The Big Decision: Choosing a Hair Topper for Thinning Hair
Deciding to wear a hair topper: a life-changing choice
Choosing to wear a hair topper was a pivotal moment in my life. For years, I had been grappling with thinning hair, worsened by a series of stressful events that left me with severe thinning on the crown of my head. My usual styling tricks were no longer sufficient to hide the hair loss, and no amount of teasing or hairstyling could make me feel confident. At the suggestion of my hairstylist, I began considering a semi-permanent hair topper, and it wasn’t an easy decision to make.
Emotional Hurdles and Resistance
Navigating the emotional aspect of hair loss and resistance to toppers
The process of debating whether to wear a semi-permanent topper took months. At first, I was resistant, and emotions ran high. I wanted to regrow my natural hair, not cover it up. I was worried that the topper might hinder my hair’s regrowth, add stress leading to hair breakage, and worst of all, look unnatural – conjuring images of old slapstick comedy where hairpieces went comically awry.
However, I couldn’t ignore the daily emotional challenges of having noticeably thinning hair. Each morning became an ordeal, trying to style my hair to create volume and coverage. Despite becoming adept at concealing my thinning hair, it was something I thought about far more than I wanted to. I dreaded windy days and getting my hair wet – not only because it ruined my hairstyle but also revealed the extent of my hair loss, a vulnerability I wasn’t ready to share with the world.
Overcoming Fears and Embracing Change
Conquering fears to unlock the potential for your dream hair
It took time to process my emotions and overcome my fears. I had been waiting to have the hair I wanted. I was in a state of frustration but also denial. I didn’t want to admit the severity of my hair loss and kept hoping it would go back to ‘normal’ on its own. If I accepted my hair loss it somehow made it more real. I finally decided to live for the day and take control rather than keep hoping things would get better. I also decided I was worth pursuing something important to me without guilt or shame. I decided it was time to stop wishing and start taking action. With this willingness to consider a new approach, I was ready to learn more. I was able to identify my emotional reluctance and form a list of questions I could research and discuss with my hair stylist. I felt empowered to discover options I hadn’t known existed. With this new knowledge, the decision came easier. I accepted that it was worth taking a leap of faith to regain the hair I’d always dreamed of while still growing my natural hair.
Expert Guidance: Your Stylist’s Role
The invaluable role of a specialized hairstylist in your hair transformation
My incredible hairstylist played a significant role in addressing my concerns and providing resources for my decision-making process. She reminded me that beauty comes from within and assured me that I had numerous options to choose from to achieve the look I wanted.
The best part of my hair journey was finding an experienced hairstylist that specializes in thinning hair. I can’t recommend strongly enough researching Yelp and Google reviews to find a hairstylist that truly specializes in thinning hair with proven knowledge on how best to treat women in varying stages of thinning hair. My stylist posted anonymous before and after pictures demonstrating her ability to create beautiful hair transformations and proved her credibility. She built her thin hair care expertise by staying up-to-date on the latest advancements in hair recovery, topper, and extension products. She continually strengthened her skills with extensive hands-on coursework to master installation techniques to give the most natural results while preventing damage to natural hair.
When you partner with an experienced and knowledgeable hairstylist, you gain the opportunity to learn valuable tips and techniques which can make all the difference. A skilled and experienced stylist will be able to offer you advice and options from the best haircut for your face, hair type, and level of thinning as well as options of how to style your hair for coverage and volume. They will also be able to give you options for temporary or semi-permanent hair toppers and hair extensions. If you have chosen to go with a topper or extensions having a good hair stylist is key in matching your natural hair color to the topper and extensions. Color matching and cut create a seamless natural look. If using semi-permanent hair, an experienced stylist will install them by sewing and weaving into your natural hair without causing additional hair loss and immediately give you the look you want while regrowing and addressing the cause of your hair thinning. They can show you styling and care tips.
I hadn’t partnered with a hairstylist until this one. I found most stylists well-intended but lacking knowledge about hair loss or willing to discuss a potentially sensitive topic. Meeting her was truly life-changing. She helped me to love my hair in every stage and supported me while I made the decision to wear a semi-permanent topper.
Quality Matters: Choosing the Right Hair Topper
Understanding different quality levels and finding the perfect fit
As I learned about hair toppers, I discovered hair toppers come in various quality levels. My hairstylist recommended a topper made of high-quality human hair attached to a lightweight mesh. I could wash, dry, and style it just like my natural hair. The mesh allowed shampoo and conditioner to reach my scalp and hair underneath. With daily vitamins, biotin supplements, and minoxidil topical treatments, I continued my efforts to grow my hair, while learning how to care for my topper and extensions to make them last. I no longer had to worry about windy days or getting my hair wet. I welcomed the feeling of living more carefree again.
Exploring Your Options: Clip-In Hair Pieces
If you have light to moderate thinning, you may want to consider the flexible and budget-friendly option of clip-in hair pieces. I, personally, have not tried these, but they offer flexibility to put on or take off as you want, and I can see the appeal. If you see yourself only using a topper for special or certain occasions, then this option may be just right for you. Clip-in pieces come in different sizes and styles. I recommend ensuring the clip attachment is gentle on your hair and stays in well while not causing friction breakage. If your hair thinning is more prominent or severe, a wig will give you greater coverage while still offering flexibility to put on or take off whenever you want. You would wash and blow dry clip-ins or wigs while holding them or while pinned to a manikin head. For myself, I felt the sewn-in, semi-permanent topper was best for me so that day or night, at any time, my topper gave me the look I wanted and I could wash and style my hair just as I would with natural hair. Every situation is different, so consider the factors most important to you and please know that you have options on each step of your unique, specialized, and ongoing hair journey.
The Ongoing Journey: Monitoring Hair Growth
Tracking your hair growth progress and style evolution with a topper
Discovering a hairstylist with expertise in thinning hair and deciding to wear a topper has truly transformed my life. The confidence of having an expert on your side to help you look your best is indescribable. As my natural hair grows, my stylist resets the topper and extensions, adapting the color, cut, and style to fit my evolving situation. Over time, my hair has actually grown more than it did before I started wearing a topper. During each appointment, when the topper is removed and re-attached, we assess my hair’s growth, timing for the next reset, and discuss exciting color and styling possibilities. I suggest partnering with your hairstylist for color and cut with clip-in hair pieces too. It will make all the difference in creating a natural, seamless look.
Your Personal Choice: The Beauty of Toppers
Why choosing a hair topper can be a game-changer for those with thinning hair
Choosing to wear a topper is a deeply personal decision. For me, it turned out to be the ideal solution, and I wholeheartedly recommend considering it if you’re dealing with noticeable hair thinning. Opting for a hair topper immediately enhanced my physical appearance and boosted my confidence, allowing me to go anywhere and do anything, day or night, in any weather, with fabulous hair. My relationship with my hair has been an ongoing journey, and I want you to know that you’re not alone – you have options. You can have the hair you’ve always dreamed of. I wish you the best on your own personal hair journey.