What is a Lace Front Wig?

Lace Fronts wigs are simply described as wigs that have invisible hairlines constructed of lace. They are the newest range in modern hair replacements because the lace is invisible to the eye and hair appears to be growing from the scalp.  The lace is very hard to see when placed against the skin.  Lace Front wigs can be made of full lace allowing the hair to be parted in any area and can even be worn in a high ponytail.  There are many variations of lace that can be used to create a Lace Front wig.

FOUNDATION TYPES

Lace is the most undetectable material used in wig making.  Its use has enhanced the popularity of wearing wigs.  Most lace is available in many different colors to match the client’s complexion.  Once glue has been applied to the lace, the foundation becomes transparent and the hair appears to be growing from the scalp!  There are many different foundations to choose from.  Many foundations can be combined to suit the individual preferences.

French Lace

This lace is sometimes referred to as type #64.  The lace material is flexible  and durable.  It is used in combination with bleached knots to give an extremely undetectable appearance.  The knots are not hidden by the lace, but bleaching the knots will create the illusion of hair growing from the scalp.  French Lace is offered in a variety of colors.  The colors include:  Flesh, Beige, Med. Brown and Dark Brown, Butterscotch, Ivory and Light Brown.  French Lace is usually recommended over Swiss Lace for longevity.   Hair density of 80% and below is recommended for this type of foundation.

Extra Fine Swiss Lace

Also referred to as Super Fine Swiss, this lace is the thinnest and most delicate lace available.  It is offered in many colors to blend with skin complexions.  This lace is able to achieve 100% density and the top lace of choice.  Warning:  Extra Fine Swiss Lace is very delicate and easy to tear.  It is not recommended for first-time Lace Front wearers.  Although Swiss Lace is the best lace on the market, it is very expensive.  Many vendors and manufacturers will use French Lace so that they can give the consumer great prices.

Swiss Lace

This lace is a little thicker than Super Fine Swiss Lace and does disappear well on the scalp.  It is more durable than Super Fine Swiss Lace.  With a light application of foundation, the Swiss Lace can make a great addition to your Lace Front Wig.

Polyskin

Polyskin is 100% polyurethane material that closely resembles the scalp.  Hair is injected, knotted or inserted by U-loops.  Polyskin material is not breathable and you cannot wash your hair through it, but it is extremely easy to manage.  It requires frequent removal so that dirt and oil will not build up underneath the unit.  It is easy to apply, remove and clean.  Polyskin 3 is sold in salons as “Bio-skin”.  It is the thinnest skin manufactured.  The skin is 4-5 MIL thick. Only U-loops can be used for this material because it is too thin for knots or injection.  Polyskin 2 is slightly thicker than Polyskin 3.  The skin is 7-8 MIL thick.  Injected Polyskin is actually a double layer of material that has a finished thickness comparable to Polyskin 2.   

CAP CONSTRUCTION CHOICES

Vendors will offer a variety of cap construction choices to suit the individual’s needs, but a wig-maker can make a custom Lace Front wig cap in a number of different ways.   A few basic selections are: 

·        Full lace

·        Lace in front/adjustable cap in back

·        Full lace w/stretch lace from ear to ear

·        A combination of Swiss Lace in front and French Lace in back

The most popular cap type is full lace with an adjustable cap in the back.  Why?  It is because most customers do not want to deal with the hassle of securing the nape area with adhesive.  They will only have to deal with securing the front of the wig.  This cap type fits comfortably is very easy to remove.   This cap is highly recommended for first-time wearers!

Of course, if your customer desires to wear a high ponytail, a full lace wig will be the best choice.

IDENTIFYING TYPES OF HUMAN HAIR

Human hair is available in the finest textures and offer many advantages.  Human hair allows you to style your wig any way you want.  The hair can be treated like your own hair because it responds to styling changes, perms and color.  Even though human hair will lose its shape when wet, you are able to re-style it.  Blow driers, hot rollers and curling irons are acceptable tools for styling.  You can also wet-set the hair and dry it under a hood hairdryer.  Quality human hair wigs should give you up to 3-4 years of wear with proper maintenance and care.

The majority of “human hair” sold over-the-counter is non-cuticle hair.  Most hair sold in stores has been stripped of its cuticle by using an acid bath.  To ensure the quality of your product, verify that the hair has the cuticle in tact.   To test for a cuticle, obtain a small strand of hair and place it between your fingers.  Slowly slide your fingers up the strand.  If the hair bunches up, the cuticle is in tact.  If your fingers slide smoothly, the cuticle has been removed.

Virgin Human Hair

Virgin hair can be described as hair that has not been permed, tinted or processed to remove the cuticle.  It is available straight and also with natural curl and wave patterns.  It is the most natural in appearance and considered to be the strongest hair in the world.  Since the cuticle is still on the shaft, proper care must be taken to avoid tangling when washing.

Virgin European Human Hair

European hair is the finest hair available for wigs.   Virgin European hair is difficult to find and is the most expensive hair type.  Some customer’s prefer this hair type over others because it is supreme in hair quality! When considering this type of hair, be sure to purchase only from a reputable dealer.  Virgin European hair is very expensive to produce.  A top quality virgin European wig usually start at $1,500 and up.

Remy (Remi) Human Hair

The term “Remy” only refers to hair that has the cuticle aligned in the same direction.  Aligning the cuticle in the same direction will reduce tangling.  *Please note that ‘poorly processed’ hair may also be labeled ‘Remy’ because of the cuticle.  Using the description “Remy” does not necessarily mean that the hair is of high quality.

Indian Remy (Remi) Hair

Indian Remy hair is virgin hair that has been harvested with the cuticle in tact and aligned in the same direction. This minimizes the possibility of tangling and matting.  Indian Remy hair is usually harvested in ponytail bundles, directly from a donor, and is sometimes referred to as “cuticle” and “cut hair”.   Indian Remy hair requires re-coloring less often and the hair will last longer because the cuticle is in tact.

 Processed Indian Hair

This type of hair has been processed to be tangle-free and may be re-colored easily.  It has excellent shine and texture and moves just like your natural hair.  Processed Indian hair is fairly inexpensive and may be the top choice for most vendors.  This hair is mainly used to create a variety of textures.

Chinese/Asian Hair

Chinese/Asian hair is the strongest and thickest kind of hair.  This hair type is very beautiful, straight and shiny.  The hair cuticle is extremely strong and therefore nearly impossible to curl.

 SYNTHETIC HAIR

Synthetic hair is less costly than human hair.  They retain their style very well, but are less responsive to major styling changes.  Synthetic wigs are more natural-looking than ever before.  They can be shampooed and dried naturally with minimum care.  The synthetic fibers cannot be permed and the color cannot be changed.  Certain quality hair fibers can accept a low grade of heat, but check the label first.

HAIR DENSITY

Hair density simply describes how many hairs are added to the base of the hair system.  Lower hair density tends to look more natural and is the standard for most vendors.  A high density can make a hair system look “wiggy”.    You can choose a different hair density in different areas of the base.

q       Extra light                   45%

q       Very light                    50%

q       Light                     55%-65%

q       Medium light     70%-80%

q       Medium           90%-100%

q       Heavy               110%- up

***RECOMMENDED***  Light to Medium density.   Light to Medium will appear thin around the hairline and gradually move to a medium density.