Living with it · 7 min read
What happens at your first hair patch fitting
By HairSystems.in · Updated 28 April 2026
Key takeaways
- The first appointment takes about 45 minutes and produces a scalp template, a hair sample match and a written price band.
- A custom unit is manufactured in 12–15 days; a stock unit can be fitted the same day.
- The fitting itself takes around two hours including the bond, cut and style.
- Most people report full psychological adjustment within two weeks, and the first re-bond is scheduled at three to four weeks.
Nothing about a first fitting should be a surprise, and yet most people arrive with no idea of the sequence. Here is the whole process, in order, with the questions worth asking at each step.
Step by step
Timings below are for a custom, made-to-order unit.
| Stage | Duration | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Consultation | 20 min | Norwood staging, scalp check, lifestyle questions, honest suitability call |
| Template | 15 min | Cling film and tape mould of the exact area to be covered |
| Hair match | 10 min | Cut sample matched for colour, grey %, curl and density |
| Manufacture | 12–15 days | Ventilated to your template and specification |
| Fitting | 90–120 min | Scalp prep, bond, cut, style, care briefing |
| First service | 3–4 weeks later | Removal, clean, re-bond, adjust |
Questions to ask before you pay a deposit
A studio that answers all six without hesitation is a studio worth using.
- What base and hair grade is this quote for, in writing?
- What is the density and how did you choose it for my age?
- What is the service interval and what does each service cost?
- What happens if the colour match is wrong on arrival?
- Can I see the unit before it is bonded to my head?
- What is your policy on repairs within the first 30 days?
The first two weeks
Days 1–3 feel strange — a slight tightness and a hyper-awareness that nobody else shares. This fades.
Days 4–14 are the styling learning curve: less product than you think, and always comb from the ends. Book the first service before you leave the studio; skipping it is what turns a good bond into an obvious one.