About Hair Systems

If you’re one of the millions of people suffering from hair loss you’ve likely looked into the wide array of available solutions. From hair transplants and medical treatments, to supplements and topicals, to hair replacement systems, the range of options can be overwhelming and a bit confusing. Each has a scale of upside, downside, and efficacy. Surgical Hair Replacement, also known as Follicular Unit Extraction, or FUE, is expensive and can be unreliable for men with high levels of Dihydrotestosterone, or DHT. Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy, or PRP, is also relatively painful, expensive, and medically unproven to stimulate hair growth. Supplements like Propecia have common sexual side effects that can last even after you stop taking it. Hair systems on the other hand are immediately effective and have very few drawbacks for the right person.

As someone effected by hair loss, Thrive CoFounder, Taylor Kane, explored these options and decided to dive into hair systems as both as a professional and a client. Initially unsure if he would wear a system long-term, he had a system installed for himself to see if he could in good faith recommend hair systems to clients. Taylor instantly realized how life changing it was to regain the confidence and sense of style that comes with having a great looking head of hair. Taylor is certified by Hairskeen USA, the leader in hair system education. Bringing 15 years experience as a precision Haircutting Specialist, Taylor is the go-to stylist for the most undetectable hair systems in the Chicago area.

Before you make an appointment you should explore the FAQ below. If you have more questions we recommend coming in for a CONSULTATION or connecting with Taylor directly. You can do so via EMAIL or TEXT.

Hair System FAQ

What is a Hair System?

Hair systems have come a long way since your Grandpa’s toupee. Major advances have been made in base materials, adhesives, and global markets in quality human hair. We primarily use two kinds of systems, polyurethane skin systems and lace systems. The skin systems are made with an ultra thin polyurethane membrane that blends with your skin tone and is highly undetectable. With lace systems, hairs are individually tied to a super fine mesh base. The knots are then bleached to give a super realistic hairline. Both systems mimic the appearance of natural hair, we dive deeper into the benefits of each below. Our systems also have a customized percentage of grey. This adds dimension, making them look more natural and realistic than the toupees worn back in the day.

Which is better, polyurethane or lace?

That depends on the person. Polyurethane skin clients can go longer between reapplications (5-6 weeks). Sonic waves are used to attach individual hairs to a thin membrane base. This mimics the appearance of biological hair but the polyurethane base lacks ventilation and is less breathable. On the other hand, lace systems are very breathable and great for clients with active lifestyles. The hairlines on Hairskeen lace systems also look great, especially with shorter styles. Some clients with sensitive skin may enjoy having a shorter time between reapplications (2-3 weeks). At the end of the day, you’re not locked into one or the other. Some clients wear lace in the hotter months and switch to a skin system the rest of the year.

Why choose a hair system over surgery?

Men with otherwise full hair who are seeing baldness in the corners above the forehead or a bald spot on top of the head are great candidates for surgical hair replacement. This procedure is commonly referred to as a hair transplant, hair plugs, or FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction). This procedure is priced per hair graft so having it done in one or two smaller areas is relatively inexpensive. There is typically a high success rate for this procedure since the cause of pattern baldness doesn’t cause the new follicle to become constricted or rejected. This is the opposite for men seeing baldness or thinning through the entire top of the head. After getting hit with a big price tag for 3000-5000 grafts, these men can see rejection or constriction of the grafted hair since their body is still producing the same levels of DHT. One common misconception is that you’re “done” once you have hair replacement surgery. After your procedure clinics will leverage the investment you’ve made to pressure you to take Propecia, use topicals, and return regularly for PRP treatments. All of which can roughly equal the annual cost of maintaining a hair system.

Is it expensive?

Having a realistic expectation of affordability is an important part of making the decision to wear a hair system. Here are some real life examples of annual cost. Client A wears a skin system and takes great care of it. He comes in every six weeks and goes through 2 systems a year. His annual cost is $3,000. Client B wears a lace system but is rough on it. He comes in every two weeks and goes through 4 systems a year. His annual cost is $8,000. Client C wears a lace system and lives out of town so he does his own maintenance and reinstallation at home. He goes through 2 systems a year. His annual cost is $1,800 plus haircuts with his local stylist. Keep in mind that each visit with us includes a hair cut so your current annual budget for hair services can be deducted against the cost estimate of introducing a hair system.

Can I reapply the system myself?

Some clients may want the flexibility to remove and reapply their system at home. We recommend these clients use a lace system secured with tape. Applying a system yourself is not easy. Accurately lining up a system on yourself takes skill and patience. You’ll be operating blind to some degree and, for the rest, working in front of a mirror can be disorienting. Taylor has developed a method for applying his own system and can educate you on steps and bast practices. We’ll provide step by step instruction and have assembled a tool kit to get you started. When you’re ready for a new system you can come in for an Installation where the new system will be fitted, cut, and styled to your specifications.

Will people know I’m wearing a hair system?

The short answer is NO, absolutely no one on the street will know (unless they also wear a hair system). On the other hand, someone you live with is probably going to realize you suddenly have a full head of hair. The other 99% of people in your life, the ones you see socially or professionally, may say something to the effect of, “Wow, you look great! Did you lose weight or something?”. The most important thing to remember is that no one has a clear picture in their head of what you looked like before you got your hair system.

Is it real hair?

Yes. The hair systems we use are made from human hair. We color match the system to your natural hair color and can include a range of grey up to 40%.

How long does each system last?

2 months to a year. This is a very wide range, but it all depends on how the system is cared for at home. If mistreated, skin systems are susceptible to punctures or tears, while lace systems can shed if cared for improperly. We’ll work with you to make sure you’re experience with your hair system is as successful as possible. Systems in certain shades can sometimes lighten a shade or two. This is where our experience wearing and maintaining our own system comes into play. We’ve had success using professional products to restore the color to its original shade and can extend your investment as long as possible.

Is it hard to get used to wearing a hair system?

It takes some getting use to at first, but no. Wearing a hair system is a lot like getting used to wearing contact lenses.

Will the adhesive clog my pores or irritate my skin?

The adhesives we use are designed to be gentle on skin while maintaining a secure hold. We typically use Ghost Bond Platinum for skin systems. This is a water based adhesive that has the highest temperature rating of any liquid adhesive on the market today so you’ll be able to exercise or be out in warm climates without worrying about your system lifting. For lace systems we typically use Walker Signature Tape for the front hairline and Walker Extenda-Bond Plus on the rest of the system. Signature is the strongest, thinnest tape and makes for a great looking hairline. Extenda-Bond is one of the strongest tapes on the market and has perforated holes punched throughout each piece, allowing the skin to breath and sweat to escape. We’ll perform a patch test on you when you come in for your initial consultation to ensure you don’t have an allergic reaction to the adhesives we plan on using.

What happens to the hair underneath the hair system?

The hair underneath your hair system will continue to grow as normal. The quality of the science behind our adhesives allows hair and skin to grow and cycle as it normally would. Eventually new hair growth and natural oils your skin produces will contribute to the breakdown of the bond.

Is there a wait time to get a system?

High demand and supply chain problems have caused significant delays in getting some systems in stock. Most systems have a 8-12 week lead time. However, some systems have been in stock when we’ve ordered them. We prefer to work with Hairskeen systems since they have the highest quality, but we have an alternative supplier for emergency situations. These alternate lace systems use a slightly thicker material but typically ship out next day.

Are hair systems just for men?

No. However, the systems we use come with hair that is just 6 inches in length and are designed to go on top of the head. If a client is seeing thinning throughout the entire head they may be a better candidate for a wig. Also note that in order for the adhesive to form a secure bond it is required that the hair be shaved clean at the installation site. If someone is not ok with having part of their head shaved they aren’t a good candidate for a hair system.