The Risks & Rewards of Buying Hair Systems Online
In today’s digital age, the convenience of online shopping extends to all aspects of our lives, including hair systems. The internet boasts a plethora of websites offering a wide range of hair systems, from wigs and hairpieces to extensions and toppers. However, before you click that “buy now” button, it’s essential to understand the risks and rewards associated with buying hair systems online.
The Appeal of Buying Hair Systems Online
Convenience at Your Fingertips. One of the primary reasons people opt to purchase hair systems online is the convenience it provides. With just a few clicks, you can explore countless options, compare prices, and read customer reviews. The ability to shop from the comfort of your own home, at any time of the day, is undoubtedly enticing.
Cost-Effective Solutions. Another lure of buying hair systems online is the perceived cost-effectiveness. Many online retailers offer competitive prices and discounts, making it tempting for those seeking affordable hair solutions. You may come across remarkably cheap hair systems that seem too good to pass up.
An Array of Options. Online platforms boast an extensive range of hair systems, catering to various styles, colors, lengths, and textures. Whether you’re looking for a natural-looking wig, a volumizing hairpiece, or extensions to enhance your current hair, the online market is filled with options to suit your preferences, with quality ranging from excellent to awful and everywhere in between.
The Risks of Buying Hair Systems Online
Quality Concerns. While the allure of low prices may be tempting, it’s crucial to consider the quality of the hair systems available online. Many cheap hair systems are made from synthetic materials that lack the natural look and feel of real hair. Additionally, the construction and durability of these systems may be subpar, leading to issues such as shedding and tangling.
Color and Texture Mismatch. Ordering hair systems online introduces the risk of receiving a product that does not match your desired color or texture. Online images can be deceiving, and what appears to be a perfect match on the screen may turn out to be drastically different in person. This can lead to disappointment and frustration, as the hair system may not blend seamlessly with your natural hair.
Limited Customization Options. When purchasing a hair system online, customization options are often limited. You may be restricted to standard sizes, colors, and styles, which may not cater to your specific needs. Customization is crucial for achieving a natural look and ensuring a comfortable fit, something that may be lacking when buying online.
Delivery Delays and Issues. Another potential drawback of online hair system purchases is the uncertainty surrounding delivery times and potential issues. Ordering from an unfamiliar website increases the likelihood of encountering delays, shipping problems, or even receiving a damaged product. Dealing with these complications can be frustrating and time-consuming.
Lack of Professional Guidance. When buying a hair system online, you miss out on the expertise and guidance of a professional hairstylist or consultant. These individuals have extensive knowledge and experience in assessing your unique hair loss concerns, measuring your head for a perfect fit, and recommending the most suitable options. Without their guidance, you may struggle to find the ideal hair system for your needs.
Understand the Return Policy. Carefully review the return policy of the online retailer before making a purchase. Ensure that they offer a reasonable return window and clearly outline the conditions for returning or exchanging a hair system. Keep in mind that some vendors may charge restocking fees or have specific requirements for returning products. Virtually no online hair system vendors will accept returns if the system has been worn, styled, colored, or altered (cut) in any way.
Attaching Your Hair System
While some individuals prefer to go the DIY route and attach, cut, and style their own hair system, most men and women simply want as realistic, as natural looking, and above all as undetectable an end result as possible. And since they don’t feel confident in themselves in achieving these results on their own, they need to seek out a hair replacement professional near them where they can go with their “mail order” hair replacement system and have it attached properly, colored and blended seamlessly with their own natural hair, and styled to their liking.
Virtually all hair replacement studios with which we are familiar – from New York to Florida to California and beyond – charge a premium price for this service, most provide virtually no guarantee, and the vast majority require you to sign a waiver holding them harmless for the end result of their service. The reason is simple: while you may walk out of their salon with great looking hair, and while it may stay that way for several days or weeks, it may also fail unexpectedly (and disastrously) through no fault of the salon, since they had no control over the sourcing and quality of the original hair system and therefore can’t provide any sort of guarantee as to its quality or suitability for your particular needs or lifestyle.
Professional hair replacement studios have established decades-long relationships with their suppliers and as a result can not only guarantee their results in terms of professional styling and outcomes, but more importantly, the consistent quality of their hair, its lifestyle suitability, and in turn your satisfaction. And if anything goes amiss such as a color mismatch, or something that is defective with the hair system, the salon stands behind their work and the hair system they sold you.
Not all hair replacement systems are created equal. We have personally seen many that are literal disasters right out of the box. That is why we only source our hair from a select handful of highly reputable manufacturers who we trust and with whom we have worked for decades, and who we know provide consistently excellent hair.
Seek Advice from a Reputable Hair Replacement Professional
Although you may choose to purchase your hair system online, it’s always beneficial to seek professional advice before making a final decision. Consult with professional hair replacement specialist who can provide personalized guidance based on your unique needs and expectations. They can offer recommendations and suggest meaningful solutions that will meet your needs in the long run.
Request Samples or Swatches. To mitigate the risk of color and texture mismatch, reach out to the online retailer and inquire about obtaining hair samples or swatches. This will allow you to assess the quality and closely match the hair system to your natural hair. Some retailers may offer this service, giving you a better idea of what to expect before making a purchase.
Do They Offer Meaningful Customer Support? Before committing to an online purchase, ensure that the retailer has reliable customer support channels. Look for contact information such as phone numbers, email addresses, or live chat options. This will be essential if you encounter any issues or have questions about your hair system.
The Benefits of In-Person Consultations and Purchases
While online shopping offers convenience, selection, and often very attractive prices, in-person consultations and purchases come with their own set of advantages. Here are some benefits to consider:
Personalized Assessments. When you visit a hair loss studio or salon in person, you can receive a personalized assessment of your individual hair loss situation. A trained professional can evaluate your scalp, hair density, and overall condition to recommend suitable hair system options. This personalized approach ensures that the chosen hair system meets your specific needs and blends seamlessly and invisibly with your natural hair.
Customization and Tailoring. In-person consultations allow for customization and tailoring of the hair system to your exact requirements. A skilled hair systems stylist can take precise measurements of your head, ensuring a comfortable fit and natural appearance. They can also customize the color, style, percentage of gray, and density of the hair system to match your preferences.
Expert Installation and Styling
Compared to buying hair systems online, one of the significant advantages of in-person purchases is the ongoing support, expertise and skill of a professional hair replacement stylist. They can professionally install and style your hair system, ensuring it looks completely natural and complements your facial features. This level of expertise is challenging to achieve when purchasing online, as you are left to navigate the installation process on your own.
Complicating the situation further, depending upon your location, many local hair replacement studios refuse to service or cut in hair replacement systems that have been purchased elsewhere, leaving you no alternative but to try to do it yourself, or go to your regular stylist who in most instances has no experience with hair systems and how to make them look natural.
Buying Hair Systems Online: Support & Maintenance
One of the important things you gain when you purchase a hair system in person is personal access to ongoing support and maintenance services. Professional hair replacement studios offer ongoing guidance on proper care, maintenance, and styling techniques to prolong the lifespan of your hair system. They can also assist with any adjustments or repairs that may be necessary over time.
Buying a Hair Replacement System in Huntsville, Alabama
Buying hair systems online can be a convenient and cost-effective option, but as we’ve outlined above, it comes with inherent risks. While there are reputable online retailers, there are also a host of other retailers who are not. It is critically important to do thorough research, seek professional advice, and understand the potential drawbacks. In-person consultations and purchases offer personalized assessments, customization, and ongoing support, ensuring a natural and comfortable hair system experience. By weighing the risks and rewards, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your hair loss needs and preferences.
Remember, whether you choose to buy online or in person, the most important aspect is finding a hair system that makes you feel confident and comfortable. If you have questions, we encourage you to contact us for a private, complimentary hair loss consultation where you can explore all your options and get all your hair replacement questions answered fully and completely.
