"Ultra-Custom" Hair Replacement Hair Systems Defined

Ultra-Custom hair replacement systems are made from a delicate balance of artistry, craftsmanship, and cutting edge technologies. These elements combine to produce the best and most undetectable hair systems in the world.

To practice ultra-custom techniques means to ensure that every element of the process-from the client's original template design to the system base materials-is the absolute best choice for that particular client. It means disregarding the low-priced, over-processed Third World hair that has become the industry standard. In many cases, it means hand selecting the most expensive, finest quality European hair.

Practitioners of ultra-custom techniques do not use machines to tie the delicate knots that attach the hair onto the base like certain factories do. Each strand of hair is painstakingly tied to the mesh base using knots invisible to the naked eye. Several different knotting combinations are required in order to attain a perfect, undetectable esthetic result.

Because there are so many important elements, "ultra-custom" means performing every production step correctly from the start to finish and never taking a short cut at the client's expense-ever.

The practice of ultra-custom requires pushing today's technologies past their limits so that fresh and new technologies - based on fresh and new ideas - can develop. At the same time, hair replacement practitioners should realize that technology alone means nothing without the artist's eye. In the end, the practice of ultra-custom hair replacement is a craft and an artistic endeavor.

For the consumer in search of a nonsurgical hair replacement solution, the results will be only as good as the practitioner is capable of producing. Choosing the right studio/salon is critical. Ask questions and demand answers. Are they able to make a hair system on their premises? Or is the studio completely dependent on factories and middle men?

If you do your research, you will find out quickly whether you are dealing with a salesman with a quota to fill or a company of artisans and innovators. My hope for every hair loss sufferer out there is that this industry will change its direction and they will find the latter.

At one time, dedicated artisans and craftspeople made hair systems for a select few who suffered from baldness. Humphrey Bogart and John Wayne benefited from some of the finest hair systems that existed in their time. Then, the factories and "middle man" companies began to dominate the industry. They merchandised mass produced, throwaway systems to their wholesale customers. Instead of a hair salon ordering one system for a hair systems wearer, the hair replacement salons ordered 3 to 4 systems for each customer to accommodate their new "throw away" approach. The factories and middleman companies reaped huge profits but artistry disappeared and the hair loss sufferer became condemned to living with inferior hair systems.

Today, few hair replacement salons are able to perform basic hair additions to systems on their premises. Most salons simply give their clients a new, inexpensive system whenever an old one needs modifications. The hair system artisan has almost become a relic from another era.

Farrell Hair Replacement was the first company to offer ultra-custom hair replacement with lace technologies for the average consumer. Now, anyone can have a system as good as those worn by great movie stars. There is no reason for a hair loss sufferer to be forced to wear cheap, factory-made systems anymore. Ultra-custom hair systems are back and are here to stay.

The industry's response to Farrell Hair Replacement has often been negative. The National Hair Journal, the industry's only trade magazine, chooses to ignore the successes of Farrell's ultra-custom systems, even though our hair systems are recognized by Hairsite.com as "the best in the world." The Journal has demonstrated that they are out to protect the factories and the middle men distributors who buy their advertising space, control the industry and pay for the Journal to attend industry events.

Fortunately, some hair replacement salon owners are finally realizing that their factories and distributors are not capable of producing quality hair systems. The ultra-custom movement spearheaded by Farrell has reemerged to its position of importance in our industry. Many hair replacement salons are now enrolling in Farrell workshops and seminars in order to learn the techniques and philosophy necessary to turn their salons back into ultra-custom centers.

Buyers beware. Many salons, companies and distributors will begin advertising themselves as being ultra-custom. Hopefully, if the American Hair Loss Council (AHLC) can survive, their new salon rating system will allow people to quickly distinguish the real ultra-custom salons from the fake. The nonprofit AHLC's planned rating system should give each salon a rating based on its level of capabilities.

Farrell Hair Replacement will continue to spread its fast-growing influence across every continent. Our mission is to push the envelope, raise the bar of excellence, demonstrate our skills and offer the best hair replacement systems and education in the industry. Then, through healthy competition and new technologies, this industry will change its direction and once again grow in a positive manner.

Richard Farrell, President
Farrell Hair Replacement
Los Angeles , California
April 10, 2004