beegent

Top...13 weeks...with only couvre [This message was edited by beegent on June 18, 2003 at 08:44 PM.]

Hard to see but there are a lot of tiny little stubs in the crown area. Helps to keep the toppik in place [This message was edited by beegent on June 18, 2003 at 08:42 PM.]

TOP...with flash...no concealers [This message was edited by beegent on June 18, 2003 at 08:41 PM.]

TOP...with flash...no concealers [This message was edited by beegent on June 18, 2003 at 08:41 PM.]

I agree with Augustart's response. I can understand very well coz I went through it myself. Not many will tell you that a) hair systems work and look really good and b) at the same time, they are not what they're talked up to be. I've heard some here post messages that say that hair systems are ridiculous looking and a definite no no. My own experience has been that, if you know what to get out of it (without being unduly unrealistic) it can work well and look extremely appealing. But a lot of people are in a great hurry to get into it -- let's not forget the appeal of instant gratification. They don't do research on alternatives and get sucked into an option that's a constant source of financial drain as well as a huge pain in the neck when it comes to maintenance and upkeep. Look into the alternatives such as HT, drugs, and/or concealers (Toppik/Couvre) and think about it a bit. If you finally choose that hair systems are the solution for you at this stage, that's ok too. Just know the ramifications of getting a piece. Good luck and keep us informed.

Well, it worked very well for me for three years. All along, I knew I HAD to get out of it. The problems, as you seem to be aware, are manifold: a) it is an expensive solution -- I myself paid about $4000 per year b) it requires constant maintenance and visits to the salon every 2-3 weeks. Even then, the week prior to your visit, you can sense the hair system coming loose or just not feeling right. c) you are always worried (to some extent, at least) that your cover is gonna be blown off. It is quite the charade, to tell you the truth. d) it does damage existing follicles because of the bond that's applied to keep the system on. You owe it to yourself to try or investigate drugs and the possibility of a hair transplant. I've been through the hair system route and I can tell you that it's temporary for most people. Can you imagine spending a lot of money every year for the rest of your life and still not being "free"?

I'd suggest a light couvre base to conceal bunchiness and other blemishes that Toppik may cause. My hair must've been between 1/2 to 1/4th of an inch when I buzzed it. Also, are you putting it on yourself? That'd be hard. My wife does it for me.

Yes, I use Toppik on the donor area since I wear my hair real, real short At 12 weeks, I can almost stop using concealers for my scar.

Until I get some actual pics for you to look at, I have to tell you that Toppik (with a Couvre base) makes a world of difference. To me, at least. I'd have to guess that it depends on what you have already. Like someone here has mentioned before, Toppik will not work on completely bald areas. But if you have something to work with, it does improve the appearance by a big margin. I have to further qualify all this by saying I have black hair. I am sure others here using Toppik can chime in on this.

I agree with Dr. Beehner. You have to be extremely cautious if you are to use a system after surgery. In my own case, I discarded it after trying on the system a couple of times (didn't have it on at all the first week or so). I used half-width tape on the front and a little on the side -- all well outside the graft areas. Once I decided to drop the hair system in the garbage, I buzzed my hair pretty close (and even). Since then (I am on week 12 now), I have been using Toppik (with a Couvre base) on the scar and on the thinning/grafted areas. Let me tell you this -- this solution works just about perfectly. The only problem would be standing in heavy downpours. I don't think Toppik would withstand that! p.s: it helps immensely if you have someone that can put on the Toppik for you. My wife does it for me.

Ok, it is Couvre to hide the scar and blend. Toppik on top of that to make the thin/wispy hair look fuller.

Depends on how full your hair system made you look and how much you actually have left. I think I had more than a bit of my own hair but the system did make me look full (duh!). Then I did my HT and the plan was to wear it (gingerly) for a few months before discarding it. Well, I didn't go through with the plan. Buzzed my hair a couple of weeks after HT and then adopted a buzz cut aided by Couvre to hide the scar and make the scalp blend better with my short hair. People did notice, of course -- that there was a big change. No one, not even close friends, brought up the issue of if I had anything done. Some friends remarked that they can't wait for it to grow back because they liked me with more hair. Two months later, it is growing back and so it is not much of a topic for discussion anymore. Takes some courage (and a lot of help from the wife in blending the couvre). But you can do it. I just didn't want to hang onto the hair system for even one additional day. It worked great while it lasted, though Good luck