Alright, gents, let’s talk hair. You’ve got your hair systems, it’s looking pretty good. But how about let’s add some more colors to it like natural hair? Enter highlights. Yes, men can rock highlights too. Hair highlights for men can add dimension, style, and a lot of attitude to your look.
How do you highlight a hair system properly without frying the hair and the base? This post will show you.
Should Guys Highlight Their Hair Systems?
What’s so good about men’s hair highlights for hair systems? To have a better look of course.
1. Depth, Baby!
Let’s face it—monotone hair is boring. Highlights break up the single color, and add depth and dimension to make your hair look fuller and more dynamic. You don’t need to say anything, and the effect is mesmerizing. Hair highlights also help to create a more natural appearance by catching light.
2. Fuller Look
Hair highlights for men can create the illusion of thickness for hair systems. Lighter tones and shades can make your hair look fuller and take attention away from the scalp.
3. It’s Trendy, Mate
Highlights aren’t just for women or for those beachy, surfer types. More and more men are starting to highlight their hair for a refresh. A well-done highlight can make your style look more modern and make you look more polished without being too over the top.
Picking the Right Highlights for Men’s Hair Systems
The right color is the key. Unfortunately, though hair systems accommodate highlights, they can’t take colors that are too light that the hair gets bleached.
1. For Dark Hair
Dark-haired dudes, caramel, honey, or chocolate tones are your best bet. You don’t want anything too light or brassy, or it might look unnatural. Subtle is key here. These shades will add warmth and richness to your base color without overwhelming it.
2. For Light or Medium Hair
Guys with lighter brown or blond hair can get ashy tones or platinum streaks for a bolder look. You could even go for sandy blond highlights to keep it fresh. For something edgier, pick silver highlights. It will give your hair system that sleek, modern feel.
3. Synthetic Hair vs. Human Hair
Here’s where things get tricky. If you have a synthetic hair system, don’t even think about dyeing or bleaching. Synthetic hair doesn’t react well to these processes. The hair can tangle or even melt under harsh chemicals. Stick with pre-highlighted synthetic hair systems or, better yet, go for human hair systems for a more natural and customizable option.
Special Considerations for Hair Systems
When working with hair systems, you need to be extra cautious about how you apply highlights. The material and structure of the hair system will determine what techniques and chemicals you can safely use. Let’s break down the types of hair systems and how each reacts to highlighting:
1. Skin Hair Systems
Skin bases, like the newly developed skin hair systems by Newtimes Hair, are designed for a realistic look. These hair systems can handle bleached knots to create a knotless effect, making the hairline look undetectable.
However, while you can bleach the knots, do not bleach the entire hair shaft—this is where things go wrong. Bleaching the whole shaft weakens the hair because, unlike natural hair, toupee hair doesn’t receive nutrients generated from our scalp. The result? Brittle strands that are prone to breakage.
If you’re opting for highlights, keep the bleaching to a minimum. Better yet, have a professional colorist handle this delicate process for you.
2. V-Looped and Injected Skin Hair Systems
When applying highlights to v-looped or injected skin systems, you must be careful not to tug or pull too hard on the hair. These systems are great because the hair appears to be growing straight out of the scalp. But, unlike mono or lace hair systems, the hair isn’t knotted to the base, and is easily pulled out. So, when highlighting the hair with balayage, be sure not to pull the hair too hard to pull it off.
3. Lace and Monofilament Systems
If you wear a lace or monofilament system, congrats—you’ve got the most versatile option. These systems are typically sturdier than skin systems, allowing for a wider range of coloring techniques. Plus, they both can take bleached knots efficiently, and the knots will stay invisible.
However, bleaching is still not recommended. While the hair knots are solid and can withstand a bit of rough handling, bleaching the hair itself can make it brittle and prone to breaking, especially from the middle of the strand.
Stick to gentler highlighting procedures and choose colors that complement your base shade without requiring aggressive bleaching.
How to Highlight a Hair System for Men
Now that you know what to watch out for, let’s get to the fun part—actually highlighting your hair system. And remember, it’s always best to leave it to a professional to do it.
1. Foil Highlights for Precision
Foil highlighting is a classic technique that involves sectioning off small parts of the hair and applying color to each section. You then wrap the sections in foil, letting the color process evenly. This technique works well if you want well-defined streaks of color and a more traditional highlighted look.
2. Balayage for a Natural Effect
Want something more low-maintenance and natural? Balayage is your friend. It’s basically about painting the color onto the hair in a freehand motion, creating a gradual lightening effect. For hair systems, it’s important not to pull the hair too hard, as the hair isn’t as solid as your natural strands.
3. Root Shading for a Grown-Out Look
For a more natural, lived-in look, root shading could be your go-to. You need to darken the roots and lighten the ends. It gives the appearance of natural hair growth. It’s ideal for guys who want to avoid stark contrasts between their base color and highlights.
Maintenance: Keeping Your Highlights Fresh
Now, you have your highlights looking on point. Of course, you want to have them last as long as possible. Here are some simple tips for making sure the new color doesn’t fade or damage your hair system.
1. Use Color-Safe Products
Use shampoos and conditioners made particularly for color-treated hair. Avoid anything with sulfates. These ingredients can strip away all the color and moisture. A little TLC goes a long way in making sure your highlights stay vibrant.
2. Avoid Heat Styling
Heat is the enemy of color-treated hair. Too much heat can take the color away prematurely. It will damage the hair system itself. When using a blow dryer or flat iron, stick to low heat, and always use a heat protectant spray.
3. Touch-Ups
Toupee hair doesn’t grow. However, the color will still fade over time. The highlights must be refreshed every 8–10 weeks to look vibrant. If any brassy color starts to show, use a purple shampoo to neutralize yellow tones. This way, your highlights will continue looking sharp.
Wrapping It Up: Highlights Done Right
Adding men’s highlights to your hair system is a great way to spice up your look. Highlights add depth and achieve a fuller appearance. But remember, hair systems are a different ballgame compared to natural hair. Whether you’re working with a skin, lace, or monofilament hair system, handle the hair with care, avoid over-bleaching, and choose colors that boost your overall look.
With the right approach, maintenance, and maybe a little help from a pro, your highlighted hair system will not only look good—it’ll look real good. So go ahead, add those highlights, and rock that fresh new look with confidence.
Also Read: The Rise of Hair Transplants: Are They Truly Worth the Investment?
