hair integration system

[narinder]

Hi P
Thanks for the update.
I didn't realise you had been to LE so long ago - it seems as though in their early days they were'nt very well equipped re hair loss solutions. I attended just a few months ago and although they're certainly up to date now, I felt very much 'talked at' by Lucinda who barely let me get a word in! She constantly empthasised it was a life style choice for forever and to be fair there was no pressure sell - however, I had to pay £60 for a supposedly in-depth analysis and what I got was a 25 min chat (for which she was 40mins late) where only limited integration images on her laptop were available because ''the rest are in London, but you'd really like them'' (?!). Lucinda was unable to answer any of my questions re colouring hair and instead ushered me into a chair and sprayed Fullmore into my scalp before I realised what was going on and then left abruptly. Well, even the receptionist gave me a sheepish smile as if to say ''what is she like!''. I was not impressed and I know this has turned into a rant(!) but the process brought me right down as negatives like this make you feel more isolated and wondering whether it's more stressful to try to change things!
However, after stumbling upon this forum I became aware of HairSolved and the few times I rang with queries the staff always appeared knowledgable and so I began pondering whether I ought to book a consultation.
Then - with perfect timing I came across a new post - yours and so everything you've posted I'm absorbing as it's precisely what I want to know re the good and the bad to help me make a more informed decision.
I really find the social aspect interesting as well because exactly like yourself, I'd rather keep a low profile but can imagine that my work colleagues would draw well meaning but unwanted (!) attention to my hair. I have enough hair to wear down but only if its been subjected to a mean salon blow dry and then softly curled to appear more voluminous so as that's obviously not practical I always wear it scraped back into a pony tail and so open hair with a fringe would excite a lot of attention.
I love the fact that the change in your face is described as 'confident' rather than anything else. Do you personally feel more confident and happier? Also you mentioned concerns over your fringe - I don't understand what you mean about clipping it - is it a separate section or do you mean you can sometimes see the connection clips? Finally, how did your first maintenance go - I want to know everything!
NX

[PMM]

Hi N,

Nice to hear from you again. I went for the maintenance appointment yesterday. It was alright, only took 30 mins and cost £30 however, my own hair is still naturally shedding but because it is attached to the clips, it is only when the clips are removed that the hair is free so in effect it felt like I had lost a lot of my own hair in one go. I was told that was normal but it was still a bit distressing to see it all at once. I get upset though if I lose 1 hair!!

Regarding the fringe - if I hold the hair off my face, you can see the mesh and the clips underneath so the way I have the fringe, I just need to make sure that you can't see the clips. If you opt for a full fringe, there is no problem and I think if you have the LE system, they shave the front of your head and glue the front part on giving a more realistic look however I personally did not want that. So I have a side parting a fringe but because I don't want to feel like the hair is in my face at work, I put a Kirbygrip in it. I just have to be careful that the shorter sections of hair are positioned so it covers the mesh. I am literally taking about people seeing it if they are really close to me but in my job, that does happen (I work in healthcare).

I still feel a bit like why has this happened to me, especially when I see other people (even my own sister) with their own hair. LE is right in the fact that it is a lifestyle change - I will now have to go every 5 weeks for adjustments, have the whole thing taken off every 6 months and then have the whole thing replaced in a few years. It is expensive and I am still at the stage whereby I constantly think about my hair!

All I can say about Hair Solved is that the consultation is free and you will get shown pictures before and after, the mesh, the clips etc etc but there is no pressure to do anything. I was at the end of the road and I felt I had no other option - I am not saying I regret anything, more like I wish this had not happened to me in the first place.

There are a few videos around that show you how the system works but a mesh was put around my head, then my own hair was pulled through the mesh and then a clip is applied to that, I think I have got about 20 - 30 of these clips at various positions around the mesh which means the mesh is secure and then they sew the strips of hair onto the mesh. You can have it any colour, length, it is real hair so you can do what you want with it. Hope that makes sense

Let me know if you need any other information - I will try and keep you up to date with everything.

Take care
Paula xx

[narinder]

Hi Paula
Glad your maintenance went ok. I'm surprised by the cost - I thought it would be more expensive, so next obvious question is how long is your hair? Also, £30 for 30mins so is it £1 per min?
I'd forgotten that of course, your hair is unable to shed through the system and so will be caught up in the system and for a while I can imagine it will be well, quite emotional!
Re your fringe, how do you feel about wearing it free when you're outside? Is it possible for it to be blown in such a way that it reveals the clips/mesh - I don't mean obviously windy days but just regular walking outdoors. The reason I ask is that part of your side parting will obviously have shorter wispier strands so just wondered if that's an issue for you?
Re the continous visits, I think weirdly, this is what puts me off as much as the financial cost almost! Especially because my hair grows ultra fast so I would definetly need to attend monthly. Also, my hair roots went grey in my late 20's and so they would need to be done each time I visited also which is going to bump up an already costly process - not to mention the total 3hr round journey petrol cost on top!
I really appreciate your being honest about emotionally how you are changed - or unchanged by this process. I understand exactly what you mean about thinking about hair 24/7 still - why wouldn't you? I think the psychological effect of hair loss/treatment is totally underestimated to the point that even if you have the very best treatment you can afford and are able to attract flattering comments, you won't have reached that point very easily and when you finally do, there are still obstacles to overcome whether they're little niggling aspects of the system itself or the burden of travelling/financial costs - just to get something that the overwhelming majority of women have for free! Like you, I am almost 'fascinated' by my own sister's hair and can't help (pointlessly) wondering..so why did this happen to me again?!
However, ultimately you have to take the decision that will help you to manage the problem in the most effective manner so it doesn't surprise me that you're not a totally changed person, but one who is managing her issue with perhaps more confidence?
Well keep me posted and good luck with it - I think you're very brave to have taken the 'plunge' as it were and I'm learning a lot!
Narinder X

[PMM]

Hi Narinder

Hope you are alright. Here are the answers to your questions.

First of all I made a mistake on the cost of maintenance! It was £35 not £30! My hair is past my shoulders so its an easy length for me to look after but I would like it a bit longer next time. Re fringe - I've not really noticed it blowing when its windy, don't forget I have always got my kirbygrip in so the main section of fringe doesn't really move anywhere.

Re visits - yep in 2 weeks time I will be going again! With my system, the way it is, you can't really see any of my own hair so roots is not a problem for me. I know people have their colour done at Hairsolved but I am not really sure why and it probably wouldn't really apply to me, if that makes sense.

I am still getting comments about my hair being nice! Even today someone I work with (who I have not seen for a while) noticed it.

It's hard to express my feelings because I have got what I wanted but it still doesn't feel part of me if that makes sense. No matter what, my hair has never been thick so even if it grew back, because I am not constantly stressing about it, it would still not be like this! But yes it has improved my confidence and I think that was probably the most important thing.

Any other questions just let me know

Take care
Paula x

[debbie]

Dear Paula
Reading your post is uncanny i could have written it myself the way you feel, the blood tests etc, me too for years. I went to hairsolved manchester this week, lucinda ellery manchester last week (and london 16yrs ago!!!) I have made an appointment for a hair enhancer next week with hair solved i could not face going to london on the train then tube. When lucinda opened the salon in manchester i thought i could have the work done there. To say i am terrified is an understatement i dont even know if i will be able to go through with it, i feel ill. In my mind i am going for a bob with fringe but hope it doesn't look like a helmet. Dreading going to work and answering questions, i might have to do my usual of curtailing any conversations about hair. Not told my family they have learned its a taboo subject and gets a negative rection if they try and push it.
I feel ridiculous its only hair, i want it but i want my own!
Cant even sign off with my own name at the mo in case anybody i know might read it and know its me!
Will write again next week and let you know if i did it. HELP!
D

[Alicia]

Hi

i am thinking of going to hair solved in manchester. Has anyone been and can recommend it?

I am thinkin about getting the enhancer, but i wold like to know if it is worth it.

Thanks

[Dottywosh]

I've had hair integration systems for over 4years now from markglenn in London. To say its changed my life would be an understatement. I couldn't imagine life without it now. I've always explained my system to people as hair extensions and they always seem to buy it!

The discomfort and strange tight feeling doesn't last long after having it fitted and I don't see any difference between my system and my real hair now (except my hair is starting to show a little grey.)

Anyway after 4years trooping to London from Newcastle every 6 weeks I've made the very tough decision to move to hair solved in Manchester asI can't really cope with the travel anymore. Tomorrows the day when I have the old system removed and a new one fitted at hair solved and I'm more than a little nervous to say the least. So glad I'm not in the same position I was 4 years ago but still feel just as nervous. Strange really!

[Alicia]

Hi Dotty

How was your system from Hair Solved?

I have my first consultation tomorrow at Hair Solved.

Does the system look natural?

Thanks

[narinder]

Hi Paula
Hope you're well. Thanks again for answering my questions. I think I 've learned as much as I possibly can do without going to Hairsolved myself. I still have a big downer in general about my hair but think I'll first experiment a bit more with trying different cuts and trying to perhaps learn a few styling tips as over the last few years I've been so depressed about it all I've sought an instant solution rather than committing to trying as many different products as possible first. My hair is so fine its incredibly flyaway when I just walk across the room! - so I'm going to see if there's anytging I can do to address that. If not, I may have to steel myself for a visit to Hairsolved. However, if I do go, at least I'll be a bit more prepared perhaps than otherwise.
One final quesion for you: Now that a few weeks have gone by, does the system feel a bit more 'part' of you and are you finding the style easy to manage on a daily basis (as I think you would originally have preferred it without a fringe)?
Take care
Narinder X

[opsmanager]

Dear Narinder,
So sorry to hear that the visit at Lucinda Ellery didn’t meet your expectations. I am one of the managers working at EL and would like to have a chance to explain some things and offer you some options. It is true that the consultation cost £55 but there might have been a misunderstanding in what a consultation really is. It is not intended to be an in depth analysis but an analysis of what we do at Lucinda Ellery and what we could offer to you. At the same time I would like to stress that none of our stuff members is medically qualified. I apologise that you didn’t get your full hour and would like to offer you a free of charge consultation. Please get in touch with me and I will arrange that. My number is 0208 741 8224 (extension 1013) or ask for Anna at the reception. Also, I do apologise that Lucinda wasn’t helpful enough in your opinion regarding the colour matching. Lucinda herself is not a colourist but we have a team of senior colourists and salon managers that would be the best qualified to help you with a colour match. If you would like any advice on that, please contact me and I will put you through to our salon team.
Please do not hesitate to contact me about anything and let me know if we could improve your experience in any other way. We try very hard every day to meet the expectations of all our clients and if you could think of anything we could do for you please let me know.
Warm wishes
Anna