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Have been wearing for a year now and mostly all good. I deliberately put myself through a sharp learning curve. This obviously meant I didn't have the best style or hairline for a while but I learned very quickly. I have had 2 systems in these 12 months. The hair looks great for 2 months and then slowly degrades, especially the shedding at the hairline. But with a little maintenance you can easily get 4 to 6 months life. Get a good shampoo and conditioner (both phosphate free), a leave in conditioner that u will use daily, a water spray bottle, Isopropyl alcohol (for cleanup but TBH I use rarely), a good hairbrush with balls at the end of the bristles, those small nail scissors (this will prove very useful to cut away excess skin base when the hair starts to shed... or even if u just want to change the shape of the hairline- I make mine more V shaped and uneven). The salon will sell u a glue bottle for around £20 and that should last 4 to 6 months. You might need glue applicator sticks or sponges but I just use my fingers. I only go to the salon for initial fitting and then I do all self maintenance at home every couple of weeks. A skin system is SO easy to maintain. One recommendation: TCP density is high so go for lower if you have thin side hair or are older. I have been wearing their 80% and asking them to thin it out...and it is still really thick so will go lower to 70%. Let me know how u get on or if u want to see pics or have questions

Sharad does this guy have any credentials we can check on? A website or company name perhaps. Which town in London is he? Is it a salon or does he visit clients at home?

Sharad does he have a website or do you have his contact details?

Hi all Well, after many years of deliberating and using fibres/concealers, I am finally going to make the jump and go to visit a TCP salon this weekend. I will be going for a stock piece initially because I need something ASAP (for holiday) and will be ordering custom pieces afterwards. My weakness has always been that I want to visit a salon initially to see how this all works. Eventually the plan is to self-maintain, but still go to this salon for cut-ins and initial fittings when I buy new hairpieces. There isn't a hair systems salon near me (Windsor/Heathrow) so I am having to drive an hour away, but the stylist comes highly recommended so I'm happy with that. Will let you guys know how I get on.

Hi Grincher Always appreciate your viewpoints. The main thing is quality and authenticity and then journey time. I'm a busy father of 3 and so I get little time for myself! In time I am confident that I will find a good supplier and that I will be able to self-maintain at home with occasional visits to a hairdresser. But it could take a year to get that comfortable. The immediate challenge I NEED to address is having someone hold my hand through the start-up process. Like i want an experienced person to help with making a template, and to do the initial fitting and cut in. And really I've searched so much on the internet but cannot find a good supplier/stylist/salon anywhere near Windsor/Heathrow.

I'm new to this and looking to get a hair system ASAP. I'm looking for a supplier and a stylist near Heathrow/Windsor side of London - and I can't find any! The closest ones to me are AHS in Reading and Total Cover Plus in Guildford and also Bracknell. London is too much of a trek for me to do every few weeks. A friend of mine uses AHS and I think he's happy enough but I know he pays a lot and personally I think his piece has too high a density and just looks that bit too thick. TCP look like they might be worth a shot, at least until I learn how to order and maintain on my own. If I had a reputable stylist/advisor/salon near me I would be there like a shot.

Who would you specifically recommend and what price can one expect (per graft) when compared to London?

DmHead, that looks awful - don't go for that.

I submitted an online request with Dr Erdogan's clinic and they came back with a more positive (possible) 5000 grafts, though I don't understand how there can be such a big difference from the 1800 quoted to me by a different Dr in London. The surgery would build up the middle/front hairline but not the crown. 5000 grafts does of course mean a much higher cost. I'm really not sure what to do now.

Have you looked at Dr. Inikeo at (promotional link removed)? His pricing is far keener as I understand it.

Hi all I posted in the wrong thread so have moved this here now and added a lot more photos. I would really appreciate your thoughts on my situation. Finally I am about to take the jump, after many years of standing on the sidelines. I have attached pics of the area I want to cover. My initial consultation was generally positive and I'm happy with the surgeon but I don't have the best donor area so am limited to 1800 - 2000 grafts. This would be FUE. I am concerned that I might not achieve full coverage. I am willing to try because frankly I have no other choice except perhaps a hairpiece - and I don't really want that. I have also attached a pic of how I look with concealer (base + fibres). It's a lot of hassle and mess to do this. I would still have to use some concealer after FUE but surely it'd be easier than it is now? The main question is: would 1800 - 2000 grafts be enough to cover my bald patch?

Hi Matt, yes the hair loss extends into the donor area, hence why the doc reckons I'm limited to 1800 - 2000 grafts. He had a good look so I have no reason to distrust him. Not sure what to do now. Would FUT yield more grafts than FUE? Otherwise do I go ahead but with the realisation that I will only get thin/medium density coverage on my bald area?

I'm 44 and not on any meds. I gave up on the meds - Fina and Minox - years ago because I didn't see any real difference. I also think 2000 grafts won't be enough, but I'm kind of resigned to getting as much coverage as I can and then using fibres as a top up. I feel disappointed that I'm having to do this, but I really don't want a hairpiece. Animo: Frontal is OK - not great but I can get by. Considering my age I mean. Gasthoerer : thanks, I will look out for your thread. And getting a 2nd opinion is a good idea. Can i ask what you mean by "- If this is all you can get than you have to stick to the hairline or the less is more approach with FUE + SMP" ? (I know what SMP is but what's best way of making this work in my case)

Hi all Finally I am about to take the jump, after many years of standing on the sidelines. I have attached a pic of the area I want to cover. My initial consultation was generally positive and I'm happy with the surgeon but I don't have the best donor area so am limited to 1800 - 2000 grafts. This would be FUE. I am concerned that I might not achieve full coverage. I am willing to try because frankly I have no other choice except perhaps a hairpiece - and I don't really want that. Would 1800 grafts be enough to cover my bald patch?

The result is awesome. But having to go through 6 to 12 months of very thin hair is a very difficult thing to have to deal with. It's great you got through that - I don't think I would be able to do it.