First appointment around the corner… all the feels

[irishguy1989]

Hi all,

I’m getting my first system fitted in 2 weeks and feeling pretty nervous about it. I’m also wondering whether i’m making the right decision.

I’ve spent quite a bit of time thinking about getting a system, as well as having gone through SMP and a failed transplant over the past 10 years (I’m 31 now). Let’s just say it’s not a rash decision!

Did you all go through something similar in terms of going back and forth in your mind before getting your first system fitted?

 

[smoka123]

I wasn´t nervous because the situation could only go better not worst. First feeling was incredible

 

[deg_dilemma]

I was nervous and I hated my first hair system. I couldn't bring myself to be seen in public, and I quicktime made an appointment with an empathetic local salon who thinned out the hair and made it look less ridiculous.

Suffice to say, it was one heck of a learning experience.

You just don't know how you will react to having "so much" hair after such a long time. It could look SO different to how people view you now. I wish I had planned some things better - like colour, density etc. But we live and learn, and for sure I am so much happier now.

 

[jeepwrangler]

I've got a first fitting soon as well. I'm about the same age as you.
The nice thing about the SMP is that if you suddenly want to not wear a system anymore, you can just shave and still look good.

My issue at the moment is that I had SMP done on my temporal points, which don't grow in very well for me, so I may have to laser them or even get a small transplant in those areas to complete the look.

 

[smoka123]

I will put on my system on I think thursday again. I think I will made some pictures before / meanwhile / after.

 

[Noah]

Yes, it's absolutely normal to have those butterflies. But the answer is as Jeepwrangler explained: you are not really taking any risk with a hair system, unlike the tattooing and the transplant that you have already tried (which can both end disasterously if you are unlucky). With a system, if you hate it, you can just chuck it in the trash, shave your head "for charity" and in 6 weeks' time you are back where you started, no harm done. All you have lost is the price of the hairpiece and the adhesive. On the other hand if you like it it can be the end of your hairloss problems for good. So it's pretty much a one-way bet.

 

[George Hen]

I remember those thoughts and feeling very well. I’m 31, I tried or seriously considered every possible remedy for hair loss since I was 19. I eventually tried a hair system 4 years ago and I’ve never looked back.

Back then a hair system was the only option left for me, I had run out of all the others. I even tried shaving my head as a way of accepting baldness but that wasn’t an option either in the end because I look so different with or without hair.

I ordered my first system a year and a half before I started wearing and, when it arrived, I thought it looked ridiculous (because it wasn’t cut in) and couldn’t imagine wearing it, so I put it away and forgot about it until I felt like I had to try it as a last resort.

The best approach is to expect the learning curve that comes with wearing a hair system. A lot of trial and error is involved. It’s definitely worth learning how to do everything efficiently and by yourself in the long run so you can save time and money.
Initially, use a salon for a lot of things. When you’re there try to pick of on how they do things and go with a list of questions you can casually ask throughout the appointment.
A lot of the work involved with systems is just common sense and practise which comes with time.

I hope it works out for you. Wearing a hair system has totally changed my life - I look and feel so much better. FYI nobody cares that you wear - they either don’t realise or forget. The world spins heavily on appearances so, if you get it right, people will look past the hair system and just see a guy with a good head of hair.

A couple of things are probably going to determine how you feel after your cut in:

1. The hairline: It’s actually fine if they get this wrong the first time (I did) because you can easily change it next time! Try to pay attention to it though. Too far forward or back can look or feel a bit odd.

2. Density: Again, it’s fine if this isn’t spot on and it’s actually not easy to get right during the first cut in. I always go back for a second trim after a week because the hair system needs time to settle after the initial cut in. After that time you can easily identify the spots which need to be cut more or differently.

Best of luck, DM me if you want to chat any time.

 

[yurguardianangel]

My first hair system looked FAKE. Way too dense, badly cut in by a crap stylist, and the wrong colour match.
It was from Total Cover Plus.

I used to put my beanie or cap over it when I went out as it looked THAT bad.

 

[jeepwrangler]

Hi all,

I’m getting my first system fitted in 2 weeks and feeling pretty nervous about it. I’m also wondering whether i’m making the right decision.

I’ve spent quite a bit of time thinking about getting a system, as well as having gone through SMP and a failed transplant over the past 10 years (I’m 31 now). Let’s just say it’s not a rash decision!

Did you all go through something similar in terms of going back and forth in your mind before getting your first system fitted?

I just got my system installed today. I'm over the moon. It hides the SMP very well and while I have no idea what I'm doing for styling, everyone I know is flabbergasted. My dad was like "wow I didn't recognize you. Must be the beard". The only person that knew was my mom, but momma knows best.

I'm stoked for you.

 

[irishguy1989]

I just got my system installed today. I'm over the moon. It hides the SMP very well and while I have no idea what I'm doing for styling, everyone I know is flabbergasted. My dad was like "wow I didn't recognize you. Must be the beard". The only person that knew was my mom, but momma knows best.

I'm stoked for you.

Congrats man! Glad to hear everyone reacted well. That’s also another nerve wracking part of the process!

Will you be sharing pics?

 

[smoka123]

I will put on my system on I think thursday again. I think I will made some pictures before / meanwhile / after.

oh man I just don´t like to do that... Ok I´ve just spent an hour incl coloring my leaving bio hair.
I was just so much easier with white glue. I should try to look after really good tapes it makes life much easier.

 

[jeepwrangler]

Congrats man! Glad to hear everyone reacted well. That’s also another nerve wracking part of the process!

Will you be sharing pics?

I'm too much of a coward to post my face but here's a couple angles. I have no idea what I'm doing for styling (I haven't had hair in a decade) so it's going to be fun. My salon gal said the poofiness will subside in a few days.

You can see the SMP I got done on my temporal points, but it's not very noticeable in person. I will still probably have those lasered and/or transplanted.

 

[yurguardianangel]

I'm too much of a coward to post my face but here's a couple angles. I have no idea what I'm doing for styling (I haven't had hair in a decade) so it's going to be fun. My salon gal said the poofiness will subside in a few days.

You can see the SMP I got done on my temporal points, but it's not very noticeable in person. I will still probably have those lasered and/or transplanted.View attachment 166571View attachment 166572View attachment 166573

It looks good apart from at the sides.
Less density hair system would look better. Like a light density.

 

[jeepwrangler]

It looks good apart from at the sides.
Less density hair system would look better. Like a light density.

For sure. This is only 3.5 weeks of growth (from wet razor shave). I think with hairs lost from the system and more growth it should even itself out. But we'll see in a few weeks!

 

[Jake1979]

Hi all,

I’m getting my first system fitted in 2 weeks and feeling pretty nervous about it. I’m also wondering whether i’m making the right decision.

I’ve spent quite a bit of time thinking about getting a system, as well as having gone through SMP and a failed transplant over the past 10 years (I’m 31 now). Let’s just say it’s not a rash decision!

Did you all go through something similar in terms of going back and forth in your mind before getting your first system fitted?

Man best of luck to u bro! I also had SMP, back in 2012, it was kind of a disappointment to say the least, I know it satisfies some guys, for me it just didn't work out for me.
Never had a transplant, just couldn't afford a good one.

Man, to answer your question about "going back and forth in your mind before getting first system fitted"- YES! LOL
I wrestled with this decision for about 16 months, and the 2 months leading up to first fitting I was excited but terrified. I started even having dreams about having system fly off my head in public and stuff like that LOL.

I had first system fitted about 2 months back and it's the best decision I've made for myself to improve my appearance, maybe ever. Im still kind of amazed at how easy it is to live with and how much confidence it gives me.

The one thing I will say, I don't think I was prepared for the new system "poof effect". New systems just can look pretty poofy and big, but this subsides in following days and there are remedies to make it look less poofy. It also didn't help that my stylist buzzed my bio hair very very short so it went from almost no hair on back and sides to this huge poof system.
My advice is when getting a new system put on, the best thing is to have bio hair as long as possible to match the "big-ness" of the new system.
Good luck to u man, I'm sure it'll be all good

 

[irishguy1989]

Man best of luck to u bro! I also had SMP, back in 2012, it was kind of a disappointment to say the least, I know it satisfies some guys, for me it just didn't work out for me.
Never had a transplant, just couldn't afford a good one.

Man, to answer your question about "going back and forth in your mind before getting first system fitted"- YES! LOL
I wrestled with this decision for about 16 months, and the 2 months leading up to first fitting I was excited but terrified. I started even having dreams about having system fly off my head in public and stuff like that LOL.

I had first system fitted about 2 months back and it's the best decision I've made for myself to improve my appearance, maybe ever. Im still kind of amazed at how easy it is to live with and how much confidence it gives me.

The one thing I will say, I don't think I was prepared for the new system "poof effect". New systems just can look pretty poofy and big, but this subsides in following days and there are remedies to make it look less poofy. It also didn't help that my stylist buzzed my bio hair very very short so it went from almost no hair on back and sides to this huge poof system.
My advice is when getting a new system put on, the best thing is to have bio hair as long as possible to match the "big-ness" of the new system.
Good luck to u man, I'm sure it'll be all good

Thanks for the advice man. This is my bio hair growth with about 1.5 weeks to go before my first fitting. My last shave was about 7 weeks ago.

It’s genetically thin but also the FUE transplant didn’t help matters. You can see on the sides where they took the hair from too even though it’s many years since my transplant.

The hairline looks much thicker in photos than it actually is.

I know i’m probably not an ideal candidate for a hair system but willing to try (as Noah said nothing to lose).

 

[Smidgeon]

I've my first appointment tomorrow so I know how you feel, but don't be nervous!

I've spent the past week devouring the internet lol, reading every post/watching every video. Learning everything I can about all the different systems, which vendors to try, which Youtubers to listen to and which are little more than walking adverts. However, that'll only take me so far. I need to get some hair and take it from there.

Will my first system be amazing and i'll feel like I just got one of those 'Meth Make overs' on TV? lol Or will it look like a cheap dolls wig stuck on my head. Who knows. I'm lucky in that I have no shame and don't embarass easily so don't care if my hairline gets clocked and i'll be proudly telling everyone I have hair now and that I am ready for their adoration and devotion lol. The only worry I have is it looking stupid, but that's very much a trial and error thing and finding what is right for me personally. Plus i've never really ever 'had hair', so have like zero experience on styles, products and what suits me etc.

I know plenty of people who, after a bad bio hair cut, look like they are wearing a wig as it just doesn't suit them and looks stupid. So, I fully expect to go through similar experiences. Plus, I have a lot to figure out, from style of hair, colour of hair, style of base, etc.

Getting into hair systems right now may not be the best idea (due to shortages or poorly made systems due to staffing issues, factory closures, the loss of North Korea, or having to buy from vendors you don't know as your usual one is out of stock) but I view it as a good thing. It has forced me to do far more research than I perhaps would have pre-covid. Plus, we don't have any usual vendors as we are new, so things can only get easier from here!

I did decide to go to a salon (Neu Hair 4 men in the UK), just for my first visit. I'll deffo do it on my own in future but I wanted to at least get it done right (well, hopefully she does it right lol) the first time.

Moral of the story, don't overthink it and worry. It'll either be amazing, ok, or rubbish. But who cares, there's never any point worrying about things like that. Just play it by ear and face those challenges as they come up. Just arm yourself with as much info as you can. What all the pitfalls are and what to do in an emergency (damaged system so keeping a spare one, or ensuring we don't run out of tape etc).

 

[Jake1979]

Thanks for the advice man. This is my bio hair growth with about 1.5 weeks to go before my first fitting. My last shave was about 7 weeks ago.

It’s genetically thin but also the FUE transplant didn’t help matters. You can see on the sides where they took the hair from too even though it’s many years since my transplant.

The hairline looks much thicker in photos than it actually is.

I know i’m probably not an ideal candidate for a hair system but willing to try (as Noah said nothing to lose).

View attachment 166578

Your bio hair looks good to me man! If u just go with a light density system or light/medium you'll be fine.
Plus it has amazed me how the right blending of bio hair and system cut by stylist can make such a huge difference and look natural!

 

[Jake1979]

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I'm too much of a coward to post my face but here's a couple angles. I have no idea what I'm doing for styling (I haven't had hair in a decade) so it's going to be fun. My salon gal said the poofiness will subside in a few days.

You can see the SMP I got done on my temporal points, but it's not very noticeable in person. I will still probably have those lasered and/or transplanted.View attachment 166571View attachment 166572View attachment 166573

Looks really great! The blending in the back looks flawless TBH, front looks great, side isnt bad at all, I like the fade there

 

[jeepwrangler]

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Looks really great! The blending in the back looks flawless TBH, front looks great, side isnt bad at all, I like the fade there

Thanks so much. I've washed it once and the volume is less crazy and much more workable.

Man, I've been living my best life with this thing. It's been a game changer for me. Confidence is through the roof.