Can't Get Used To Having Hair--need Advice

[NYCHairGuy]

I got my first-ever system a few days ago. Not exactly the experience I was hoping for: the color is a little bit too dark, they left it WAY too long for a guy my age (my fault), there's some weirdness with hair towards the back that seems determined to go in a different direction (is it possible that the manufacturer put in a whorl?), and because I managed to sweat while eating dinner a few hours after getting it put on, the glue broke down. So it was off my head about 4 hours after getting put on.

I cut it myself into a shorter style and keep putting it on my head and staring into a mirror. I'm not sure whether it's the fact that I'm less than happy with the piece itself or it's just me being unadventurous, but I find that I just can't get used to seeing myself with hair after so many years of not having any. I'm told by the one person I know who saw the piece before it came off that it looked great, but I don't know--to me it's looking too fake.

Did anyone else have this issue in your first week? If so, how did you deal with it?

 

[grincher]

Yes. Its a big change and we are our own worse critics.

You are also on a learning curve.

It should get easier and more comfortable with each passing day.

 

[BaldBearded]

I was petrified the first couple of weeks, it gets easier, now, I have the right style, etc... it's now part of me.

 

[deg_dilemma]

I reckon a lot of guys hate the way it looks when they first wear. Especially if you have little hair to begin with. The change for me was a shock, I didn't go out for days unless I wore a cap and only after the hair settled and I had it cut shorter (by a normal stylist) did I feel happier with it.

If I was really honest, I would say that I wasn't really happy until about 3 months later, when I got used to doing the maintenance myself and learning how best to style it.

I'm in my 40s and one thing is clear: the hair has to look appropriate for your age. This fact is often lost on some salons, who simply think it's OK to stick a normal/high density piece on your head as though you are 25 years old. If you think your piece is too dense, have it thinned out at a normal stylist but of course warn them it is a system and that they need to take their time thinning it. I had mine thinned out LOADS.

 

[Goldie Locks]

I think this is perfectly normal for the system to feel fake, too thick and unnatural and look for the smallest flaws.

I struggled A LOT when i had the system first installed. Probably because I had very little hair on top as I was balding in my late teens. I'm only 30yo now. For me it always seemed way too thick. Now I think it was because of the contrast from what I used to for so many years. I kept thinking that it looked awful and resented it! Badly! I didn't even want to hear complements from people.
After few weeks only I started getting used to it, knowing how to style and most importantly do the front line clean up.
In my opinion first system is always a "test drive" thing. From the second one it was great. I began to feel more confident and "owning the fact" I've got a great set of hair.
I am sure you will get to this point! I hope much sooner than me. Because then you will realise that people's compliments are geniuene and you do look great. But most importantly feel great. Without seeing you @NYCHairGuy It's hard to give an honest opinion so if you'd like to exchange pictures and know my honest opinion I'll be happy to do that.

 

[NYCHairGuy]

Update: things are looking up slightly. I was determined today to give it another try, so I glued it on my head for the first time ever. Got a little bit of hair trapped under the thinskin and in the adhesive, the placement was slightly off, but still...not terrible for a first attempt. Walked around with it for several hours and started to hate it slightly less. Took it off when I got home so I can try tomorrow to get the placement right. Question: is it possible to clean adhesive from a thinskin system and not have to wash the entire unit? The solvent keeps getting into the hair outside the perimeter of the skin.