Ok
So I have been wearing for 7 (!) years-Toplace for 3, and I have finally gotten everything exactly how I want it.
I am a professional Actor, so I need something that looks great, be it on a Broadway stage, or in a movie on a TV show (just filmed a guest spot on Rescue Me this Week!).
I also do a lot of work without my piece, which my agent loves. I basically can be two very different people. My age range is from early 20'2 to mid 40's. I play romantic leading men, and comedic character roles, so my hairpiece is a HUGE part of my life.
Well now after all these years of wearing, I really feel like I have nailed it.
First thing I did, was start from scratch. I had been using the same template, and ordering the piece for a few years. Also, I decided to get some professional help. I went to ERIN in New Jersey, who I have been using for cut-ins for the last few years. She used to work for Farrell so she has a good idea on how to put a template and order together.
Secondly, and I have to thank Erin for this, We made the template BIGGER than my actual balding area. This is a mistake that I have been making, that I never even knew about. Making the template bigger (longer and wider) does two things. 1) It makes the unit, much easier to blend in, especially along the sides. I have noticed that my real hair, as it gets closer to the top of my head, seems to grow faster, than the hair below. However, it is also thinner. Those two things contribute to making the hairpiece harder to sit right. having the hairpiece wider here makes blending almost a non-issue. 2)Having the template bigger also helps me to get a more consistent placement when I attach. The more deliniated line that I get when I shave down my head makes it almost impossible to make a mistake when I attach.
Thirdly. I thought Long and hard about how and why, I really wear hair. This sounds like the easiest part, but it really is the most important. I pretty go for a 1 or 2 day attachment. Sometimes I stretch it to 4, or go for a 1 week attachment(rarely-maybe 1 or 2 weeks a year), but mostly it's a daily thing) This makes a real difference in determining what base materials to buy. Now let me say- Nothing is better in terms of absolute realism (at least in terms of touch) than an all lace (Be it sfs, french or 64). I have worn Lace pieces for a few years(and some Ilace and PSB), but, for me, they aren't worth the effort.
I am married, my wife knows I wear, and she doesn't care. Most nights I sleep without my piece on (which really lengthens their lifespan).
So when it really came down to it, I decided to create what would really work for me, rather than what I think is the best out there(know what I mean?).
In the end I ordered an Ilace Island piece, with a thinskin Perimeter, and an SFS Front. I know it's nothing flashy, but it fits my lifestyle perfectly.
My normal attachment is to use Red-liner on the thinskin, and GOT2BGLUED Freezing Spray at the front. I put the tape on the ply first and then attach. I then take a few q-tips and spray the GOT2BGLUED on one. I start at the very front, Lift the lace, and rub the q-tip on my skin. Then I pull the lace tight and stretch it on my skin. I wait about 20 seconds for the spray to dry, and then I move on. This attachment can hold for about 3 days, with a little touch up here and there. If I know that I am going to be really sweaty, or I need to go a little longer with my attachment, I use the GOT2BGLUED Spikiing Gel, which is alittle thicker. That's it. Cleanup is a snap. Just use some hot water, with a little shampoo.
The other great thing about this piece is that I can do a 1 or 2 week attachment if I want to.
Now don't get me wrong, I have been wearing 7 years, and I was happy with my pieces and how they looked, but I always had some mis-givings about what I was wearing. Right now I am totally happy. I just got this new unit cut in ( by Erin-she's the best!) last week, and it's finally settled down. I like it so much that I am ordering another one tonight, just so I have one ready to go when this one wears out!
-ANDREW (NEVER ANDY)
p.s. I am going to post some photos (including my bald ones!) on photobucket later today.
"I ordered an Ilace Island piece, with a thinskin Perimeter, and an SFS Front."
I too just started wearing this combination for the last year or so....I find it to be the perfect match for me as well. I wouldn't uses any other combo....glad to hear you found the right match.
Good stuff, I'm wanting to get a similar I-lace "island" piece after trying various options, for much the same reasons as you. I'm curious about your statement:
I also do a lot of work without my piece, which my agent loves.
Elsewhere you talked about making your template larger, and shaving more into the sides and back. Does this not look a bit odd when you don't wear a piece? Some bald guys do have a very defined, slick bald area and horseshoe of hair, but it doesn't look the same as a shaved area does to me.
Havent read the whole thing yet, but this part "template BIGGER than my actual balding area." stood out...something colin had mentioned awhile back, and I had tried and reiterated, that it does seem to blend and work better when you have it go down the sides a bit. Most of us, me included, tend to try to just cover the bald or thinning areas...makes a big difference to go down the sides a little more.
Hello, I've just ordered an I lace system for the 1st time a few days ago,it isn't wth thin skin,I am wonderng if you could put up a photo showing the bottom so I can get a better understanding of the system please & thank youBI also like to change my system usually every night, but currently doing so with sfs base,Ive been told by a fellow wearer that Ilace is the best & quickest way to go & just as undetectable as sfs or french,so if you could post something up it would be great.
I've had three Ilace full caps now, and they have all been different.
The first was an island type,with SFS front and 64 sides and back with a one inch poly perimeter. Poly became visible as it shed, lasted about 3 months.
The second was all Ilace to the front with 64 back and sides and no poly. Front proved a challenge to get to disappear compared to SFS, lasted 5 months.
My current one is two inch SFS front and sideburns and the rest all Ilace and no poly. This is the easiest to apply and looks good at the front and on the scalp.
I like the fact that there are no visible knots to contend with and the realism of the scalp area. Only downside is they're a little thicker than lace or skin.
Rod (Login 23mairj23) Convention Photos and Videos.
Re: I've finally got it perfect
May 8 2008, 8:45 PM
To Andrew:
"The more deliniated line that I get when I shave down my head makes it almost impossible to make a mistake when I attach"
This may sound dumb but Can you explain what you mean by this? Also, with the BIGGER template when you attach, do you just have some of the tape or whatever you are attaching with overlapping into your existing hair, meaning the part that is not shaved. Also how is your hold if part of the base is attached to your hair and not the scalp. sometimes I accidentally go beyond the shaved area in the back and part of my base is attached to my existing hair and I also feel like it blends better but the hold isn't as strong and doesn't last as long.. also it is easier to feel the edge but I am also married and don't care about my wife feeling it.
Ok let me see if I can answer all the questions at once...
It takes about 10 seconds to take it off. I just make sure to get the front good and wet. Usually I just need some warm water, and if this doesn't work, I might use a little shampoo. The red liner is a a great mix of strength and ease of removal.
It takes about 5 minutes to put on, in the manner i described.
I don't think BA likes us to show an ILACE from the bottom, as he doesn't want to give away a trade secret. But I must say that to the eyes, even from less than an inch, no one could tell the hair is coming from anywhere but the scalp.
As far as "Island" is concerned. The perimeter is 1" of thinskin. The Front few inches is SFS. The Ilace is in the middle, so it is an "Island".
As far as the template size and my Career...as long as I keep my head nice and clean shaven, it looks fairly normal. Actually, I find that because The hairpiece hair is longer, and blends into shorter side hair, I look better without the hairpiece on. Before, when the template was smaller, I had to keep the upper side hair longer so it would blend. Now, without the piece, I look like a bald guy who keeps his hair fairly short on the sides.
-ANDREW (NEVER ANDY)
ROD-
I found that when I just let my natural bald spot be the basic template size, instead of having an absolute border between bald skin and growing hair, I had kind of a graduated area of maybe 1/2-3/4 " between. The hair here was thinner, and more diffuse. Now I basically shave this area, so the border goes from bald,to shaved, to growing hair.
Since my wife knows, and I am not concerned with the edge, I cut my tape in half, lengthwise and tape in the middle of the thinskin rather than right up to the edge.
-ANDREW (NEVER ANDY)
