I'm responding to Brenda fro IL--I too have tried to make peace and accept this condition for what it is...I just invested in a topper that was made for me and still getting used to the idea of wearing it but even my son and husband didn't initially notice....they thought I had just had a blow out!    I too have tried injections, different meds. foam-and finally decided it was time to smile and move forward.   (Not always easy but necessary for my sanity)  Thanks1

Hi MJ-didn't realize we are so close!!   I went to Raydiance-Tru Fit-If there is a way to private message me I can give you my number if you would like information about it.  I followed with them since 2010.   I tried wigs on this past year at some shops and I have too much good hair ( behind my ears and back) that I just didn't want it all covered.  Toppers I tried in wig shops didn't fit.  This was made for me-matches my own color and length- tiny clips that don't pull my existing fine top hair work to hold it on and my scalp still breathes.  It fits so well I don't even clip the front on as the others hold it in place where I still have enough hair.  I just got it 2 weeks ago so getting used to my new hair accessory!!

Hi Marian-in my picture that's from Sept this year and that is my hair-I work my disguises with eyebrow pencils (love dior eyebrow styler as I have lost all my eyebrows and draw them on each morning)  but, my hair has really thinned out and receded -I felt I had to go for it, like you, I need to know I have it as my option when I choose. As it is custom there is a lead time as you meet with the staff, who I might add are incredible.  I would say comfortable no more than 8 to 12 weeks.  Other places might be less.

Marian-if you went to the place where are tried hair laser for a year-and they suggested gluing anything on your scalp-don't!!  It was suggested I shave the area and a piece would be bonded or glued for a time then changed.  I spoke to others and I hope anyone who has and does do this -that it has worked well and you are happy with your pieces-however, this would not be the best for me after discussing it with some others where I live.  Each of us will have to make choices that best provides relief and feeling normal again---not that I will ever feel the same as I did with side hair but I am at a place that I am happy and continue to push forward.  That would be my wish for all-  again Marian if I knew how to private message you-as I am not comfortable posting my number publicly.   To  SJC-thanks so much- I do a good job of working with my own hair and from my picture you can see I have lots around but if I took what is up front and showed you underneath-I know everyone on this group would understand-how devastating the real me can look-(especially with wet hair after a shampoo)!!!  

Marian and MJ-I might be confusing where you all live!  Sorry if I made that mistake in answering you Marian-are you in Mich.???

A full frontal piece was too much hair for me.  I now order a 4x4 piece from hairdirect.com (human Indian hair matches mine) for $400.  Cut 2 small pieces from it and tape (blue roll tape) to the 2 most scarred areas above forehead and right side.  I tape them only on scarred areas about 1/2 inch from my current hairline.  Then comb my own hair over them (they don't work well for a pony tail, though).   The tape lasts a month and I wash and set as though they are my own hair.  I assume people can tell, but they can't!  I've even gone to a few hair specialists (looking for toppers for the future) and they could not tell unless I pointed it out.  One even thought it was my own hair just growing in another spot. These taped in pieces allow me to forget I have hair loss going on.  Just thought I'd add what works for me - at this point in time.  

whobalance, thanks for your advice.  I think it is so important for us to find solutions that work for us.  Wig shops are mostly of no help because they just want to make a sale whether it works or not.  Anyway, that is my experience.  I go to a medical wig specialist.  She is compassionate, understanding, and works to find a solution that works.  I wanted to add that when I use tape on my hair pieces, I am careful to only attach to scarred areas also.  I don't want to do further damage to my scalp.  Where do you buy your tape?  What kind do you use?

I use a blue tape on a roll from hairdirect.com.  I don't put tape on the whole piece.  Each piece is about 2 1/2 inches by 1/4 inch.  I put a tiny square of tape on each end and a tiny square in the middle.  This holds just fine and easier to remove, though I pretty much let them fall off in a hot shower at the end of the month.  I went to a wig place once.  They didn't understand when I said I needed one that works well under a bike helmet.  Ha.   

And, good hair addition specialists are gold, but not easy to find.  Lucky you.   

Wyobalance,

Great that you found a solution. I was thinking along the same lines but wondered if the strips of hair would be too dense for the hairline. did you have to pull out some hair?

Marilyn-Your hair looks great in your picture.  I'm trying to find a place near me to have a topper made.  Not having much luck though.  

Oh heavens, I would not pull out any of my hair Jen.  Or maybe you mean pull out hair from the hair piece.  I might have more loss than you have.   I just put little pieces on the scarred areas.    I get medium dense pieces from hairdirect.  They have minimal dense to very dense pieces.  Toppers - it's hard to find professional places.  We should have a database for the best places in the country instead of all this trial and error stuff.

Wyobalance,

I did mean pulling hair from the hairpiece. What you have done is exactly what I would like to do for myself. I lost at least an inch at the forehead and a bit more on the sides and above the ears. 

Ladies, I am curious about the tape thing. My loss is about 2-2.5 inches in front, but I have a little forehead so for me quite far back, and about 1-2 inches on sides and around ears.  I have been wearing a custom topper purchased at J.Krause in Skokie for two years now (same Follea piece, taking amazing and extra care with it, as so expensive) successfully (not really if you would call really successful as most people don't know, but I am STILL freaked out by how sometimes I think it looks fake - even tho human hair).  But the front clips often come lose as that is the thinnest hair.  I do "backcomb" hair in the spots where clips to fit giving it a bit of substance in those areas.  When you tape does the piece stay on all the time or do you still remove nightly as I do with mine with clips. BTW - I did mess around with some medication, Rogaine and some cortisone initially, but have given up and tried to think I am more healthy for doing so.  The piece seems to be doing the job, but my life has changed.  Hate mornings before I put it on, hate for my husband and grandchildren if they sleep over to see me, can't really sleep in clip on as so uncomfortable and gets out of shape, can't feel comfortable in gym, summer, swimming or sweating.  Wind not my friend either and recently tried going to a resort and had a breakdown during the day.  I do have a couple of less expensive synthetic pieces I tried working with, tried cutting and styling the same way everyday better piece is, but feel I look different in them so worried people will know.  This sucks.  BUT, I am able to present myself to the world on a daily basis kind of feeling OK which I think is all I can ask for!  UGH how did this happen?  So funny that I am a breast cancer survivor who did not need chemo and never lost her hair.  And now this.  I would have felt better if I had something where I was bald but at least it would grow back.  I almost envy (sick as it sounds) those poor people.  OK done complaining.  Putting on my Follea piece, trying to style it, and moving on!!!!!!!!

Jen, I'm pretty frugal.  So at this time, I cut small pieces from the $400 piece and when they wear out, I cut another piece from the 4x4 large piece.  It should last me at least a couple of years, unless, of course, I have much larger areas to cover.  I don't know what I will do when I need a topper.  Right now they result in too much hair putting more hair on what I already have.  I'm a biker (bicycle) and hiker and will probably go through a human hair topper in a minute.  I'm not good at doing selfies, which would  better explain what I do.  I will be attending the CARF conference in New Orleans June 3-5 so I can demo there.  You are welcome to private message me with your contact # if you have further questions.  Oh, and I also know someone that is taping small pieces just above her ears.

Sad in C.  I do not remove the taped pieces at night.  The blue roll tape works very well for me.  As we know, we all are different.  The woman that uses pieces above her ears, don't last a full month, but do remain intact at least a couple of weeks, I believe.  I wash and wear these as though they are my own hair.  

Wybobalance:  Maybe I missed this but are the pieces you tape synthetic or real human hair?  And you just cut a few pieces from a bigger piece and plop them on with tape?  I cannot imagine how that works.  Don't you need to integrate pieces with your real hair?

Sad in Chicago, they are real human hair (Indian I believe, not european).  They are the exact same color and texture as  my own hair.   I plop :)) them on approximately where my original hairline was and there is 1/4 to 1/2 inch gap between the little piece and my new hairline. I wear bangs, and even on the side the gap does not show.  If by chance I plopped one of them a little off to the side or something, I fill the larger gap with Courve'  camouflage until I re-plop them on the next month.  

MJ, no tamoxifen for me.   I did have radiation though many years ago when I was first diagnosed.  But I think this is not due to any of that; either hormonal as I am done with menopause, or some sort of auto immune which has not shown up in any tests with an endrogrinologist I went to when I first noticed extreme loss.  Never in my life did I think I would be dealing with something like this.  and although there are worse things, you know it is hard not to feel sorry for yourself.  Thanks for letting me whine

Marian, do you have side effects from the Avodart? 

Marian, I did the whole starter kit thing with hairdirect.com   They created a frontal piece which was perfect, however I felt it was too much front hair for me.  So I cut the small pieces from it and eventually called them personally and asked for a 4x4.  You would probably still need to have them to send you the swatches and choose one that matches your hair, and you send them a sample of your own hair.  I hope I'm not  leading anyone astray.  This is what works for me, at least till I lose more hair.  

Wyobalance,

Can you describe the way your 4x4 is woven? Is the hair attached to a lace (mesh) piece or some other type of material?  Thanks so much. I love it that you found a solution that works well.

The base is a high quality lace.  I forget the name, like New York or something.  Just straight lace, I don't have bonded edges or anything.   

Thanks.

Hi Marilyn,

I have an appointment at Raydiance in West Bloomfield in early December and have sent you a friend request hoping that you could help answer some of my questions.  I live in Ann Arbor and have had FFA for 6 years.  I am at the point where I'm beginning to feel the need to cover up my hairline.  Thanks!

Wyobalance,

How to you get your hairpiece to stay on your head?

They clip in.  There is a base and clips around the edges.  A qualified hair replacement (wigs, pieces, etc.) stylist should be able to style the piece and fit it to blend in with your existing style, etc.  In my case I have fairly short hair and the piece has a heavier front bang with a pixieish layed top and back and sides blending into mine.  I am conscious about keeping the colors close as I color my hair.  Also, sometimes I need to "backcomb" (they used to call it teasing) my hair where the clips fit in as I feel it holds it better.  Anyone who knows I wear it really cannot tell and comment on how great it is.  I like it most of the time.  Sometimes I feel like it looks awkward, but that is just my own insecurity, I think.  the stylist will teach you how to take care of the piece in terms of washing etc.  My "good" one is real human hair, with synthetics for exercise, sun, just at home, etc.  It is a lot to take care of, but for me, worth it.

My pieces are very small.  approx 2 inches by 1/4 inches above forehead and 

 1 1/4  inches by 1/4 inch on the right temple (areas where I've lost the most hair).  I use a tiny piece of blue roll tape on each end of the hair piece and one small piece of tape in the middle of the hairpiece.  There are lots of different tapes.  The one that lasts a month or more for me is a blue roll from Hair Direct (I don't know the name of the tape).  

Today I had an intralace system. It took about 6 hours. I now have hair covering my bald patch. The system stays in place for 2 years with adjustments every 2 months. It feels like a lot of hair! I'm hope/sure I will get used to it.

Christiekd-please refriend me-I just saw your post and I will be at raydiance this friday afternoon.  I would love to be able to speak with you!!  I have tried to friend you and it is not working.  Not only do I have ffa but computers and I sometimes do not get along!!!