Hair loss is a major issue for millions of men worldwide. The most common cause is called Male Pattern Baldness, or MPB, a condition which over 50% of men encounter before their 50th birthday. Other causes include various forms of alopecia, and side effects of treatment for serious illnesses such as cancer. Women can also be affected by hair loss for some of the same reasons, however the condition predominantly affects men.
The most common and widely recognised hair loss solution is a hair replacement system, better known as a unit, wig, toupee or hairpiece. Effectively all are variations of the same basic principle, a head of hair designed to conceal baldness, made from a variety of materials ranging from horse hair or human hair to wool or synthetic materials. Wigs are often seen as a less expensive or intrusive therapy for hair loss than other solutions as there is no requirement for surgery.
Wigs have been used for centuries and continue to be used worldwide. The first modern wigs were made of animal hair treated with special chemicals, enabling men and women to try new hair colours and styles. Since options to enhance appearance were limited, it was a wig that usually helped individuals to alter their looks. Women in elevated positions within society chose to wear wigs to make them look different from common people. Long hair on women was the socially acceptable norm, hence women who did not have the luxury of longer hair resorted to wigs to acquire the desired image. Quite often, hard-up families would encourage the girls to sell their hair for this purpose, such was its value.
As the primitive wig evolved, man-made substances as well as pre-treated human hair became the most commonly used materials. Synthetic wigs introduced a host of new possibilities and designs. Such flexibility prompted the introduction of various colours, styles, lengths and braids, and suddenly the humble wig became realistic enough to be used as an effective baldness concealer. People who had been affected by illnesses resulting in hair loss were finally able to use wigs to help maintain their confidence and regular lifestyle whilst coping with medical treatment.
Whilst wigs have evolved significantly over the last few centuries, and there is no doubt whatsoever that so-called hair systems can offer an incredibly realistic illusion of hair in some cases, for the purposes of disguising hair loss they still suffer from the same basic complications.
- Wearing a wig is an immediate change to ones appearance, so it could be fairly obvious that someone has started wearing a wig.
- A wig is nothing more than a temporary cover-up.
- Despite recent improvements, a wig can still fall off, be blown off or be pulled off fairly easily.
- Wigs are often criticised for looking odd or unnatural.
- Wearers are often subject to name calling or abuse.
For many, scalp micropigmentation provides the perfect solution. The SMP process uses the latest equipment including a range of micro-fine needles to penetrate the dermal layer of the skin. A range of different shades of specially blended colour pigments are applied to ensure accurate replication of the patients hair. The end result is a clean, stylish look.