Help please - need frontal system only

[hairhelp777]

Hello all, I'd appreciate some advice as I'm completely new to hair systems.

I have had some temple/frontal hair loss for many years and last week I was diagnosed with a relatively rare condition Lichen Planopilaris (scarring alopecia). My hair loss mainly extends about 1.2-1.6 inches from the front of the scalp - the rest of my hair is intact.

I'm trying to understand how I can get a system to cover just the frontal area of thinning? Would a salon that sells systems generally be able to adapt a stock system to cover just my thinning area in the front? Presumably by doing a cut out? Or do I need to order a custom system based on exact measurements?

I have seen a few frontal only stock systems but they generally seem to provide 1 inch of coverage so probably wouldn't be right and the colour choices seem very limited.

I am thinking I would probably want to go with a lace system. Thanks for any advice.

 

[Noah]

A salon (or you yourself) would almost certainly be able to cut a stock piece down to size. Stock pieces are meant to be cut down, and are made extra-large for that purpose. In normal times you could also make a template and have a custom unit manufactured to your personal measurements, but with the hair replacement market in its current disrupted state that is unlikely to be a viable route just now.

Depending on the shape of your area of hairloss, it might be desirable to sacrifice a bit of good hair to get a more compact stable shape of system. Long thin systems can be rather fiddly to fit, which makes it harder to get a neat undetectable result.

 

[grincher]

A stock piece can be used but in addition to the right colour consider:

1) The right density for the front hairline area as essential being the most detectable/seen part.

2) Comb, hand, water will engage with that area (more than any other) so there will be wear and tear. If the strip is too thin it might not have a strong and secure adhesion as you would comfortably want.

 

[hairhelp777]

Thanks for your comments - this is a relief to know I can get the stock system cut. I will probably leave to an expert to do it at first until I get used to how to do it, secure it etc.

Do you think I could use tape to secure a system that is just shy of 2 inches long? I would probably get a salon to secure with glue but am not keen on using glue myself because of the mess time required for drying etc. Does tape take less time and is there a risk of it coming off in the wind etc?

I can't really make the system longer to cover my bio hair because I need to use topical steroids on the bio hair behind which is itchy from my LPP condition. Really sucks. But that's where I am!

 

[BaldBearded]

We do this... and we cut from stock pieces, this is for someone who does NOT need a graduated hairline.

The cost factor is a huge difference. 5 pieces from 1 unit vs 1 new custom unit each time.

 

[hairhelp777]

Thanks BaldBearded. Can you advise what is meant by a graduated hairline?
Does this mean I can probably get a few different pieces from 1 unit - as I won't be needing the entire piece in one go? Is that right?

 

[BaldBearded]

Thanks BaldBearded. Can you advise what is meant by a graduated hairline?
Does this mean I can probably get a few different pieces from 1 unit - as I won't be needing the entire piece in one go? Is that right?

A graduated hairline is where the hair starts at a lower density and then gets denser as it moves back. This gives a more natural appearance to the hair. So, in the case of a system that is med-light density (90%), the hairline will start at 70%.

 

[hairhelp777]

Ah ok- thanks. My main goal will be to have hair when the LPP kills enough of my existing hair. I will have to live with it being relatively dense at the front I guess.

 

[cottonReville]

You're in luck. A standard 8x10" stock system could yield you many potentially.

 

[Logann]

Hello, I am actually a partial system wearer myself. You basically need more of a leaf shape coverage where you would shave the small amount of bio hair in the front. I highly recommend you watch "StickOnHair" on YouTube. He wears a partial and has been the one I can relate the most to. I now order custom sheets for those who wear partials rather than getting 2 pieces from 1 stock unit. You can really get 3, however, the 3rd one looks terrible because of horizontal knots in the front because you're really wearing the back of the stock unit system. Now with ordering a sheet for the price of 1 system, I can get 3 partials with v-looped knots with the hairs running from nose to spine. Saves money and looks great.