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Would like some input on photos - kmay3891 - 12-10-2015
Hello everyone.
I posted here recently saying how I am going to start wearing soon. Please no one jump down my throat telling me my hair is fine and I don't need to start yet. I have to grow my hair long, up to 10 inches just to cover my whole head , the sides are thinning quickly, and I have a spot on the back, but it isnt just the spot its thin all around it.
Obviously I have enough on top to still cover if I grow it long enough, but any little gust of wind or when it gets wet it is easily noticeable. Ive been toying with the idea, until the other night a girl rubbed my head and when she saw my forhead she said "oh wow I never thought you would go bald!" And that really upset me, so now I just want to go for it before more people notice.
Ive done my research here on this forum, so I dont really want to bug people with the same questions, but I do have a few.
I was originally going to go with just a piece for my hairline since the top is ok for now, but since then the crown and sides have thinned a bit too and im not sure. Idk if im ready for a full topper, maybe a small crown piece and a piece for the hairline/temples? Or should i get a stock full cap and try to cut the pieces needed from it?
Knots- these come bleached I guess but I have brown hair and was wondering if I will need to bleach them myself again?
My hairline will not be exposed for the most part, so that isnt a HUGE issue, but I would like it to be undetectable if im showering with a girl or if she brushes the hair off my forehead or something. So I was thinking SFS? Maybeee 60-65% density and use ORWG on hairline?
As far as cut ins go- I have not been able to find a salon near me that will do a cut in or even attach my first time. All clinics around here only do women. I live in CT-east coast and have had no luck so far. Maybe someone would have a suggestion? My hair will be cut similar to the photo attached showing it all combed over, so it wouldnt be too hard of a cut in.
I apologize for this being long winded, but I appreciate anyone that takes the time to help me.
RE: Would like some input on photos - Paul In Ireland - 12-11-2015
Hi, Welcome along . I won`t jump down your throat ;-)
I understand the ` worry` and stress of the realization, that thinning /loss is setting-in. It`s not a nice prospect.
Bear in mind, wearing has it`s own issues /concerns.
I`m under a bit of pressure for time today so I`ll keep this a bit brief, as I have to be someplace in an hour..... I think your area is Connecticut? [ I`m not familiar with the abbreviations you use in America for various areas, as you`ll understand]
If I`m correct, check out this site ....apparently, they`re happy to do system services that you require, despite not buying the system from them.
http://www.franklinphilip.com/
Your ` situation` is a bit tricky ... it`s too early to say ` shave it all off on top and wear a topper`.... on the flip-side, sticking on a bit ` here and there` is not very practical.....small ` bits` of systems tend to not stay in place as required.....kind of ` fiddly` to be dealing-with.
You could probably trim-out a small crown-area piece from a stock Topper system [there are no Fullcap stocks--they`re all custom-made and you don`t need a Fullcap anyway] and you could just get away with maybe using concealer/s such a Toppik on your temples- area...would buy you a bit more time for now ....I know concealers have their limitations too, but can also be useful....
Knots can be ordered as single-knotted [rather than double-knotted] when ordering a custom system..this helps with ` visibility` as the knot is ` lighter` ..however, the downside is that it can become undone more easily and shedding occurs --use of liquid ``knot-sealer`` helps negate this] The factory often uses fabric dye to color the hair, therefore using bleach is no use..it`ll only weaken the hair /knots and hair will shed out....you`d have to know what was used to color the hair ...you could try a fabric-dye remover, before using bleach, if you thought knot -visibility was an issue for you.
It might be an idea to contact that place and ask a few questions. get a little advice...it`s always nice to be able to speak to a person in real life, before making a decision such as this ..kind regards, and hope that`s of help to you.
RE: Would like some input on photos - kmay3891 - 12-11-2015
(12-11-2015, 01:58 AM)Paul In Ireland Wrote: Hi, Welcome along . I won`t jump down your throat ;-)
I understand the ` worry` and stress of the realization, that thinning /loss is setting-in. It`s not a nice prospect.
Bear in mind, wearing has it`s own issues /concerns.
I`m under a bit of pressure for time today so I`ll keep this a bit brief, as I have to be someplace in an hour..... I think your area is Connecticut? [ I`m not familiar with the abbreviations you use in America for various areas, as you`ll understand]
If I`m correct, check out this site ....apparently, they`re happy to do system services that you require, despite not buying the system from them.
http://www.franklinphilip.com/
Your ` situation` is a bit tricky ... it`s too early to say ` shave it all off on top and wear a topper`.... on the flip-side, sticking on a bit ` here and there` is not very practical.....small ` bits` of systems tend to not stay in place as required.....kind of ` fiddly` to be dealing-with.
You could probably trim-out a small crown-area piece from a stock Topper system [there are no Fullcap stocks--they`re all custom-made and you don`t need a Fullcap anyway] and you could just get away with maybe using concealer/s such a Toppik on your temples- area...would buy you a bit more time for now ....I know concealers have their limitations too, but can also be useful....
Knots can be ordered as single-knotted [rather than double-knotted] when ordering a custom system..this helps with ` visibility` as the knot is ` lighter` ..however, the downside is that it can become undone more easily and shedding occurs --use of liquid ``knot-sealer`` helps negate this] The factory often uses fabric dye to color the hair, therefore using bleach is no use..it`ll only weaken the hair /knots and hair will shed out....you`d have to know what was used to color the hair ...you could try a fabric-dye remover, before using bleach, if you thought knot -visibility was an issue for you.
It might be an idea to contact that place and ask a few questions. get a little advice...it`s always nice to be able to speak to a person in real life, before making a decision such as this ..kind regards, and hope that`s of help to you.
Paul,
Ive seen you reply on literally almost every post on here. Thank you very much for taking the time to help people, myself included. It is much appreciated
So you said wearing has its issues as well.. Do you think being bald is more of an issue or wearing? Id assume bald since u wear, and definitely bald for me lol. I can't go bald it would look terrible. I had an operation on the back of my head and so theres a decent sized lump and scarring in the back. :/
Im not very happy I have to even consider wearing but I know that no one is. Just sucks it has happened so young.
So you said a partial for the crown.. do they look pretty realistic as well? Just a crown piece I mean. Ive read some posts on here from people saying the swirl is wrong or its too dense? And you suggested concealers but ive never used them before. Would that be better than a hairline piece with temple flaps?
Thank you for the info on the salon too, I will get in touch with them and see what they can do. They are about 2 1/2 hrs from me. And I did mean Connecticut- good guess for not being familiar haha.
RE: Would like some input on photos - Paul In Ireland - 12-12-2015
Hi again...sorry for the delay....was working [ I do actually have a day -job ! ]
Just something you might note .... when you reply, just type in the ``Quick reply`` box underneath this ----it saves the previous reply from being replicated and elongating the thread .....
Yes, it`s a depressing situation to be dealing-with------ hairloss has a really negative impact on many individuals --..when you first realize it`s affecting you, it can be hard to deal with, on an emotional level .... however, as you said, the alternative is just a non-runner ...wearing is at least an affordable alternative.
I think you could simply trim-out a crown-area piece from a stock, if you think one of the colors are near / a match for your own.
Looking at your temples and just above your ears, you appear to have enough hair to ` carry` or ` get away` with using concealers...at least for now .... they can help buy you some ` time` before having to deal with going for a ` full` topper .... the stocks are all freestyle, so you can easily ` play` with messing -about with styling it into whatever ` look` you need / like ...
Your country is huge compared to here so when I look at a map, it`s hard to gauge distances.....I used to travel to Dublin a few years back [ I live on the south coast] and it was 170 miles there and same back -- I had to go there monthly to this salon for the usual things[de-bonding etc] ---that`s one reason for going the DIY route ....less hassle and a lot cheaper.....once you can find a stylist near to where you live--at the time I was pretty ` green` about the ` mechanics` of these systems and how to attach / detach and clean etc. It might be worth your while initially, to make the journey to that place .....have you had a chat with them ? As a beginner, it can be daunting to get used to all this ...like anything else, it becomes second nature after a while ....it`s the lead-in which is tricky.....having the ` comfort` of an experienced stylist and one who`s used to dealing with systems, can be worth a lot.......be interested to hear how you get on !
RE: Would like some input on photos - kmay3891 - 12-12-2015
Hey Paul,
thanks for the tip on quick reply. Much easieR, and i never even noticed it lol. Yes losing hair sucks really bad. Part of my identity has always been my long hair. :c im definitely not the same person i was a couple years ago before it set in. The worse it gets the more I catch myself isolating myself from other people. Only because I feel like any girl I meet will want me for the way I look NOW and then after like a year realize im balding and not be attracted to me anymore.
Thats part of the reason I keep going back and forth thinking about wearing. For like a week straight I will feel like its the answer and no one will ever know, and then some days I can't imagine how it would work and be undetectable. I guess thats why I just need to give it a shot.
I haven't spoke with them yet, i had school and work late yesterday so when I got out they were closed. But I looked at their website, and it looks more like the wigs they are talking about are women's or play wigs-not really a hairpiece that gets bonded. I could probably do the bonding myself anyway, its more the initial cut in than anything I want done.
I don't want to keep bugging you with questions, but about my temples/ above the ears...if I got a small hairline piece, do you think I would need concealer on the temples? Or if I went with say 60% density do you think it would look Ok without concealer? I may order a stock piece and see if I can play around with it a bit. Do I send in a hair sample for a stock piece, or do I just have to choose a color off the page? And stock units are all french lace, or is their an option for all sfs? I wouls rather have sfs since it is the most undetectable.
RE: Would like some input on photos - Baldrich - 12-12-2015
Hi Kmay
Paul has (as usual) given you a great couple of answers, so not much for me to add. Just that I agree it is not premature to be thinking about this now. Your hairloss is clearly going to be significant reasonably soon, and it is good to get ahead of the curve if you want to achieve an undetected transition. Also, Connecticut is not that far from Maine, which is where Debbie Theriault is. She is a very talented hair replacement specialist who has a longstanding relationship with Toplace. She is a real expert, so definitely worth going out of your way to see, especially since you are just starting out.
You could certainly get some small triangular pieces to fill in the corners left by your hairline recession. I know someone who has done that very successfully. You would probably cut them yourself out of a full-size hairpiece. It's a bit fiddly, but the result is excellent, especially for someone with a brush-forward style. I would really recommend you to think about that. You need a fairly low density piece (maybe 90?) and ideally Swiss lace.
However, trying to replace the area from your temple points down to the top of your sideburns is very difficult. If you possibly can, it would be better to have a longer hairpiece on top and cut the sides very short, which is a really popular style right now. Your temples are not gone although they are thinning out a bit, but there is still enough hair in the right place to give a topper a balanced look. As time goes on you might have to eke it out with a bit of mascara or concealer. Having said all that, Paul wears a full wig which does replace his temple points, so he may have a different perspective. I just wear a topper.
Rich
RE: Would like some input on photos - kmay3891 - 12-12-2015
Baldrich,
Thanks for the reply. Sucks hearing someone else say my hairloss is going to be significant soon. :/ nothing I didn't already know, but I always had a little hope it would slow down and maybe stay the same for a while. I dont understand why it is progressing so quickly. 3 years ago there was not a hint of thinning anywhere. I literally had to have my hairdresser use thinning shears everywhere and used to get irritated with how thick my hair was. Damn I wish I had that back.
Anyway- I did not know Debbie was in Maine. I wonder how far from her I am. Does she have a website I could look up the location?
I would much rather have sfs lace than anything else. And I really wish I could see what a piece looks like on someone in person instead of photos. I can never really tell anything in a picture, but feel like being up close would be easy to see the lace at the hairline. And heres a question if you wear lace...how does it feel to the touch if you rub your head? Not on top of the hair but like if I was touching my scalp and it was glued on.
When you said fairly low density, you then said like 90? I though low was more in the 50-60% range, or do I have it backwards? And thanks for the advice on my temples. I feel like they are completely shot, but you are like the 3rd person to say they arent that bad yet, so that makes me happier.
RE: Would like some input on photos - Baldrich - 12-12-2015
Genetics man. You could be lucky and it could just stop getting worse, but the more common pattern is as you have described. It just suddenly speeds up, and within no time it is noticeable. Then your granny or your girlfriend points out in front of everyone that your losing your hair. Sucks for sure.
Debbie's site is: http://www.splitendshairreplacement.com. She is in Bangor, Maine.
You really can't detect the lace of the base. It's a kind of optical illusion. If you get right up with your nose touching the mirror you can make it out, but even then it is just a glimpse of a fine colorless thread. With all the hairs going different directions and the light and shadow and the shine off your skin and the pores and little microblemishes, nobody would ever notice or think twice about lace unless they already knew you were wearing AND they knew what to look for. I have become quite good at spotting other guys who wear a hairpiece, but it's always density and color that gives it away - never visible lace. You can slightly feel the difference between lace and scalp if you dig your fingers down to the scalp, but girls don't really do that in my experience.
If you were going to try to replace your temple points then you would need very low density - 50% or so, but not so much to fill in the receded corners. You want it roughly to match your remaining bangs, which are still pretty good.
Temples don't have to be thick to work - even weak temple hair in the right place somehow seems to balance the hairpiece on top. But if they are missing altogether it is a problem.
I can't help you with a personal viewing, I'm afraid: I am in Singapore. I can show you some more real life photos though if you like.
Rich
RE: Would like some input on photos - Paul In Ireland - 12-12-2015
Hi kmay.... I had a closer look at your photos [bear in mind that colors can look different to reality, depending on the computer-monitor] ...your color is a deep brown, bordering on red, from what I can see....also, your actual temple-points are still there, but thinning...I`ve left my own hair re-grow over the last few months, as I wanted to use Got2b glued spiking glue to do my bonds, and it holds /sticks better to stubble/hair than to bare scalp-skin, but I now trim the flaps of my Fullcaps so that I can expose my temple-points ----- my hair there is very light in color / gray so I`m using this volumizing/coloring mousse ...it`s ``temporary`` in that it will shampoo-out, but it also ``stains`` the skin, making it look like there`s [thicker] hair growing ..in other words it gives the appearance of ` strong` hair there ...... you have a similar level of hair at the temples as I do.....you could try this http://www.sallybeauty.com/color-styling-mousse/SBS-700562,default,pd.html It`s cheap, and pretty effective.
You shake the can vigorously, then invert it, and use the trigger-button to release some into the palm of the hand...spread it onto the hair while the hair is damp, comb it through and it really does ` plump` up the hair and makes it look thicker...... as I said before, it`s too early for you to shave off your hair on top and go for a topper...... yes your temples are receding, and most likely you`ll end up going with a custom-made topper which has temple flaps on it..but for now, try that Mousse and see if it helps.
As Baldrich said [ hi Rich..nice to see you posting here...wish I was in Singapore now for the weather !!! ] Debbie is a wizard in all aspects of this ....if you could manage a visit to her place, it would be excellent... even if you mail her with a few photos, she`d be happy to point you in the right direction/ recommend what to do ... she`s a really helpful lady..wish I lived close-by to her place ..... I had a system cut-in by her and mailed to me ..she did a lovely job with it ....
You don`t need to send a sample of hair if ordering a stock system ...they`re `` As is``......
There`s not much difference between French and Swiss lace ..it`s hardly noticeable .... also, one of the real concerns with wearing--and it`s been discussed here many times---is the possibility of ``detection`` to the casual-touch.......unfortunately it`s never possible to avoid it ...it`s just one of those aspects of wearing that you have to be prepared-for.... you`re at the stage we all were at ....the realization that genetics are doing their thing and will not stop, and you feel freaked-out by it ....you`re being forced to consider wearing, when in fact you`d far prefer not to have to have to deal with it ......however, at least you have this solution open to you....yes it`s cosmetic, but then, so are many other things .....
Just to answer your questions re stocks ...they`re all medium density and come in a ` set` number of colors...if you were to trim out a crown-area piece to see how it looked, it`s easy to do ...it would be the color I`d be concerned with .....if you get that mousse, try it out on your temples and in the area above your ears, and see how it looks .... it could help you to avoid a more ` drastic` change [full-size topper] for another while ..your front hairline is still in reasonably good condition, so there`s no point in shaving it off until or if it begins to recede/thin-out.
One thing I noticed just last night and it`s the first time I slept with my system still on my head in a while ... I normally hop into a shower before bed and remove it......was so tired last night I just went to sleep....I had used the mousse [my hair is a lot darker than yours so the mousse I use is dark too] but this morning, the white pillow-slip was stained with it, from where my temple was resting/lying on the pillow.....it has however, completely washed out.... I had to throw a few white shirts etc. into the wash when I got up, so I used a few darts of a pre-wash stain remover liquid on it ....it`s completely gone now! There are no harsh chemicals such as Ammonia in it, and it easily shampoos-out, when you shower.
Don`t stress too much over hairloss .... there are worse things in life that can befall us....it just means it introduces a ` change` in how you see yourself or how you think others may ` see` you...... I wear for me, not really for other people as such [but of course that IS a factor too] but I just do NOT look good with no hair.... I simply don`t have the head-shape or face-shape for it ...it also makes a person look much older without hair ....wearing can be ``trying`` but the effort you have to put in, is generally worth it . Best wishes.
RE: Would like some input on photos - kmay3891 - 12-13-2015
Thanks for the replies guys.
The photos actually make my hair look kind of weird. It isnt red at all, and used to be very dark. It has lightened up a bit since I have started thinning though. And thats my worry with a stock piece, the color match. Most posts ive seen about people being detected are due to color match. I think I will try to get in touch with Debbie. Maybe have to take a day trip to see her.
I will check out that mousse you talked about too, although with longer hair im not sure if it would work. Trial and error I guess. And so I dont mean to beat a dead horse, but so how come some people claim lace isnt very ddetectable unless you dig your hands in, and some people think its detectable by the random brush across the forehead? Im single and out playing the field right now. I feel like a girl feeling it would kind of ruin the mood. And I dont mean feeling something a little "off," I mean if they felt it, is it obvious to the touch that its a hair piece?
I can't be bald either unfortunately. It is very hard to deal with lately. Very depressing- but seeing other people who had the same problem and did something about it makes me feel a little better. But here is a question I doubt anyone could answer, but ive never seen it asked so I will now. I don't know if you guys keep up with hairloss treatments since you seem to have found your solution, but I follow anything new pretty religiously. It looks like science is getting close to finding either a cure, or a solution that is very close to it. It wont be out too soon, but histogen looks like maybe 2018-2019. SM0554 may be out soon, follica looks good, and even JAK inhibitors look like they may work. My question is- do you think the adhesives used to attach a piece would ruin any shot at future regrowth drugs?