Tape or Glue…What’s Better?

As a hair system wearer for the past 7 years, I have tried it all. I am going to give you some solid insight into what works best for me.

It is very much a personal preferance. I have some clients that like white glue, literally no clients that like the clear glue and most of my clients use a sports tape that is is sports performance tape.

When it comes to glue white glue they are all very similir in their behaviour. We use 3 layers of white glue. If we use clear glue then just 2 layers. One one the system, one on the scalp and they another around the edge. I find that glue works better for some people that feel like tape isjust not for them.

WHAT ARE THE ISSUE WITH GLUE?

In our climate in Australia, especially as you go further North, the humidity and heat is an issue. When you are hotter and sweat more the glue only has the capacity to soaak up so much moisture before it becomes unstable and starts to leak. This means that your system will start to move and can also start to smell after the first week of the rebonding process.

It can also start to become itchy and this means that the quality of the bond and the health of the scalp is starting to be compromised.

WHY IS SCALP HEALTH IMPORTANT?

If your rebond starts to fill with moisture and heat, then this is the perfect environment for bacteria and fungus to grow. The conditions have unstabalized your natural microbiota that is your first line of defence form any nasties getting inside your body. If your skin starts to get itchy and you scratch then it gets inflamed and red and often sores appear and it gets worse and worse. This is what you have to avoid. You can get around this my rebonding and sanitizing the scalp more often. You can use a scalp protector, which I always use, no matter whether I am using glue or tape. But ultimately this may be the driving forse to make a better decision to use a bond that can handle some sweating without impacting the health of the scalp.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN GLUE FILLS WITH SWEAT?

Apart from impacting the health of the scalp, it also makes your hair system bond less stable. What this means is that it is going to lift, slide and on rare cases come off. It is not often that it will come off as the glue is still tacky but the composition is just not strong in its hold to keep the hair systems firm on the scalp.

WHAT IS AN ALTERNAITE....IS TAPE BETTER?

This is all going to depend on the tape that you are relying on. There are many options out there and for some people it is a case of trial and error. I, personally, use a professional sports performance tape that I import as it is the only tape that I think works.

As a provider for hair systems and my daily job is rebonding, I find this works the best for my clients too. We all have varying daily demands on our bodies. Some clients work in airconditioning and others have morephysical jobs as tradies on work sites.

Right across the board tape works for everyone but it has to be good quality and specific brands that do work. The cheap tape off Amazon does not work. It will stick to the base of the systems but the glue part that sticks to your head loses the sticky very quickly. When you go to clean it you can see no glue is left but the part stuck to the hair system base is almost impossible to pull off. So this leads me to believe that it is just not worth the cost in time to try and pull it off and clean it. YOu may get a financial win at the beginning but you lose it in how long the rebond lasts and how easy it is to clean up.

IS TAPE OR GLUE BETTER TO CLEAN?

This is extremely variable. If left on too long, or if you are a big sweater under the hair system then you need to consider a few things. Are you best in a hybrid hair system that breathes. Or are you best taking it off at the 2 week mark rather than wiat for 3. Unltimately, if you have glue or tape leaking into the hair, if your system move and the condition of your scalp is compromised you need to review the situation.

WHAT IS THE BEST OVERALL?

Tape is the best for our climate with a pre-spray of scalp protector. But they have to be quality products from a professional supplier. You are going to get 2-3 weeks out of a rebond in Australia. I know some provider overseas are talking 4-6 weeks but it is not the case here.

I had a new client come in telling me their provide in Brisbane told them to take it off and rebond at the 4-6 week mark. I am always very firm with my position on this and let people know that is not how we would be working going forward. That is if they want to work with me, then scalp health is up the upmost importance. I advise that if the scalp is infected then it can create serious health problems and it is dangerous.

Admittedly, I try to deliver this in the kindest and most supportive way because it is important to maintain health and comfotability with wearing a hair system.

Always keep in mind that your health is important, your comfortability in wearing the hair systems is imperative and the strength of the bond matters.

HAVE MORE QUESTIONS

Start up a chat with me, it's Kai from Kai Hawke Hair Systems and I specialise in providing hair systems training for guys wanting more information.

www.kaidoeshair.com

hello@kaidoeshair,com

0498 988 131