Shaving my head isn’t an option for me. I have a terrible head shape which resembles that of the guy who appears on the Toplace.com homepage (see attached photos of my head essentially shaved from a couple years ago). Even with my head buzzed to a number two, the ridge gives my head an unattractive shape. By the way, two surgeons have offered to surgically shave the bone that comprises the prominent ridge on the top of my skull. This would make my skull look more rounded, but it would leave a two centimeter scar on or near my crown. I’m not sure I want to do that. Even if I did, I’d like to be able to fall back on the hair system option in the event a surgical repair doesn’t look good.
With a good hairpiece you won’t have to worry about skull shape.
All of my remaining hair is ***rapidly*** turning white. Not grey, but white like John McCain’s. If I were to wear a topper, I have no idea how I’d ever get my own hair to match that of the hair system. My white hair is very resistant to coloring, and all the coloring kits I’ve tried have been unable to turn my white hair to a shade that looks like my remaining brown hair. At best, my white hairs have changed to a lighter, metallic brown for a week to ten days.
At first I was going to recommend you try a topper, but it sounds like even with strong temples and sides you would have a lot of matching issues due to hair color.
Finally, I am planning on returning to school [edited for privacy]. Naturally, I’m very concerned how a hair system would look in this setting.
So, you can see that I’m basically backed into a corner. I feel like my options for looking presentable and feeling comfortable in public have run out. I am desperate to put this problem behind me and get on with my life. The emotional toll it’s taken on my life can’t be overstated.
The only thing that you have to be careful of is not falling into the trap of “letting the hair wear you”. If you are trading one insecurity for another you aren’t doing yourself any favors. That said, a full cap gives you a different attitude toward wearing. Hard to explain, but even as open as I am about it, I feel better about wearing a full cap than I ever did wearing a topper.
Is it possible to wear a full cap hair style that looks undetectable from very close range, but isn’t “a mop?” I’m not sure some of the longer styles I’ve been seeing on Toplace.com are age appropriate for me. Also, if I’m going to be working in a [edited for privacy], I need a style that can pass as professional looking, that won’t block my field of view, but will still be undetectable. The photos you posted to your blog look good, but is the lace detectable under brighter light?
Yes and no.
It will not be 100% perfect 100% of the time. But, you do have some degree of control over this based upon how well you maintain your attachments, keeping it styled, etc.
The shorter you go and the thinner the density, the more critical everything becomes. If you are able, I would start out with a comb forward style, leaving it as long as you think you can get away with. Doesn’t have to be 3 inches long, but when you start getting down to 1/4-1/2″ you have to make sure your template and attachments are done just right.
Honestly, I don’t think you will have any problems.[edited for privacy] Swiss lace is VERY undetectable, even under bright lights, as long as it is attached properly.
Do the temples always have to be combed forward to hide the lace? If so, it seems like it would be difficult, if not impossible, to maintain forward pointing temple angles 24/7.
Actually no, the lace will disappear just fine. The issue is with the way full caps are being made at the moment. This is a weak point of full caps. The way they are being made at this time they aren’t taking enough care in the temple area with the ventilation, and the hair isn’t being tied in the most natural way possible. I use styling product to get around it.
I know you said it looks better if you grow side burns, but I don’t have enough sideburn hair to blend with a hair system at a length that will make a cosmetic difference. Also, this sideburn hair will likely turn white within a couple years. So is it possible for the system to look good using only the built-in sideburns?
Can you exercise (cardio, weighlifting) comfortably and have the piece still look realistic when you’re done?
With a lace piece that is no problem. Plus you can always throw a hat on when you get there.
Has anyone (who either knows or doesn’t know you wear) ever detected your full cap? How close can someone get to your hairline or side hair without seeing the lace?
Not to my knowledge. I have had women who work with lace front wigs who didn’t believe that I was wearing after I told them. Two of them as a matter of fact, the latest was yesterday. If your knots are well bleached and the unit is attached well, nobody will see the lace, even being a couple of inches away.
Assuming a full cap is a viable option, I am not at all comfortable making my own template to get started. I would really like to have someone help me with this important step, as well as with selecting a color, style, etc…. I live in [edited for privacy]. Do you know anyone in this region who could help me with a full cap? Obviously I would also need help with a cut-in, and doing the initial attachments. I would consider traveling to have the template made if necessary.
Let me know if you are able to make it to Orlando. It would definitely get you on the right track very quickly.
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