Questions on Hair Replacement

How is the System attached to the head?

The stylist shaves the hairs nearest the hairline very short, but doesn't shave them entirely. Then the base of the system is attached to these hairs with adhesive tape, and if the client desires the semi-permanent attachment, a glue is added. When the client returns for the next maintenance appointment, the hairs underneath are shaved again so the system can be attached there.

The system is attached to these growing hairs, not to your scalp. As these hairs grow, the system will seem more loose over time. The purpose of regular appointments every five weeks or so is to detach the system from these hairs and then shave those growing hairs back to minimal length so the system can be snugly reattached.

Does the System gives natural look and feel?

System does indeed appear natural. Even friends say that they could not tell that one had a hair system. The hair appears to be growing from own scalp. The only circumstance in which one could imagine you being found out is if you cross paths with another transitioned woman who was also wearing a hair system, and she would never tell anyone.

System feels very natural. Patient amazed at how different it felt from wearing wigs all these years. It was a bit windy in Tulsa that day, and it felt like own real hair was blowing in the wind. Don't think much about hair loss anymore, because you feel like to have your own real hair wherever you go and whatever you do.

How will having a hair system affects lifestyle?

You can pretty much do anything you could before you had a hair system. Actually your lifestyle should be improved because of the increased confidence and improved self esteem for having hair. If you were wearing wigs all day before you got your hair system, then this will be a liberation for you. You can play any sport, go swimming, ride in a convertible with the top down, or go on rides at theme parks. It is recommended that you tie your hair back in a ponytail if you plan to do anything that would blow your hair around (this would prevent tangles), but I think you can do whatever you want.

How to take care of System?

Your stylists will give you tips and advice regarding your hair care. With a little effort and some patience, you can make you system last for quite a while.

When brushing or combing your hair, and especially when dealing with tangles, you do not want to pull on the hair of the root. The hairs are not as strongly attached to the base, as your own hair would be to your scalp, so you do need to be careful. When combing the ends with one hand, you should hold the hairs farther up with the other hand so that one don't pull where the hairs are attached to the base. Even when holding the hairs while detangling, you still need to be careful and patient, because hair strands themselves are also subject to damage. You can also use a comb gliding spray. Start from the ends, combing down, and then work up toward the roots.
Use a wide spaced plastic comb, or use something recommended by Apollo stylists. Do not use combs or brushes with metal bristles. Sometimes it helps to detangle by using your fingers at first. Be patient, and don't pull too hard on the hair or especially the base.
Do not comb or brush hair when it is wet.
Detangle hair before you wash it.
Use only hair care products from Apollo, or salon type products formulated for treated hair. Your hair system has been color treated, and for many clients has also been permed. Also, you do not want to use any products that might weaken or ruin the base of your system.
Do not use heated curling items.
Do not use heated blow dryers. Towel dry your hair, or use the cool setting on the blow dryer.
Reduce sun exposure to your hair by wearing a hat or other covering if you will be outdoors a lot.
Rinse hair after using a chlorinated swimming pool.
Gently move aside hairs that get in your face. Don't yank them out of your system, because each hair lost this way will thin out the system.
When washing your hair, don't scrub your head with your fingers as many guys do. Pour a little shampoo in a cup, mix it with some water, and then apply that on the hair.
It is not necessary to use a lot of shampoo. Using too much shampoo or doing it too frequently may dry out the hair and subject it to more rapid damage.
The less you do to your hair, the longer you hair system will endure.
If you opt to have your system semi-permanently attached so you wear it day and night, it is recommended that you use satin pillowcases or covers to reduce friction.
Do not scratch on your system to relieve itching. Patients who rapidly develop patches of lost hairs on their systems as a result of frequent scratching of their head, often in only one or two months.

Proper hair care will cause your system to last longer, and you won't have to spend money to repair or replace your system as often. Remember that heat, chemicals, and physical force are all bad for your hair.

Stylist told about the many clients who recklessly brush their hair or tear it out while yanking on tangles, or yanking hair out of their face, and then returning to the clinic after only two months and complaining that their systems were losing hair and asking why. Why would other clients do things that they know will wreck their newly gained hair?

Evidently, many people with hair systems think that rapid hair loss is inevitable. But it is not. Proper and patient hair care can extend the life of the systems and make the expense worthwhile.

System remain attached all the time, or have to take it off every night?

This will depend on your preference. You can have your system semi-permanently attached so that you only have to remove and change the tape on the front of your system, and the rest of the perimeter attached with both tape and an adhesive glue which will remain for the entire five or six weeks between your appointments. Or you can tape the entire perimeter yourself every morning and remove it at night. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages.

Some clients tape theirs on each morning and remove it at night. They do not have to make regular visits to clinic for the maintenance appointments, and the systems apparently last longer if they are not worn to bed. This is definitely a cheaper option. The downside is that you would still be lacking hair part of the time. This could be a problem when spending the night away from home with friends.