Chapter 3- Base Options
In this chapter I will explain the various base materials that are available, and the positive and negative aspects of each as they pertain to a full cap.
There are many different base materials to choose from when ordering a full cap, but the two most common types of materials used in hairpiece construction today are lace and polyurethane “skin”. Lace is probably the most common base material used today due to the fact that it is less detectable to touch and sight and level of comfort it provides.
There are two different types of lace to choose from.
The first type is French Lace. This is the more durable of the two laces. A French Lace base will last for a long time with proper care, and for many people it is also extremely undetectable if attached and maintained correctly.
The second type of lace is Swiss Lace. Although considered to be the most undetectabile and the most comfortable by many hair wearers, it is also the most fragile. Swiss lace tends to fray easily, and is susceptible to small holes which often become larger when caught with a comb.
Hint- As I mentioned in the previous chapter, I highly, HIGHLY recommend that beginners start with an all French Lace base for their first order. As I mentioned, not only is this base material very durable, but it also very difficult to detect if attached properly. Perhaps the biggest benefit to using French Lace is the ability to customize your unit after it has arrived. With a little practice it is very easy to trim the base to allow last minute customization. Sometimes cutting even a small piece of the base can make a HUGE difference in realism.
Polyurethane “skin” is another common base material used in today’s hairpieces. Poly bases come in various thicknesses, the thicker being more durable and easier to maintain. Exciting new advances are being made with ultra-thin skin materials resulting in increased undetectability, but as with lace, the more delicate the material, the less durable. Poly bases are generally more detectable to sight and touch than lace bases, but are often easier to apply, clean, and maintain.
Each base material has its strengths and its weaknesses, so which base material is right for YOU?
As I mentioned (and I can’t stress this enough), I recommend starting with an all French Lace Base for your first full cap. The only drawback to starting with this type of base is that it might take a little longer to get used to the attachment, and you will usually need to allow a little extra time for cleanup, but the benefits far outweigh any drawbacks.
Once you have ordered a French Lace full cap that you are satisfied with, you might want to try ordering a piece with a skin perimeter. If you are ordering from the same company you purchased your first piece from, they should have your template on file, but if you have customized your lace piece by trimming the base or if you want to do something a little different this time, you will want to build a new template to match your new specs, as it is more difficult to customize a skin piece.
Having a piece with an all skin perimeter can come in extremely handy. Although this type of base is more detectable, having a piece that is very easy to apply, maintain, and clean can prove to be invaluable to a person with a busy schedule. A skin perimeter piece can be a lifesaver when you are running short on time but find yourself needing to remove your current piece for cleaning.
Hint- I highly recommend that you have at least one full lace piece and one piece with a skin perimeter on hand at all times. It will make hair wearing MUCH easier by allowing you the ability to switch pieces very quickly if necessary. Keep in mind that a skin piece might limit your ability to wear certain hairstyles, and will be more detectable to touch. Personally, I don’t consider this to be a problem, as I believe that changing your hairstyle regularly is beneficial to helping create the illusion that your hair is actually your own. As for the fact that it might be more detectable to touch, you will have to keep that in mind and avoid wearing a skin perimeter unit when undetectability to touch is important.
On a final note, you should also be aware that it is possible to order a full cap made entirely with a poly base, although most people might find it to be hot and uncomfortable.
There are also many other base designs that can be created by combining materials. Do you like to wear a hairstyle that shows your hairline but prefer the durability of French Lace? Order a piece with an all French Lace base with a strip of Swiss Lace only at the hairline. Hairpiece manufacturers can make a piece with nearly any combination of materials imaginable, so don’t be afraid to order something that suits your personal needs.
hey rob,
another Q about all french lase base. some bases have double lace in front with scallop.. is this double lace front as invisible as single lace front.
thx