When's Too Soon? / Some General Questions

[Pseudonymforforum]

I've been monitoring this forum on and off for around 3 years now - this is my first post. As I'm sure many of you will be able to relate to, my hair's on my mind almost every waking hour, so I've tried to avoid exacerbating my panic any further by indulging in these forums. I think they're really, really informative and there are some great people on here but you do also get a tonne of paid posts and unscrupulous businesses pushing their own agendas, so until now, I'd elected to steer clear for the sake of my mental health.

The reason I'm posting now is that, for the first time since I started losing my hair around 3 years ago (I'm 30 now), I am feeling a little more optimistic having looked into hair systems further. Hair transplants just don't do it for me. I am predicting pretty substantial loss and don't really want to spend £10k on having a few flimsy strands strewn across my scalp.

To the naked eye, I do still pretty much have a full-head of hair - my girlfriend often refers to my hair as thick, for instance. However, both my temples and my crown have massively thinned and I'm sadly pretty sure I'm heading to NW6 town. As I work in a highly commercial industry, appearance is, unfortunately important. Moreover, I have always been known for my hair and I really don't feel comfortable suddenly losing it - I know it sounds feeble but I don't like the thought of people vindictively laughing about it. So, my questions (you really didn't need all the pre-amble, I'm sorry):

When is too soon? - Could I shave off my existing hair and get a system fitted? I want the transition from natural hair - system to be as seamless as possible!

What is the average annual cost (inc. systems, products, maintenance)? I'm a young 30 so would like to get a relatively thick, buoyant system fitted. I work out 3-4 times a week but don't sweat too much.

I'd get the first system fitted by a pro, but would love to fit the future iterations myself (by my girlfriend) - do many of you do this? How easy is it?

How many hours a week / month would you say you dedicate to maintenance of your system?

What is the lowest maintenance / most natural looking option to go for?

Would anyone in London who wears a system be willing to meet up for a chat + so I can see your system in real life? I'll buy you coffee!

I appreciate these are all probably questions that've been asked a billion times but I would love some honest, fresh perspectives on them...

 

[Hair Newbie]

I've never been to salons. I learn how to DIY from youtube. This old thread has some answers to your questions.

https://www.hairlosstalk.com/intera...s-may-help-with-some-of-your-questions.82817/

 

[Noah]

When is too soon? - Could I shave off my existing hair and get a system fitted? I want the transition from natural hair - system to be as seamless as possible!

There is definitely an advantage in making the switch before people start to perceive you as bald. A lot of guys use a concealer like Toppik to keep their hair looking full, and then when that stops working (which it does when your density falls below a certain point), they switch to a system, hopefully imperceptively. If you need to preserve a "perfect" appearance for work, then you may need to do it a bit earlier. You may not need a full-sized system to start with - if it is only your front or your crown that is weakening, just get a partial piece for that area.

What is the average annual cost (inc. systems, products, maintenance)? I'm a young 30 so would like to get a relatively thick, buoyant system fitted. I work out 3-4 times a week but don't sweat too much.

If you are using a salon, I would say very roughly £2,500 - 3,000. If you are dong it DIY buying the hair and supplies off the Net, you can do it for around £600 - 700.

I'd get the first system fitted by a pro, but would love to fit the future iterations myself (by my girlfriend) - do many of you do this? How easy is it?

Very doable. I do it singlehanded myself, because I prefer not to involve another person in the process, but if you have a willing girlfriend that will make things even easier and quicker.

How many hours a week / month would you say you dedicate to maintenance of your system?

About an hour a week.

What is the lowest maintenance / most natural looking option to go for?

If you work out a lot you will probably want a lace system. If you are not so concerned about the system being detectable by touch (which may be the case if you gf knows about it) you can make the clean-up easier and quicker by ordering your piece with a poly or thinskin horseshoe rim around the back and sides, where you can attach tape. Maybe other strategically-placed tape patches too, depending on the shape of your system.

If you choose a hairstyle which does not expose the hairline to permanent view, you will be making your life easier, particularly at the start. Getting and maintaining a perfect undetectable hairline is often an aspect of wearing a system that some newbies struggle with at the start.

 

[BJM]

I've been monitoring this forum on and off for around 3 years now - this is my first post. As I'm sure many of you will be able to relate to, my hair's on my mind almost every waking hour, so I've tried to avoid exacerbating my panic any further by indulging in these forums. I think they're really, really informative and there are some great people on here but you do also get a tonne of paid posts and unscrupulous businesses pushing their own agendas, so until now, I'd elected to steer clear for the sake of my mental health.

The reason I'm posting now is that, for the first time since I started losing my hair around 3 years ago (I'm 30 now), I am feeling a little more optimistic having looked into hair systems further. Hair transplants just don't do it for me. I am predicting pretty substantial loss and don't really want to spend £10k on having a few flimsy strands strewn across my scalp.

To the naked eye, I do still pretty much have a full-head of hair - my girlfriend often refers to my hair as thick, for instance. However, both my temples and my crown have massively thinned and I'm sadly pretty sure I'm heading to NW6 town. As I work in a highly commercial industry, appearance is, unfortunately important. Moreover, I have always been known for my hair and I really don't feel comfortable suddenly losing it - I know it sounds feeble but I don't like the thought of people vindictively laughing about it. So, my questions (you really didn't need all the pre-amble, I'm sorry):

When is too soon? - Could I shave off my existing hair and get a system fitted? I want the transition from natural hair - system to be as seamless as possible!

What is the average annual cost (inc. systems, products, maintenance)? I'm a young 30 so would like to get a relatively thick, buoyant system fitted. I work out 3-4 times a week but don't sweat too much.

I'd get the first system fitted by a pro, but would love to fit the future iterations myself (by my girlfriend) - do many of you do this? How easy is it?

How many hours a week / month would you say you dedicate to maintenance of your system?

What is the lowest maintenance / most natural looking option to go for?

Would anyone in London who wears a system be willing to meet up for a chat + so I can see your system in real life? I'll buy you coffee!

I appreciate these are all probably questions that've been asked a billion times but I would love some honest, fresh perspectives on them...

I was in a similar situation to you a few years ago and the transition has been fairly seamless. Timing is key and getting someone you trust for any system will make things much easier for you.

I have 4 systems a year and the cost is around £2,500. That includes a few hair cuts in between fittings. Other than that i do all maintenance myself. Ive seen cheaper but like i said trust is important to me.

Takes me 30-60mins per week max. Ive only ever used tape and a poly base for ease. Its not detectable to the eye and only my wife is aware i have a system.

 

[hair4meTomorrow]

I went from no hair to hair. It was very obvious. It's just increased the need for me to be pretty transparent about it with people.

Where do you get your systems from BJM?

The cost in the first year is arguably always going to be more. You should definitely go to a salon first but slowly work out what works for you. The first salon I went to kept notes of everything they did, tried different glues etc and taught you to do some of the maintenance yourself. They were very methodical.

My current salon seem very slap-dash and will put on the glue too thick (which means there's no chance of exposing the hairline for me. But where I live is just around the Scottish border so there is little chance of alternatives. They discourage you from doing things yourself with the hopes of keeping you more dependant on them really. This is never good. I strongly recommend learning some DIY skills even if you rarely use them (emergencies).

 

[Pseudonymforforum]

thanks for the help everyone - much appreciated.

 

[Pseudonymforforum]

any further UK shouts on suppliers and salons in london would be much appreciated. please DM so there's no dodgy promo going on!
i've scheduled a call with HairClub for later this week - are they any good?