First a HUGE thanks to @Noah in particular for all the tips when I first started. There were a few times where I had no idea how to fix the issue I was having and he really helped me out. Also a few of the techniques I use I have picked up from trawling through the posts on here.
So this is a list of things I have learnt in my first few months of wearing.
Things I would highly recommend:
(1) https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/382735356302?var=651461602428 - Silk Ribbon Scarf
(2) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07X2JXJBT/ref=pe_27063361_487055811_TE_dp_1 - Acrylic brushes
(3) https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/-/224722829096?mkevt=1&mkcid=16&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&media=GMAIL&sojTags=media=media
(4) https://www.amazon.co.uk/JML-Back-View-Mirror-three-sided/dp/B08SR6J72C/ - 360 Mirror.
Any kind of headband
Cheap Water Flosser
Exfoliating glove
Taking The System off:
So for this I take one of the acrylic brushes and start applying IPA to the very front and apply pressure to the hair but DO NOT pull hard. It takes a little while to release.
Once the front is free, I continue using the brush while dipping it in alcohol and apply it directly to the tape as I go round.
I prefer the tape stuck to the base as it's easier to remove it well with the system off and stop hair pulling through. Also doesn't result in excess use of alcohol dripping from your head.
Once the system is off I take (3) and use that to get the tape off the base.
Just need to get one edge free by slowly peel it off with alcohol. I then continue to peel off very little then apply more IPA. Again it's more about applying pressure to the tape than pulling it off to ensure no hairs are pulled through.
Cleaning the system:
I know people say that alcohol is best but I found IPA de-activates the glue but doesn't break it down for easy removal which is why I use C-22.
Once the system is off I take C-22 and spray BOTH sides of the front with it.
Then just pinch the lace for around 1-2 min getting the C-22 into the knots.
Then point the water flosser so that it's almost parallel to the lace and with my hand behind the lace force the glue outwards to the edge.
If it gets stuck in the hair then I use a fine tooth comb to get it out.
Repeat this process around 2-3 times working on one area at a time.
Once that's done I shampoo the system around 2-3 times and then condition it.
To shampoo it I do both the lace side and hair side and then rinse it out folded in half with the water just on the lace side. Paying particular attention to the front of the unit.
Then I use Aussie conditioner leave it for around 5 mins, rinse it and it's good to go.
Cleaning my head:
After wetting my head, I use C-22 on an exfoliating glove and rub it well.
After that I use this soap (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bronners-Organic-Lavender-Castile-Liquid/dp/B000HK1ON0/)
With the C-22 still there I rub that soap on with the exfoliating glove. Then rinse.
Repeat that one more time and it's normally all clear.
Lastly do one last round with just the soap.
After shaving the head I personally apply a mixture of honey, tumeric, green tea and coffee to any inflamed areas. Leave for around an hour then rinse off. Sorts it right out!
Placing the system on:
I use Walkers Ultra Hold Tape for the perimeter and Mity-Tite glue for the front.
For the front I use small piece of blue front lace tape around 1cm from the front and this is just to anchor it.
For placing the system a template is VERY useful. So just take your system lace side up and put it on a mannequin and make a template of the lace with cling film and cellotape. It won't match your head contour but it's just a guide.
I then place the template on my head and line it up with the 360 mirror. Playing close attention to the temples, back and sides.
Then with a SOFT eyeliner pencil mark draw a line marking the front.
Next I apply two thin layers of walkers sport scalp protector JUST WHERE THE TAPE GOES and wait for it to fully dry ;-)
Now I place the system on my head and line up the front to what I marked. I always seems to need to adjust it from this position for some reason but I ensure the sides are straight, it's not too far back and the front makes sense given the markings I made. I lift all the hair up in sections and ensure alignment is on point.
Once I am happy it is all aligned I lift up the front and JUST take off the backing tape of the small piece of blue tape at the front and place the front down pushing down with a towel.
Now it's anchored down.
If for someone reason it's not aligned correctly you can easily remove it and start again.
Then, once happy, peel back all the rest of the backing tape.
Now I apply positioning spray to both the tape and my scalp (important reason for this).
Now I place the system down lightly and stretch it a very little to ensure it's snug on the scalp.
Once it's down I don't press hard but instead use a paddle brush to quickly comb the hair from the sides. If there are any hairs stuck to the tape then the positioning spray will release them very easily at this stage.
Once that's done I take a towel and press down hard for a minute.
The infamous front:
First thing I do is remove the blue front lace tape at the front with IPA. Once the sides and back are on, I don't find this necessary. Placing glue around 1cm of the hairline is enough to hold it well IMO and any tape behind it isn't really necessary.
Rub out the eyeliner mark.
I then mark out the limits with a comb leaving around 2-5mm leeway as I stretch the lace a little when putting it down.
Once I've marked out the limits of the lace with a comb (crucial this is done accurately), wet the hair, comb it back, and use three bulldog hair clips to clip it back. Centre, left and right.
For the front I use the normal scalp protector as the sport is harder to clean up and makes touch-ups more complicated IMO.
I then apply Mity-Tite glue in 2-3 very very thin layers. This needs to be done reasonably quickly as eventually it gets stringy. I focus on the very limit of the markings making sure I haven't missed any point there. VERY VERY VERY THIN layers are key here. For problem areas I go as far as 4 layers. You need a very good lamp to see this properly.
To place the front down I release the front clip only and keep tension on the front part by pulling what I have marked 1 and 2 down and out. Pulling it down means less probability of a crease on the sides and putting it out means between 1-2 should be flush. Points one and two should be stuck down and then with one hand hold all the hair back and with the other hand gently press down the points in between with the back end of the comb. Just focus on the VERY front of the lace with the comb. Done correctly, should be no creases and no hairs stuck.
Now release one of the other clips and pull either point 3 or 4 outwards to keep tension and get that down and repeat the same, hold all the hair back with one hand and use a comb to press down the front edge of the lace to the glue. If you put point 3 or 4 down and find there is a crease, just use a brush with a bit of alcohol to release that point and start again.
Do it for the last part.
Lastly I use a paddle bush to pat down the area just behind the hairline to the glue.
I then spray IPA on the back of the comb (so it doesn't stick) and then press down each section of the front for 10 seconds with the back end of a comb. Paying particular attention on the very edge of the lace trying to bury that in the glue.
I used to use a tie but I found the glue sticks too much to it and a little overlap between the skin and lace is necessary. The tie removed a little too much glue causing lift.
Lastly if you have gone too far down with the glue then put quite a decent amount of IPA on some cotton wool and rub the area where there is excess glue. Do this right away as you don't want that glue to cure. Be careful not to go too high and touch the hairline.
For me, rubbing the IPA causes some skin irritation so I use some face oil in that area. I use Rosehip oil and just apply that to the areas that I rubbed with cotton wool. The oil also stops any residual glue from curing so comes off the next time I wash my face after the glue has cured.
Front Touch-ups:
This seems to be necessary for the sides of the front as this is how I sleep and the glue comes off overnight.
I use alcohol on a brush to release the front.
It's very important to release just enough so that you can work well and apply the glue without touching the lace with it.
When doing a small touch-up I don't bother cleaning and just apply glue which works well enough but once a week release the whole front and do the following:
- I use cotton wool on the lace to get the glue off and it comes off easily.
- For my head I don't like cotton wool so use C-22 and the above soap very carefully.
- Then just repeat the above.
Hair stuck in the morning:
Having no creases on the front seems to be crucial in avoiding hairs under the lace. However every morning with IPA I release the hairs that get stuck to the front hairline overnight. I can't see any other solution to this.
ANY tips or tricks on ANYTHING I'm doing would be highly appreciated. Always looking for ways to improve the way I do things!
So this is a list of things I have learnt in my first few months of wearing.
Things I would highly recommend:
(1) https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/382735356302?var=651461602428 - Silk Ribbon Scarf
(2) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07X2JXJBT/ref=pe_27063361_487055811_TE_dp_1 - Acrylic brushes
(3) https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/-/224722829096?mkevt=1&mkcid=16&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&media=GMAIL&sojTags=media=media
(4) https://www.amazon.co.uk/JML-Back-View-Mirror-three-sided/dp/B08SR6J72C/ - 360 Mirror.
Any kind of headband
Cheap Water Flosser
Exfoliating glove
Taking The System off:
So for this I take one of the acrylic brushes and start applying IPA to the very front and apply pressure to the hair but DO NOT pull hard. It takes a little while to release.
Once the front is free, I continue using the brush while dipping it in alcohol and apply it directly to the tape as I go round.
I prefer the tape stuck to the base as it's easier to remove it well with the system off and stop hair pulling through. Also doesn't result in excess use of alcohol dripping from your head.
Once the system is off I take (3) and use that to get the tape off the base.
Just need to get one edge free by slowly peel it off with alcohol. I then continue to peel off very little then apply more IPA. Again it's more about applying pressure to the tape than pulling it off to ensure no hairs are pulled through.
Cleaning the system:
I know people say that alcohol is best but I found IPA de-activates the glue but doesn't break it down for easy removal which is why I use C-22.
Once the system is off I take C-22 and spray BOTH sides of the front with it.
Then just pinch the lace for around 1-2 min getting the C-22 into the knots.
Then point the water flosser so that it's almost parallel to the lace and with my hand behind the lace force the glue outwards to the edge.
If it gets stuck in the hair then I use a fine tooth comb to get it out.
Repeat this process around 2-3 times working on one area at a time.
Once that's done I shampoo the system around 2-3 times and then condition it.
To shampoo it I do both the lace side and hair side and then rinse it out folded in half with the water just on the lace side. Paying particular attention to the front of the unit.
Then I use Aussie conditioner leave it for around 5 mins, rinse it and it's good to go.
Cleaning my head:
After wetting my head, I use C-22 on an exfoliating glove and rub it well.
After that I use this soap (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bronners-Organic-Lavender-Castile-Liquid/dp/B000HK1ON0/)
With the C-22 still there I rub that soap on with the exfoliating glove. Then rinse.
Repeat that one more time and it's normally all clear.
Lastly do one last round with just the soap.
After shaving the head I personally apply a mixture of honey, tumeric, green tea and coffee to any inflamed areas. Leave for around an hour then rinse off. Sorts it right out!
Placing the system on:
I use Walkers Ultra Hold Tape for the perimeter and Mity-Tite glue for the front.
For the front I use small piece of blue front lace tape around 1cm from the front and this is just to anchor it.
For placing the system a template is VERY useful. So just take your system lace side up and put it on a mannequin and make a template of the lace with cling film and cellotape. It won't match your head contour but it's just a guide.
I then place the template on my head and line it up with the 360 mirror. Playing close attention to the temples, back and sides.
Then with a SOFT eyeliner pencil mark draw a line marking the front.
Next I apply two thin layers of walkers sport scalp protector JUST WHERE THE TAPE GOES and wait for it to fully dry ;-)
Now I place the system on my head and line up the front to what I marked. I always seems to need to adjust it from this position for some reason but I ensure the sides are straight, it's not too far back and the front makes sense given the markings I made. I lift all the hair up in sections and ensure alignment is on point.
Once I am happy it is all aligned I lift up the front and JUST take off the backing tape of the small piece of blue tape at the front and place the front down pushing down with a towel.
Now it's anchored down.
If for someone reason it's not aligned correctly you can easily remove it and start again.
Then, once happy, peel back all the rest of the backing tape.
Now I apply positioning spray to both the tape and my scalp (important reason for this).
Now I place the system down lightly and stretch it a very little to ensure it's snug on the scalp.
Once it's down I don't press hard but instead use a paddle brush to quickly comb the hair from the sides. If there are any hairs stuck to the tape then the positioning spray will release them very easily at this stage.
Once that's done I take a towel and press down hard for a minute.
The infamous front:
First thing I do is remove the blue front lace tape at the front with IPA. Once the sides and back are on, I don't find this necessary. Placing glue around 1cm of the hairline is enough to hold it well IMO and any tape behind it isn't really necessary.
Rub out the eyeliner mark.
I then mark out the limits with a comb leaving around 2-5mm leeway as I stretch the lace a little when putting it down.
Once I've marked out the limits of the lace with a comb (crucial this is done accurately), wet the hair, comb it back, and use three bulldog hair clips to clip it back. Centre, left and right.
For the front I use the normal scalp protector as the sport is harder to clean up and makes touch-ups more complicated IMO.
I then apply Mity-Tite glue in 2-3 very very thin layers. This needs to be done reasonably quickly as eventually it gets stringy. I focus on the very limit of the markings making sure I haven't missed any point there. VERY VERY VERY THIN layers are key here. For problem areas I go as far as 4 layers. You need a very good lamp to see this properly.
To place the front down I release the front clip only and keep tension on the front part by pulling what I have marked 1 and 2 down and out. Pulling it down means less probability of a crease on the sides and putting it out means between 1-2 should be flush. Points one and two should be stuck down and then with one hand hold all the hair back and with the other hand gently press down the points in between with the back end of the comb. Just focus on the VERY front of the lace with the comb. Done correctly, should be no creases and no hairs stuck.
Now release one of the other clips and pull either point 3 or 4 outwards to keep tension and get that down and repeat the same, hold all the hair back with one hand and use a comb to press down the front edge of the lace to the glue. If you put point 3 or 4 down and find there is a crease, just use a brush with a bit of alcohol to release that point and start again.
Do it for the last part.
Lastly I use a paddle bush to pat down the area just behind the hairline to the glue.
I then spray IPA on the back of the comb (so it doesn't stick) and then press down each section of the front for 10 seconds with the back end of a comb. Paying particular attention on the very edge of the lace trying to bury that in the glue.
I used to use a tie but I found the glue sticks too much to it and a little overlap between the skin and lace is necessary. The tie removed a little too much glue causing lift.
Lastly if you have gone too far down with the glue then put quite a decent amount of IPA on some cotton wool and rub the area where there is excess glue. Do this right away as you don't want that glue to cure. Be careful not to go too high and touch the hairline.
For me, rubbing the IPA causes some skin irritation so I use some face oil in that area. I use Rosehip oil and just apply that to the areas that I rubbed with cotton wool. The oil also stops any residual glue from curing so comes off the next time I wash my face after the glue has cured.
Front Touch-ups:
This seems to be necessary for the sides of the front as this is how I sleep and the glue comes off overnight.
I use alcohol on a brush to release the front.
It's very important to release just enough so that you can work well and apply the glue without touching the lace with it.
When doing a small touch-up I don't bother cleaning and just apply glue which works well enough but once a week release the whole front and do the following:
- I use cotton wool on the lace to get the glue off and it comes off easily.
- For my head I don't like cotton wool so use C-22 and the above soap very carefully.
- Then just repeat the above.
Hair stuck in the morning:
Having no creases on the front seems to be crucial in avoiding hairs under the lace. However every morning with IPA I release the hairs that get stuck to the front hairline overnight. I can't see any other solution to this.
ANY tips or tricks on ANYTHING I'm doing would be highly appreciated. Always looking for ways to improve the way I do things!
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