July 13 2006, 11:34 am PT | Posted in: Hair Pieces / Systems
You seem like a wonderful person to spend so much time answering people’s questions and helping us. My question is about “Virtual Reality Hair”. This seems to be a hair system that claims to be undetectable to the sight as well as feel. The base is suppose to be like a contact lens…very very thin. The maintenance is very high and it is expensive. Can you let me know if it is unhealthy for the skin? I am only 23 with a receding hairline or a maturing hairline and this would save my social life if it works. Thank you for your time.
I cannot comment specifically on the Virtual Reality Hair system, as I have not seen it and have no experience with it. Generally though, these hair systems should not be “unhealthy” for the skin. However, sometimes these systems may cause local irritation or even contact dermatitis in rare cases. The way such systems fit to your hair and scalp can cause traction alopecia from the rubbing of the hair system and the pulling upon your hair. You should also be aware that as you wear them for periods of time, you will sweat and need to clean and maintain them from developing that worn-in odor (as with your favorite hat). As you stated, the maintenance cost is very high and expensive.
Paid advertisements (not an endorsement):
DO NOT USE Virtual Reality Hair. It’s almost the same as Hair Club For Men. Believe me, I tried both programs and guess what? Same Crap. What hair club for men do is they use a thin toupe that uses a nasty adhesive, I scratched my head the whole night and it was so bad. The itching was so bad that my finger smelled like a nasty grimmy substance that almost made me throw up. All in all, the initial one time BS is like 1340 and monthly fees of about 60. So all hope is lost, then a commercial showed for virtual reality. I thought WOW, this is amazing, the advertising got me excited like a boyscott receiving his first badge. I found there offices here in san diego and decided to take a visit.
I met up with the head director and told him my situation, so he gave me a brief explanation about VIRTUAL REALITY, he said it’s a breathable matrix top (He made it sound fancy, he should just called it a toupe that breathes)so excited I was, the commercial I have seen told me it was affordable, so I told him how much did it cost, he said the initial fee(Off course) was about 1450, I WAS LIKE CRAP!!!!!!! That’s alot of money, I asked why so much, so again another explanation how fancy it was. Plus a monthly payment of 200 a month for the services.
So like a sucker I ate his words like ice cream. I saved up two months for the process, when I went in, I gave them my money and now they said, were going to measure ur bald areas, which was like mostly the top layer of my head. They use those measurements to create a new toupe with real hair, like what hair club for men does. They told me the company that supplies them that hair takes them about a 3 weeks. So I waited 3 weeks and I got a phone call that my hair was ready.
I went in and what they did first was they shaved my top layer of my head because that’s where I was mostley balding and used that toupe measurement where I was balding to put it on top. So as soon as they were done shaving the bald areas, they presented my new hair. Excited, I was thinking what are they going to use to put in my new hair. GUESS WHAT PEOPLE!!!! Same adhesive and same tapes just like hair club.
As soon as they put it in, I kinda felt a difference that it was lighter and u kinda didn’t feel it, but what u could feel is the glue and the tape. They told me not to shower or do any physical activites for 24 hours. As soon as the 24 hour cycle broke, I went clubbin. When I went clubbin, it felt nice that u couldn’t feel the toupe but the tape and glue irritated my skin so bad since I was sweating alot. Becuase I’m only 21 and I’m really active. When I went to the bathroom, what I looked in the mirror looked like nothing when I first came in to get my new hair.
What I saw in the mirror was a piece of toupe being detatched from my skin. U could seriously see the white toupe line. And it was just 1 day after I go it. I called virtual reality about my problem and told me to come in for a check up. So I did, as soon as they start putting more adhesive, it really irritated my skin. They also told me I lost hair and there going to replace with more so they did, same as hair club for men. U loose hair, they’re going to add more hair where u first lost it. So as soon as they were done giving me a crappy haircut, adhesive and shappoo. They told me to pay for my monthly service right now which was like 198. COMPLETE BS!!! Because I gave them 1450 3 weeks ago, I’M NOT BILL GATES HERE HELLO!!!!!! So i had enough to pay for my service becuase that money was for clothes and shoes. But not anymore, so they told me to come 3 weeks from and they told me u will do fine in 3 weeks.
As soon as I got home, they told me again not to shower, so I didn’t. The first week was fine, but the second week kicked my ass, becuase like I said, I’m still young, I’m always active. So I worked out, after I was done working out, the front and back piece of my toupe was slightley coming off. Pissed off, I showered with the special shampoo I had to buy from them which was like 12 bucks. So as soon as I was done, I blow dryed my hair especially where the toupe was coming off to make it stick better. So as soon as I was done, I went to bed. One thing I noticed about where this is that u can’t go to sleep normalley. U have to be like 30 or 50 years old not to notice this.
When I went to sleep, I could feel the toupe crinkle and mesh together like paper, i couldnt sleep on my side becuase I just made it worse. And it made the areas where the toupe was coming off made it come out even more. Plus another thing, I was itching so bad from the adhesive and when ur done itching it smells so bad, it smelled worse than the hairclub for men. I finally had enough and ripped it out and completely shaved my head. I came to my next appointment bald and told them I’ll face my baldness and told them to keep that beaver that was on top of my head.
In conclusion, this is just another hyped up company that leaves balding men still bald, always broke, itchy, red-skin, and did I mention being broke lol All in all this is far worse than hairclub for men. DO NOT DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!! If u want to see pictures, heres my email GunGriever@gmail.com, just email me and I’ll send u my pics.
Yea my hair is curly and usually when i come out its not like a puffy girl and i want to keep ot that way but then as i go through the day it gets puffy how do i make it not puffy? Thanks
Hey Ralph, you honestly sound like a hair club for men commercial. It also sounds like you want top shelf on a beer budget. I have a Virtual Reality system and love it. It is a bit expensive, but if you want the best you have to be able to afford it. The maintenance is just like going for a regular haircut once a month. Sorry, that is just the way it is.:(
I have had Virtual Reality for over 2 years. Prior to that I had other so-called “systems”. Virtual Reality is so much better than that. My friends have been amazed. They think I grew my hair back. I follow the instructions that were given to me by the stylist. It is very easy. Maybe the gentleman had a bad experience because he was did not follow the instructions. I have referred three of my friends to Virtual Reality and they thank me all of the time.
I have been wearing Virtual Reality for 2 years. I am an active 20 years old with medical alopecia. My scalp becomes irritated quite easily and I love this system because my scalp can breathe. The adhesive is medically approved and has never caused me any problems. I work out and swim 5 days a week, my girlfriend has no idea I wear this system and she runs her hands throught it all the time. The sytem can be expensive but it top of the line. The prices the ranter above was quoting was out of line. I have never been charged that much. I only put 375 down to try it initially for 30 days and could cancel it if it didn’t work for me. They give free makeovers they are so convinced it is a superior product. After that I just paid as I needed it replaced. I really think the guy above works for another hair studio or something, everyone is different but if they advertise free trial why didn’t they do it with him and some of his comments sound fishy and it is not the medical adhesive I am smelling.
virtual reality is an awesome system. However to the gentlemen with the hoffic experince, it seems like he didn’t follow instructions. I also belive that it may not be for everyone.It sounds like he should have paid a little more attention on matience then clubbing etc. I know many people that never had a problem with virtual Reality. Hair club sucks they just care about those dollars. Virtual Reality rocks.
Holy Crap! I just read that terrible review.. I am very pleased with virtual reality. I have very long hair that was thinned to almost bald on the back top. Almost shaved but then decided to try this. So I have a piece that has 18-20″ long hair. I have the longest of the people that go where I go. For what I have I dont pay as much as what that guy was saying. Its like 1600 a year and they let me make payments directly to the salon. So I put down half and pay a monthy payment. As many visits I want are no charge. I do tip the stylist though. I go there about once or twice a month. I have two systems at one time there.. they switch them out for me as I want. My first month was a little hard on me emotionally and getting used to the system. It also takes a little time for the stylist to understand what you want and to get your hair to match in thickness wave and color.. once she got me figured out, it has been clear sailing. I know this isnt for everyone, but it works for me. I would never go back to the way my hair was after a few months of this and the shaved option is always there.
Is it noticeable? People that know me asked me what I did with my hair..I told them I got a weave and extensions.. That was the end of that. The toupee stigma bothers me somewhat so thats been my explaination for the hair.
I know that there are bad days too with this system.. so I wear a bandanna or hat.. nothing out of the ordinary for me anyway. I go to rock concerts and hang out no problems. Girls love my hair as usual and life in general is fairly the same save the extra time in the bathroom making sure there is no lifting on the base after a sweaty day.
I have no experience with short hair but I would highly recommend this as an option for the long hair guys that are thinning out or receding as an alternative to shaving.
The cost is cheaper than smoking or going out to bars and clubbing LOL!
My wife prefers the “new” hair look to the old. The only real thing about this with my wife is that fact that in order to get hair as long as mine, I have to get a thicker density of hair and thin it down. So when she runs her hands through my hair she feels the stubble in the hair under the length because its cut real short. So if that is the most of my problems, I consider this successful.
So to that guy up top there.. sorry about your getting mixed up with a bad salon. But please dont speak for everyone who has this. The system really works, I think the salon you deal with is the key. If I read your review before I did this I would have really been hesitant. I checked around before I did anything and found most of the same overpriced contract clubs looking for like 1500 down and 150 a month for the same as the virtual reality just a differnt name or whatever.. just do your research, there are good places out there with great staff who are not overpriced because the clientel is loyal and they make good money on sheer volume, so they can charge less and be flexible with payments.
Bottom line, its all in the service and technicians who do this for you… the product is good but like all things, the quality of installation and service is paramount to the success of the parts.
HOLA SOY LUPITA YO APENAS VOY A PROBAR VIRTUAL REALITY MI PELO SE FUE DESDE HACE 10 AÑOS, PUEDE ALGUIEN DECIRME SI VOY A PODER HACER UNA VIDA COMO CUALQUIERA, DUCHARME, NADAR, DORMIR, ETC.POR FAVOR PUEDE ALGUIEN DECIRME CUÁNTO LES HA COSTADO A USTEDES YO VIVO EN MÉXICO Y ME GUSTARÍA SABER SI ME CONVIENE HACERME EL TRATAMIENTO EN ESTADOS UNIDOS.
GRACIAS
Hi! I have a question about the virtual reality maintenance.They say there isn’t any in the commercials,just shampooing,conditioning and going in once a month for a salon cut and reattachment.What about the hair line keep up? Is there really no messing with tapes and or glue trying to keep that system front looking great and attached? Thanks!
i started loss my hair and I’m not bald still have hair but its thin in some places can I use this sytem or I should need to wait until get 100%bald? my hair problem is from fungals and scalp allergy, its itchy all the time so can that prevent me from using this sytem? thanks