Thanks for replying. Very helfpul.
You're very welcome.
My plan is to have one more re-install at the clinic and then have a go myself. PS When I do this I will draw a couple of lines on my forehead to guide where the system should go back when I re-attach. Do you know what is best to use for this? An eyebrow pencil, or something like that perhaps??
I use an eyebrow pencil.
I clean all the excess tape/glue off my forehead with isopropyl dabbed on a cotton pad. Then I usually wash my bio hair. I do the same with the hair system/base itself, plus I apply Back2Natural colour correcting conditioner to correct any fading has occurred due to exposure to sunlight, bright lights etc.
Next, before I shave the area where my hair system goes, I place my template on my head and draw round it with an eyebrow pencil. If you don't have a template, you can make one to match the shape your hair system base by using cling film and Sellotape. I make the hairline start exactly 1cm above the first frown line I have on my forehead (in the centre of my eyebrows - I use a small piece of cardboard I've made exactly 1cm wide to measure this gap)). You may use some other method to get the exact position of your hairline edge. So once I've drawn round the template, this tells me where I need to shave my bio hair.
Next, once the bio hair has been shaved, I use a cotton pad dabbed with isopropyl to get rid of the lines I've drawn with the eyebrow pencil, except for the first mark above the centre of my eyebrows where the hairline starts. I tape the hair system up round the edge (except for the very middle of the hairline, since I wear my hair in centre parting so I glue the area where parting starts). I line the start of the centre parting up with the mark from the eyebrow pencil, and with the parting quite straight. By doing this, the rest of the hair system is automatically in place. If you don't have a parting, you can still use a similar method.
I then use an Alice band to hold my hair system in place, thus freeing up both my hands so I can peel off the backing on the tape to attach the system. I peel off the backing tape on each side of my hairline and press the front into place. I then peel off one side and attach, then the same the other side. Finally, I peel off the tape at the back of the system . I get a perfectly aligned attachment this way. Some people say you should attach from the back first - I used to do that, but I found I got more consistent result by attaching the tape from the front first as it enable me to get the hairline in the exact position.
Finally, I wipe of the eyebrow pencil mark at the start of my hairline and I apply glue to my forehead a where the front of the centre part on the hair system goes. I allow it 10 mins or so to dry, then I press the hair system down exactly 1cm above my first frown line, and hold for 10 seconds.
Voila, I get very consistent attachments this way. This all may sound complicated, but it's easy once you get the hang of it. Everyone will find their own little tricks to get a perfect attachment. I suggest you check out some of Curtis' videos from MHE for more info on attachment, detachment etc (he has a good ebook too).
I wear a custom made all Swiss lace system, roughly 10 inches long since I like a longer 'rocker' hair sort of look, but my method of attachment still works with shorter hair. I still have some bio hair on my back and sides, so my hair system covers my balding area on top and blends in nicely with my bio hair.
If you have any questions about hair system maintenance, feel free to ask. We're here to help each other on their hair system journeys. Good luck!