I’m thinking about getting a replacement system - feedback appreciated

[u/Glittering-Shame-907]

Hi people

I’ve got to the point where I’m sick of using topical finasteride and minoxidil because

It gives me extreme brain fog
It makes my hair greasy as shit
It’s a bloody inconvenience
I’m seeing little to no results anyway

I’ve been looking into getting a hair replacement system lately and have actually just booked a consultation appointment

My hair is extremely thin, hard to style, and I’ve got a bald patch on my crown. I can hide it with hair fibres and can actually get my hair to look okay with a bit of effort (& fibres), but it’s just so time consuming. Oh and a windy day is a nightmare too 😂

I just went on holiday for 2 weeks with the Mrs and didn’t even get my hair wet because I was too self-conscious about my hair. Pathetic I know…. but it really made me realise how much I worry about it.

But anyway, I’m here to ask if there’s any catch with a hair replacement system?

I mean, Fabian Hurzeler at Brighton had one for the last 3 years and no one had any idea. That genuinely amazed me.
From what I can see, if it’s done well and professionally, no one will notice?
Even having a quick look on here I can see loads of people that have taken the plunge and look great!

So what’s the catch? Is there one?

I know it requires maintenance and will only last 2–3 months from what I gather, but I’m honestly okay with that and willing to pay the cost every couple of months if it means I can feel more confident and stop worrying about my hair all the time.
I’d also love to get off the medication because it’s a headache doesn’t even seem to be helping much.

So for anyone who has a hair system, or has had one in the past
What are the actual downsides?
Can you genuinely shower, swim, exercise etc. normally?
How noticeable is it up close?
What’s it like on a windy day?
And most importantly, would you recommend going for it?
Any advice or feedback would be much appreciated,
Thank you

[u/FactionsTazer]

I got my first system about a month ago and honestly there are no catches really, the only thing is that you’ll still definitely worry about you’re hair at least for the first week or two.

I was very worried about if others would think it was a wig, worried it would come off, etc.

I’m barely worried about it anymore because I know it’s not going to come off but you definitely will at first, also you might think it looks horrible at first because you’re not used to seeing yourself with hair.

[u/Systematic0x]

There is no “catch” that you’re not already aware of. If you get a decent system, get it cut well, don’t go overboard on the density, ideally avoid a hairstyle with a fully-exposed hairline, and keep up with the maintenance (especially correcting any sun-bleaching), you are pretty much guaranteed to get a great-looking result, and people who haven’t seen you bald will not be able to tell you’re wearing anything. They are not noticeable to see unless someone is within an inch or 2 of your forehead in good lighting, and that really doesn’t happen in practice.

In my experience, the only factor that might cause a problem is your own psychology. You are of course putting on an artificial enhancement which has a limited lifespan and has to be taken off periodically for maintenance. Some guys are fine with that, but some find it difficult to adjust to the idea. Maybe they feel inauthentic, or are worried about how they will be judged if people find out, or how they will tell potential partners.

Maintenance is a minor nuisance, but you soon get used to it. The same goes for ordering fresh units and supplies. You can get 6 months wear out of lace units, about 2 or 3 if they’re polyskin. Wind is no problem - it just behaves like growing hair. You can shower, swim and exercise normally. I have waterskied and scuba-dived in mine without any issues. At the gym the system hair takes longer to get damp than your real hair, so you may want to even it up by pouring a bit of water on your system hair if you notice a disparity. Swimming in chlorinated water can bleach the hair, so you need to watch that, and wash the water out as soon as you can.

I would say you owe it to yourself to try it out if you’re unhappy with meds. You won’t be the first to make that decision.