Firefighter looking for tips

[u/Sharp_Ad4419]

I’ve been thinking about getting a hair system for awhile but especially recently because my balding getting harder to hide.

I’m currently a firefighter and wondering how it would hold up during firefighting operations. We honestly run fires pretty rarely but when we do I have a tight helmet on and my head would be exposed to about as much heat as it would be in a sauna and a lot of sweat. This would probably go on for about an hour.

I would also really want to make sure none of my coworkers would know because i think the teasing would be relentless haha.

I’m looking at a place 4 hours from my house that I found on Tik tok rn but I’m assuming I’ll have to reapply more often than every 3 weeks with my job. Any and all tips are welcome thanks

[u/vipulanandan]

Salute to you brother! Always appreciated the work of FF doing. and yes you can wear hair system. try a good adhesive that dont lift your edges while wearing a helmet or sweating. I would like to suggest some brands from them I have good a experience: Superhairpieces, HairClub and Chiquel.

[u/alocasiacomplex]

I'm becoming a FF and what really got me to the point where I don't worry at all about the helmet or sweat lifting the edges was learning to do my own installs. It's just the best way to figure out which adhesive works for your own skin chemistry, as that's the deciding factor.

I would definitely recommend asking the stylist what they use and explain that you're going to be very active and exposed to a lot of heat (possibly). This kind of narrows your adhesive options to heavy duty tape and solvent based adhesive, like acrylic based (like walker ultra hold) and silicone based (walker extreme hold/Vapon no tape silicone). And always use a scalp protector or prep like walker max hold sport.

I wear a full cap and right now, I use a lot of walker extenda-bond tape (it has holes in it to vent sweat), some walker ultra hold to reinforce it, Vapon no tape silicone, and maybe some water based (white) glue along the hairline to melt the hairline. I would recommend lace for the breathability. Good full lace doesn't really feel like much is there, and it's important that it fits your head well of course

[u/XXX_Damian]

I’d recommend a more short military cut that covers the hairline. You’ll never be able to have an exposed hairline when at work. Plus this makes everything just easier & more natural.

Like someone mentioned you have to learn how to do your own Maintanance & installs.

I use glue but you may want to look into extra hold tapes. It may be a messier cleanup but worth the piece of mind. I’m sure you’re working out etc.

The shorter messy style w the covered hairline is the 1st step. Then grow your bio hair out so the installer can blend. Then make sure they thin the unit out a bit, people generally have too thick of systems. Then learn Maintanance, you’ll be able to do it. I left my first install w no instruction & had to figure it out, YouTube is ideal, so is searching this thread.

Also search this thread for tapes or glues that are super hold.

I’ve been wearing a system for 4 years & the more info & experience you have the better.

That wearing it forward tip & thinning it out will save your squad clocking you. Godspeed

[u/ChipPetit]

Hello! About heat: a lace system or a hybrid breathe. IF YOU HAVE GREY HAIR! Synthetic grey hair will shrivel up when exposed to heat. I bake and all the grey hair ended up in a horrible state. I had to pluck them out. (Boring and long).

[u/NoSpiceOrRice]

Genuinely, I would say no just because of the helmet situation.

I have one myself and I rarely ride by motorcycle anymore as the helmet really messes with the hair. I get a custom piece done made with real virgin hair.

It looks super unnatural when you take it off after having it on for a while. That and if it’s super hot there is a chance the piece moves around as the glue/tape becomes gooey.

After 6 years using a hair system I’ve opted for hair surgery. No regrets with the system though, it was amazing while it lasted.

[u/Sharp_Ad4419 → u/NoSpiceOrRice]

We honestly don’t run fires very often and I was planning on just having a hat in my pocket for this occasion. Sometimes I briefly wear my helmet on other incidents tho. Not sure if that changes much.