No matter how you look at it, extra hair goes a long way in boosting someone’s confidence. Whether it has more volume, is longer, curlier, or even magically getting it all back.
Many men know that they will be bald one day. As they get older, they anticipate the dreadful day they’ll say goodbye to their defined hairline, and witness their hair gradually thin every day. Most men accept this as with almost everything in life, there’s an end. And while hair loss is genetic, it can trigger daily habits such as smoking and even taking certain kinds of medications.
Since we’re used to men balding, it’s often hard to wrap ourselves around the idea of men getting their hair back, especially with quick turnarounds. If this did happen, it would totally shock us. But what if I told you that bald men can get their hair back?
Well, it’s really happening. And today, more than ever, more men are considering getting a “man weave”. Yes, it’s called a man weave, though there are a lot of other names for it, names such as “Man Unit, hair units and Man weave units are popular terms in describing the process. Men are increasingly wearing hair units. In recent years, the popularity of men wearing hair units has risen quite significantly. Surprisingly, many started a few years ago with this rather new idea.
Why a Man Weave?
The main reason why men want their hair back is in search of confidence and feeling young again. It’s kind of the same feeling women get after they receive a new hair bundle in their mail – looking fresher, trying a new look, and just being beautiful after the install. That’s the same feeling men seek.
Isn’t this idea controversial? Well, in the past, men have been known to think rather negatively about women wearing hair extensions and weaves. And now that men have begun wearing hair units, they are becoming more appreciative of the hair industry. They see what hair can do to the confidence and lifestyle of a person, and perhaps appreciate it.
Personally, I think that most of us have culturally been used to the idea that men don’t necessarily need hair to enjoy their lives. In fact, in most social settings and cultures, men don’t need to have hair to be considered attractive.
Nonetheless, image is important for both men and women, and considering that fashion trends are increasingly becoming less gender specific and more unisex, it’s goes to show that the image industry is a key game changer.
Hair Weaves for Men
Hair weaves, bundles, wigs, and hair products are a multi-billion-dollar industry, which man weaves are a part of. As weaves continue to appear more real and natural, especially for people of color, this multi-billion-dollar industry will continue to reach new heights as more products become readily available for anyone interested.
Today, what you can do with hair is limitless. People of color have spent over 2.5 billion dollars in the black hair industry, in this is set to rise in the coming years. Plus, the number shows the great importance of hair in the African American/blacks community. And not only have the men bought into the idea, but men weaves are now available in a wide range of textures, including Caucasian, Asian, Latino, etc.
Man weaves also bring so much versatility. The versatility includes styles and lengths such as cornrows, braids, and realistic dreadlocks, along with different textures within every kind of hair, such as kinky curly, curly, afro kinky, etc.
What’s a Man Weave?
Man weaves are non-surgical hair replacement or cranial prosthesis units. Installing these units offer men who have lost their hair to regain it back rather easily. Many people who go bald or experience thinning or hair loss from cancer treatments are often tempted to pursue these hair replacement or cranial prosthesis units.
How to Install a Man Weave
By now, you’re probably wondering, how you’d go about installing a man weave? Will it look real? How easy is it to spot a guy who’s rocking a man weave? Well, first, the installation process is simple, albeit tedious.
Someone with a keen eye for styling would probably be the best behind the barber’s chair. Consider it a craftsmanship. The weaves have to be installed by hair glue and bonds. It’s part of a process, with results that are quite natural. And the good thing is that you don’t have to worry about the bond chemicals and hair glue damaging your hair or scalp.
The following video provides a detailed walkthrough of a typical man weave installation at a barbershop.
The first thing the stylist does is define the hairline of the client before starting the hair process. They generally use a marker to draw a line in front of the hair, and then combs the hair as they cut or shave off the excess hair that need to be removed before the hair unit is installed.
Next, the stylist will style the actual hair unit on the head. This involved cutting it into the desired shape and preparing it for installation. After, they will apply a hair glue bond on the bald area of your head or scalp. They’ll use a brush to glaze the bond and glue all over the scalp.
To dry the glue bond, the stylist will use a hair dryer, and make sure that the glue and hair have bonded together quickly. Next, they will place the hair unit carefully on the head based on your defined hairline. After a thorough styling and cutting, the installation will be complete. And there you have it, your man weave is fully installed.
As you can see, male hair extensions don’t require complex installation. Nonetheless, the process is best handled by a professional barber. If done right, the results can be transforming. Men often feel a rush of confidence once the process is done. Aside from their improved self-confidence, some men leave the barbershop looking a lot younger with a head full of hair. They actually report feeling young again.
Man Weave Methods
Now that you have an idea of how a man weave is installed, it’s good to note that every man weave is different, and will be styled to fit each client. During the installation process, the stylist will have to take into account the shape of your head, your hair texture, hairline, and hair color. This is part of what makes it a tedious process.
The barber or stylist then has to cut, trim, and style the hair of the client and that of the unit so that both blend well for a more natural look.
What About the Cost?
The average cost of a man weave is anywhere between $200 and $800. The process takes between 90 minutes to 2 hours to finish.
Man Weave Maintenance
After a successful installation of a man weave, you have to be careful about too much water. As such, you have to wear a shower cap every time you take a shower. You also have to wear a du-rag or a head covering during night time. However, it’s often possible to wear the hair unit while swimming.
The average man weave can last anywhere from a month to a year based on how you maintain it. However, it’s always ok to visit your barber or stylist to help with the maintenance.
Man Weave Trend
Although normalizing men wearing weaves and hair extensions is going to take some time, it’s slowly getting there. With time, it should become a normal thing. It works well as an ego boost, and most men will feel great when they discover something that genuinely makes them feel good about themselves.
What are your thoughts on men wearing hair units? We’d like to hear from you!
