alternative Hair Solutions 203 987 5948
Bondable Eyebrows | Alternative Hair Solutions
While many people think of hair loss as primarily impacting the scalp, one of the other visible areas of hair loss for many patients is the loss of the eyebrows. Both during chemotherapy and certain medical conditions such as frontal fibrosing alopecia, eyebrow loss can be a problem that many patients don’t expect, and don’t immediately know how to address.
Fortunately, bondable natural eyebrows are a great solution for those who have lost their brows. Each individual natural human hair is individually injected into a thin, transparent polyurethane base, providing a durable and natural eyebrow solution.
Bondable natural eyebrows come in multiple arch shapes, and variety of color options, so the patient can find a natural looking replacement for their original eyebrows. Attached with a water-based glue, each eyebrow will stay in place for 3-4 days, and will last for 3-4 months of regular use. Because the bondable eyebrows are glued to the skin, this is a non-surgical solution – it requires no transplanting, no skin grafting, and absolutely no cutting of any kind. It is a safe, easy, and painless solution to thinning eyebrows.
While brow thinning during chemotherapy is generally temporary, brow thinning with frontal fibrosing alopecia is typically permanent. However, bondable natural eyebrows are a great solution for either temporary or permanent brow loss – they are durable enough to be cost effective for long term use, but they’re a great temporary solution for chemotherapy patients who can expect their natural eyebrows to regrow following treatment.
If you’re interested in bondable natural eyebrows to match your wig, top piece, or even your natural hair, contact Alternative Hair Solutions today for more information.
For more information on bondable eyebrows contact us at (203) 987-5948 or visit our website at http://althairsolutions.com/
Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia | Alternative Hair Solutions
One of the many forms of female hair loss is frontal fibrosing alopecia. Typically impacting post-menopausal women, frontal fibrosing alopecia is characterized by a symmetrical band of hair loss along the front of the scalp, often extending down to eyebrows, leaving a few lonely hairs in the bald area. The remaining skin can vary from pale to shiny to scarred, often with redness around the visible hair follicles.
While hair loss is a difficult topic for many people, frontal fibrosing alopecia is often extra difficult, due in part to the fact that it is clearly visible in the front of the scalp rather than diffuse thinning associated with female pattern baldness. It’s further complicated by the fact that the exact cause is unknown – it’s believed to be hormonal (as evidenced by its onset post menopause), but it is generally considered slowly progressive: there is no effective cure, and even treatment efficacy varies significantly.
If you’re experiencing hair loss along the front edge of your scalp, or you have other reason to believe you’re effected by frontal fibrosing alopecia, contact a doctor. In some cases, a short course of oral steroids or anti-inflammatory antibiotics has shown to benefit patients. However, it’s generally believed that frontal fibrosing alopecia causes permanent damage to the follicles, and that hair regrowth is unlikely.
Given that the most effective treatments are only occasionally able to stop the hair loss, but not restore lost hair, many patients generally consider disguising the effect with wigs, which can restore the appearance of the natural hairline. Experienced wig providers such as Alternative Hair Solutions can assist with fitting a natural looking wig that is light and designed not to irritate the already sensitive scalp – in fact, in the case of frontal fibrosing alopecia, a top fitting piece can be fitted away from the impacted areas, allowing the hair to flow over and disguise the frontal scalp without irritating it with direct contact.
For more information, or a complimentary consultation, please contact us.
For more information on Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia contact us at (203) 987-5948 or visit our website at http://althairsolutions.com/