(01-19-2012, 05:15 AM)Trey22 Wrote: Thanks, furball ! My hair loss is getting more noticeable, especially in windy conditions (i.e frontal hair is getting clamped up, making my temples look huge). I feel as though using concealer is only a temporary solution, as it's more of daily maintenance type of thing. Also, I exercise quite often, so using concealer on a long term basis would just be a mess, I think. I just want to have a full head of hair again, and I feel that now, as in the next couple of months, is the time to make that transition.

As far as the financial side of wearing is concerned, I'm well-prepared. Also, I've tried and am still currently trying to read as much as I can from experienced wearers, and those that just started wearing. I don't feel like there's something major, whether it be positive or negative, about wearing that I have yet to read. I'm sure there are some minor details, which I'll only find once I start wearing, but I think I can handle those.

However, I would still like to know what you were referring to in your post when you said I should be prepared for what's involved in getting there and the trade-offs. Would you be so kind as to enlighten me ?

Also, do you know what color concealer, be it Nanogen or Toppik, would suit my crown ? I'm looking to thicken up my crown area, so the transition to a hair piece will be even less noticeable.


Thank you so much,

Trey

Hey Trey,

Yes, perhaps I sounded a bit vague or cryptic in my post ... my bad, nor did I mean to sound discouraging. Speaking from MY experience (which may not be everyone's), I only meant that wearing has it's negatives, but they're worth it IF you've passed a certain threshold of hassle with your own hair.

It sounds like you've done some research, and have a decent idea of what's involved. Maybe you've passed that threshold I spoke of ... if discouragement over your hair loss is starting to consume your thoughts, or if you are beginning to avoid certain activities because of your hair ... swimming, windy conditions worry you, etc.

Well, swimming, windy conditions and the like are still challenging situations wearing sometimes. Even w/ a perfect or non-exposed hairline we still worry about blending a piece w/ our own hair. Getting a natural look takes a little effort, and certain social activities can still be challenging, but worked around w/ preparation. As a wearer I'm not able to be as spontaneous w/ certain activities as someone w/ their own hair ... roller coasters, swimming, exercising, etc.

So the trade-offs involve making sure of your attachment, products to keep everything natural and undetectable, condition of your piece, and the time, money and energy to manage this. It does get easier, and becomes second nature, but it's an adjustment at first.

And by "getting there," I meant that it can take a few orders, a few pieces and some experience to get a look you're comfortable with. Often John, or your salon guy, can get you pretty close from the gate, maybe spot on ... but color, density, texture, curl often needs a tweak to be right ... sometimes you get a bad piece, or one doesn't last very long, etc. and we can feel a bit stuck until we can get another. And even when you get your specs down, there is still some inconsistency between pieces ... frustrating at first, but worked around with experience.

For me, I like how I look wearing MOST of the time (especially compared to how I looked w/ a bald crown and visible transplants in front) ... but not 100% of the time ... And this result took some time and effort to arrive at.

I just wanted guys w/ a good amount of their own hair left to be aware of the downside. I'm just sayin' ...

Attitude is the biggest factor in wearing successfully. There are guys here who wear full caps, totally clean shaven head, who will show up one day w/ hair, and the next without ... with little concern over what anyone else thinks. I have not yet achieved this mindset ....

YMMV,
~FB

P.S. Can't help w/ concealer advice, never used them ... my hair loss was too severe by the time these became a viable solution.