Hair System Cost VS Life Span
The cost and lifespan of a hair system can vary depending on a number of factors, including the quality of the hair system, the type of hair used (synthetic vs human hair), the construction method, and the maintenance and care routine.
Generally speaking, a high-quality hair system made with real human hair and constructed using advanced techniques will cost more than a synthetic hair system or one made with lower quality materials.
Within the hair systems that are human-hair-made, the lifespan of a hair system can also vary depending on factors such as how often it is worn, the level of care and maintenance it receives, and the natural shedding and growth cycle of the wearer's hair (as it grows underneath). On average, a well-maintained men’s hair system can last anywhere from 1 month to 8 months before needing to be replaced. Wigs attached by clips can last significantly longer.
It's important to keep in mind that the cost of a hair system is not just the initial purchase price, but also includes ongoing maintenance and replacement costs. Regular cleaning, styling, and upkeep are necessary to ensure the hair system looks and feels natural and lasts as long as possible.
Let us break all this down for you so you can make a more informed choice when it comes to buying the best men’s toupee for you.
We will look at a comparison of different men’s hair systems by base material type and then compare different types of hair loss solutions so you can find the best one for you!
Cost |
Average units per year |
Average cost per year |
Salon maintenance cost/time |
Maintenance appointments required per year |
Average cost per year |
Cost per wear per day |
|
Ultra Thin Skin |
$166.50* |
12 |
$1998 |
$200 |
12 |
$4398 |
$12.04 |
Super Thin Skin |
$219 |
3-4 |
$657 |
$200 |
3-4 |
$1257 |
$3.44 |
Thin Skin |
$239 |
3-4 |
$717 |
$200 |
3-4 |
$1317 |
$3.60 |
Lace |
$299 |
3-4 |
$897 |
$200 |
3-4 |
$1497 |
$4.10 |
Mono |
$199 |
2-3 |
$398 |
$200 |
2-3 |
$798 |
$2.19 |
Hybrid |
$289 |
3-4 |
$894 |
$200 |
3-4 |
$1494 |
$4.09 |
*after multi-buy discount
Most Cost-effective Hair Solutions
But what about other popular solutions to hair loss? Let us take each example and look at the raw costs of hair systems and other alternatives. Let’s not forget that some solutions do not do the following.
Alternatives to hair systems:
- - ❌Do not give full body, volume or sufficient hair
- - ❌Can make irreversible damage
- - ❌Expensive
Hair systems:
- - ✅Semi-permanent with no permanent damage
- - ✅Instant results with full volume
- - ✅Risk-free and non-invasive
Hair Solution |
Cost |
Effective period |
Cost/year |
Cost/day |
Disadvantages |
|
Hair Transplant |
$22,000-$46,000* |
10-15 years |
$2,200-$4,600 |
$8.30-$12.60 |
|
|
Platelet Rich Plasma |
$1,500 |
1-2 years |
$1,500 |
$4.10 |
|
|
Finasteride |
$35+ |
1 month |
$420 |
$1.15 |
|
|
Minoxidil |
$25+ |
1 month |
$300 |
$0.82 |
|
|
Micropigmentation |
$1,500+ |
2-3 years |
$750 |
$2.05 |
|
|
Skin Hair Systems + at home fitting |
$150-$300 |
Ultra thin= 12/year Skin = 3/year |
$1,999 $900 |
$5.48 $2.46 |
||
Lace Hair Systems + at home fitting |
$300-$350 |
3-4/year |
$900 |
$2.46 |
||
Clip-on Hair Systems or Mono Hair Systems + at home fitting |
$250-$350 |
2-3/year |
$500 |
$1.37 |
*An average person needs 1-3 rounds of hair transplantation
**Cost with salon fittings
***Cost of fitting at home
How Long Do Different Toupee Bases Last?
The lifespan of a toupee base can vary depending on several factors, including the quality of the base material, how often the toupee is worn, the wearer's lifestyle and level of activity, and the maintenance and care routine.
Here are some general guidelines for the lifespan of different toupee base materials:
- Lace base: A lace base is a popular option for its natural look and breathability. With proper care and maintenance, a lace base can last anywhere from 2 to 4 months.
- Skin base: A skin base is made of a thin layer of polyurethane that is attached to the scalp. Skin bases can last 1-4 months with proper care. In general 0.03mm thin skin toupees last 1 month. 0.06-0.08mm will last 1-2 months and 0.1-0.12mm men’s toupees can last 3-4 months.
- Monofilament base: A monofilament base is made of a fine, mesh-like material that is breathable and allows for natural movement of the hair. A monofilament base can last 2-6 months with proper care.
- Hybrid base: A hybrid base combines different materials, such as lace and skin, to provide the benefits of both. The lifespan of a hybrid base can vary depending on the materials used and how well it is cared for. In general they last 2-6 months.
It's important to note that these are just general guidelines, and the actual lifespan of a toupee base can vary depending on the factors mentioned above. Regular maintenance, cleaning, and care can help extend the lifespan of a toupee base.
Check out our handy graphic below on the average lifespan of a toupee.
Cost-effectiveness of a Hair System Based on Other Dimensions
When it comes to choosing a hair system, cost is not the only factor. Many men choose toupees over hair transplants or medicine because the other benefits of a hair system far outweigh the risks and lack of actual hair volume.
Now that you’ve established that you actually want a toupee over other hair loss solutions, you’ll have thought about weighing up the different base materials that you can get. You’ve already weighed up the prices above(anchor1链接). You will also want to think about other factors, such as comfort of wearing, amount of maintenance required, ease of cleaning. Let’s break this down in a table so you can make the best choice when it comes to choosing the best men’s toupee for you.
Comparison of affordable toupee options
Base Type |
Ease of Use/convenience |
Comfort |
Breathability |
Maintenance Time Required |
Realism |
Durability |
Ultra-Thin Skin |
✰✰✰✰✰ |
✰✰✰✰✰ |
✰✰ |
✰ |
✰✰✰✰✰ |
✰ |
Thin Skin |
✰✰✰ |
✰✰✰✰ |
✰✰ |
✰✰ |
✰✰✰✰ |
✰✰✰ |
Skin |
✰✰✰ |
✰✰✰✰ |
✰ |
✰✰✰ |
✰✰✰✰ |
✰✰✰✰ |
Lace |
✰✰✰ |
✰✰✰✰✰ |
✰✰✰✰✰ |
✰✰✰✰ |
✰✰✰✰ |
✰✰✰✰ |
Mono |
✰✰✰ |
✰✰ |
✰✰✰ |
✰✰✰✰ |
✰ |
✰✰✰✰✰ |
Lace & Skin |
✰✰✰✰ |
✰✰✰✰✰ |
✰✰✰ |
✰✰✰✰ |
✰✰✰✰ |
✰✰✰ |
Mono & Skin |
✰✰✰✰ |
✰✰✰ |
✰✰✰✰ |
✰✰✰✰✰ |
✰✰✰✰ |
✰✰✰✰ |
Mono & Lace |
✰✰✰ |
✰✰✰✰ |
✰✰✰✰ |
✰✰✰✰✰ |
✰✰ |
✰✰✰✰ |
How To Prolong Hair System Life and Save Money?
Proper maintenance and care can help prolong the life of a hair system. Here are some tips to help you extend the lifespan of your hair system:
- Wash your hair system regularly: Regular washing helps remove dirt, oil, and buildup from the hair system, which can extend its lifespan. Use a gentle shampoo and conditioner designed for use with hair systems. Aim to wash every 1-3 days. If you have a very oily scalp, wash everyday, otherwise try to go 2-3 days between washes.
- Handle your hair system with care: Avoid pulling or tugging on the hair system, and be gentle when brushing or combing. Use a wide-tooth comb or brush designed for use with hair systems.
- Avoid exposure to heat: Heat can damage hair systems, so avoid using hot styling tools like curling irons, flat irons, and hair dryers. Try to avoid being out in direct sunlight for long periods of time.
- Protect your hair system when swimming: Chlorine and saltwater can damage hair systems, so wear a swim cap or remove your hair system before swimming.
- Get professional maintenance and repairs: Regular maintenance and repairs by a professional can help extend the lifespan of your hair system. A professional can make repairs and adjustments to your hair system to ensure it continues to look and feel natural.
By following these tips, you can help extend the lifespan of your hair system and keep it looking and feeling great for longer.
You can read the full article on how to prolong hair system life here.