Looking To Order My First Hair System, Need Advice

[Danyael]

Hi everyone! I'm new here. I'm trying to get some information in order to avoid making the wrong choices, and a help from someone experienced would be most welcome.

I'll try to be to the point, so here's a few bullet points about me:

• I'm 30 years old, residing in Croatia, Europe.
• According to Norwood scale, I think I'm somewhere between 3V and 4. The top area is somewhat thinner than the rest, but not by much. I'd say it's moderate.
• As stated, I've never used anything to deal with baldness before. Aside from shaving my head completely, that is.
• What I'm looking for is a hair system that doesn't involve surgery. I've done some researched and realized that would be the best way to go.
• Where I live, I don't have access to stylists to set me up, as to my knowledge hair systems aren't exactly widespread here. This means I would have to rely on ordering and setting it up myself, which I've read is also relatively common.

The questions I'm having is which vendor would you recommend? So far I've contacted Jentis studios (Marietta, GA) and Farrell Hair Replacement (LA). I contacted Jentis after watching several videos on the Alpha M channel. They told me their systems last for 3 months and cost $750 a piece. After I told them that I'm from Europe, they recommended that I contact Farrell.

I spoke to Farrell afterwards, and the call lasted much longer. Here's what I learned:

• I was told their systems use mostly tape and minimal amount of adhesives, which I have no idea if it's a good or bad thing.
  
• Their systems apparently last a year, with quarterly maintenance. This is much more than Jentis, so it really got my attention.
  
• They set everything up after I send them the dimensions and hair sample. Apparently I don't need a stylist, because they claim to provide all the education for me to do it myself. I liked that.
  
• Two hairpieces for $3800. The price is apparently reduced because I'm doing everything on my own and they don't have to travel onsite.
• Hairpieces are made from real human hair, and take 10-12 weeks to make.

As mentioned before, I would prefer to have it all ready for my self to set up, as offered by Farrell. But I'm totally new with this and have no idea if this is a good price, as well as quality.

Should I maybe look for something closer, in Europe? Do you have any recommendations? Honestly, I'm completely open to ordering from wherever, as long as I can get some good recommendations that also satisfy the requirements I have.

Also if anyone has any questions in order to give me better advice, by all means, ask away!

 

[Noah]

Hi Danyael, welcome

What you are suggesting is very do-able, and my experience is that you will get a better result by doing it yourself than by relying on a local salon. At the end you will be more confident because you are in control of what you look like and not dependent on someone else. Of course, there is a learning curve, but we can help you with that, and none of it is that difficult. Also, there is a lot of good information on the Internet now to help you.

I hadn't heard of Jentis studios, but I see from their website that they are the source of the "Almir" video, which is impressive. But it doesn't sound like they are an option for you unless you are willing to go to rural Georgia. Farrell is certainly a well-known name in hair replacement, and people seem happy with his products, but they are outrageously expensive. You can get something very similar on-line for a fraction of the price.

If I were you, I would be looking elsewhere. If you want to have a salon do your first system, you might think of Hair Solutions in Madrid (I don't have person experience of them, but they have been well reviewed by real customers) or Hair4All in the United Kingdom (similar story). Or this guy seems pretty talented and sympathetic - http://www.hairreplacementstylist.co.uk - although he is in rural England, so not as easy to get to. Alternatively, if you are willing to have a go at ordering the system yourself on the Internet, I would suggest NorthWest Lace, Toplace or Coolpiece. I have used all of these, and can recommend them.

I hope this is helpful, and good luck with your project!

Noah

 

[grincher]

You seem to have done your research, but those prices are excessive. Never associate price with quality as some companies have a lot of fixed costs in offices, staff and advertising. Farrell are not offering anything special that you cannot find elsewhere at a fraction of the cost.

I have used Northwest Lace previously, but I now use a UK company and have been with them for a few years.

Depending on what I go for I usually pay $325-380 and get 12-months wear. They are an online supplier but they also set me up with a Central London salon for the initial cut in.

www.ukhairsystems.com

 

[Danyael]

Thanks everyone for all the information! This was highly informative. Good thing I asked otherwise I probably would have gone with Farrell!

I'll look into Northwest Lace and UK Hair systems and let you know if I have any more questions.

 

[grincher]

Linda spamming wont help you

 

[Noah]

Who is Linda?? Is she hot?

 

[Danyael]

Awww, I've missed her response. Was it any good?

 

[grincher]

so smoking hot that she spontaneously combusted and imploded into atoms and got deleted from the board and the universe. She was the spammer for me *sigh*

 

[I.D WALKER]

Greetings,
I'm vacillating whether or not to revisit the hair piece route. I have a severe case of seb. derm. that makes it
intolerable to wear one for more than 48 hours.
So I will be more than likely reattaching @ every other day. Strips were my preference during my first rough tour.
I am enthusiastic to hear any one of your opinions/insight on using adhesive tape versus a bonding adhesive for
a thin and light density stock system.
I probably will be ordering from Northwest Lace; btw does anyone know if they carry stock
'partial (frontal loss)system or not? Also is there a reasonably priced supplier ( who ships to U.S) you'd recommend?
In the past I always had a trying time satisfactorily removing the stubborn glue from lace/hair, so transitioning to strips proved to be most convenient.
All forthcoming suggestions are greatly appreciated ( that's you too lovely Linda).

 

[Noah]

Hi IDW

I'm sorry to hear about your dematitis. That's rough, on top of hairloss.

Could you perhaps tolerate using a strong hairgel like Got2BGlued as adhesive? That seems to work pretty well if you are not leading a super-physical lifestyle. The piece and the gel just wash off in a warm shower.

Or what about scalp protector; might that be an answer?

I don't think tape gives quite as good a result cosmetically as glue, but the difference only really becomes significant if you are exposing your whole hairline. 3mil tape, which is actually glue in a tape format (there is no core of plastic tape) is the one to go for for your hairline, and it is fine for medium light densities. If you are going for a very light density I think tape could be visible in strong overhead lighting, such as the kind you get in elevators.

I am a big fan of Northwest Lace, but I don't think they do stock partials - you just buy a full stock piece and cut off what you need.

Noah

 

[I.D WALKER]

Hi IDW

I'm sorry to hear about your dematitis. That's rough, on top of hairloss.

Could you perhaps tolerate using a strong hairgel like Got2BGlued as adhesive? That seems to work pretty well if you are not leading a super-physical lifestyle. The piece and the gel just wash off in a warm shower.

Or what about scalp protector; might that be an answer?

I don't think tape gives quite as good a result cosmetically as glue, but the difference only really becomes significant if you are exposing your whole hairline. 3mil tape, which is actually glue in a tape format (there is no core of plastic tape) is the one to go for for your hairline, and it is fine for medium light densities. If you are going for a very light density I think tape could be visible in strong overhead lighting, such as the kind you get in elevators.

I am a big fan of Northwest Lace, but I don't think they do stock partials - you just buy a full stock piece and cut off what you need.

Noah

Thanks for your speedy and comprehensive response Noah (all very helpful).
I think you're right about recommending a strong hair gel if I go the light density route.
Not sure what you mean by a skin protector, but I will look into that.
Once more I deeply appreciate the generous use of your time, it's been special guys like you
who make gourmetstylewellness.com such a valuable resource.

 

[Noah]

De nada IDW. Scalp protector is a liquid specifically made for guys with sensitive scalps. It is a lot like the liquid skin you can buy for blisters. It dries to an invisible barrier layer between your scalp and the adhesives, protecting your scalp and giving the adhesives a good surface to stick to. It can also be useful if you are very sweaty and your sweat is stopping you getting a decent bond.

I have occasionally had to use it because of irritated skin, but you could also make it part of your regular routine. What I don't know is whether the scalp protector would itself exacerbate your dematitis. You would have to do a patch test. Hair Direct have a whole page of different brands. I have the Walkers one, which works fine.

 

[Spike2017]

Careful with the density, too thick = fake

 

[Fanjeera]

Greetings,
I'm vacillating whether or not to revisit the hair piece route. I have a severe case of seb. derm. that makes it
intolerable to wear one for more than 48 hours.
So I will be more than likely reattaching @ every other day. Strips were my preference during my first rough tour.
I am enthusiastic to hear any one of your opinions/insight on using adhesive tape versus a bonding adhesive for
a thin and light density stock system.
I probably will be ordering from Northwest Lace; btw does anyone know if they carry stock
'partial (frontal loss)system or not? Also is there a reasonably priced supplier ( who ships to U.S) you'd recommend?
In the past I always had a trying time satisfactorily removing the stubborn glue from lace/hair, so transitioning to strips proved to be most convenient.
All forthcoming suggestions are greatly appreciated ( that's you too lovely Linda).

i suggest edible glue: http://www.network54.com/Forum/678938/message/1426447826/Non+Toxic+Edible+Glue