Goodbye baldness - Hair unit installations take off among Jamaican men

While beauty trends have long catered to women, men dealing with hair loss from male pattern baldness to thinning hair most times have limited options.

That is starting to change in Portmore, St Catherine, where barber Cristoffe Laoe is now offering specialised hair unit installations, giving men a fresh way to regain confidence and style.

"This is about rebuilding confidence. The role I play is helping these men get that back," Laoe told THE WEEKEND STAR.

So strong is the interest that Laoe says his phone rarely stops ringing.

"Sometimes I even have to put my phone on 'Do Not Disturb' because they call so often to figure out what works best for them," he added.

Beyond cosmetic concerns, many clients seek the service for deeply personal reasons. Laoe shared that some men bear head scars or burn injuries.

Despite the growing buzz, hair unit installations remain uncommon across Jamaica. Laoe says the biggest obstacle is the high cost of entry, which has kept many barbers on the sidelines.

"It is not popular in Jamaica, it's more common overseas. Many Jamaican barbers are really hesitant because it costs a lot to get started. From purchasing the units to installing them, many of them just don't want to spend the money," he said.

The installation process itself is time-consuming and costly but offers long-term results. Prices vary depending on customisation, topping off at about $70,000.

"The installation is similar to putting on a wig, but with men, you need to pay attention to the lace carefully," Laoe explained. "I have to clean the area properly. I have to apply layers of a glue and ensure it dries properly in between. For women, the lace is customary so it's different. For men, it requires more time. You can't make it feel like a wig and bruise men's egos. I have to spend my time and hide it."

Laoe emphasised that the service is not tied to a feminine stigma, highlighting the importance of framing it for comfort and confidence.

"We don't call it a men's wig. Even though it's similar, we refer to it as a men's hair unit. Saying 'men's wig' might put off a man, so it is best to say 'men's unit,'" he said.

Reflecting on his first installation, Laoe recalled a client with a receding hairline.

"He wanted to use hair spray, but I knew it wouldn't look natural. I suggested a hair unit instead, and it worked very well for him," he said. Laughing, he added that he charged the client far less than he should have since it was his first time.

"After it done and him good, I laugh and say, 'You got away enuh,'" he recalled.

Laoe has since built a solid clientele, with customers coming back from across the island, including Montego Bay, St James, and May Pen, Clarendon.

Calling on more barbers to invest, Laoe said, "It's best to be penny wise than pound foolish. For men who want to get it done but are hesitant, this is not just a wig, it's a hair unit. It rebuilds confidence for men"