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Hair System by Graham Wake

Z

zionaxel

Valued member
I saw the article and video the other day from The Guardian and found it quite interesting.Have a read.

Explaining Hair Replacement (Non-Surgical)

by Graham Wake MSc BSc MTTS

Himself a sufferer of androgenetic alopecia, Mr Graham Wake discusses non-surgical hair replacement systems

With current alopecia medications severely limited in their success at arresting alopecia conditions, technological advancements within the non surgical hair replacement field make such a procedure a realistic option for those requiring significant hair restoration.

Hair transplantation is a proven technique for redistributing hair. There are limitations and the procedure is not always viable.

Procedure:
Non surgical hair replacement procedures attach a thin transparent layer of polyurethane to the scalp, forming a tight membrane which acts as 'a second layer of skin'. The hair replacement membrane will have previously been implanted with human hair, customised to create a near as possible match with the patients existing hair characteristics. These detailed design specifications include a site specific colour match, density selection, direction of implant, hair wave, as well as crown and parting breaks amongst other features.

Following the initial design stage a good hair replacement system will take up to eight weeks to produce with hairs individually knotted, or injected, into the base membrane.

The most undetectable, lightweight and revolutionary hair replacement systems provide a fine layer of skin that literally becomes an extension to the epidermis. The transparent polyurethane membrane, known as liquid skin, allows the patients underlying scalp skin to be visible, providing a natural appearance at the crown and partings. Undoubtedly the strength of modern non surgical hair replacement is its non-intrusive attachment, enabling the user to participate in sporting and water activities with complete comfort and confidence. Non surgical hair replacement procedures are the choice of a number of celebrities and sportsmen.

Continued technological advancements have culminated in modern hair replacement systems that supersede the infamous hair pieces of yesteryear. Users of hair replacement systems find traditional terminology such as hair piece, toupee and wig derogatory to the quality and concept of modern hair replacement systems. The non surgical hair replacement procedure is after all a far superior and more advanced version of the original hair piece.

Construction of the membrane involves creating a template, or mould, of the patients scalp. Producing an identical replication of the scalps contours forms an imprint that is utilised for the construction of the transparent polyurethane layer. This ensures a perfect fit with the area of scalp requiring hair replacement. Customised scalp templates enable hair replacement in only the scalp area subject to hair loss. Thus, patients can successfully restore bi-lateral temporal recession, crown (vertex) thinning, and in more advanced cases enable the gradual restoration of a full head of hair.

Off-the-Shelf membranes are available at a cheaper cost, though these standard sized bases provide rather an inadequate integration where accuracy of fit with the area of hair replacement needs to be extremely precise.

Modern hair replacement techniques bond the hair replacement system to the scalp with a translucent, hypoallergenic medical adhesive. This provides a skin-tight adhesion with the perimeter of healthy terminal hairs, shaven to 2mm, surrounding the area requiring replacement. The procedure is painless, non-intrusive and the adhesive is resilient to sweat and water. A porous membrane allows the epidermis to breath and aids cleanliness.

The bonding procedure involves shaving the perimeter of the area requiring hair replacement. Following the application of medical glue to the hair replacement systems perimeter and the corresponding area of the scalp a steadfast bond is formed upon contact.

Hair replacement systems need to be detached, cleaned and reattached approximately every four weeks.

Following reattachment of the system, the existing scalp hair needs to be re-blended to ensure a perfect integration. An alternative to perimeter attachment is full head bonding which enables the hair replacement system to be attached to the scalp.

The most technologically advanced membranes presently available are polyurethane, monofilament and lace. Any prospective hair replacement patient should ensure that the membrane is one of the aforementioned base types. In summary, Polyurethane provides a transparent, super-thin layer and is optimal in terms of undetectability to both touch and sight. Monofilament is a porous material preferable for those that require the skin to breath and benefit from additional cleanliness.

Lace will form the front hair line in the most sophisticated hair replacement systems softening the front hair line and giving the appearance of hair growing from the skin when brushed away from the temples and forehead.

Human hair is the preferred choice when selecting hair fibre though it is more expensive than the synthetic alternatives. Human hair is natural and compatible with all products and grooming procedures acceptable to real hair. Synthetic hair can burn or melt when subject to straightening and curling irons and is susceptible to matting if mistreated or subject to hot water and harsh detergents. Once educated in care and treatment, synthetic fibre is suitable for patients seeking a cheaper hair replacement system. A human and synthetic fibre mix is often a good compromise.

Whilst modern technology has enabled the creation of the most fully realistic, undetectable hair replacement systems to date, one should not underestimate the importance attached to the creative skill of those performing the procedure. Specific training and hairdressing excellence is required to perform the procedure of designing, cutting and blending a hair replacement system with the patients own existing hair.

An experienced stylist will accurately design the directional implantation to accurately integrate with the existing hair. Detailed attention should be given to the membrane design and hair characteristics.

A specialist stylist will achieve an undetectable finish by adding a life cycle to the hair by skilled thinning, tapering and cutting-in frontal baby hairs. Some temporal recession and crown thinning may be necessary to perfect the overall realism.

Non surgical hair replacement is not a single procedure that will last for life. Individual hair replacement systems have a life span of up to one year and future hair replacement systems will be required with new templates to take account of any further hair loss. A less frequent replacement of membranes will compromise the hair replacement systems undetectable appearance due to the occurrence of discolouration, weathering and shedding over time. One should consider the long term cost implications and arrange a sensible financing plan where necessary.

As a guide, one should not expect to pay more than around £650 (GBP) for the latest non surgical hair replacement procedures consisting of a fine polyurethane membrane and real human hair.

This price should include design and styling by a recognised hair replacement professional.

Non surgical hair replacement is a suitable technique for a number of alopecia conditions including androgenetic, or hereditary hairloss, totalis and universalis amongst others.

Where the alopecia condition has caused total scalp hair loss a template enables a perfect mould to be constructed of the scalp and nape area.
 
Bigmac

Bigmac

Administrator
Staff member
Interesting article,it would be nice to meet someone who has had this liquid skin procedure to see how it looked.

I guess if it is good,it would be a viable option for someone who is not a HT candidate.Providing they have the money to spend.
 
Z

zionaxel

Valued member
I would like to see in the flesh how this actually looks.As i have decided not too go under the knife again,this could be another option.The dead ferret on your head look of yester year hopefully is a thing of the past as in the same way plugs and flap have been re-placed with fue..
 
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bullitnut

bullitnut

4 awesome repairs with SMG
yeah i agree it would be cool to have a look in person but i bet it would be hard finding someone whos going to admit to wearing one.I bet the quality these days will be exceptional!!!

The thought of swimming with something glued to my scalp though doesnt sound very reasuring as surely when the glue gets wet it would soften and come away, must be strong bloody glue( just got visions of the old tv advert for glue or wallpaper paste where the guy gets lifted up on the board in his overall by the helicopter lol):)
 
Peachy

Peachy

Member
Not sure about liquid skin but Advance Hair Studio do a membrane hair system. They are promoted by Shane Warne, Austin Healey as well as Graham Gooch in the past. Try this link to the site, although it looks like you have to sign in to get the full lowdown:

http://www.advancedhair.co.uk/

The results look impressive but understand there is some maintenance involved. maybe an alternative for those not wanting to go under the knife.
 
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timuk

timuk

My member is cooler than NN's
Peachy...

Dont know why but I always forget that I tried one of Advanced Hair Studios systems...

It was about 2 years after my UK HT...which must be around 1996...

I saw a salesman who's hair looked fantastic... but when I said... wow.. your wig looks great he told me that it was his own hair...

I signed up for the first stage which was a "system"..or being honest a wig !.. cant remember how much I paid but it must have been over £1,000

Anyway... I went to their studio when the "wig" was ready.. this first one is sort if tied into your hair to see if you like it... the next step is to pay for the next step where they shave your head and glue it on...

I remember looking at some of the guys there and thinking they looked ok.... but when I looked in the mirror I just laughed and told them to take it off.... to me it stood out a mile...

They did their sales bit by telling me that mine was just the first stage and that the proper one would be undetectable... I told the guy I was speaking to that I could tell he had a wig on... cut the crap and just get the thing taken off my head !

Not only did I not like the system.. or really need it at the time I also worked out the on-going cost... would have been a fortune !!

I also seem to remember that they mentioned it was "liquid" skin... but I think that refers to the fact that the membrane they use is formed from a liquid.... not sure as its something that my brain tries to forget !!... All in all, an expensive waste of time.

The only good thing about this is that when I changed my mind and had it removed I was not left with scars etc... with the Uk HT I had.... no such luck when you realise its no good !!

Tim
 
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Peachy

Peachy

Member
Hi Tim,

Yeah I went along for a consultation myself but it must have been a good ten years ago. Anyway from memory I think the pitch was replace your hair strand by strand and to be honest I didn't have a clue that it was a 'system' (wig) until I got there. I was shown a video and that was when the penny dropped big time. On top of that I was given the hard sales talk with the guy getting on the blower to do me a once only deal. If the system didn't put me off, the sales technique did. To be fair he had a system himself and I recall that it looked pretty good.

Personally I'm after real hair or nothing, but this may be a viable option for some.

Peachy
 
Nervousnelly

Nervousnelly

The Coolest Member
Timbo--I found your wig and I would have to say that I doubt it blended well. Good call on going without.

NN
 

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timuk

timuk

My member is cooler than NN's
Peachy..

Yes mate.. I remember - Strand by Strand... and I now remember asking why it was called that.. cant remember the answer..
No doubt this sort of thing works well for some people... but at a very high cost... that you can never stop paying. I had concerns that I could afford it at the time but what happened if my circumstances changed... I would be in a situation where I had no money and no hair....
I really dont know what I was thinking at the time when I first signed up... god only knows.. must have been at a low point with other stuff in life as I know my plugs did not show at the time.... still... all forgotten now.

Now I know that the best option is a good HT by a good doctor....

NN...


Like I mentioned above, until the bloody thing was put on my head I think I must have been "on another planet"... it was only seeing it on my head that made the "penny drop"... Something just made me start laughing... I remember the stylist and one of their salesmen asking what was funny... I replied... its just ridiculous... take it off !! When this guy started to question me and convince me that it looked good... I just told him I could see he had one on and that I could see is was a wig..... think I may have upset him :)

Never mind..... we live and learn... it just amazes me to what lengths we go when we are unhappy....

Life.... its a bitch and then you die..

Shit.. I was in a good mood before I started to write this....

Off to hang myself
:)

 
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H

hairtodaygonetomorrow

Valued member
ive used them before but was just some product you put on your head every day and then went to the salon once a fortnight to put this supposadly infared machine on for 20 mins that supposadly cleanes the follicleas and reopens them allowing the rejuvinated hair to grow...needless to say it did diddly squat and even 4 years down the line despite repeated requests to stop mailing and calling me they carried on bugging me with special offers etc and only stopped last year when i moved house and changed phone number.;;::::/
 
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