New Here With Some Simple Questions Before Taking The Plunge

[Yagami]

Hi,

I've spent the last 24h reading the threads on this forum, that I find a great source of information by the way.
About me, I'm in my late 30's with an alopecia that started slowly in my late 20's. I've started using Proscar right away but a few months later I suffered the known side effects, after that, I discovered minoxidil that I used sporadically ever since. Since the last 5 years I started using a concealer to mask my alopecia which worked great, but now it's getting difficult to get the spots masked.
I've also got a transplant surgery 3 years ago but it was a big fail.

Now, I'm seriously thinking about getting a hair system as I have nothing to lose but a head full of hair to gain.

So after browsing the forum and watching a lot of videos on Youtube here is what I decided to do, and tell me if I wrong or right:
- I leave in Montreal, Canada and there are really few clinics and salons that are specialized in hair replacement. I contacted them and it's way too expensive (800 CA$ - 1000 CA$). I tried to find someone who will cut the lace base in the region to no avail. So I decided that I will find an online company that sells systems with cutting service and I found one. You just have to enter the width and length and they do it for 13 CA$. They also do the haircut for 26 CA$, but I'm not sure about the latter.

Here are my questions:
1- Is it ok to go this way for my first system? Someone has done it before? What are my error margin? I know that it's not recommended, but I've no other solutions as I don't want to pay an arm & leg. I'll give a bit larger dimension so I can adjust the cut gradually to fit the reception zone. I've found a good video that shows how to carefully cut the lace (video below), tell me what you think. I can also buy a synthetic synthetic lace system (I've found some for 25$) to practice on before. Everything will cost me less than 200 US$ or 300 CA$.

2- For the color, I'm not sure. Some people say not to choose the jet black as it looks fake (is that right?) but instead, choose the #1a. I've really dark hair, you can't do darker. The #1a is kind of black-brown(ish) and it won't fit my natural color. What is your advice?

3- I choose to go with a full French lace. Will I be able to use tapes on the sides/back and glue on the front line? I read that I'll have to refresh the frontline once each week and remove/clean/reattach the system once every 2 weeks, is that correct? I choose the French lace because here the summers are hot and wet, I also workout at least 5 times a week and I'm pretty active the weekend.

4- For the products. There are a lot of them and it's confusing. Could you please suggest some brands that I can start and experiment with, if that doesn't work for me I'll try others, but I need a starting point (knot sealer, shampoo, conditioner, glue, tape, scalp protector, solvent... what else?).

5- The system brand that I found use Indian human hair. Is that a problem? A lot of other brands use European hair.

I'm really eager to start my hair system journey and only need some support and knowledgeable people to point me in the right direction.

Thank you in advance and may be my next thread will be about how happy I am with my new system

PS: If some members here are from Montreal, I may have some questions for you. Feel free to contact me, I speak French too

 

[F.Coronilla]

Hi,

I've spent the last 24h reading the threads on this forum, that I find a great source of information by the way.
About me, I'm in my late 30's with an alopecia that started slowly in my late 20's. I've started using Proscar right away but a few months later I suffered the known side effects, after that, I discovered minoxidil that I used sporadically ever since. Since the last 5 years I started using a concealer to mask my alopecia which worked great, but now it's getting difficult to get the spots masked.
I've also got a transplant surgery 3 years ago but it was a big fail.

Now, I'm seriously thinking about getting a hair system as I have nothing to lose but a head full of hair to gain.

So after browsing the forum and watching a lot of videos on Youtube here is what I decided to do, and tell me if I wrong or right:
- I leave in Montreal, Canada and there are really few clinics and salons that are specialized in hair replacement. I contacted them and it's way too expensive (800 CA$ - 1000 CA$). I tried to find someone who will cut the lace base in the region to no avail. So I decided that I will find an online company that sells systems with cutting service and I found one. You just have to enter the width and length and they do it for 13 CA$. They also do the haircut for 26 CA$, but I'm not sure about the latter.

Here are my questions:
1- Is it ok to go this way for my first system? Someone has done it before? What are my error margin? I know that it's not recommended, but I've no other solutions as I don't want to pay an arm & leg. I'll give a bit larger dimension so I can adjust the cut gradually to fit the reception zone. I've found a good video that shows how to carefully cut the lace (video below), tell me what you think. I can also buy a synthetic synthetic lace system (I've found some for 25$) to practice on before. Everything will cost me less than 200 US$ or 300 CA$.

2- For the color, I'm not sure. Some people say not to choose the jet black as it looks fake (is that right?) but instead, choose the #1a. I've really dark hair, you can't do darker. The #1a is kind of black-brown(ish) and it won't fit my natural color. What is your advice?

3- I choose to go with a full French lace. Will I be able to use tapes on the sides/back and glue on the front line? I read that I'll have to refresh the frontline once each week and remove/clean/reattach the system once every 2 weeks, is that correct? I choose the French lace because here the summers are hot and wet, I also workout at least 5 times a week and I'm pretty active the weekend.

4- For the products. There are a lot of them and it's confusing. Could you please suggest some brands that I can start and experiment with, if that doesn't work for me I'll try others, but I need a starting point (knot sealer, shampoo, conditioner, glue, tape, scalp protector, solvent... what else?).

5- The system brand that I found use Indian human hair. Is that a problem? A lot of other brands use European hair.

I'm really eager to start my hair system journey and only need some support and knowledgeable people to point me in the right direction.

Thank you in advance and may be my next thread will be about how happy I am with my new system

PS: If some members here are from Montreal, I may have some questions for you. Feel free to contact me, I speak French too

I start by myself buying a piece online and making all by myself, becouse no salon in my country, well it has been hard and make lot of mistakes, first the colour match, the glue and tape, and removing the glue, well like you have dark hair colour would not be a problem, in the worst scenario just dye it, i have to dye it becouse my hair colour is really special, so the main issue doing byyourself would be glueing and remove glue and maitence, just read a lot see videos and you would have no problem, at the beggining maibe you will take a lot but with the time it would get easier and learn a lot by doing it yourself, cuting the base is really easy, no problem at all
with the french lace you can tape side and back and glue front, if you gonna show it, better try swiss but its not much diferrence and french last longer, mostly user has indian hair becouse the mostly hair system came fron china, at last product you would have to learn by yourself and see what suits you more, with the glue and tape, knot sealer work for dont lost hair, conditioner and shampoo i use argan oil both of them sal free, scalp protector walker sport and solvent c22 and alcohol isopropilic.

cheers

 

[Yagami]

Thank you F.Coronilla for your answer. That's encouraging to know that you started DIY and that you are autonomous now.
I've watched a lot of videos about gluing and removing and I think I can handle it.
About cutting the base, does it have to be to the mm in order to fit? For sure a gap of 1 cm will be an issue, but if it's just some mm here and there, I guess it's not a big deal.
And for the front line, as the base is cut all around from side to side without touching the front side, there is no way to mess that too, am I correct?
I take note of the argan oil shampoo/conditioner and c-22 solvent. So you use both the c-22 and alcohol to remove the glue/tapes? If yes in which order and in what surface (scalp or/and base)?
Thanks again,

 

[Eseera29]

Hi,

Why not go for the custom piece route? You send sample of your hair and template, and you're set for all the systems you'll wear. It will fit perfectly and the color match should be more than 90% accurate.

3 - Yes, I'm full French Lace as my first system and tape back/sides and glue front works. I also workout a bunch. For your information, I switched to full tape cause it's easier, less mess, and with covered or semi-covered hairline it's not detectable anyways. The first month you'll probably do it more often than 2 weeks, but that's even better cause you'll learn quicker.
4. Just order everything you can from Walker. All of their products worked well for me, except the water based glue. Conditioner doesn't have to be made for hair systems, but it has to be great quality (not some cheap one) and for processed/colored hair. The most important have to be, tape, glue (tape) remover, 99% alcohol, leave-in conditioner.
5. No, almost everyone uses Indian Hair. I heard it's so processed it's not even that thick. I'm using European cause my hair is very fine, but... I'm thinking about switching to Indian.

And about the C-22 and Alcohol. C-22 for intial removal and getting rid of the glue. Alcohol for final clean-up of your system and your scalp. It's a bit harsh so gotta go easy with the alcohol on your skin.

 

[Yagami]

Thank you Eseera29 for your reply that helps.
I can't go custom as it takes at least 8 weeks to be delivered. I'm better to go with stock (base cut and hairstyled [maybe]). I'll go custom after that.
How your base lifetime compare between when you were using tapes & glue and now that you use only tape?

 

[BaldBearded]

Personally, I went custom, because of support, color, density, etc. I am VERY happy with my system. It is, undetectable to anyone who does not know me as a bald person.

You ALWAYS get what you pay for. Look at the forums with guys with $200 systems, they look like they have $200 systems, almost ALWAYS almost without exception.

1. An off the shelf system will NOT be set to fit the curve of our scalp, and you may have wrinkles, which will potentially itch, and cause the bond to fail sooner.

2. Choose the color that matches your own, actual color, otherwise, the blend will look fake.

3. French lace, good choice. Tape/Gue is a good combination, I do a full head bond since I have very long hair.

4. A good salon would be able to guide you. Glue depends on skin type, climate. Remover is matched with glue. Knot sealer, yes, scalp protector, yes, not many choices.

5. Indian hair is ok, European can be too fine. Depends on your own hair.

I really really suggest doing your first system with a good, reputable, salon to start, you will thank yourself, going forward.

The company I use has a salon in Montreal. They are amazing. I have support. I can call them, video chat, get help with all sorts of issues.

Ping me, if you wish.

Best of luck,

Steve

 

[Yagami]

Hi BaldBearded, Thanks for taking the time to reply.
I would like to go with a salon, but they are too expensive here. I would be able to go up to 500 CA$ but not 1000CA$. Can you PM me the salon address, it will be much appreciated. I will give them a call and see what they suggest.
I've seen people with DIY 200 US$ bases that are really good quality and really well attached, with undetectable hairline. It all depends, as other people said, it all comes with practice, in the beginning, it won't be perfect but hey “Practice makes perfect".

 

[BaldBearded]

Hi BaldBearded, Thanks for taking the time to reply.
I would like to go with a salon, but they are too expensive here. I would be able to go up to 500 CA$ but not 1000CA$. Can you PM me the salon address, it will be much appreciated. I will give them a call and see what they suggest.
I've seen people with DIY 200 US$ bases that are really good quality and really well attached, with undetectable hairline. It all depends, as other people said, it all comes with practice, in the beginning, it won't be perfect but hey “Practice makes perfect".

They are not going to be able to help your for $500 CAD, their systems all start at approximately $1.024 CAD. I paid $60 CAD for the attachment and initial styling.

 

[Yagami]

Would they attach the system without buying it from them? I would be ok to pay up to a 100$ for the initial attachment and styling. Please, could you send me there informations?
Thank you,

 

[Yagami]

BTW, Any good echo about the company LordHair? They have good prices, good quality "as they say", and free and quick shipping (3-5 days). They also offer base cut for a low price.
You can send me a PM if it's not allowed in the forum.

Thank you,

 

[Noah]

Hi Yagami, let me add my welcome. You have had some good firsthand feedback already, but I will add my 2 cents worth.

I think you can go DIY from the get go. I went to a salon when I started wearing, but I don't think I really benefited from the experience. DIY is the only viable way to wear in the long term, I think. There are a few knacks and techniques to pick up, but there is a ton of great visual information now on every aspect of buying and wearing a system on YouTube etc. So it's very doable. I have talked a handful of new wearers on this forum through the process of DIY wearing, and no one has had any insuperable difficulties.

The only thing I would say is that if you are going to try to transition to a system without people knowing, you have to achieve a minimum level of believability from day one, so that you don't blow your cover. If you mess up at the start and give away the fact you're wearing a piece, it doesn't matter how undetectable you get it later - you only get one chance. So I would suggest that at the start you opt for a style which doesn't include a fully exposed hairline. If you buy from a decent supplier, get a decent cut-in and avoid exposed hairlines, it's pretty hard to go wrong - your system is pretty much guaranteed to be undetectable.

You are on a pretty tight budget. I will PM you some suggestions on suppliers. I suggest you send a hair sample even for a stock piece, and let the supplier colour match it. Jet black doesn't look fake if your natural colour is jet black. I would avoid synthetic hair - unless you go for very expensive synthetic (outside your budget) it looks fake.

Your choice of base is good, and your proposed maintenance schedule sounds realistic. Indian hair from a decent supplier will be fine. I personally use Walkers No-Shine tape for the back and sides, and Davlyn glue for the hairline. They work well for me. I just use 99% isopropyl alcohol for removal and cleaning. Some people find it a bit harsh though.

You should aim to cut the base a fraction - say a millimetre or two - smaller than your shaved area, so that the base doesn't overlap your real hair.

Noah

 

[Yagami]

Thank you Noah, those are some useful pieces of information.
For the transition, I've covered my back. I've been wearing a cap for the last 2 months and I've always worn a concealer at my job before I quit a month ago. So I'm on the look for a new job but I'm not rushing it. I'll be starting my new job with a fresh system (medium light is ok?).
I've found someone here at Montreal that attach the system for 125$ if it's not bought in their shop. So all in all, it will cost me 450 CA$ (350 US$).
I've only one concern at this point before taking the plunge and ordering the system. The company I'm dealing with don't bleach knot the frontline for black hair and I'm afraid that will show. What do you think about this?
They have another option, which is single knots that they say are undetectable, but I don't know the difference with other types of knots.

Thanks again Noah, I'll take a look at your PM.

 

[Eseera29]

I have a "$200" piece and it looks fantastic and real (you can see pics in my thread). Of course that's the base price, EU hair and all the shipping made the final payment to be around $320 for me. Still - it's an alright price, and especially for the first one, you gotta pay more, all the accessories, shampoos, conditioners... But they will last a long time. I probably spent like $500+ already. ALL DIY, except the cut. I paid like $5 for the cut, lol - though I'd recommend a better and more expensive one, haha.

To answer your question about glue & tape longevity. Tape EASILY holds 12-14 days when I workout 4x a week, damp the hair every day and wash it few times. It could probably last longer but it gets sort of "goopy" and it's fairly easy to remove after that time, so no point holding it longer. The glue I've got only held the very front line for maybe 30 hours :/ But that has to be just a bad glue for me.


Lol at the cap, I've been wearing one for like 3 months even at my house, friends would look at me weird but I'd just always say "im growing my hair out and it looks like crap now". I swear you can say anything silly, if you say it in a confident way no one will ask questions and believe you

 

[Yagami]

Thank you Eseera29. Thanks for the info.
So, I've made my mind about where to order and where to attach the system the first time and go DIY after that. I won't forget to take my template with me and give a lot of attention to what the hairstylist will be doing.
Now, my biggest challenge is choosing the right products for maintenance. For the shampoo and conditioner, it's not a big deal, I've always used high-quality products without paraben and salt.
For the other products, and after reading 100s of posts and taking a lot of notes here is what I'm about to order. Please tell me if it's a good choice.

Thank you

 

[Eseera29]

These seem great. Can't say much about scalp protector and knot sealer cos never used them. That adhesive is definitely a strong one so you gotta test it on your skin before usage, but it should work better with an active lifestyle. I think I'm gonna test it one day myself.

 

[Yagami]

Thnx

 

[Noah]

That looks like a good list Yagami. I would suggest you get some 99% isopropyl alcohol too - very useful for cleaning and in various ways. Make sure the leave-in conditioner has sunscreen in it.

Come back and let us know how you get on.

 

[Yagami]

Thank you Noah,
I've already bought 99% iso Alcohol. I've also an elixir for UV protection and I changed my mind about scalp protector (many say that it can be done with alcohol only) and the leave in conditioner will be I"t's a 10 Miracle Leave-In Product". I've also changed my list to:

I hope that I've done the right choice

 

[Noah]

I wouldn't say that alcohol can substitute for scalp protector, but most people don't need scalp protector. You only really need it if either your perspiration is affecting your bond, or you are getting skin irritation from the adhesive. Hopefully you won't have either of those issues, but if you do, you can get the scalp protector at that stage.

Noah

 

[BaldBearded]

It made a huge difference for me. My bond lasts longer, with no itching.