Hello,

23 year old NW 2-3 guy here looking to get a partial system. I have bad temple recession (for my age). So much so that I want to treat it. Fin and minox are not medications I want to take anymore. This forum seems great, so let’s get started. I have done a lot of reading on here, but haven’t taken any notes (I will from now on). So all my knowledge is based off of my memory.

I would like a partial system because my crown seems to be alright for now. A hair transplant doc once looked at it and said it was probably at 60% density. Anyway, take a look at my pictures and decide for yourself: http://imgur.com/a/6Jl1s
Here are some older albums I made in the past while I was experimenting with minoxidil.
Baseline: http://imgur.com/a/NLsq3
5 months minoxidil: http://imgur.com/a/hiqpR (note: I attributed the apparent improvement to the new haircut, “high and tight”, rather than the effect of minoxidil at the time. In reality, minoxidil was probably helping, but I have decided since that I do not want to go the route of medications and surgery for iffy, invasive, and irreversible results.

1) Template:
I would like a partial. I have read from this forum that that is a good idea when you have a decent crown. I also see it being easier to attach and remove than a topper.
a) Should I go for the deeper template that I have drawn in my album (http://i.imgur.com/Dxeniuc.jpg )? Or should I go for a more U-shaped partial? I read that the smaller the piece, the more likely you will be to damage it with frequent attachment/removal. Two separate partials at the temples only seems likea bad idea as my hairline at the centre is very graduated ( you can see into my scalp in pictures) and I don’t like that to begin with for my age.
b) I live in Ontario and could go see Nick in Toronto, but he is very expensive. He also asks for you to do your own template at home, so I see no advantage going to him other than hands-on lessons on attaching and cutting it in. I want to do the template on my own at home. I can see where I would like the hairline to be because I still have some baby hairs outlining a good hairline position. But after wrapping your head in all the ceran wrap and tape, I don’t think I will be able to see where that desired hairline is anymore. Do any of you know any tricks using a completely washable marker that I can use to draw on my hairline before wrapping my head up with plastic so I can still see where the desired hairline is? Or do I have to just eyeball it? I can fold the template up for mailing, right?
c) Hair samples: I guess I have to cut two locks of hair out. It should be from the top of the hair, right? That makes sense to me. It might look weird with a chunk missing, but oh well. Its only temporary. Do the samples have to be “fresh” when I send them, or can I cut them now then hold on to them for a few weeks in a zip lock bag?

2) Base material:
I plan on ordering the TL 100 Super Fine Swiss lace. I read that it is the most undetectable. I want to expose the hairline by spiking it up at the front.
a) In the order form (http://www.toplace.com/order_form.html), under Hair Style, do I specify Spikey Front or Freestyle? I know I would like to spike the front, but I don’t want it to look odd; I want it to look like natural hair that I styled myself, not perma-fixed in one direct. So that’s why I was thinking freestyle to be safe. I also may chicken out from exposing the hairline at first until I am more experienced.
I read that swiss lace is the most fragile for new users due to rough handling. But it is breathable for working out – except in the case of using all glue as the adhesive, which I’ll get to soon.
b) Under “Base Design” (http://www.toplace.com/order_form.html), do I have to draw arrows? I wouldn’t really know what I was doing even if did fill in this section.. Please advise.

3) Density:
I am worried about getting the density right the first time because a partial seems tricky to blend in with the rest of the hair.
a) What density should I use? I was thinking of %60-%65. I THINK I have dense hair above my receding hairline, except for my crown, which is naturally a little thinner. But not bad yet.
b) I read that some people use nair when they feel like they appear to have a “wall of hair”. Is nair applied on the hair side of the piece? Or the underside?

4) Adhesives:
I don’t know what to really do here. I know that ORWG is the most popular adhesive here. I agree with wanting my system to stay on no matter what, so ORWG seems like the right choice. I have read some issues with it.
a) “ORWG is white and when you sweat it leaks white”. Apparently someone applied it wrong and had this problem. Is it because you need to apply it, then wait a few minutes, then place the system down on the scalp, allowing it to change to a clear color first? I also believe I read that glues in general are not great if you work out a lot because there is nowhere for your sweat to go, or that it breaks down the glue faster.
b) ORWG doesn’t seem to be available from toplace. Although I want to be a loyal customer, I still feel the need to try ORWG out for myself. So what reputable brand name should I order from (Canadian vendors preferred).
c) ORGW is released using 99% alchohol, correct?
I will also be ordering a random set of adhesives from toplace, probably:
• Walker ultra hold
• Walker No-Shine tape roll
• Lace release spray bottle (I have no clue if this only works on tape or glue or both)
• PURE adhesive remover (same question)
d) When applying a glue like ORWG, do you just place it very carefully, with no room for error? I know/think that with applying tapes, you can put 99% alcohol on first, then place the lace with a single piece of tape on. Correct me if I’m wrong, the alcohol give you time to slide the system around until you have it on correctly, and it will eventually evaporate and the tape will hold strong. Then you can lift the lace back with hair clips and apply the glue. After a few minutes, you can firmly press the lace down on the the glue. ( Question: What are the wait times after glue application to place the lace down on the scalp? I read somewhere that ORWG was like 15 minutes. Other glues are probably clear and so it doesn’t matter as much).

5) Lace cleaners:
a) I know that a dirty lace can lead to weak bonding of the adhesive. What product do you use to scrape off glue residue? Just alcohol and a tooshbrush? Any advice here would be great.

6) Styling product/ blending a partial piece
I am worried about the partial system not blending in perfectly with my other hair. This is not as big of a problem with toppers where the side hair is shorter and at least symmetric. But in the case of partials, I read that without product in, there is a noticeable difference in color.
a) So what product should I use. I would like to spike it at the front?
There was a thread with a list of the best ones, but I lost it. I’m sure this is not as big of a deal as my other questions. But since I am used to the dry look (because of lifelong thinning), I feel I need to look into slightly nondry products to blend the partial in with the rest. I also have strawy dry hair all the time, and never used wet products, so it could help to look better.

7) Cut in
I will likely go to a regular place to cut my hair. I usually have haircuts every 2 weeks to keep it short so the thinning doesn’t look as bad. I’d like to up that to 4 weeks if possible, but I know that the natural hair will outgrow the system so I need touch ups before it looks bad. Some guys buy electric trimmers and cut their own hair, but that’s something I’ll leave for later when I am better at wearing.
a) Oh, also, you may have noticed that I now have buzzed sides (number 2). I will likely have to grow that out to help blend in the system right? Especially if I am not going to a professional hair system cut-in specialist and just a regular salon…

8) Anything else I forgot? *Starters kit*
Please feel free to recommend a starters kit you wish you had before you wore for the first time. I think other than what I stated, I may need a wide tooth comb, hairclips, back2natural (for color fading). And that’s all I can think of.
I am planning on starting to wear immediately before going on vacation. This may be a bad idea, because it is Dubai, and very humid. And I will be far away from any vendors for supplies. I am beginning to change my mind as I type this paragraph out. Oh well, maybe I will wait til after the vacation.

Thanks for reading. Excited to join the ranks. Sorry for the length, but hopefully this thread will serve future wearers.

- EarlyTwenties