Wigs

The Real Truth, The Real Expectations, The Real Facts
before you spend, know the insider's information, what other stylists won't tell you about
Custom Wigs or Custom Cranial Hair Prostheses FAQs
Why custom wigs/ custom cranial hair prostheses worth buying?  Our cancer clientele love the feel and comfort of custom.  It feels like a wedding dress made just for them. They have regained their active lifestyles and their freedom. They are more confident around their friends, loved ones and coworkers. Losing their precious hair is quicker than growing it back and their hair prosthesis, unlike a synthetic “off-the-rack” wig, is designed to last until their own hair grows back. Even though they have to take medications for the next x amount of months, they will be comfortable, since their custom designed hand-made piece breathes and stretches. But the number one reason, I've experienced is, because I can create an exact replica of them before the disease, their recovery time is faster.  Whenever they see themselves in the mirror, they are seeing themselves and not a different woman who lost all of her hair to cancer.

Do you sell cheap machine made wigs? I don't carry them in stock because 99% of my clientele like custom made. They always come to me after they have seen and tried on a cheap wig. My clients like fine, comfortable pieces that resemble them. They want to see the same image everyday in the mirror. They want to feel like themselves again.
They want their friends and coworkers to know that they are not suffering inside a “hat made of hair.” They want to continue to enjoy life and not have to think about if their wig is going to be blown away. They want to wear it everywhere: an amusement park, to the beach, on a cruise or in the swimming pool. Most importantly, they know they are paying or their insurance is paying for quality, longevity and freedom. The total price for a cheap wig would be more expensive in the long run as opposed to a custom human hair prosthesis. Cheap wigs must be replaced often, there are many restrictions and the average active woman finds it difficult to restyle. Save the cheap machine made wig for a costume party.

Do insurance cover wigs?  Perhaps.  First find out if your insurance will cover the S8095 code and get a script from your doctor.

What is better human hair or synthetic fiber? This is up to the individual. Synthetic always has that perfect hair style look. It never limps in humidity. Even when you get caught in the rain, it is always perfect, although not in the hot sun. It is also the cheapest material used in wigs. However, there is a downside. With synthetic, you have to remove it when you cook, when you’re at the sauna, or at a barbecue and you cannot leave it in a hot car should you decide to swim at the beach. It is also the cheapest, and therefore has the least life expectancy. I would say the best candidates are those with very inactive lifestyles. Human hair is just like your human head. There are no restrictions. Depending on the type of base material you choose, you can swim with it or even go on a roller coaster ride and it will always stay put. Human hair is popular with the younger crowd as well as for people with active lifestyles. Put it this way, styling and caring for synthetic wigs is similar to styling and caring for a Barbie doll's hair.

Can you make a custom wig/ cranial hair prosthesis in ethnic hair?  Yes! I can create anything! I can create mixed textures too. You give me your hair sample or select from many of my samples.

I want to make a custom wig for my love one, but I only have 1 virgin hair ponytail.  That will do. The wig makers will choose the best strands needed to create this unique piece, and add similar human hairs along with it. If you check out Gallery, you will see that I have designed a custom cranial prosthesis for one of my cancer clients who used her own virgin ponytail to make her own custom wig. I can give you her phone number if you'd like to ask her about it. She is also a nurse and she would love to help!
Please allow up to 8 weeks after we have received your virgin ponytail neatly stored in a Ziploc bag.

I have saved my hair and wonder if it is any use to you.   I only design custom wigs for those who cannot bear to part with their precious hair. You can mail your hair to Locks of Love.

Why do some materials used in wig making lasts longer than others?  Think of these materials as pantyhose. They can be made from very thin lace or very tight spandex.  Very thin lace is less visible, but the down side is that it has to be replaced often. On the other hand spandex is more visible, but it is tougher and will last longer.

Why are there so many different prices of human hair?  Human hair is not all the same. Let's say you need a wig and you have several friends, some of whom have hair you want, but some who have hair you wouldn't even consider having as your own. I buy my hair from either hair companies or from a group of hair breeders whose business is strictly caring, feeding, growing and selling their 100% virgin raw healthy hair. Often times this hair may take a while to get. I can let you know beforehand if, let's say, a curly haired redhead is available to cut off her 20" length hair. If money is not an issue, I can make you a cranial hair prosthesis made with patented technology human hair.
The way this hair is processed is by taking raw virgin hair and coloring it as if it were a cashmere sweater. This patented technology hair never was stripped off its cuticle, and never bleached. It remains virgin. This hair is easier to get.

I know all about human hair and I have a company whom I buy the best hair from.  If I buy the hair, will you make a wig out of it for me?  Yes!

I bought a human hair wig from you and I love it but when I purchased the same wig again, the hair felt different like coarser.  What went wrong?  Well.  Granted, it was human hair and since human hair comes from many different donors, each donors' hair will be different.  This is very important when buying 100% HUMAN HAIR.  We will do the best we can to replace the hair, however CyberMane Inc is limited by manufacturer warranty and offers no guarantee beyond that which is offered by the manufacturer.

What's the best for human hair?  The best in the world is “100% raw virgin human hair.” This hair is valuable, can be costly and often times rare to find. Don't expect to pay peanuts. One who has taken great care of her hair won't likely sell it for the cost of hair that you can easily buy. In raw virgin human hair, the hair is so beautiful, youthful and thick. Every single strand is even in color and even in texture. You can tell by the way it feels and the shine it gives off. “Patented technology” hair and Cyberhair® are much easier to get and both resemble 100% raw virgin hair. Any amazing quality hair will be costly. Processed hair is less expensive.

What's the best way to care and clean a cranial hair prosthesis?  It should be washed after every 15 wears. Before washing, all tangles should be brushed out. Using a wide-tooth comb or vent brush, start brushing from the end releasing the tangles and work your way up the shaft, one section at a time. Using tepid or lukewarm water (never hot), give it a bubble bath. Wash it like delicate pantyhose squeezing out the dirt till it is clean. Condition the hair in the same manner using fresh water. Use only salon quality products, specifically for your piece. Use a leave-in conditioner and let the hair piece dry on a clean towel; never on a mannequin or block because the piece will stretch out. Use a leave-in conditioner whenever needed since there are no natural oils from the piece.

I cannot tell the between all types of human hair. If you take a cross section of human hair, each ethnic type will have a different appearance. Japanese hair is round in shape, the largest in diameter, straight in curl pattern and black in color. Chinese hair is round in shape, smaller in diameter than Japanese hair, straight in curl pattern and black in color. Japanese and Chinese hair is seldom used in the American manufacturing of high-end women's' hairpieces. This hair is more suitable to shorter styles for both men and women and in lower end hairpieces. The exception is for the Chinese or Japanese wearer, in which case it is ideal. Indian ( India ) hair is round/oval in shape, smaller in diameter than Chinese hair (the most like Caucasian), straight in curl pattern and black or black/brown in color. Indian is most often used in U.S. hair replacement as it is the closest to the Caucasian texture. Caucasian hair is oval in shape, varied in diameter, varied in curl pattern and varied in color. Caucasian hair is not often used because of its lack of availability and its price. African American hair is flat or ribbon is shape, fine and silky in texture (the opposite of what one might think) varied in curl pattern and black to black/brown in color. African American hair is never used because of its short length and tight curl pattern. It is necessary to blend several other textures or chemically processed Indian hair to replicate the texture of African American hair.

Hair has three stages of growth: the growing phase, the resting phase and the falling out phase. Hair growing cycles vary in different cultures and parts of the world. The Japanese, Chinese and Indians have a longer growing cycle. Most of the hair cut for use in hair replacement is from these areas because it is longer, more available and less expensive. The hair shaft is made up of three components: the medulla, the cortex and the cuticle. The outside hair shaft is comprised of 7 -15 layers of overlapping shingle like cuticles. These cuticles run in one direction from the base of the head to the tip of the hair. Healthy tight cuticles reflect shiny, silky hair while damaged cuticles reflect dull lifeless hair. Damaged cuticles are caused by chemical processing, hard water and repeated exposure to the sun. Once damaged, it is hard to close the cuticle and repair the damage. Many salon products are being marketed for the repair of damaged cuticles, as it is common to see in our culture.

How is human hair collected to make my cranial hair prosthesis?  Now that I have told you how human hair is collected, I will explain how it is used to make your piece. It can either be used from a one donor head and bundled in a ponytail (this hair has all of the cuticles running in the same direction) or gathered from brushes. Collected hairs or ponytails are then sorted according to the color, length and curl pattern. Then they can go through a de-cuticalization process.

What is a decuticalization process?  Approximately 20 - 30 years ago the hair replacement industry introduced the process of de-cuticalization, which eased the many problems of tangling. This process is used on Japanese, Chinese and Indian hair to remove the outside layers of the cuticle and reduce the diameter of the air shaft. The cuticles, which resemble the shingles on a roof, are dipped into a bath of acid and seared off. Each hair strand has approximately 7 -15 layers of cuticles. The acid processing removes only the outside layers of the cuticle. The balance will remain smooth until your hair prosthesis receives another chemical processing such as color or perm. Repeated rubbing on the back of the neck or on clothing also causes the cuticles to open. Once the remaining cuticles open up they will once again be laying in opposite directions and cause tangling. The only solution at that time is to apply another solution of acid. The removal of the cuticle also strips the hair of its protective layer allowing for faster oxidation. Healthy hair with closed cuticles is like a prism which refracts light, is shiny and full of life. Damaged cuticles cause the hair to look dull and lifeless.  De-cuticalized
hair has a slimy feeling when wet but is otherwise hard to identify.

What is the difference between processed and unprocessed human hair?  The term “Processed Hair” is used to describe human hair which has had one or more chemical processes done in an attempt to change its outward appearance. Most of the processed hair which is used in the manufacturing of hairpieces is of Indian, Indonesian or Chinese origin because of its availability and affordable cost. This hair, which is naturally black, coarse, and straight must be chemically processed in order to achieve the appearance of natural unprocessed hair. It is first lifted of color (bleached); then color is deposited (dyed); then permanently curled (permed) and finally stripped of its outside cuticle layer (de-cuticalized). Unprocessed human hair (also known as virgin hair) is the finest quality hair available because it requires no chemical processing. This hair is gathered in the form of ponytails which are blended and matched according to color, length, texture and curl pattern. It takes up to 12 unprocessed ponytails to manufacture one hairpiece. This quality hair is not only the finest but also the most expensive, and has a much longer life expectancy. This quality hair is carefully blended without disturbing the cuticle direction, resulting in tangle free styling. Less frequent repairs and chemical processes are needed because the cuticle is the outside coating and protects the hair shaft.

How is the collected hair used OR What are the methods of manufacturing? It can be knotted (hand tied), sewn to a net base or injected/implanted to a polyutherane or silicone base material. If you look at over-the-counter wigs and turn it over, exposing the inside material, you will notice that it looks like roof shingles. If you ever had the chance to look at a hand made piece, it looks like pantyhose material or like a glass globe or a rubbery material. Machine pieces are the least expensive, typically under $500.
Custom pieces are second to nature and costs over $1000 to as high as $10000. Only unprocessed human hair is used for such expensive, yet the most natural looking pieces.

What is the best kind of method of manufacturing to order?  This is up to the individual. You want to take into consideration the cost, maintenance, life expectancy, repairs, lifestyle and your age. The machine method and synthetic hair is popular with the fashion crowd because it is something they will rarely use. Hand tied pantyhose method using processed human hair is popular with the cancer or short term hair loss crowd because they will use it for up to 12 months. Virgin, unprocessed hair using fiberglass, silicone, or lace materials is popular for those with permanent baldness. It is the most expensive, but it is likely that your insurance may cover the costs.

I've gotten quotes from other studios saying that their hair prostheses lasts for as long as 5 years without maintenance?  That is not possible. Human hair sheds. Grade A hair quality is better than Grade B so at least Grade A lasts longer. But whatever grade of hair quality you choose, you will still need to give it a refill. The base stretches too. And don't forget “normal wear and tear.”  But the very most important of all is tender loving care. Even if you buy Grade A, if you don't give it the TLC it needs, you will have wasted your money OR you will have to wait until your insurance can give you a brand new one. In the medical industry, insurance will replace it after 1- 2 years time. The studio who told you 5 years lied to you. Could you wear the same pantyhose for the next 5 years??

I am calling for my daughter, mother, relative, friend... any love one, etc.  That's fine, but I highly recommend that your loved one contact me directly via email or telephone. I can also send an introductory letter to her/him. It is very important to break the ice prior to any personal, private consultation. Hair loss has many emotional factors: denial, confusion, fear and possible depression. I want to provide a feeling of support and care, and to let them know that they are not alone.

Why do some hair prostheses lasts longer than others?  Custom wigs or cranial hair prostheses have longevity that differs. You have to take that into consideration. The hair’s specific materials and properties, how the hair is used and how well the wearer takes care of it all play a part.  On the average 50% will replace their human hair systems every 9 months, mainly because they desire a new look. 25% will have it repaired or refilled with more hair. The remaining 25% will try to get more out of it. Think of it like your vehicle. Depending upon your driving habits, you will either need to replace, fix, or keep it for another “x” amount of miles of use.

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