A Guide to Punching Hair

Creating realistic prosthetic packers is an essential step in affirming the identities of trans people. Some people find to be a crucial aspect of this process is the art of hair punching. This involves embedding individual hairs into the prosthetic to enhance its realism. 

Hair punching can be an additional lifelike touch to your prosthetic - if that's your preference! Mimicking natural hair growth and creating a seamless appearance to your own body and enhancing that connection.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following materials:

• Chosen prosthesis: Choose a prosthetic made of silicone or another suitable material that will hold the hairs.
• Hair: A variety of hair is available to choose from, both real and synthetic. Choose a type that matches your desired colour and texture. Here is a link to a supplier of hair with 7 shades and 2 types. Feel free to shop around!
• Punch Needle: A specialised needle for hair punching, various sizes can be used - we would recommend a thin needle as to minimise the hole you are creating on the surface of the silicone. These needles can be purchased pre-made or you can create them yourself (see below)
• Scissors: For trimming the hair to the desired length.
• Tweezers: Optional, for handling individual hair strands.
• Adhesive: Optional, for securing the hairs for a longer term fixture. We recommend Sil-Poxy as this is a silicone adhesive. 

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Preparation

   • Set Up Your Workspace: Ensure you have a clean, well-lit area to work in. 
   • Prepare the Hair: If you are working with real hair that is not pre-curled, you can take a bunch of long hairs and carefully using a curling iron, give the hairs a slight curl which we find mimics pubic hair well. 
     If you are working with synthetic hair, you can wrap the hair around a pen or similar and gently heat with hot water or a blow-dryer to manipulate the hair into a curled shape.

2. Positioning the Packer

   • Ensure it is stable and positioned for easy access to the area you will be working on.

3. Punching the Hair

   • Load the Needle: Take a single strand of hair and thread it through the punch needle if using pre-made needle. Use tweezers if necessary to handle the hair.
     If using homemade punch tool, lay the hair in the desired position on the prosthetic with the hair in the centre of the forked needle end.
   • Insert the Hair: Carefully insert the punch needle into the prosthetic at the desired location. Push the needle in at an angle that mimics natural hair growth.
   • Secure the Hair: Pull the needle out, leaving the hair embedded in the prosthetic. Cut this hair from remaining strand, this can be trimmed to desired length later. Optional: apply a tiny amount of adhesive at the base of the hair to secure it.
     
     
   • Repeat: Continue this process, working systematically across the prosthetic. Vary the angle to create a natural look.
     
     
     

4. Finishing Touches

   • Trim the Hair: Once you have punched all the hairs, use scissors to trim them to the desired length.
   • You can style the hair to your preference.

5. Quality Check

   • Examine the Prosthetic: Check for any gaps or areas that may need additional hair.
   • Adjust as Needed: Make any necessary adjustments, such as adding more hair or trimming uneven sections. If you have punched the hairs through the tab, you may choose to secure them in place with a thin layer of Sil-Poxy. 
     
     

Tips for Success

• Patience is Key: Hair punching is a meticulous process that requires patience. Take your time to ensure each hair is placed accurately, they can be fiddly!
• Practice Makes Perfect: If you are new to hair punching, consider practicing on a spare piece of silicone before working on your prosthetic.
• Attention to Detail: Pay attention to the natural hair growth patterns and try to replicate them as closely as possible for the most realistic effect.
• If in doubt, ask: We are by no means experts, but we are always happy to help!

Punching hair into prosthetic packers is an art that combines skill, patience, and attention to detail. By following this guide, you can create a realistic and unique prosthetic that helps affirm your identity and enhances your confidence. Remember, the goal is to create a prosthetic that feels right for you. 

Making Your Own MorMe Inspired Hair Punch Tool

1. Handle:

   • The handle is wrapped in yellow air dry modelling clay, to provide a comfortable grip.

2. Punch Needle:

   • Cut/grind the eye of the needle to create a small fork with which you can hold the hair between and punch into the silicone (circled in image below), designed for precision hair punching.

3. Thread Clipper:

   • Attached to the tool is a small thread clipper, which is used for cutting thread or hair. This clipper has a pink metal body and stainless steel blades.

4. Fastening Mechanism:

   • The needle is secured in place with a pin vice, which ensures that the needle stays firmly attached to the handle during use.

This tool combines the functionality of a punch needle with the convenience of having a thread clipper attached, making it a versatile tool perfect for hair punching.

Combining The Materials
Carefully insert the uncut end of the needle into the pin vice and twist the vice until the needle is firmly held in place. Choose the position of your holstered needle against your Snips. Use the clay to attach the two and mold into an ergonomic shape for your hand. We position the snips to sit on top of the pin vice while it is in your hand, this is so we can hold the tool like a pen to punch each hair individually and snip the hair to the desired size in a swift two-part motion.

Notice:
The suggestions and recommendations provided by MorMe Prosthetics regarding the techniques for punching hairs and therefore creating small holes in silicone, sourcing hair, or any other related processes, are based on our knowledge and experience, these are provided as guidelines and not definitive instructions. These suggestions are intended for informational purposes only and may not reflect the practices or recommendations of other companies or professionals. Users assume all responsibility and liability for any actions taken based on our recommendations, including, but is not limited to, potential damage to the prosthetics, personal injury, or failure to achieve the desired results.
Please be aware that some prosthetics are not suitable for hair punching - these include, but are not limited to, prosthetics that are liquid filled.