Help Me Find A System And Take The Necessary Steps Guys.

[guyver0ne]

So, at 32 I'm finally calling it and looking to switch to a hair system. My crown and hairline are the areas i'm looking to attach a system to.

I have no idea who I should order from. There seem to be dozens of places online. Can someone give me some recommendations please? Insights from your own experiences are very welcome.

My only criteria is an undetectable hairline at the front. I'd like to start out on a stock piece and after getting some experience move on to a not-unreasonably-expensive custom made system.

I'm also looking to bond the system for extended wear(days at a time) not tape so recommendations on adhesives and tips (how to deal with showers, necessary maintenance items etc) are also greatly appreciated.

Thanks guys.

 

[Capone]

Don’t they look ridiculous.

 

[BaldBearded]

Hi,

Noah has an extensive list of people he could recommend. I have someone I use, in Europe, but they have locations in N. America, and do a lot of what they do, over the internet.

If you are going down this route, I recommend NOT going with a stock unit, and many of the reputable companies will not even sell you one.

Many people, use a combination of tape and glue, depends on your base, body chemistry and lifestyle. I would not discard tape as an option from the get-go.

In order to help you, we need a better idea of what is your current state of baldness, what look you are trying to achieve? Lifestyle (gym bot, couch potato), climate, etc.

I can PM the link to my guys if you want.

Steve

 

[matt0135]

Hey dude, welcome!

I agree with Steve. Definitely don't disregard tape especially as an option around the sides and back, as Ive always found its stronger and easier clean up than glue. Sure you sacrifice a little undetectability however it's worth it in my view .

If you answer Steve's questions we can help you further. I too would advise to go with a custom piece. It will ensure a smoother process.

 

[AxC123]

My 2 cents on this...agree with above re tape. Time saver for me. Disagree however on stock piece..if you find a good match (color, density,size) why not. My first piece was a stock and glad I did not spend the money for custom as during my first detach
, I ripped the lace a little. Also scrubed the piece so hard, the hairline lace frayed...all this to say, I think it is better for the DYI to start with cheaper stock pieces...if possible to gain experience attaching, detaching, cleaning, etc..using stock pieces, I was able to try different bases, including thin skin, and finding what I felt was a good fit for me. My 2 cents...

 

[BaldBearded]

I started out using a professional for my template, and first two custom systems. The help that I received from them was priceless ( well it cost me $, but saved me money and aggravation).

I have heard quite a number of stories of guys going the DIY from the get-go, and things going sour, quickly. It is easy to order the wrong color, base, venting, density, etc. So your cheap starter system doesn't fit or doesn't match your bio hair. Also, what about cut in? For me, I wound up shaving my head, since I have no one here, in Tel Aviv to go to, so there is no blend to worry about.

I know some guys have succeeded, I would not try it, at least for the first or second units.

 

[grincher]

I only use tape and can get 2 to 4 weeks. No issues.

 

[deg_dilemma]

I only use tape and can get 2 to 4 weeks. No issues.

Hi G

Do you use glue at the front hairline and tape all the way around the rest of the perimeter?

Do you use Stick-It?

What do you use to remove the tape and is it easy enough?

 

[lace]

Hi G

Do you use glue at the front hairline and tape all the way around the rest of the perimeter?

Do you use Stick-It?

What do you use to remove the tape and is it easy enough?

I use Supertape around the perimeter, Supertape at the hairline "set back" about 1/8" +. I apply liguid adhesive, very thin layer applied using a "dry brush" technique directly on the 1/8" exposed lace, and, followed by multiple very thin layers of liquid adhesive on my scalp at the hairline. I detach every 6 weeks. Sometimes I go 8 weeks. I workout 7 days per week using a 3 day rotation.....Day 1 40 minutes of weightlifting and 40 high intensity minutes on a stationery bike. Day 2 is the same as Day 1 just a different weight routine, same bike routine. Day 3: one mile freestyle swim. Few if any adhesion problems during the 6 week attachment. As always I end with your results and experience may be different.

Cleanup....read my May 30th comments on
https://www.hairlosstalk.com/interact/threads/which-tape-do-you-use-on-your-poly-surround.116550/

 

[lace]

I started out using a professional for my template, and first two custom systems. The help that I received from them was priceless ( well it cost me $, but saved me money and aggravation).

I have heard quite a number of stories of guys going the DIY from the get-go, and things going sour, quickly. It is easy to order the wrong color, base, venting, density, etc. So your cheap starter system doesn't fit or doesn't match your bio hair. Also, what about cut in? For me, I wound up shaving my head, since I have no one here, in Tel Aviv to go to, so there is no blend to worry about.

I know some guys have succeeded, I would not try it, at least for the first or second units.

Just because some DIY users have an issue with their first order does not prove that all users have the same issue. Most do not. A hair piece is handmade. A typical topper requires about 40 hours to make. Lots of room for error. Add in the "failure to communicate" possibilities when writing and fulfilling an order followed by "interpretation" (language, culture, etc) errors at the factory (most hairpieces are made in Asia) leads to a possible lengthy list of variations in the final hairpiece relative to what the user may have envisioned regardless of the source. Generally the variations are insignificant. The unit looks and functions satisfactory.

My first Lace system....DIY.....was more than satisfactory. Exceeded my expectations. But, after the first week or two I concluded that hair color, a mix of several colors, could use some tweaking. I bought a New Image Hair Ring (see attachment). I then checked the color of my bio hair... top, sides (which varies in color at the temple vs the color has one moves further back, and the color at the back. The hair color was variable depending on position. I then looked for matches using the Color Ring. Found good matches for the color variations. I also checked the color under different lighting conditions. Color perception varies by the light source. Incandescent light is warm (reddish). Flourescent light blue cast (unless it is a color corrected tube at 6500K). Halogen light very warm (bordering on red). Sunlight very warm. Shade (on a sunny day) casts a definite blue cast. A cloudy day casts a variable blue cast depending on the brightness of the cloudy day. Simple solution: pick colors off the Color Ring that appeared best under variable conditions. Not difficult to do assuming one is not color blind.

I then ordered a second piece, same specs, but with the color tweaks. Zero complaints when it arrived. As close to what I wanted as I could possibly have expected. I then rotated piece #1 and #2. I could see the slight difference. No one else would ever notice unless I told them.

Cost of each custom piece...about $160 US each. Same piece today closer to $200 US each.

Baldbearded comments are his opinion. No problem. All opinions welcome. We all express opinions as I have done on this forum. However, Baldbearded implies that going to a salon and paying ($1200? US) somehow assures a more satisfactory result. His first system arrived in May. He experienced issues with HP #1 per his comments. Replacement system arrived in August. It apparently is 100% satisfactory to him as of this time. That is great. Glad to hear that he believes it is money well spent. The point I make is that going to a high priced salon is no guarantee.

I also think it is disengenuous to call a hairpiece that one orders directly (DIY), exclusive of a salon, as a "cheap starter" hairpiece. That is BS! Perjorative....intended to disparage or belittle. You regularly post messages on the "other" forum that is owned by the supplier. I have yet to read any posts by you on that forum in which you refer to the hairpieces shown by posters and purchased from Eric, owner of the forum as "cheap starters." I believe you commented "wow" when you saw Stephen's piece. Would you call his piece a cheap starter?

 

[BaldBearded]

Just because some DIY users have an issue with their first order does not prove that all users have the same issue. Most do not. A hair piece is handmade. A typical topper requires about 40 hours to make. Lots of room for error. Add in the "failure to communicate" possibilities when writing and fulfilling an order followed by "interpretation" (language, culture, etc) errors at the factory (most hairpieces are made in Asia) leads to a possible lengthy list of variations in the final hairpiece relative to what the user may have envisioned regardless of the source. Generally the variations are insignificant. The unit looks and functions satisfactory.

My first Lace system....DIY.....was more than satisfactory. Exceeded my expectations. But, after the first week or two I concluded that hair color, a mix of several colors, could use some tweaking. I bought a New Image Hair Ring (see attachment). I then checked the color of my bio hair... top, sides (which varies in color at the temple vs the color has one moves further back, and the color at the back. The hair color was variable depending on position. I then looked for matches using the Color Ring. Found good matches for the color variations. I also checked the color under different lighting conditions. Color perception varies by the light source. Incandescent light is warm (reddish). Flourescent light blue cast (unless it is a color corrected tube at 6500K). Halogen light very warm (bordering on red). Sunlight very warm. Shade (on a sunny day) casts a definite blue cast. A cloudy day casts a variable blue cast depending on the brightness of the cloudy day. Simple solution: pick colors off the Color Ring that appeared best under variable conditions. Not difficult to do assuming one is not color blind.

I then ordered a second piece, same specs, but with the color tweaks. Zero complaints when it arrived. As close to what I wanted as I could possibly have expected. I then rotated piece #1 and #2. I could see the slight difference. No one else would ever notice unless I told them.

Cost of each custom piece...about $160 US each. Same piece today closer to $200 US each.

Baldbearded comments are his opinion. No problem. All opinions welcome. We all express opinions as I have done on this forum. However, Baldbearded implies that going to a salon and paying ($1200? US) somehow assures a more satisfactory result. His first system arrived in May. He experienced issues with HP #1 per his comments. Replacement system arrived in August. It apparently is 100% satisfactory to him as of this time. That is great. Glad to hear that he believes it is money well spent. The point I make is that going to a high priced salon is no guarantee.

I also think it is disengenuous to call a hairpiece that one orders directly (DIY), exclusive of a salon, as a "cheap starter" hairpiece. That is BS! Perjorative....intended to disparage or belittle. You regularly post messages on the "other" forum that is owned by the supplier. I have yet to read any posts by you on that forum in which you refer to the hairpieces shown by posters and purchased from Eric, owner of the forum as "cheap starters." I believe you commented "wow" when you saw Stephen's piece. Would you call his piece a cheap starter?

If you are going to spend hours responding to a post and use $5 words, you should at least know how to spell them.

It's "pejorative", and "disingenuous".

And as you said, it's opinion, but you don't need to attack me for giving mine. And to be honest, your quitting my comments from another website is downright creepy.

 

[lace]

If you are going to spend hours responding to a post and use $5 words, you should at least know how to spell them.

It's "pejorative", and "disingenuous".

And as you said, it's opinion, but you don't need to attack me for giving mine. And to be honest, your quitting my comments from another website is downright creepy.

I apologize for 2 typos. I am not a perfect typist...particularly when typing quickly (it did not take "hours") and not doing a thorough proof. Apologies to all now in the future for any future typos. I am sure that I am the only person on any forum who has ever made a typo. But no....I guess I am not the only one. Same affliction applies to you. "And to be honest, your quitting my comments from another website is downright creepy." Last time I checked, "quoting" is not spelled "quitting." We all make mistakes.

 

[grincher]

Yes tape all around. I just find glue too messy at clean up.

 

[deg_dilemma]

Yes tape all around. I just find glue too messy at clean up.

I've gotta see this. I mean I would love to see how clean the front line looks and if it's possible to expose it with a pulled back style.