How to Pick the Right Hair System For Your Client

Why You Should Offer Hair Systems in Your Salon

 

Looking for new ways to bring more revenue or clientele to your salon? Have you considered working with hair systems? 

 

It can be easy to underestimate the demand for wigs, toupees, toppers, and other hair replacement units. Generally, the assumption is that it’s a niche market that isn’t worth getting into. But that’s not true.

 

There are plenty of potential (and possibly current) clients who would jump at the opportunity to have a hair system professionally installed and styled. They would be thrilled to have you, a trusted expert, give them a natural, confident look!

 

If this sounds like a service you want to start offering at your salon, then there are a few things to know. One of the most important ones is how to find a good hair system for each client. Let’s go over the different parts of a hair system so that you can help your clients make an educated decision.

 

Together, we’ll go over:

• System Bases
• Hair Knots
• Hair Types

Kinds of System Bases

 

Knowing about the different kinds of hair systems means that you’ll be able to get your client the perfect system for their needs and lifestyle.

 

To start off, let’s go over the different kinds of unit bases as they’re one of the most important parts of the system construction. Plus, we’ll help you pick the right tape for each base type so you can get a secure hold!

 

Mesh Bases

• Made of lace and monofilaments
• Great for sensitive scalps
• Blend with the color of the scalp for a natural look
• Very versatile
• Can be fragile
• Our tape pairing: Walker Tape’s Lace Front Thin

 

Polyurethane Styles

• Thin construction
• Pigmented to match client’s skin
• Sturdy
• May not be very breathable
• Our tape pairing: Walker Tape’s Walker Sensi-Tak Select

Combinations

 

Combinations are the biggest category of bases. They get their name from the fact that they are made by hand and machine. Combinations are also one of the more affordable options, so they’re pretty popular.

 

There are a few different subcategories of combination bases.

 

Lace Front

• Has a sheer mesh base in the front for a more natural look
• May have clips sewn in which may make styling difficult
• Our product pairing: Walker Tape’s Lace Front

 

French Drawn

• Made with two layers of glass silk and one layer of Swiss lace between them
• Gives a smooth and comfortable base
• Looks natural
• Our product pairing: Walker Signature Tape

 

Welded Lace

• Made of fibers that have been tightly woven together
• Parts naturally and easily
• Generally needs specific tools to work with
• Our product pairing: Natural Hold Tape

Kinds of Knots

 

After the bases, the knots used to tie the hair to the base comes next. This can change how well the hair stays on the unit and how easily the piece can be styled.

 

• Single Knot: Knotted once. This kind of knot is affordable, but not as secure.
• Single Split Knot: Knotted once, but is less noticeable than a single knot.
• Double Knot: Knotted twice, so it’s more secure.
• Double Split Knot: Also knotted twice, but has the look of a single knot.
• V-Loop Knot: The hair is weaved into the base, rather than knotted.
• Direct Inject Knot: The hair is machine-injected into the base, trimmed, and sealed. This secure knot can be the easiest to style as it causes less tangling.

Kinds of Hair

 

The final part of a hair system is the hair itself. There are two main kinds of hair that can be used: human and synthetic. Each has its benefits and drawbacks, so you can go through them with your client and they can pick the best option for them.

 

Most human hair systems can be made from the hair of multiple donors. It has a very natural look and is easy to style. Human hair does require a lot of care, but if it’s done right, the system can last and look great for over a year!

 

Virgin human hair units are made from the hair of just one donor. They’re called “virgin human hair” because nothing about them has been altered from the hair’s natural state. The hair structure hasn’t been changed or dyed, making it the highest quality. Like any type of human hair, it requires styling and care but can last over a year and still look great.

 

The main kind of synthetic hair is generally made from acrylic or nylon. It can be worn straight out of the package and needs no styling. This is partially because it’s difficult to style since it’s heat-sensitive. Synthetic hair doesn’t need much care but only lasts about four to six months.

 

Finally, there is heat-friendly synthetic hair. This is a hair alternative that is easier to style since heat can be used on it. But it’s still harder to style than human hair. This kind of hair system generally only lasts two to three months.

How to Pick the Best Option for Your Client

 

Now that you know the different parts that make up hair systems, you’ll need to find the best solution for your clients. You can start by asking them a few questions.

 

The main things to consider when picking the best system for your client include:

• Do they want to style their hair?
• How long do they want to wear their system?
• Do they run hot (this will help you pick a base)?
• How much money are they willing to spend on a system?

 

All of these together will help you determine the right hair unit type to give your client the system they need.

The next step after you get your client their perfect system is to install it. That’s where Walker Tape comes in. We carry a wide range of hair system tapes that can keep your client’s system in place and keep wear comfortable.

 

You can use one of the suggested products listed above, or check out our other products at WalkerTapeCo.com. Reach out to us today to see how we can help you!