When you first notice thinning at your crown—whether you catch a glimpse in a mirror, see it in a photograph, or simply feel less volume when styling your hair—it can feel devastating. Perhaps you've tried volumizing products, changed your part repeatedly, or felt self-conscious in bright lighting. You're not alone in this experience, and more importantly, you have access to remarkably natural-looking solutions that can restore both your hair's appearance and your confidence.
Hair toppers have transformed the lives of thousands of Canadian women experiencing crown thinning due to hormonal changes, postpartum hair loss, alopecia, aging, or medical treatments. Unlike full wigs, toppers integrate seamlessly with your existing hair, adding volume and coverage exactly where you need it. At Enhanced Hair, we've spent over 28 years helping women across Canada find their perfect hair topper solution, and we're here to guide you through every step of this journey.
Understanding Hair Toppers: What They Are and How They Work
A hair topper—also called a wiglet or top piece—is a partial hairpiece designed to cover thinning areas while blending naturally with your own hair. Unlike full wigs that cover your entire head, toppers attach to areas where you still have hair, making them ideal for localized thinning at the crown, top, or front hairline.
Hair toppers come in various sizes, typically measured in inches. The coverage area you need depends on the extent of your thinning:
- Small toppers (5"x5" to 6"x6"): Perfect for early-stage crown thinning or a small area of hair loss
- Medium toppers (7"x7" to 8"x8"): Ideal for moderate thinning across the crown and top area
- Large toppers (9"x9" and larger): Designed for more extensive thinning or when you want maximum volume throughout the top
The base of a topper—the part that sits against your scalp—can be constructed from different materials. Monofilament bases feature individual hairs hand-tied to a sheer mesh, creating the appearance of hair growing directly from your scalp. Lace bases offer similar realism with a lighter feel. Some toppers feature a silk top layer that mimics the appearance of a natural scalp with exceptional realism, even at the part line.
Attachment methods vary based on your needs and comfort level. Clips are the most common, allowing you to secure the topper to your existing hair for easy daily wear and removal. Tape and adhesive options provide more security for active lifestyles or those with very fine hair that can't support clips.
Identifying If a Hair Topper Is Right for Your Thinning Crown
Hair toppers work beautifully when you have enough existing hair to blend with the piece and secure it properly. They're an excellent solution if you're experiencing:
Hormonal hair thinning: Many women notice crown thinning related to menopause, thyroid conditions, or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The gradual nature of this hair loss often makes toppers ideal, as you maintain enough hair for blending while addressing the visible thinning that affects your confidence.
Postpartum hair loss: After pregnancy, temporary hair shedding often concentrates at the crown and temples. A topper provides coverage during the months it takes for your hair to regrow, allowing you to feel like yourself during this demanding time of new motherhood.
Traction alopecia: Years of tight hairstyles, extensions, or chemical treatments can lead to thinning, particularly at the crown. A topper gives your natural hair a break from styling stress while you focus on scalp health and regrowth.
Early-stage alopecia areata: If you're experiencing patchy hair loss that includes your crown, a topper can provide coverage while you explore treatment options with your dermatologist.
General age-related thinning: It's completely normal for hair density to decrease with age, and crown thinning is one of the most common patterns. Toppers restore the volume you remember from your younger years.
A topper might not be the best solution if you have very minimal hair remaining, extensive hair loss across your entire scalp, or scalp sensitivity that makes attachment uncomfortable. In these cases, a full wig or alternative solution might serve you better. Our Enhanced Hair specialists can help you determine the most suitable option during a consultation.
Choosing Your Perfect Hair Topper: Material, Colour, and Style Considerations
Selecting a hair topper involves several important decisions, but you don't need to navigate them alone. Here's what to consider:
Human Hair vs. Synthetic Hair Toppers
Human hair toppers offer the most natural look, feel, and versatility. You can heat style them, colour them to match your hair exactly, and they move and reflect light just like your own hair. They typically last 12-24 months with proper care, making them a worthwhile investment for daily wear. European and Remy human hair toppers feature cuticles aligned in the same direction, reducing tangling and maintaining a silky texture longer.
Synthetic hair toppers have advanced dramatically in recent years. Quality synthetic pieces now feature heat-friendly fibres that allow some heat styling, though not to the same degree as human hair. They hold their style regardless of humidity, require less maintenance, and cost considerably less than human hair options. They're excellent if you're new to toppers, want a backup piece, or prefer minimal styling effort.
Colour Matching for Seamless Blending
Achieving an undetectable blend requires matching not just your hair colour, but also the subtle variations that create natural dimension. Most women's hair isn't a single solid colour—it contains highlights, lowlights, and tonal variations that change from root to tip.
When selecting your topper colour, consider your hair at the crown specifically, as this is what will be adjacent to the piece. Hair at the crown is often slightly different from the lengths and ends due to sun exposure, heat styling, or new growth. Many women find that a topper slightly lighter than their natural colour blends better, as the existing hair underneath adds depth.
Enhanced Hair offers virtual colour consultations where our specialists help you identify your exact colour match using photos taken in natural lighting. We can also discuss custom colouring services to add highlights or lowlights that perfectly match your hair's unique tones.
Length, Texture, and Density Decisions
Your topper should match your existing hair's length and texture for the most seamless integration. If your hair is wavy, a straight topper will always look separate no matter how well the colour matches. Similarly, if your natural hair is fine and your topper is thick and dense, the difference will be noticeable.
Density refers to how thick the hair appears. Light to medium density toppers (100-130% density) typically look most natural for crown coverage, as they don't add overwhelming volume that contrasts with thinning hair. If you want to create more dramatic volume overall, you can add waves or curls to both your natural hair and topper to blend them together.
Applying and Styling Your Hair Topper for Natural Results
The beauty of hair toppers lies in how natural they can look when properly applied and styled. Here's how to achieve seamless integration:
Application Techniques
Start with clean, dry hair styled as you normally would. Identify exactly where you want the topper to sit—typically this is just behind your hairline if you have front thinning, or further back if your thinning is concentrated at the crown. Create a small section of hair at this point by parting around the area where the clips will attach.
Tease the roots of your natural hair slightly in the sections where clips will attach. This creates grip and prevents the topper from sliding. Position the topper on your head, starting at the front and securing the clips into the teased sections. The clips should feel secure but not painful.
Once secured, gently blend your natural hair over and around the edges of the topper base. This is crucial for creating an undetectable transition. Use your fingers or a wide-tooth comb to integrate the hair, being careful not to disturb the clips.
Styling for Seamless Blending
The key to making a topper look completely natural is blending it with your existing hair through styling. If you have human hair or heat-friendly synthetic, you can use a curling iron or flat iron to style your natural hair and the topper together. This unified styling makes it impossible to see where your hair ends and the topper begins.
Apply products to both your hair and the topper simultaneously. If you use texture spray, hairspray, or smoothing serum on your natural hair, apply the same product to the topper. This creates consistent texture and shine between the pieces.
Consider where your part falls. Many toppers feature a pre-made part, but you can create a new part by gently separating the hair with a rat-tail comb. Position this part to align with your natural part for the most realistic appearance.
Caring for Your Hair Topper Investment
Proper care extends the life of your topper and keeps it looking natural and beautiful. The maintenance routine differs slightly between human and synthetic hair.
For human hair toppers: Wash every 15-20 wears, or when you notice product buildup. Use sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner designed for colour-treated or extensions. Wash in cool water, gently working the shampoo through the hair without rubbing or twisting. Apply conditioner from mid-length to ends, avoiding the base. Rinse thoroughly and blot with a towel—never wring or twist the hair. Allow to air dry on a wig stand, or use low heat if you're in a hurry. Deep condition monthly to maintain softness and shine.
For synthetic toppers: Wash every 10-15 wears. Use products specifically formulated for synthetic hair, as regular shampoo can damage the fibres. Fill a basin with cool water and synthetic wig shampoo, then gently swish the topper through the water. Rinse in cool running water until the water runs clear. Apply synthetic hair conditioner if desired, rinse, and blot dry. Always air dry synthetic hair—heat can permanently damage the fibres unless it's specifically heat-friendly synthetic.
Store your topper on a wig stand or in its original packaging when not wearing it. This maintains the style and prevents tangling. Keep it away from heat sources, direct sunlight, and humidity, which can all affect the hair's texture and colour over time.
Bring your topper to a professional for periodic maintenance. At Enhanced Hair locations, we offer styling services, colour touch-ups, and base repairs to extend the life of your investment.
The Emotional Journey: What to Expect When You Start Wearing a Hair Topper
Beyond the practical aspects, there's an emotional dimension to beginning your journey with a hair topper. Many women describe a mixture of relief and grief—relief at having a solution that restores their appearance, but also sadness about needing one at all.
Give yourself time to adjust, both practically and emotionally. Your first few applications might feel awkward or time-consuming. That's completely normal. Most women report that within a week or two, they can apply their topper in just a few minutes, and it becomes as natural as putting on earrings or applying makeup.
You might worry about people noticing your topper. In reality, most people simply notice that you look great—they may think you've had a good haircut, changed your styling routine, or are simply having a good hair day. The toppers we provide at Enhanced Hair are designed to be completely undetectable when properly fitted and applied.
Many women describe getting their topper as a turning point—the moment they stopped avoiding mirrors, declined fewer social invitations, and felt comfortable being photographed again. That restoration of confidence and normalcy is ultimately what this investment is about.
Finding Your Perfect Hair Topper Solution with Enhanced Hair
With over 28 years of experience serving Canadian women experiencing medical hair loss, Enhanced Hair understands both the practical requirements and emotional needs that come with finding your perfect hair topper. We offer an extensive selection of toppers in every size, colour, length, and texture, from trusted manufacturers known for quality and realistic appearance.
Our fitting specialists receive specialized training in hair loss solutions, ensuring they understand not just the technical aspects of topper selection, but also the sensitivity and support you need during this journey. We take time during consultations to understand your lifestyle, styling preferences, budget, and concerns, then guide you toward options that truly meet your needs.
Can't visit us in person? Our free virtual consultation service brings the Enhanced Hair experience to your home. Through video chat, our specialists assess your hair loss pattern, discuss your preferences, and show you topper options in real time. We can ship samples for you to try at home, ensuring you feel completely confident before making your investment.
We also provide ongoing support after your purchase. Whether you need application tips, styling advice, maintenance guidance, or simply reassurance during the adjustment period, we're here for you. Many clients develop long-term relationships with their Enhanced Hair specialist, returning for new pieces, adjustments, and advice as their needs evolve.
Your crown thinning doesn't define you, but having a beautiful solution that restores your confidence can be truly transformative. If you're ready to explore how a hair topper can give you back the hair you remember and the confidence you deserve, we'd be honoured to help you find your perfect match. Book your free consultation today and take the first step toward looking and feeling like yourself again.