After 3 years, New salon/New base/New style. Some ?s and thoughts.

[Mbow10]

After 3 years of wearing basically a crown topper I found a new, closer, salon and decided it was time to change everything up. It got to the point where it was getting tough to blend in my front bio hair. It felt like it was just “doing it’s job” by covering up the bald but all that work and money I realized it needs to be more. I need to be happy with it and I missed actually styling my hair. I’ve only known a lace crown toppers, and tmw it’ll be 1 week I’ve lived with a basically full system (have decent growing front bio hair so kept that) but boy was that a shock. Sitting in the chair I never could even see where they shave my head without a mirror, then last week I look up and see hair like a monk. The system is lace on the perimeter and poly otherwise. I’ve been bouncing back seemingly every 10 minutes for the past week with different feelings about it. I’m by no means unhappy with it at all, but I’m not overjoyed. Somewhere in between but I do think I’m getting that first timer anxiety due to the huge change and I’m probably (maybe?) psyching myself out. It does look infinitely better than it’s been in over a year.

I just have some questions and/or thoughts I wanted to get off my chest and see what anyones thoughts were.

~1st off my stylist didn’t make a template. She brought the system in and put it on my head, and I held it as she basically shaved the rest of my bio hair from the area the new system needed. Is that normal?

~The system is just a tad too dense and a tad too dark. Nothing outrageous and it can be fixed depending on where I part my hair. I think its best to just let it lighten naturally and I’m sure it will shed some. Also my sides are kind of a mess, they are thin and greying way more than I thought. I feel like after some time and my side grow back from the trim this will all balance itself out. Before last week I went a month with out a hair cut and the sides were over my ears. So I think maybe just needs to grow out more and it’ll blend better with the system.

~She only tapped the lace perimeter. Should that be? It feels weird bc I can lift the center with no resistance but I know the tape is holding strong. Just another thing I just need to get used to, but could I go ahead and tape the poly part for extra security just in case? Also as I learned on this board, I can definitely hear the “crinkle” from the poly but it’s not the end of the world.

~I have some new satin pillow cases, and have been sleeping in a silk cap which hasn’t been too uncomfortable, in face almost unnoticeable while sleeping. Also bought new really wide tooth combs and vent combs that seem to work well so far. Really need to step up the maintenance game. I really lacked over the past year or so, but I don't want to go overboard to where I'm obsessed and it consumes me. Trying to learn the balance early on.

~While I can run my fingers thru it easily, the hair doesn’t “fall” like natural hair would. It just kind of sticks up in position. Is that just a matter of keep it moisturized with the argon oil or whatever that is? Maybe it’s my imagination but it gets a dry look by midday. I spray some leave in conditioner or water in the morning, brush to the side and am full confident. I’m in a great mood when I stop for coffee and then walk into work. Feeling like I have this great flowing hair. Then by mid day I look and it has a very dry appearance. Again, maybe its just my imagination. I feel like every single mirror I look in looks different. Home, the gym, work, I was at the doctor today and the lobby mirror looked horrible, then sitting a desk there was a small round mirror and I thought it looked great.

~I know you don't want to be removing and attaching too often, but I'm single and I live alone. I also really only go into the office 2 days a week. So there is some opportunity to save some stress on it each month. I'm not talking every week, but would it be beneficial to remove when say, I know i'm going to be home for 5 days straight and anywhere I go can just throw on a hat instead of sleeping in it or sweating at the gym in it every single day of the month? How do you store yours when not in use - I have a styrofoam head, but do you cover it with anything? A plastic bag or anything?



Those are just a few things but I’m sure I’ll add more. For some reason I’ve really been walking on egg shells so far. I had a standing appt with the old salon every 3-6 weeks, plus I only used ½ system at a time, so if anything went bad, I always knew I had another appoint and another system right there. Now it’s kind of feel like I’m on an island and I better know when its time for a hair cut, or reorder etc. It’s nerve racking. I certainly haven’t washed it yet, and I know it can get wet in the shower but I’ve avoided that for all but 3 days. Not sure why – if I’m rationing the times I can get it wet already then whats the point? I probably know the answer to a lot of these questions but I’ve been psyching myself out, and like I said, it feels almost like being a first timer again.



Here are the pics the salon took. My camera is really outdated and my lighting is bad but I included 2 I took tonight to maybe give anyone a proper perspective.

 

[Mbow10]

Apologies the photos did not attach

 

[Mbow10]

Okay forget what I said about the base. I was hoping to keep the system on until Tuesday before I head back to work, retape, then keep for 2 weeks and retape again before vacation. But I looked in the mirror and could tell there was some shifting so decided to take it off.

I was mistaken about the base. Looks like its poly on the edges and a lace front? The start of the tape removal was rough and I started to freak out a bit. Just gooey residue and I had no idea where a piece of tape began or what.

Used some Protouch adhesive remover and after a rocky start on the lace front (more hairs pulled with the tape and some residue balls on the system) but eventually got it rolling and easily got the rest of the tape off with no hair pull. Only other issue was where the poly base starts, I'm so used to mybold method it looked like tape to me and I'm just glad I didnt tug at the edges too much before realizing, "ok that's just how the material looks, it's not covered in tape."

A little bit of the citrus adhesive remover to clean up the remaining stickiness and I think it went well. Maybe after vacation I'll have the salon do the first real big clean and removal and get some tips.

 

[BaldBearded]

It's a hybrid commonly called Hollywood in the industry. It's a full lace system that has poly brushed around the back and sides and across behind the hairline. The tab in the back is a bit unusal to me.

 

[BaldBearded]

~1st off my stylist didn’t make a template. She brought the system in and put it on my head, and I held it as she basically shaved the rest of my bio hair from the area the new system needed. Is that normal?

Well, it's possible that the stylist figured you needed a full-sized system. I am assuming it was a premade system? I have a client who is a perfect 10x8, and another 9x7, it happens. And, sometimes we will shave off some more of the bio hair to make the standard ones fit. We will only use templates to get the systems cut to a special size, or for a non-standard hairline. And of course, they are preferred when ordering a custom system.

~The system is just a tad too dense and a tad too dark. Nothing outrageous and it can be fixed depending on where I part my hair. I think its best to just let it lighten naturally and I’m sure it will shed some. Also my sides are kind of a mess, they are thin and greying way more than I thought. I feel like after some time and my side grow back from the trim this will all balance itself out. Before last week I went a month with out a hair cut and the sides were over my ears. So I think maybe just needs to grow out more and it’ll blend better with the system.

How was it color-matched? A color ring? Your own hair?

~She only tapped the lace perimeter. Should that be? It feels weird bc I can lift the center with no resistance but I know the tape is holding strong. Just another thing I just need to get used to, but could I go ahead and tape the poly part for extra security just in case? Also as I learned on this board, I can definitely hear the “crinkle” from the poly but it’s not the end of the world.

So the perimeter of the system is poly, but she should have taped down that bit of poly behind the hairline, that what it's there for (laziness, I guess).

~I have some new satin pillow cases, and have been sleeping in a silk cap which hasn’t been too uncomfortable, in face almost unnoticeable while sleeping. Also bought new really wide tooth combs and vent combs that seem to work well so far. Really need to step up the maintenance game. I really lacked over the past year or so, but I don't want to go overboard to where I'm obsessed and it consumes me. Trying to learn the balance early on.

Get a Tangle Teaser, it's the best!

~While I can run my fingers thru it easily, the hair doesn’t “fall” like natural hair would. It just kind of sticks up in position. Is that just a matter of keep it moisturized with the argon oil or whatever that is? Maybe it’s my imagination but it gets a dry look by midday. I spray some leave in conditioner or water in the morning, brush to the side and am full confident. I’m in a great mood when I stop for coffee and then walk into work. Feeling like I have this great flowing hair. Then by mid day I look and it has a very dry appearance. Again, maybe its just my imagination. I feel like every single mirror I look in looks different. Home, the gym, work, I was at the doctor today and the lobby mirror looked horrible, then sitting a desk there was a small round mirror and I thought it looked great.

Yeah, don't do that! I tell my clients the hair is there to look good, not to feel good. Don't play with your hair!

What brand leave-in conditioner do you use?

~I know you don't want to be removing and attaching too often, but I'm single and I live alone. I also really only go into the office 2 days a week. So there is some opportunity to save some stress on it each month. I'm not talking every week, but would it be beneficial to remove when say, I know i'm going to be home for 5 days straight and anywhere I go can just throw on a hat instead of sleeping in it or sweating at the gym in it every single day of the month? How do you store yours when not in use - I have a styrofoam head, but do you cover it with anything? A plastic bag or anything?

The average period that people leave the system on is 2-3 weeks.

Those are just a few things but I’m sure I’ll add more. For some reason I’ve really been walking on egg shells so far. I had a standing appt with the old salon every 3-6 weeks, plus I only used ½ system at a time, so if anything went bad, I always knew I had another appoint and another system right there. Now it’s kind of feel like I’m on an island and I better know when its time for a hair cut, or reorder etc. It’s nerve racking. I certainly haven’t washed it yet, and I know it can get wet in the shower but I’ve avoided that for all but 3 days. Not sure why – if I’m rationing the times I can get it wet already then whats the point? I probably know the answer to a lot of these questions but I’ve been psyching myself out, and like I said, it feels almost like being a first timer again.

You can wet your hair in the shower 12-24 hours after application, depending on whether they used a scalp protector, or not

Here are the pics the salon took. My camera is really outdated and my lighting is bad but I included 2 I took tonight to maybe give anyone a proper perspective.

 

[Mbow10]

Yes she used a color ring to match the hair. I believe she mentioned it was a 1. (So the darkest?) My hair is in a weird phase as I'm late 30's and the sides are graying but the top wasn't. It wasn't until I saw that behind picture from above that the salon took, it looks like my roots were starting to turn a bit light, but you could never tell with a system covering it. Even my last install at the other salon she had to go back and color it more as she said "weird you're hair got darker" ( i have never dyed it) I don't know. Its just been weird recently. Looks really light in one room, the gray sides are either prominent or not there depending on the lighting, and same goes for my top bio hair. One I think it still looks black - I go somewhere else and it looks more dark brown/tannish.

I have a bottle of ProTouch leave in spray, but I've had it for ages. I plan on ordering all new maintenance products for this system and going forward.

I know the 12-24 hour rule after applying, but I don't have to avoid getting it just wet all the time like I have right? I know I'm just nuts and can easily work out and shower in these things but I've been convincing myself otherwise for some reason. Removing the tape last night started out rough but went fine after that. At first I was cursing that she told me these were way easier to clean then all lace, but the tape did peel from the poly really well with basically no stray hairs attached.

And good advice on the touching my own hair. All the crap we get on our hands during the day I guess I shouldn't be running my fingers thru it just to pacify my self consciousness. Thanks!

 

[mrdavies]

Interesting. I've often thought of doing something similar. But my crown is fine but have lost some of my hairline. Sometimes i think of shaving my bio hair and wear something like a topper, for similar reasons to you, the ability to have different styles but never had the guts and remail with my hairline piece. Good luck to you.

 

[notsohairymon]

Hi I kind of know what you're talking about. I transitioned from Toppik (for too long!) to a nice system via a salon 3 weeks ago and I freak out like you a lot. They included a free visit two weeks in to make sure all's good and my first real maintenance visit is a week from Thursday.

I freaked out about getting it wet (a vestige of my dad rest his soul who wore the old "tape it daily, take it off nightly and wash it 'off' in the sink" piece.....he loved going in the water but would never dunk), about "over shampooing it", about blow drying it. On my 2 week visit, they proved to me how wrong I am, in fact blow drying actually seems to (so they said but I can see it) improve the bond. It came in handy this weekend when I was out of town and my hair got suddenly stiff (sweat? I was moving one of my kids into college and it was very humid out), I called the salon and they reminded me "don't be afraid to give it a very vigorous shampoo, condition and rinse" and indeed it brought everything to back as it was last week.

Good luck!

 

[JaneyElizabeth]

After 3 years of wearing basically a crown topper I found a new, closer, salon and decided it was time to change everything up. It got to the point where it was getting tough to blend in my front bio hair. It felt like it was just “doing it’s job” by covering up the bald but all that work and money I realized it needs to be more. I need to be happy with it and I missed actually styling my hair. I’ve only known a lace crown toppers, and tmw it’ll be 1 week I’ve lived with a basically full system (have decent growing front bio hair so kept that) but boy was that a shock. Sitting in the chair I never could even see where they shave my head without a mirror, then last week I look up and see hair like a monk. The system is lace on the perimeter and poly otherwise. I’ve been bouncing back seemingly every 10 minutes for the past week with different feelings about it. I’m by no means unhappy with it at all, but I’m not overjoyed. Somewhere in between but I do think I’m getting that first timer anxiety due to the huge change and I’m probably (maybe?) psyching myself out. It does look infinitely better than it’s been in over a year.

I just have some questions and/or thoughts I wanted to get off my chest and see what anyones thoughts were.

~1st off my stylist didn’t make a template. She brought the system in and put it on my head, and I held it as she basically shaved the rest of my bio hair from the area the new system needed. Is that normal?

~The system is just a tad too dense and a tad too dark. Nothing outrageous and it can be fixed depending on where I part my hair. I think its best to just let it lighten naturally and I’m sure it will shed some. Also my sides are kind of a mess, they are thin and greying way more than I thought. I feel like after some time and my side grow back from the trim this will all balance itself out. Before last week I went a month with out a hair cut and the sides were over my ears. So I think maybe just needs to grow out more and it’ll blend better with the system.

~She only tapped the lace perimeter. Should that be? It feels weird bc I can lift the center with no resistance but I know the tape is holding strong. Just another thing I just need to get used to, but could I go ahead and tape the poly part for extra security just in case? Also as I learned on this board, I can definitely hear the “crinkle” from the poly but it’s not the end of the world.

~I have some new satin pillow cases, and have been sleeping in a silk cap which hasn’t been too uncomfortable, in face almost unnoticeable while sleeping. Also bought new really wide tooth combs and vent combs that seem to work well so far. Really need to step up the maintenance game. I really lacked over the past year or so, but I don't want to go overboard to where I'm obsessed and it consumes me. Trying to learn the balance early on.

~While I can run my fingers thru it easily, the hair doesn’t “fall” like natural hair would. It just kind of sticks up in position. Is that just a matter of keep it moisturized with the argon oil or whatever that is? Maybe it’s my imagination but it gets a dry look by midday. I spray some leave in conditioner or water in the morning, brush to the side and am full confident. I’m in a great mood when I stop for coffee and then walk into work. Feeling like I have this great flowing hair. Then by mid day I look and it has a very dry appearance. Again, maybe its just my imagination. I feel like every single mirror I look in looks different. Home, the gym, work, I was at the doctor today and the lobby mirror looked horrible, then sitting a desk there was a small round mirror and I thought it looked great.

~I know you don't want to be removing and attaching too often, but I'm single and I live alone. I also really only go into the office 2 days a week. So there is some opportunity to save some stress on it each month. I'm not talking every week, but would it be beneficial to remove when say, I know i'm going to be home for 5 days straight and anywhere I go can just throw on a hat instead of sleeping in it or sweating at the gym in it every single day of the month? How do you store yours when not in use - I have a styrofoam head, but do you cover it with anything? A plastic bag or anything?



Those are just a few things but I’m sure I’ll add more. For some reason I’ve really been walking on egg shells so far. I had a standing appt with the old salon every 3-6 weeks, plus I only used ½ system at a time, so if anything went bad, I always knew I had another appoint and another system right there. Now it’s kind of feel like I’m on an island and I better know when its time for a hair cut, or reorder etc. It’s nerve racking. I certainly haven’t washed it yet, and I know it can get wet in the shower but I’ve avoided that for all but 3 days. Not sure why – if I’m rationing the times I can get it wet already then whats the point? I probably know the answer to a lot of these questions but I’ve been psyching myself out, and like I said, it feels almost like being a first timer again.



Here are the pics the salon took. My camera is really outdated and my lighting is bad but I included 2 I took tonight to maybe give anyone a proper perspective.

Yikes. You write Janey-style and that's a lot to take in and it seems very labor intensive.

 

[JaneyElizabeth]

Apologies the photos did not attach

What is going on in pic 3? The crown looks very nice. But please think twice before adopting the Paul Reiser look unless you want to out yourself to women and others subliminally. None of you nice guys will even try a $75 wig that is maintenance free but definitely spottable but then I do my magician's trick and just yank it off and start showing A versus B. B versus A. Like the optician sort of but this is much more fun but since I was a NW7 and thus like George, "I was bald" I still try to participate and represent other MtF's and our variety of ways to achieve different and I think better, hair looks. Pic one is of me on the date that the wig arrived in February of 2020 before much facial feminization had occurred and so I could still back out with nary an issue if my own hair had grown back yet but it took way more estrogen that I originally contemplated since boobs come first of all for teen girls and MtF's and our hair is 2nd Puberty's last priority so to speak but I pushed through the breasts to get to the really good hair. Now I am intentionally stuck since without estradiol I am more so Linus than Lucy and certainly not Frieda hair-wise. Violet was the pretty one.

The last pic is of me, basically making fun of myself in the mirror after hearing myself say, "Janey. You will never be able to pull this off or it out ever again but wow, I needed lots of makeup on that date. Now I remember. The judge just made a ruling that Janey disagrees with, her being a mediocre lawyer at best and still that's on a higher plane than the 79 year old balding and senile judge who appeared to not want to discuss his hair loss with me during a court recess. His loss she says.... I just worked it into a motion where I promised not to judge him for his hair if he promises not to judge my gender but the judge seems to be ignoring my motion since my ex-wife is rich and beautiful and has a team of lawyers on her behalf. I had one before but yep, he was noticeably balding and some sort of oily sebum monster and he smelled like the guys' locker room. Yuck. Just let me, I said which usually would give me a fool for a client but fool is always a relative term around balding men and always when one is around judges.<shudders> The dude touched my shoulder and then I was like, yep, I am getting me-tooed two or is it me twoed too? Word order matters very little to Janey.