First Post And First Hair System - And I Have A Question!

[Pants McGhee]

Hi all, Im finally about to get my first custom hair system, I'm a norwood 6 and have been putting up with my baldness for years now.

I saw a local lady today and she can order me a custom system for $1100 AUD. It seems pricey but since she's local it is convenient. ANyway, I thought id splurge on this first system as I learn what the tricks are for application etc and will look at possibly ordering my own systems in future.

Sorry for the long post, my question is; the lady selling the system said that it attaches to the stubble of my remaining hair and since that grows i should come back once a month to have the system washed and re-applied. Has anyone else ever heard of such a thing? All the videos I see seem to show the system attaching straight to the scalp. I had no idea that the length of my remaining hair would play a part in the attachment of a system?

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[Crunch]

Based on my research it should not attach to any stubble - stubble should be shaved clean or buzzed at near enough each attach/detach interval, once the area is clean the piece is then bonded to the scalp with adhesive glue / tape. She maybe suggesting clips which I think are a bit outdated?
Also that sounds very pricey for even a custom, I know the convenience of a local salon can be tempting but the results aren't always the best - most wearers will say once a month is too long and you get better results by DIY.
I've PMed you some useful sources of information you may have not viewed anyways

 

[grincher]

usually the area its attached to is either free from hair or buzzed to no more than a #1.

AUD $1100 seems excessive. Plenty of recommended places online where you can get quality systems for under AUD $500.

 

[Hairy bear]

I think we pretty much get ripped off for everything in oz! From my limited research she's pricey but not piss taking!

Example: place one, cheapest 2G -decent quality 4G- 'Hollywood' 6 G. All for ONE SYSTEM?!? ( I know a guy who got the 2G version and is having hair shedding issues )
Place 2- $600 stock piece $800 custom or 1100 custom/ lasts a year( but too dense)
Apparently a dense system is like wearing a neon sign and to be avoided, but I have my L plates on same as you, good luck!

 

[Noah]

Hi Pants

What your lady is describing is the classic Hair Club method of attachment, which is also used in places like AHS in Australia. They bond the unit on for a month at a time. To do that, they don't use ordinary hairpiece glue or tape which most of us use (which sticks to your scalp) - they use cyanoacrylic glue (Superglue). That can't be used in skin, so they cut a "track" of stubble around your growing hair, and they stick the hair system to that track. At the end of the month the system is still stuck solidly to your stubble, and they cut it off by razoring off your stubble.

There are a whole range of disadvantages about this method of attachment. First, it is not hygienic to keep a system on for a month at a time - it's like wearing the same pair of underpants for a month. Dead skin, scalp oil, shampoo residue and other muck gets trapped under the piece, and makes your scalp itchy and unhealthy. Maybe even smelly. Second, you are totally dependent on the salon - you can't take your system off or maintain it yourself, and you are tied in to the prices they charge for naintenance, and their timetable (which is the big advantage of this method from the salon's point of view). Third, the system is not very stable. It's fine when it's first put on, but by the end of the month your stubble has grown out, and the system with it. An average person's hair grows a quarter-of-an-inch a month, so you can fit a finger between the system and your scalp at the back - not good if you are trying to be undetectable. Fourth, in order to last a whole month between maintenance the system has to be pretty heavy duty. That is exactly the opposite of what you need for an undetectable look - the best hair systems are ultra lightweight and fine, but those systems will not survive the Hair Club methodology.

This was all very long-winded, but the bottom line is that it's quite a good idea to go to a salon for your first piece and learn the techniques from the professionals, but if you go to this particular salon you will be learning bad techniques. Far better to get somewhere which will sell you a fine lace system and show you how to do your own maintenance on a weekly basis using normal hairpiece adhesives.

Noah

 

[Pants McGhee]

Hi Guys, thank you all for the feedback. Noah - thank you so much, you were spot on. The lady I saw used to work for most of the big hair places; Ashley and Martin, Advanced Hair etc. She now works from home.
I've rung a place that's a couple of hours drive away, but they were great to chat to on the phone. They do not insist you come back for haircuts or anything like that.

Thanks again for the help guys, its much appreciated,

Scott. (Pants is my gaming handle lol)

 

[grincher]

These systems cost under $100 to make. The rest is profit. Work it out.

 

[Hairy bear]

Hey Scott, there are a couple of lovely ladies in Sydney, close to the city center. They are 'no bullshit' and if you're a young man ( not started sprouting a bit of grey) they keep a large range of stock, for $600 including attachment, you could effectively drive there and be a new man* inside 4 hrs! ( having a threesome with those two nasty girls

That's probably whom you've called as our options are about 3-4 as far as I know, and two of those are 'sharks'

If you want the details message me, otherwise good luck with it all