hair integration system

[SarahJaneD25]

Hi everyone,

just wanted to share my experience of Hair Solved in North London. I do not suffer from hair loss, i have naturally very thin, baby soft hair that is impossiple to style. I first heard of Hair solved from an article in a magazine, so gave them a call to book a FREE consultation.

once arriving at the salon, i was rather bumused by its location as it didnt really look like a hairdressers, but once inside, obviously it is. in a way, this made me feel more comfortable, for us ladies that have thin hair, there is nothing more intimidating, then a really trendy hair salon where you feel like all eyes are on you...NIGHTMARE!! I had my consultation with the Director Sally, who is lovely and immediatly put me at ease. She said that my best option was for the Hair System, as my hair is to thin on top to be able to carry extensions. she showed me the lovely hair and photos of previous clients who had had the system and they looked great. so i booked in then and there for a few weeks later. i was told the cost would be £1500, and i would have to go in every six weeks to have it tightened, costing £60 and hour and every six months i would have to have the parting changed, costing around £150. the system would also have to be changed every 1 and half years to three years, depending on the condition.

i arrived at the salon two weeks later, and i decided to go for side fringe with shoulder length hair (as this is the length of my existing hair). the system works, by placing a mesh over your scalp, pulling your own hair through tiny holes and keeping it secure with tiny little black clips. the extensions are then sewn in and then cut into style. it took around seven hours and i was provided with a lovely lunch. i was so happy with the results, but after a few months i noticed that my own hair had faded into a ginger colour and that i had baby hair growing around the exposed part of my fringe, plus i felt there were to many layers for my liking. so i called Hair solved and arranged to go in to have it changed.

this time i was more prepared, i knew exactley what i wanted and what colour. they took off the system and coloured my own hair, much darked and started with a new system. i then had a full fringe cut in with subtle layers in my bob. to be honest i wasnt sure at first, but once home, i gave it a wash and styled it myself and was amazed with the results, i LOVE IT. it looks really natural, most people just think iv had a good colour and cut and some people just think i have had normal extensions.

when having it styled i think the best things to stop it looking like a wig is these keys points...1) not to long, i thing the bobs etc, look more natural, 2) layers are a must to reduce the bulkness of it and stop it looking like a wig, you can have subtle layers, which i opted for the second time. 3) have the fringe cut, so you can still wear it up without exposing the mesh. 4) remember it has to be washed a few times to settle and allow the hair texture to soften, so it feels really natural!!

if you just stoke the hair you cannont feel anything, but obviously if you go right in there, then yes you can feel the mesh and yes it does feel bumpy where the extensions have been sewn it. but none can see it looking at you, all your lovely new hair covers it. i hair spray my fringe to stop in blowing and revealing the mesh, because if you lift the fringe you can see the clips and mesh...but thats a small price to pay for lovely thick hair. if im hot i can clip into the side without the mesh showing, just needs a bit of fiddling. if i want to go swimming or do a bit of sunbathing, i just stick it up, clip back the fringe and stick on a hair band or head scarf. with the headband on, i can swim under water no problem.

i know they say you can leave the hair and wash it only once a week, but i like to do it every other day, as it feels lovely and soft when you wash it and fine the next day with some dry shampoo. but goes to straw like for my liking to leave it any longer. you have to keep it lovely and conditioned. mine doesnt take to long to dry, when in a rush, i style the fringe with a round brush, dry the sides, makes sure all the knots are brushed out and stick it up to dry naturally. or if im going out, dry all and straighten it...i do wear mine up alot though, as i have a two year old, so more convienent to be up!!! every other day, i use dry shampoo and a heated round brush to style my fringe!!

hope this helps ladies, i wouldnt be without my system and would highly recommend Hair Solved in North london, they have changed my life.

[androjen]

Hi

This is my first post on this forum, and normally I wouldn't start off with a negative but I would just like to share my experiences.

I went to Lucinda Ellery back in 2004 and had a hair integration system. At first I thought it was wonderful and the best thing I have ever done, and to be fair I stuck with it for 4 years. It nearly bankrupted me! I ran up so much credit card debt just trying to maintain the system. Not only does the whole integration system cost thousands but you have to go back every 4 weeks or so for adjustments and then every 3-4 months for realignments. It costs a small fortune. I had 3 systems in total, the last one with the new front lace parting system, which at the time I thought was the best thing since sliced bread. However, unfortunately, what little hair I did have was absolutely ruined by the integration system because your own hair is pulled through the mesh and pulled tight to your scalp. By the time I had finished at LE I had hardly any hair at all. I cannot possibly see how it gives your own hair a chance to grow underneath the mesh.

Hair Solved is run by a guy who used to be one of Lucinda Ellery's technicians who left to start his own business, I can only assume because he thought he could do a better job for slightly less money, who knows, but even his systems are almost identical and not that much cheaper.

For all those ladies out there who are Lucinda clients, I really hope you are all getting what you want from your hair systems. I know I stuck with it for 4 years, so I guess I thought at the time it was a godsend. Looking back now, I can see I just didn't do enough research. Lucinda Ellery is a powerful company in the hair replacement market and she has a lot of money and advertising behind her (paid for I shouldn't be surprised, by her clients who are tied in because of the need for costly maintenance procedures).

3 years ago, I found my own hair solution. I wear a 3/4 piece hair system which is attached by tapes to my head. It is far, far more natural looking than the LE product because the hair flows freely out of the lace base system, so basically it is a larger version of the LE parting. With the integration system you have to have rows of hair sown in and this doesn't lend itself to natural movement at all. Looking back on photos I can see my hair looked very 'wiggy'.

Sorry to put a dampener on those of you who have got the integration system - I do know how you feel because I was singing its praises for years - but for those still out there looking for solutions, then please take your time to do some research, because I can testify that there are other cheaper (at least 70% cheaper!!) more natural, and easier to maintain solutions out there.

Thanks for listening.

[IndigoblueG]

Hi all,

well I've had my rejection from the NHS in terms of getting financial help with my desired hair integration system, so next step is to appeal. I've got an appointment with my gp in a month to start the process. This is what I expected.

Regarding Hair Solved AND Lucinda Ellery, I think its absolutely imperative to go around and actually visit all the salons. I had three on my list, Hair Solved in North London, Bloomsburys of London and Lucinda Ellery. It was very clear to me which way I should go simply turning up at the salons, first impressions are pretty powerful don't you think? Anyhoo although its' incredibly expensive, I'm going to give Lucinda Ellery a go in a month or two. I want to try it for a while and see how it goes. If Hair Solved had offered a scrunchy curly option and an invisible hairline I would have gone with them, but they don't unfortunately, so LE is my future

[IndigoblueG]

Just a quick update. I have been rejected by the NHS for funding, so have appealed. I have my appeal in about a month. Will keep you posted (if anyone is interested)

[pip]

Hi sharron,I had a system put on at hairdoll in yorkshire I travel from hull i have had it on now for almost 2 yrs .It has changed my life for the better I feel so much more confident even some of my friends envy my hair it always looks good .I was so scared to have it put on as it cost £1150 and I was worried incase it dident look good but its great.Hope this info helps. : good luck

[sarahp]

Hi Pip
I live in Hull too and have been travelling to Manchester to hair solved. Where is hair doll? Is it good hair? How is it attached? Would love to go somewhere bit closer! Thanks x

[IndigoblueG]

androjen,

I'd love to know where you finally got your 3/4 hair system from? and what gave you the courage to go DIY. I'd love to have the nerve to start off like that (ie ordering from the net I guess?) but I wouldn't know how to go about applying my own system without help!

[Lance]

I quite understand about the preference of wanting an integrated system versus a wig. I, too, used to have 'reverse Friar T' hairloss and I initially had an integrated system. I wasn't ready for a wig and it was my transition phase, as I came to accept that my hairloss is likely to be longterm, if not permanent. The system worked for me (not brilliantly) for a year or so, but as my hairloss got worse, the system became less acceptable (VERY expensive!) and, coupled with discovering AUK and meeting other ladies who had no hair, I decided enough was enough and I'd rather wear wigs. (I've met a few other ladies who have followed a similar path into wigs.) The wig I wear now, is far far more natural looking than my system ever was and I actually prefer it not being attached, like the system was. But there are pros and cons with every type of supplemental hair solution. The tricky bit is working what your priorities are.... and you may find they change over time.

All I would say is that it sounds like your alopecia is still active (eyelashes falling out), so don't be too hasty in getting an integrated system just yet or you may find that the patch gets bigger and your system no longer covers it. If you are set on getting an integrated piece sooner rather than later, do make sure your supplier is able to extend the piece and modify it, in the event your hairloss gets worse. (Ask if it could even be converted to a full wig, should you lose the hair on your crown?) The last thing you want to do is spend a small fortune on a piece that becomes redundant too soon.

[sallyf]

Hi, i too went to lucinda ellery, didn't like her at all so didn't go ahead for which i am very pleased. I have female pattern baldness, very thin on top and thining at the sides. LE suggested Fullmore which i did use for about 2 years but hated it so finally I went for the hair system (hair piece) which covers the top of my head (partial hair piece) which is taped to my head. This very comfortable and forget i'm wearing it. At first i didn't feel happy about going the internet route so i went to Empower where i could actually see and speak to someone. They were good but expensive £2000 . The hair system was just like my own hair cut into a graduated bob incorporating my own hair at the back and sides. A regroom was done every 4-5 weeks. The only draw back with this one was the front hairline was wig like and didn't like going out in the wind in case my fringe blew up.
After more research i found another company which at £600 a time for the system and with a very natural hairline and parting which i can change at anytime i am very happy indeed.I wash and blow dry just like my own hair. Everyone says my hair looks great, i tell them i have had extentions done. I am now learning how to do the regrooms myself with the help of my sister and have found them really easy to do. I still go to a salon every 5 - 6 weeks for a regroom and my own hair coloured ( grey hairs) and cut back into shape. I have found the systems if worn 24/7 last for about 6 - 8 months so having 2 is better so you can alternate them. The only thing with any system is that once you start having 'normal' hair it is very hard to go back so think carefully about the on going costs before you take the plunge. I am so pleased i did finally take the plunge as i am now far more confident, don't worry about going out in the wind rain, sitting under bright lights etc. I have my hair back.

[IndigoblueG]

Ah its wonderful that you have found a solution, would you be happy to tell us who your company is? We may have heard of it?

x