Los Angeles Times on Farrell Hair Replacement

West side People

Richard Farrell: He's on the front line of the hairline battle. He is the best secret-keeper in the West side

While he is thought to be a master at his trade, few will admit to seeking his expertise: Hair Replacement Systems. Roughly a third of Farrell's clients are male television and movie actors, many of whom are still in their 20s and 30s.

"It would blow you away to know who some of the people are who come here; you would never suspect. No one knows they have one," says Farrell, who works out of his West Hollywood salon. "Sometimes we have to coordinate our appointments so people don't pass each other in the hall. Some will park their car two blocks away so no one knows they're here."

At Farrell's salon, each client is even safely hidden behind a curtain.

"People have preconceived ideas about hairpieces and most of the time, they're right," he said. "And I've also seen bad surgeries where people have strips taken off the back and put on the front; horrible. The key is for it to be undetectable under close scrutiny."

Farrell says most of the world's hairpieces are easy to spot because manufacturers tend to shop in India and China, where human hair is cheap. The problem is, it won't necessarily look natural on a person of a different ethnic origin.

"I go to Russia, Sweden and other parts of Europe," he said. "In Russia, it can cost $50 an ounce and more for naturally curly hair or blonde hair. A long, full head of hair would take about 10 to 15 ounces to make, and it doesn't come from just one person. Just separating the different lengths that come from one ponytail is very labor-intensive."

Asian and Indian hair often costs as little as $10 per kilo.

In Mexico, where Farrell researches new materials at this own facility, his signs can be spotted in the streets, reading, "Compramos su cabello," or "We will buy your hair."

"There is a business of hair collectors all over the world who sell to brokers, and I often buy from brokers, too," he said. "But it's tough to get hair in Mexico because the men really like women to keep it long."

Because every head of hair is custom-made for the wearer, Farrell said what he does would be too hard to duplicate on a grand scale by larger companies.

One room at Farrell's La Cienega Boulevard salon is filled with artificial heads, which display hair in various stages of development. Some heads boast long hair, for both men and women. Some are for children.

"I also deal with people who have lost hair due to health problems," he said. "Working with children is my biggest thrill, to see them feeling normal again."

Farrell claims he is rug-less thus far. But, as a teen, he spent hours trying to straighten his curly hair, and found he had a knack for hair styling

He began his career by designing hair extensions. In 1991, he founded Farrell Hair Replacement, and his since been sought by an international group of balding movers and shakers.

"I guess I've found a place where I fit on the planet," he chuckled. "I never thought I'd be here, but it fits."

— Story by Cory Fisher