Ruined Custom System In Week 1? Please Help

[new2this]

Hey everyone, day 8 with my custom system and already having a bunch of issues that seem to be getting worse. My salon is not giving me any answers really so Im turning to you guys. This is going to be a long post. please bare with me, I really need some advice.

Ive redone the hairline 4 times already (not including a redo on day 2 back at the salon) and have had to redo some of the sides twice now already. I have a pretty curly system and am a rough sleeper, and despite a satin pillowcase I am experiencing MAJOR knotting in the back and sides area around the crown. I cannot tell if there is glue stuck in the hair or if its really just in an unbreakable knot, but Ive been trying to come it out for over an hour with no luck.

I am using a full bond on top, walker tape ultra hold. I know its incredibly messy, but my ghost bond touchup on day 2 didnt even last until the next day without starting to lift. Now, i am nervous that the glue residue has caked my side and back hair, and im not sure how to remove it. I am hesitant to spray the hair down with the C22 remover I have, as I know it is very rough on the hair itself and I dont want to dry it out even further (it already feels much dryer than when I got it installed, I shampooed/conditioned today for the second time).

The salon is insisting that Friday is the earliest they could see me for a de/re. I dont even want to think about what its going to look like at that point. I have already pulled out a decent amount of hair by trying to comb through it.

Unfortunately, there aren't many resources out there specific to curlier hair systems. Any advice you can offer me would be much appreciated. I am absolutely in panic mode right now. I paid nearly $1200 for the piece, install and cut (New York City prices) and I do not have any backups at the moment. Not feeling good at all.

TLDR: My new custom system is aggressively knotting and lifting, trying to fix it seems to make it worse. What can I do?

 

[Rick Dalton]

If it's a high/medium density system, you can focus on damage control. Try to sleep straight so as not to cause friction of head on pillow as it will result in more knots. If it's low density, then you should be worried.

Also, don't go to a salon, try a clinic they are much more reliable. And use glue next time.
I have only 6 months of experience wearing a system so maybe I'm not the best adviser here.

 

[Noah]

Hi N2T

Let me start by saying DON'T PANIC. You have a couple of separate problems there, both of which are readily solvable. Take it calmly and systematically.

First the tangles. I have found that with tangles the best thing is to use neat conditioner. Pour some into a small bowl, then find the tangled hair, dip your fingers into the conditioner, and apply it liberally to the tangled hair, and squish it into the tangle. Then, when it is all soaked with conditioner, hold the tangled hair between the tangle and your scalp (so that you are not pulling on the base), take a plastic comb and start stroking at the edges of the tangle furthest from your scalp. Don't put the comb upstream of the tangle and try to pull it out - that will only tighten it. Be gentle. With a bit of luck, the hairs at the edge of the tangle will be sufficiently lubricated by the conditioner to slip out of the tangle and allow themselves to be combed out. Keep repeating until the whole tangle is resolved. If the tangle is relatively loose, as opposed to a tight knot, once it is soaked in conditioner you may be able to pull it apart gently with your fingers into a bigger looser mass, which will help with the combing process.

Obviously you want to stop this happening again. I assume it mostly happens when you sleep. Is your hair long enough to be tied into a short ponytail before bed? Otherwise you may want to think of getting a stretchy cap to wear in bed - the sort actors wear under full wigs.

Secondly, the bond. It may simply be that Ultrahold is the wrong glue for you. Everyone's body chemistry is different, and what works for others may not work so well for you. There are plenty of other brands to try. Ghostbond and Davlyn are good alternatives. You can also use Walkers 3-mil thin lace support tape for your hairline if you are having problems with glues.

Or it could be that you are not prepping your scalp before applying the adhesive. Your skin needs to be totally clean, and rubbed with 99% isopropyl alcohol to remove any oils. Then you apply the glue and let it dry. It should be dry but tacky before you lay the base of the piece onto it - the consistency of the gum on a Post-it note. Then, when you have applied the base onto the glue, you must make sure to allow the adhesive to cure fully before getting it damp. So apply the adhesive in a cool dry environment, let it dry, apply another layer, let it dry, apply the hairpiece, then no significant sweating, showering or swimming, till it has cured. I find that means about 4 hours.

Another thing you could try is to run a line of strong tape (e.g. Walkers No-Shine) parallel with your hairline, but half-an-inch or so in from the edge. Then you will only be gluing the last half-inch up to the hairline, and the strong tape will be taking all the stress off the hairline glue.

Hope this helps. Good luck, and let us know how you get on.

Noah

 

[new2this]

Hi N2T

Let me start by saying DON'T PANIC. You have a couple of separate problems there, both of which are readily solvable. Take it calmly and systematically.

First the tangles. I have found that with tangles the best thing is to use neat conditioner. Pour some into a small bowl, then find the tangled hair, dip your fingers into the conditioner, and apply it liberally to the tangled hair, and squish it into the tangle. Then, when it is all soaked with conditioner, hold the tangled hair between the tangle and your scalp (so that you are not pulling on the base), take a plastic comb and start stroking at the edges of the tangle furthest from your scalp. Don't put the comb upstream of the tangle and try to pull it out - that will only tighten it. Be gentle. With a bit of luck, the hairs at the edge of the tangle will be sufficiently lubricated by the conditioner to slip out of the tangle and allow themselves to be combed out. Keep repeating until the whole tangle is resolved. If the tangle is relatively loose, as opposed to a tight knot, once it is soaked in conditioner you may be able to pull it apart gently with your fingers into a bigger looser mass, which will help with the combing process.

Obviously you want to stop this happening again. I assume it mostly happens when you sleep. Is your hair long enough to be tied into a short ponytail before bed? Otherwise you may want to think of getting a stretchy cap to wear in bed - the sort actors wear under full wigs.

Secondly, the bond. It may simply be that Ultrahold is the wrong glue for you. Everyone's body chemistry is different, and what works for others may not work so well for you. There are plenty of other brands to try. Ghostbond and Davlyn are good alternatives. You can also use Walkers 3-mil thin lace support tape for your hairline if you are having problems with glues.

Or it could be that you are not prepping your scalp before applying the adhesive. Your skin needs to be totally clean, and rubbed with 99% isopropyl alcohol to remove any oils. Then you apply the glue and let it dry. It should be dry but tacky before you lay the base of the piece onto it - the consistency of the gum on a Post-it note. Then, when you have applied the base onto the glue, you must make sure to allow the adhesive to cure fully before getting it damp. So apply the adhesive in a cool dry environment, let it dry, apply another layer, let it dry, apply the hairpiece, then no significant sweating, showering or swimming, till it has cured. I find that means about 4 hours.

Another thing you could try is to run a line of strong tape (e.g. Walkers No-Shine) parallel with your hairline, but half-an-inch or so in from the edge. Then you will only be gluing the last half-inch up to the hairline, and the strong tape will be taking all the stress off the hairline glue.

Hope this helps. Good luck, and let us know how you get on.

Noah

Well, as it turns out the problem is far worse than I could’ve imagined. As it turns out, my efforts to touch up the lifted side today resulted in an enormous amount of hair getting gunked up with the glue and it is now tangled and matted to the poly. I have been soaking it in C22 as recommended by my specialist, but I can tell this is drying out the hair and it doesn’t appear to be helping it come any looser. This could be because the bond is now on top of the poly and the C22 can’t reach it through the thick wad of hair that’s pressed down. There are 2 major spots that aren’t getting any better. My whole regiment today absolutely caused wear and tear but I’m hoping now that I can at least salvage the system and not have to switch to a panic option stock piece. Unfortunately, the matting of the hair has caused the poly to fold a bit around the edges as well so i now have a huge bald spot on the back of my head as well as the side (this looks more like a hard part though. )

I have removed the unit, obviously, to let it soak. With my specialist not really answering consistently I would love to know if anyone has ever experienced anything like this. I know in the future I have to be more careful with clear bond, but I am a 22 year old guy walking around with a bald head right now after “getting a new haircut and color” just a week ago. The worst part is, with concealers I basically looked as though I was completely full on top. I made a preemptive switch that is backfiring like crazy. Obviously freaking out.

If anyone has any suggestions please let me know. I’m attaching a picture of the base (bottom side) where you can see the problem areas.

 

[AxC123]

Based on pic, looks like a skin (poly) unit. Glue can't seep though the hair side if poly ..but can get on Ridge. Use alcohol or c22 to remove all glue, even if dip the piece, soak it if needed
...then work on tangles once glue issue is resolved using Noah's suggestion
N
Looks salvageable, don't worry too much

 

[Noah]

I hope this is salvageable, and that it looks worse than it is. But to be honest if it was me I would be getting a stock piece now as a fallback just in case it isn't. You can get a perfectly decent stockie for US$200, and you can have it couriered to you very quickly. If you don't need it, so much the better, but it won't go to waste. If you want some suggestions for suppliers, send me a PM.

It sounds like your unit has got beyond the point where soaking in alcohol will solve the problem. There is one final option, which is called Autoglym. It is formulated for taking oil off engineering parts. You can get it at automobile supply shops or on the Web. It will take most stuff off, and if it doesn't work nothing will. Needless to say it's not that great for the hairpiece, but an occasional use is OK. If it works, you will still be able to condition the unit up to look OK.

Noah

 

[Noah]

Hi AxC - we were typing at the same time; I'm sorry it looks like I'm contradicting you. It wasn't intentional.

I agree with you - if soaking in alcohol works, it's better for the hairpiece. Autoglym is a last resort.

Noah

 

[AxC123]

Hi AxC - we were typing at the same time; I'm sorry it looks like I'm contradicting you. It wasn't intentional.

I agree with you - if soaking in alcohol works, it's better for the hairpiece. Autoglym is a last resort.

Noah

No worries Noah. My thought ( based on picture, and hard to judge) is that the "bald" spots are not actually bald, but that the hair is tangled and matted in a way that hair is separated and creating the effect of bald spots..zooming in , i see knots on poly...so hopefully salvageable. ..
Always good to have a spare piece.. I think all DIYers have gone throught some issues and have a spare or a reusable retired unit that can be counted on in case of emergencies

 

[cottonReville]

I've destroyed 2 pieces owing to what I believe to have been left-over tape residue. C22 does not dry, but grease up.

It did not salvage my first piece, and I didn't try it on my second.

There are articles put out by hair suppliers that deal with extreme tangling, & treating it w a combination of bleach & ammonia. I did not bother, opting for new pieces.

 

[TooBad]

Based on pic, looks like a skin (poly) unit. Glue can't seep though the hair side if poly ..but can get on Ridge. Use alcohol or c22 to remove all glue, even if dip the piece, soak it if needed
...then work on tangles once glue issue is resolved using Noah's suggestion
N
Looks salvageable, don't worry too much

I have to disagree with that statement. Unfortunately, right around the time I need to redo my system and the tape and glue is broken down and slipping and sliding. Adhesive and oil does make its way through.
When it first happened I thought no way, that must be from a styling product or conditioner. Nope, has happened many times when I touch the top of the system with my finger it is the same tacky glue that's on the bottom of the base. This seems to happen on an older unit 3 months plus.... maybe there's a very small hole I don't see that it's getting through.

 

[new2this]

Alright everyone so just wanted to give an update, I had to remove and soak in C22, unfortunately didn’t work so I was stuck in my house for a few days until the salon could see me. Thankfully l, after leaving it overnight, it was almost fully restored and is now back on my head!

The dude at the salon said that the curliness of the hair was causing them to get stuck together and start matting at the base. He said it took him roughly an hour to fix everything, so if I can do 5 mins of combing it out every night I should be fine.

huge scare but we’re good thankfully

 

[cottonReville]

Good to hear. I ruined two pieces, albeit stock ones from Lord - not at the same price pt. as yours.

I always thought C22 was for removal of adhesive from the scalp, not something intended to put in the hair. I couldn't imagine that greasy fluid being kind to the unit's knots.