snell Wrote:Also, people say it is best to give some recession to the templates. I would like a relatively straightish hairline, so I would obviously put a bit of recession in it to make it natural, but can you still pull off a relatively straight hairline and make it look natural? And when i say straight, I do not mean dead straight but not a hairline where someone can see the obvious recession.

Obvious recession adds to it my friend, as does lower densities - I think people go for systems that are too thick - I was a victim of this. True advice as you're new to this - email BA some pictures of your current hair/hair system and ask him which density will work best for you.

He did for me, and the results are perfect.

snell Wrote:Applying the system:
As I said, I am willing to shave my existing hair all off, but I am petrified about shaving the right area for the system. What I am trying to ask is when you are shaving existing hair which the template goes over, at the outer edge of what you are shaving, is it easy to shave too much (i.e. past the template barrier) and how accurate do you need to be. I am just a little bit scared that if i do all this by myself, I may stuff up the shaving area as I am not particularly skilled in this area and then the system would not be able to work because it would not cover the required area. Can the systems be easily stretched if you are a bit off in certain areas?

You'll be able to shave it with your eyes closed after a while - just be sure to take your time on your first few goes. I can actually shave my back and side of my head without a mirror at all - doing the front is a different story (as I keep a little bit of fringe...

snell Wrote:Attachment method:
What is the best way to attach? I have seen the dvd advertised on this site and seen the tape across the frontal area, however in the dvd he does not put tape all the way across the front region. I was just wondering if it is okay to put tape across ALL of the front part or if is is best to put tape across most of the front but leave the edges untaped.

Glue question:
Are the white glues water resistant i.e. can I take a shower in my system without the bond being weakened.

Also do the other glues like ultra hold allow you to shower without the bond being loosened (I would prefer to wear white glue but would use ultra hold if it meant I could take a shower without the bond being loosened)

Also, what are people's recommendations for the best white glue and how long a hold would I be looking at being able to achieve?

Okay - you'll have to do some trial and error as most people have to. I did research on here with what seemed to work with most people, along with which gave the longest hold and easiest clean up. I figured out that the best combo is: ST30 for the side and back with a strip down the middle.

The fantastic thing about this tape is that you can apply it directly to your head - magic!

As for the glue - I use a white glue called Perfect. The finish is matte and the hold is very good. Clean up is a synch - I recommend it. Makes the hair line look very good.

Today I did the brave thing and had a shower with my system on. I could feel that the glue was a little loose - but an hour later and it had reset... superb. I could get all the gel and grease out of the hair... Takes a bit of guts, but you can do it!

snell Wrote:Final question is on the system itself. As a first timer, what would be the best system to get. I obviously would like an undetectable hairline but I would also like thick hair elsewhere, so would a sfs front and maybe a polyskin base be my best bet as a newbie? Or a sfs front and french lace base, keeping in mind I would like rather thick hair and I read the psb would be best for this.

Sorry about all the questions, just would like to get other people's opinions on these issues.
Thanks.

I've always had (thick) skin bases before with horrid knots. I went with BA's advice of an all SFS system, and it didn't disappoint. Very, very thin, fantastic on the scalp and a great hair line. It seems pretty durable to me - I take very good care of my systems, so that's maybe why... But the way some folks go on about it on here, you'd almost think that it dissolves in water. Go for SFS, you'll love it - ask for graduated hairline... although I think it comes as standard anyways.

Good luck, and get hairy!

Jazzy