Mesh integration vs Clip-in hair toppers – what you need to know

Deciding how to deal with hair loss can be overwhelming at the best of times... add in the daily stress of life, work, relationships and a tonne of unsolicited 'advice' on social media, and it's no surprise that many people end up doing nothing at all. And inaction is the nemesis of hair loss.

For many people, the choices come down to medication (Minoxidil, Finasteride etc), treatments (PRP, red light therapy etc), and non-surgical hair replacement (mesh integration, hair toppers etc). This blog post explores the options available in more depth.

If you've been exploring non-surgical options, you might have heard about mesh integration and clip-in hair toppers. Both can work well but they are very different in their approaches.

Mesh integration

Mesh integration involves pulling your natural hair through a fine mesh which is shaped to your head, and securing it in place with small beads. A 'closure' (to cover the crown) and wefts (to cover the sides) of hair are then sewn to the mesh foundation to create a new head of hair.

It's a semi-permanent system which is kept on for a number of weeks, then tightened and refitted usually at four-week intervals respectively. They require advanced skills to apply properly and need careful maintenance at home and in the salon.

Pros:

• Can create a seamless, natural look

• Once installed, can feel and look like natural hair

• Works well if you are looking for something long-term that stays on all the time

Cons:

• Requires specialist skills to fit and maintain properly

• Is only suitable for a small number of people

• Expensive initial cost and ongoing appointments

• Can be uncomfortable, especially in hot weather (feels a bit like wearing a hat 24/7)

• Time-consuming to maintain

• Can put more stress on natural hair if not fitted properly

• Can affect scalp health if not maintained correctly

• Does not allow full access to natural hair and scalp to maintain hair/scalp health and apply medications and treatments where required

Clip-in hair toppers

A clip-in hair topper is a hairpiece designed to cover thinning or sparse areas on the top of the head. It has built-in low-pressure clips that securely attach to your natural hair, making it easy to put on and take off without professional help. Unlike full wigs, it blends with your own hair and adds volume or coverage only where needed.

Pros:

• Easy to attach and remove yourself (in approximately 30 seconds)

• Comfortable to wear

• Gentle on your natural hair (the clips are low pressure and I also offer numerous ways to wear hair toppers that don't involve the clips)

• Flexible and low commitment – wear it whenever you want

• Low maintenance, just wash and style at home every 4-6 weeks on average

• Lasts a long time with proper aftercare

Cons:

• Limited to certain lengths/thicknesses to achieve a good blend

• Less secure than mesh if you're 'outdoorsy'

Wrapping up

Both mesh integration and clip-in toppers have their place, but for most people, hair toppers offer the easiest, most comfortable, flexible, and affordable solution. They give you control over when and how you wear them, are gentle on your natural hair, and allow you to maintain your own hair and scalp health without compromise.

I’m fully trained in mesh integration myself, so I know the technique inside out. It's very much a 'team sport' and you have to be willing to dedicate a lot of time for maintenance both at home and with your stylist in order to keep the system clean and looked after so that your natural hair and scalp health isn't put at risk.

After offering it as a service for a while, I chose to focus on clip-in toppers because they give my clients more independence, less daily stress, and a solution that fits nicely into their everyday lives. I have converted a number of clients from mesh integration they had fitted elsewhere, to hair toppers.

Along with the practical benefits, clip-in hair toppers can make a real difference to your confidence levels and how you feel. If you're curious about discovering how one could work for you, I'd love to help you find the right fit.