Hair Loss Discussion Forums

davidfox · Joined: 09 Apr 2006 Posts: 14

>
> My experiences at HCM included mis-coloration
>

Why didn't you have them fix it? If it doesn't match, you can walk in any time and get them to match it for free. I have them color mine every time I'm there. It takes 3 minutes.

> constant itching

I agree. I am scratching right now.

> glue getting stuck in my hair

If you use two adhesive strips, this won't happen. They should have told you this.

> the system falling off while I slept

I find this difficult to believe. I tried to take mine off the night before I service. It took 40 minutes and half a bottle of solvent to get it off, and this was after I had been wearing my new hair for 5 weeks. It cannot simply "fall off" like a ball cap. Maybe you were misusing the products or something... shampooing with solvent or something???? I don't know....

> They say you can swim with it. . . yeah but everytime you come up from the
> water, the first thing you do is reach for the top of your head, terrified
> that this thing glued to your head will fall off.

Personally I don't think the hair line looks natural enough to come up out of the water with my hair all slicked back, exposing the entire hair line. So I might be terrified of that. I just make sure I come up with my head looking down a little, so the water washes my bangs downward. But there is no reason to be afraid that it would EVER come off.

> The bottom line is even if you think your system looks natural, it doesn't.

Not true, at least for the clients that go to my HCM clinic. I see people coming and going from there all the time and they look great. Except for one older guy who wears a toupe (sp?), which HCM used to sell back in the 1980s - they tell me he just don't want to switch over to the newer systems. He has the classic "too thick" look. To each his own I guess. In any case, if you only let an inch or two of the hairline show, there is no way anyone can tell, at least ay my HCM clinic. Every time I see my brother's hair (also an HCM client), it makes me feel better about my own hair.

> Also it is absolute torture trying to apply the adhesive yourself. Try doing
> everything backwards over your head in the mirror. You need to be a contortionist.

Here's what you do - you make sure the system is slightly damp. Then the adhesive doesn't stick very well to it. This allows you to apply the adhesive, peel it off and reapply it again and again until you get it perfect. After the water dries, it sticks securely. If you are just sticking it on dry and living with your first attempt, then I can see how you would be disappointed. Your stylist should have told you about this. It does take 15 minutes but for me that is a small price to pay for hair that looks as good as anything you see in GQ magazine (except for the styles that expose the entire hairline - but it is better than what I had before - a hairline that started right over the top of my spine.

> By a hair trimmer, buzz your hair

If you are black, I agree. If you are white, then you had better get some steroids and a yearly membership at a gym and a tanning salon, because that's what it takes to look good as a white guy with a shaved head. I have done all of this before HCM. I got up to around 202 pounds (from 162), tanned profusely and actually looked pretty good..... in a t-shirt. But at work I had to wear dress clothes. I would see pictures of myself looking like this and it was just ridiculous. My company had a policy that no "extreme" haircuts, such as shaved heads, were allowed. The policy was clearly intended for people with shaved heads, tattoos all over and various body peircings, not for someone like me, so management folks quietly and awkwardly skipped over that part when discussing office policies. I know they were just trying to be nice, but it was so frickin humiliating. I HATED that time in my life. I got a job where I could wear a ball cap. Anyway this is off topic.

> Your the person who looks at every other guys head in the waiting room before your
> styling, and say to yourself "these guys look ridiculous."

All I can say from reading this and similar posts is that some HCM offices must have more talented staff than others. Further, I would have to agree with the above - if everyone in the waiting room looks bad, then that is a pretty good indication of what you would look like. On the other hand, if, as in my case, everyone in the waiting room looks great, you might be happy with the results.

If you are considering HCM then you might want to try sitting in the waiting room of an HCM office so you can look around at real people, not the walking maniquins they invite in for you to look at. This is a significant decision in your life and it is worth taking the extra time to make sure it is going to work for you. Until I read the posts here, I assumed that every HCM had nothing but customers who were thanking God that HCM exists (like me - I have literally thanked God that my life is so much better now because of HCM). But if your local HCM does not do a good job, as apparently was the case with the guy whose post I'm replying to, then you obviously shouldn't do it. So demand that you see a lot of clients before signing anything. And you should know in advance that there are no refunds. Now the amount of money on the line if you decide to quit later is only about $2000, which in my opinion is a trivial amount of money in today's society. To put it in perspective, I recently spent the same amount - approximately two grand - renovating my bathroom, which had ZERO impact on my self confidence, self esteem and my ability to earn a living and compete in the corporate arena. If your finances are such that you would miss $2000, then HCM is not for you anyway. It is fairly expensive. So maybe I will forego a new car or something. Who cares - I can hit on girls now.

I have to make one more comment about the people who are no longer HCM clients. Do you know how many guys there are today walking around with "failed" hair transplants who would give just about anything to undo their surgery? You can get un-surgeried. With HCM, if it doesn't work out for you, fine, you're out two grand, big frickin deal, in five years you won't even remember it. You try a transplant, on the other hand, the mess is with you for life. My brother has a scalp full o' corn rows that resemble crop circles. You wanna take a chance on that? HCM has a back-out plan: you simply stop.

I understand how people who feel they have been burned by HCM would be bitter, and it is abundantly apparent in these posts what these ex-HCMers are feeling.

No one gets more angry about being mislead and taken advantage of than me, even on some relatively inexpensive purchase. If I buy something that doesn't work and expect a difficult time getting my money back or whatever, my blood will boil until the situation is dealt with. I will pace up and down the hall thinking about what I'm going to demand, say, etc. So, to use a Clintonism, I feel your pain.

Anyway, if you are considering HCM, you should at least check it out fully. I would be more than happy to answer any questions, either here in this forum or via email. Please contact me before you contact HCM. I will give you some advice on how to handle the sales people. They are paid to sell sell sell. If you want to get the best deal for YOU, let's talk about it first, especially in light of what the other guys in this forum have said.

KentDW1962 · Joined: 24 Jun 2006 Posts: 1

My story is an exact replica of the original first post. I am so disgusted and disapointed with HCM, I can't wait until my contract agreement expires!!! God help us ALL!!

kowrip · Joined: 08 May 2006 Posts: 14

pnwn · Joined: 10 Jul 2006 Posts: 1

Here is my dilema...I have been a member of HCM for many years.
My level of satisfaction changes from month to month and as my service appointment draws near. I have had all the problems others have mentioned, the glue issues, lifting of the front, bad hair lines, etc. Some days it looks great (to me) other days I throw on a cap and call it a day. In my job however, I cannot wear a hat. (school teacher) No one at works ever says anything but I know they all know it's fake. I get the eye roll up when I am talking to some people. I have wasted countless thouands of dollars and wish I never started this in th efirst place. My problem is, how do I quit HCM? I really don't want to shave my head, but I might just have to. I am a white guy in his 40's who's not a jock in shape type. I may take a new job at a new school which would make it easier for me to take the leap, but I still have friends at the old school and other places too. I am torn as to what to do. Any advise is welcome.

kowrip · Joined: 08 May 2006 Posts: 14

davidfox · Joined: 09 Apr 2006 Posts: 14

In addition to what kowrip said, consider making several other visual changes at the same time. Grow a beard now, let people get used to it, and then the first day you show up without your system, shave the beard, wear a very different pair of glasses from what you would normally wear (or if you don't wear glasses, get glasses with clear lenses). New clothes. Colored contacts. This sounds drastic, but this is a big step for you. As happy as I am with HCM, it sounds as though you will be happier after you quit.

flacpl · Joined: 23 Jul 2006 Posts: 2

the starting membership is $2,000
then you have to pay a monthly fee from $250-$700
You have to return each month for service and/or a new hair piece.
Then they will make you sit and wait for 2 hours to have a service
Then you have to tip the hair stylist and buy their products.

You'll end up paying $5-10,000 per year-- to glue a hair piece to your head---and it's hot ---and there is a problem with the hair falling out

They will also try to sell you a shampoo line of products for $1500 called extreme hair therapy---but the active ingredient is minoxidil which you can purchase at any pharmacy for $20

you are better off getting a transplant

davidfox · Joined: 09 Apr 2006 Posts: 14

> the starting membership is $2,000

Where I live it is $1400.

> You have to return each month for service and/or a new hair piece.

You have to return every 6 weeks. I waited 7 weeks once, which was too long. I usually wait 5-6 weeks.

> Then they will make you sit and wait for 2 hours to have a service

Apparently my local branch is not as busy.

> Then you have to tip the hair stylist and buy their products.

Anyone who tipped their hair stylist when they had hair will probably continue to do so as an HCM client. There are some people who don't tip waiters at restaurants, so some people may choose not to tip their stylist whether an HCM client or not.

> You'll end up paying $5-10,000 per year--

You pay $3000 per year for the basic level. I upgraded from Bronze to Silver and pay around $3600 plus probably $100/year for products.

> to glue a hair piece to your head

This is true.

> ---and it's hot ---

Also true, although where I live most buildings are air conditioned.

> and there is a problem with the hair falling out

Anyone who is going in for services regularly as described above does not experience a problem with hair falling out.

> They will also try to sell you a shampoo line of
> products for $1500 called extreme hair therapy---but
> the active ingredient is minoxidil which you can purchase
> at any pharmacy for $20.

This program is for someone whose hair loss is not yet advanced enough to wear a "system". Once you reach the point that you need to wear a system, don't spend any money on minoxidil. If they try to sell it to you anyway, don't do it.

davidfox · Joined: 09 Apr 2006 Posts: 14

>> Then they will make you sit and wait for 2 hours to have a service
>
> Apparently my local branch is not as busy.

I thought about this and should not have made light of this situation.

As with any company, if they have as much or more business than they can handle, your experience with them may not be as good as if they are starving for business and bend over backwards to meet your every need.

Luckily the HCM in my area, although booked solid two weeks ahead, doesn't make me wait any more than a couple minutes.

kowrip · Joined: 08 May 2006 Posts: 14