Monday, December 3, 2012

Lace Front Wig Adhesive (Liquid Glue) Reviews - Share Your Reviews Here!

By Egypt Lawson
http://hairlineillusions.com/

The Lace Front Wig industry has blossomed in the past 7 years. Although many wig web sites sell adhesives, limited information is shared about the professional use of the products.  This article reviews popular liquid adhesives.  

Soft Bond Adhesives are flexible, very comfortable to wear and normally made with latex, acrylic, copolymer, or silicone.

Hard Bond Adhesives are permanent and normally made with cyanoacrylate. Hard bonds dry quickly and it is hard to make adjustments once adhered.

FACT: Lace wigs should be professionally installed by a certified wig specialist if you do not have experience.  Consumers can suffer from traction alopecia if applied incorrectly. Traction alopecia hair loss is caused primarily by pulling force being applied to the hair follicle (root).

FACT: Body chemistries are different, what may work for one customer may not automatically work for another.

FACT: Although many adhesive vendor claims adhesive can last 4 to 6 weeks it’s not possible to keep lace wigs adhered to skin over 2 to 3 weeks without glue reapplication touchups. Our skin sheds every 2-3 weeks and regenerates new healthy skin cells and the wig will lift since it is adhered to dead skin cells.

TIPS:

  • Always purchase the adhesives removers with adhesives to prevent pulling during wig removal.

  • Always use a scalp protector or skin barrier before applying glue.  This also helps the application last longer.

  • Do a skin test behind the ear and wait 15 minutes to make sure there’s no reaction.

  • Beauty Acetone prevent stickiness and glue boogers. Use a little on a cotton ball to remove residue from fingers.

  • Mix 50% Alcohol and 50% Acetone to clean residue off of skin before applying scalp protectors and glues.

  • Follow the instructions on the bottle.

Popular Lace Wig Liquid Adhesive Pros and Cons

Endura Bond
Cyanoacrylate Ester
Permanent Adhesive Hard Bond - Use sparingly!

Pros:

  1. Dries quickly. Must apply and bond small sections at a time.
  2. Works like Super Glue.
  3. Strong hold if you do not have oily skin and perspire heavily.
  4. Does not contain formaldehyde, lead or mercury.
  5. Good for a 1-3 week hold.
Cons:
  1. Can still dry white if you use a small amount and do not have oily skin and suffer from heavy perspiration.
  2. Can flake and dry white.
  3. Can cause rash irritation and sores on sensitive skin.
  4. Can aggravate, burn and damage your skin if used improperly.
  5. Avoid using on hair strands, it’s a permanent bond and have to be cut out if proper removers aren’t used.
  6. Can rip the lace if not removed properly.

Ultra Hold
Acrylic Adhesive, Isopropanol, Ethyl Acetate, Heptane, Toluene
Soft and Flexible!
For a longer hold use with adhesive tape.

Pros:
 
  1. Strong hold if applied correctly.
  2. Water-resistant & hypoallergenic
  3. Good for sensitive skin
  4. Can be used with tape for stronger hold. 
  5. Good for a 1-3 week hold.
 Cons:

  1. Very stringy and gooey.  (Pour glue in Fine Tip Squeeze Bottle to prevent premature drying and it’s less messy during applications.)
  2. Can turn white if wet before drying.
  3. Wig can shift in hot temperatures.

Safe Grip
Acetoxyethyiene and Dimethylcarbinol
A white water-based adhesive.
For a longer hold use with adhesive tape.

Pros:

  1. Dries quickly and clear without shine.
  2. Good for sensitive skin.
  3. Good for a 1-3 week hold.
Cons:

  1. Can release and lift prematurely if not applied correctly.

Mehron's Matte Spirit Gum
SDA Alcohol 35A, Resin, Methyl Hydrogenerated Rosinate, Castor Oil
For a longer hold use with adhesive tape.

Pros:

  1. Good for a 2-3 day hold.
  2. Used with lace, thin skin or synthetic lace wigs.
  3. Good for applying facial lace pieces.
  4. Easy clean up.
  5. Good for a 2-3 day hold.

Cons:

  1. Not appropriate for extended wear.

Mastix “P” Spirit Gum
Pastacia Lentiscus, Alcohol Denat, Sandarac, Silica, Glycol Rosinate.
For a longer hold use with adhesive tape.

Pros:

  1. Dries fast and clear.  It is best to apply in small sections.
  2. Thin viscosity for easy application.
  3. Less messy, gooey
  4. Less glue residue left on wig base. Easy clean up!
  5. Good for a 2-3 day hold.
  6. Great to use with stocking cap adhering technique under lace wigs.
Cons:

  1. Not appropriate for extended wear.

Ghost Bond
Water based Copolymer
For a longer hold use with adhesive tape.

Pros:

  1. Formulated for heavy perspiration, oily scalps in high humidity.
  2. Easy removal
  3. Less messy, non gooey.
  4. No strong odors
  5. Good for a 1-3 week hold.
Cons:

  1. Only to be used for extended wear only.
  2. Will lift prematurely if not applied correctly.
  3. It is recommended to use 3-4 layers.
  4. Each layer should fully dry otherwise the wet layer will stay white.
  5. Should not apply directly on lace wig.

NoTape
Silicone, Ethyl Acetate
For a longer hold use with adhesive tape.

Pros:
  1. Can be used with tape
  2. Will not lift from water, heat or perspiration if applied correctly.
  3. Good for a 1-3 week hold.
Cons:

  1. Only to be used for extended wear only.
  2. Will lift prematurely if not applied correctly.

©2012 Egypt Lawson for Hairline Illusions, LLC.  All Rights reserved.

Traction Alopecia can be avoided - Share your tips here

Women and children suffer from severely reduced hairlines as a result tight pulling hairstyles.

Here are a few tips to prevent Traction Alopecia:

Tip#1
Hairstyles shouldn't be painful. I know this is something to grasp. In our community it is typical for hair weaves and braids to hurt right after application. Painful hairstyles is a warning that your hair follicles are stressed, being pulled beyond safe measures and can become lifeless. Once hair follicles are no longer alive they can not be rejuvenated - no bringing them back to life.


Tip#2
Change the position of a clip-in hairstyle frequently. Avoid sleeping in ponytails, weft and wig clip-ins. Switch the position of your hair parts when wearing ponytails. Slicked back, side parted ponytails can look great but can do irreversible damage to a fragile hairline.

Possible Solutions for Traction Alopecia from wearing weaves, extensions and braids.

Traction alopecia and hairstyling practices
Traction alopecia is sadly very common amongst Black patients of all descents, as well as any persons who exact a lot of tension on the hair, such as ballerinas who pull their hair in a tight bun.  Unfortunately, it is poorly recognized, and we must do more to educate each other about the problem.  If caught very early, before follicles are scarred, a degree of hair growth may be achieved.  If the follicles have scarred over, it will not be possible to regain the hair growth in these areas.  This can be determined by your dermatologist.

As far as treatment options, just as Dr. Rogers suggested, we often recommend minoxidil and do scalp injections of Kenalog to reduce inflammation and stimulate hair growth.  Sometimes scalp massage may increase blood flow to the area and help somewhat.

Traction, and most types of alopecia, are not only dependent upon taking care of the root, but also maintaining the hair shaft as well.  Moisturizing shampoos, regular conditioner and hot-oil treatments are definitely a plus.  Some may take hair vitamins, such as biotin, to stimulate hair growth.  Decreasing to eliminating the major stressors on the hair is also key.  I would avoid braids, weaves, tight buns, and other stressful styles, and I often discuss with patients hairstyles that they can use to minimize hair damage.  Too frequent and strong chemical relaxers may also be a problem, and discussing transitioning to natural hair (which may or may not include texturizing as a bridge) may be in your future.  This can be done in a way that optimizes your sense of style and minimizes stress on the hair follicle and shaft.

I would definitely talk this over with your dermatologist, sooner rather than later, because all too often patients approach us after much damage has been done.  There are also other types of alopecia to be considered alongside traction, so an evaluation is necessary.  Best of luck.
Dallas Dermatologist
 
 
 

Causes and Possible Treatments for Alopecia

Baldness, or alopecia, is the condition of partial or complete loss of hair, primarily affecting the scalp. Baldness may spread over the entire head, or it may occur only in spots. Known causes of baldness include hereditary factors, aging, and diseases affecting the entire body, scalp disorders, ionizing radiation, and reaction to drugs. 



In hereditary baldness, the hair follicles and oil glands in the scalp deteriorate and the hair gradually becomes thinner until only a few strands of fine, downy hair remain. The most common form of inherited baldness is male pattern baldness (M.P.B.) which spreads evenly, usually beginning with a partial loss of hair on the upper temples and on the crown of the head. This condition appears most frequently in men over 30 years old, although in some cases it may occur prematurely, even as early as the mid-teens. This form of heredity alopecia may be due in part to the hormonal changes that accompany the aging process. 



Women become bald less often than men, but they carry the genes that determine pattern baldness and pass them on to their children. When inherited female pattern baldness (F.P.B.) does occur, it normally affects menopausal women—that is, women around the ages of 45 to 50 years old, suggesting a link to hormonal changes. 



Several diseases, particularly those characterized by prolonged high fevers, may cause alopecia. Typhoid fever or scarlet fever can cause sudden loss of hair from the head or entire body. Gradual loss of hair may be caused by malnutrition, disorders of the endocrine system, drug poisoning, and other diseases. Alopecia universalis causes a permanent and total loss of hair over the entire body including the eyebrows and eyelashes. The cause of alopecia universalis is unfortunately still unknown. 



Fungal infections like ringworm, severe bacterial infections, tuberculosis ulcers, and burns may also result in hair loss in the affected areas. Early treatment of some infections, particularly seborrheic dermatitis—chronic inflammation of the skin that also causes dandruff—may succeed in preventing hair loss from the scalp. 



Individuals who have been exposed to significant doses of ionizing radiation, as from the explosion of nuclear weapons, tend to suffer from temporary baldness as well. Exposure to ionizing radiation from X-ray machines and other devices used to treat cancer may also cause temporary baldness. In addition, chemotherapy for cancer, which tends to destroy all rapidly dividing cells, may cause temporary total baldness because of its effect on hair follicles, which contain some of the most active cells in the body. 



Certain hairstyles and hair treatments from the salon can also lead to hair loss. Cornrows and pigtails on can lead to hair loss if it's done too often on the hair. The pull on your hair can cause a type of hair loss called traction alopecia. Hot oil hair treatments or chemicals used in perms may cause inflammation (swelling) of the hair follicle, which can also result in scarring and hair loss.


Fortunately, people no longer have to endure the hassles that come along with M.P.B. or F.P.B. Various hair loss treatments are already available to help you cope with problems with baldness. Medication, hair topical treatments, and hair restoration are only a few of the alternatives for hair loss treatments. A popular hair topical treatment is the use of a cream containing the drug minoxidil (brand name Rogaine), that needs to be used daily on the scalp for better results. Hair restoration with hair therapy and hair replacement is also a popular choice for baldness. Hair transplant and the use of hair replacement is an inexpensive way of covering the balding area while you're undergoing hair therapy.
 
 by: Chris Lontok
Anagen Hair Clinic

Hairline Illusions Wigs Versus Asian Wigs

Hairline Illusions Wigs Versus Asian Wigs

Frequently we are asked why our wigs are more expensive than Asian made lace wigs.
The simple answer is our wigs are made here in the USA and our staff and wig production cost more.
We use the finest materials and our wig builders are highly trained and we take pride in our excellent customer service.

#1 Experience and Environment:


Hairline Illusions wig builders are highly experienced and they are passionate about the outcome of all their creations. The work environment is peaceful enabling us to make superior wigs. Wig builders are paid fair market salaries.

#2 Hair Quality:

Natural “Human” hair wigs are made using real hair. Most hair suppliers use hair with fillers. In some cases animal hair (from angora, horses, yak and sheep) are used as fillers. Kanekalon and Toyokalon are also used as fillers. Hair cost is very low.

Hairline Illusions uses 100% human hair purchased from hair collectors and straight from donors. Hair can cost from $1,000 to $3,000 depending on the donor’s asking price.

#3 Materials:

Most Asian wig bases are made with polyester and nylon meshes. The costs of these laces are cheaper than the materials used to construct a Hairline Illusions wig.

#4 Construction Time:


Fully hand-tied Asian made wigs can take anywhere from 40 to 55 hours to construct.

Hairline Illusions invisible systems can take from 120 hours to construct because of the advance materials and the time-consuming techniques used.

#5 Wig Life


Hairline Illusions wigs are made for everyday long-term use and last 1 to 5 years depending on wig base. Backed by a 6 month to 1 year’s warranty depending on the base you select.

Asian wigs last 1 to 3 months.

Conclusion:
Hairline Illusions wigs aren’t the cheapest but if you prefer a quality realistic looking wig made right here in the USA, we are here to serve you.

We offer financing and payment plan options for those who qualify.