The French Top consists of several layers of material with the top layer being a synthetic silk type material that has the appearance of skin because of its tight weave. The hair is ventilated / tied into a lower layer and the hair is pulled through the top layer of synthetic silk one hair at a time for a truly natural appearance. Another method has the hair injected into the synthetic silk, one hair at a time, and then the hair is laminated to the underside of the lace using a soft adhesive material that will not bleed through the material and will allow the hair to move naturally on the head. The French Top is then connected to the balance of the wig and finished off for a smooth natural appearance. The French Top can also be downsized to just a part area but the technique has not been done for entire wig as the hair does come straight out of the material and would not lay down correctly on the sides and back. The French Top and Part has been around for many years and they were originally made by wig makers only. The technique has been done in mass production but the intricacies of the work prohibited it from being done in mass. The French Tops and Parts are all strictly hand made one at a time.

Recently we have see the French Tops showing up in the Jewish market for the wigs worn by the Orthodox and Hasidic Jewish women who by tradition and for religious reasons always have their heads covered. There are few wig makers who still work making the French tops and parts but those that do are not at a loss for work. The single hand made French top is still a beautiful work of art and the person who has the honor of owning and wearing one will proudly admit what it is if asked.

For the rest of us, we may need to stick to the ready made wig with the French Top or Part added and the consumer will know it as soon as they see it. You cannot believe how realistic the French Top and Part can be and with the new techniques and materials they are not only lovely to look at but extremely comfortable on the scalp with the smooth silk like underlay which is some times finished with a quilted effect. Look for this in a top quality wig shop and note the fine workmanship and usually very good quality hair that is used for the wig. This is the ultimate for any wig wearer.

Source

First it is important to have all your products readily at hand and of course a mirror will be necessary. Be sure that your system as well as your scalp is absolutely clean and free from dirt and oil and both your head and system should be dry. For the benefit of your skin it is recommended that you apply a skin cleaner to remove any additional oil on the scalp and if available apply a thin layer of Scalp Prep to protect your scalp after the system is on. If you’re wearing a tape on system, wipe the tape tab area with some 99% alcohol to assure there is no residue or oil on the tape tab area. Apply your tape, lifting the liner in areas where you’re overlapping strips. Once your tape is in place remove the liner. Have your existing hair clean dry and styled then pick up your system holding the front towards you with the back away from you and have the base inverted. Inverting the base will keep the hair from getting on the tape. Locate the center front of you hair line and gently place the front of the system at this point then gently roll the system back into place on your scalp. Check your placement and if your happy with it press the tape onto your scalp. If you find you are a little crooked with your placement gently pull the system off going from back to front, readjust the placement and repeat the procedure. Once the system is in place style the hair into your existing hair and you should be ready to go. After a few tries this action becomes second nature.

If you’re using a full head bond you are probably using an adhesive so your preparation will be slightly different. Again, it is important to have system, hair and scalp completely clean and free from dirt and oil. It is particularly important to prepare the scalp utilizing a scalp cleaner and scalp prep. The cleaner has an astringent value that will close the pores and the scalp prep will coat the skin on the scalp to keep potential bacteria from making it’s way into the skin. If you’re wearing a skin system, wipe the base with 99% alcohol and allow to completely dry. Once the base is dry apply a thin layer of your adhesive and allow the adhesive to get slightly tacky. Apply a thin layer of adhesive to your scalp and also allow the adhesive to get slightly tacky. Once the scalp and base are ready follow the directions above for applying the system. It is very important with a full head bond to do this procedure correctly the first time. As you roll the system back onto your scalp press is gently down to eliminate any bubbles or wrinkles. Once you have the system on and in place gently press the entire system allowing the adhesive on the base and scalp to bond together. If you’re doing a full head bond with lace, follow the same procedure only eliminate putting the adhesive on the base of the system and apply two thin layers of the adhesive to the scalp allowing the first to dry before applying the second layer and letting the second layer get tacky, then apply the lace system to the head in the same manner as the skin.

Source

Regardless of whether you want to go custom or stock, if you have base dimensions that require custom you’re pretty much going to have to get used to custom hair replacement. The main problem with custom hair systems is price. Customs can cost hundreds – even thousands of dollars more than a typical stock hair system. If you’re concerned about the price of a custom hair system, there are still affordable solutions out there. One great way to save money on a custom solution is by customizing a stock hair system. There are some companies out there that will actually let you do this. Basically, you choose from a variety of predesigned base styles provided by the hair replacement company, then you add your own specifications to personalize it. This means you can fully customize the base size to fit the unique dimensions of your head: you can also completely customize color, density, wave and hair length – usually up to a point. This works great for the hair replacement company because the order is easier to process when the base style is one that is frequently used. This means the hair replacement company can charge significantly less for the hair replacement system and still provide a service that is fully custom to the client. In the hair replacement industry, this is a complete win-win situation for both the retailer and the consumer. Something that is rare these days.

If you’re looking for a custom hair system, remember there are many options out there. You don’t have to spend a fortune to get a great looking hair piece. All you need to do is make sure you put in the time and effort into researching a quality hair replacement company to do business with. One sure sign of a quality hair replacement company is one who provides a variety of options to consumers, instead of trying to force them in one direction. When the choice is in your hands, you’ll have a higher chance of getting a hair system that will work great for you and a price that you can live with!

Source

Many women today are experiencing hair loss for many reasons. For some it is caused by hormonal changes, for others it is genetic but generally speaking a woman’s hair loss will be diffused meaning there is an overall thinning of the hair or they will experience hair loss on the top of the head somewhat like a man. For women with hair loss there are as many options if not more than there are for men. Women will often have hair systems designed using the same materials as used for a men’s system. The main difference is usually on the shape of the base design. Women will usually not have a pronounced recession in the front and their systems are usually in an oval or round shape. Most women reject the idea of having their head shaved for attachment purposes and will opt for clips or tape for their attachment giving them the option to remove the system when they choose. Another great option for women is the use of integration systems. Integrations allow the existing hair to be pulled through the base and integrated with the hair in the system. These systems can be made of materials that have openings as small as a quarter of an inch and go up from there. The reason for the wide variety of opening sizes is to accommodate for any existing hair the wearer might have on their head. Or you may find systems designed with a combination of materials and integration opening sizes based on the hair loss pattern. For example: if the lady has very thin hair on the top but good strong hair and density on the side the option can be anything from a solid top base material with integration openings on the sides and back to a top with very small openings to integrate and larger openings on the sides and back. For ladies with overall diffused hair loss a great option is a three quarter cap integration. These systems are very soft, they fit on the head like a cap leaving about one inch of their hair line uncovered. The cap is made up of cabled threads that have hair tied to them and the existing hair is pulled through the openings allowing all the hair to be integrated. These systems can be secured by using clips, hair pins, and fusion points and in some cases the existing hair pulled through is enough to securely hold the cap on the head.

Any woman who is experiencing hair loss whether temporary or permanent can have the same option of regaining their hair by the use of hair systems with a variety of ready made systems as well as custom designed systems.

Source

There are several types of lace materials in the market and each has it’s own properties that make it special but there are some created names out there so it is wise to know what you really want.

Fine Welded Mono Lace: Probably one of the most popular due to it’s durability yet it still has a very nice finished look for the client who just wants a natural front in case the wind blows. Fine Welded Mono is an open weave nylon monofilament material that is literally welded using an ultrasonic welder at each point where two strands of the monofilament meet. This method makes the material very strong which helps with fraying along the edge. Fine Welded Mono Lace can be easily heat set and requires no tailoring or darting to maintain its shape and holds up very well. The down side to the material is that it is stiff and for some it can be uncomfortable or scratchy and it doesn’t have as fine an appearance for those wanting to wear their hair back exposing the hair line. However for anyone with NON sensitive skin or if you just want the immediate look to be natural but don’t have the front hair line completely exposed 100% of the time, this is a great way to go.

French Lace: Used for many years in the theatrical world, French Lace gives a very natural look for the front hair line as well as for the body of a hair piece. French Lace is soft to the touch and very flexible. The down side to French Lace is that it is a bit delicate and requires care when wearing a system with this material. It is usually advised that the front edge of a French Lace system be scalloped or Pinked with a pinking shear to help minimize and delay fraying. During the course of wear the front edge can be cut back as it frays up to the hair line with no problem. Bases made of this material are also more delicate so care should be given when brushing and combing the hair to avoid catching the material in the brush or comb causing the base to tear.

Swiss Lace or Swiss Net: This is really the ultimate lace material. It is very fine in appearance and when applied to the skin literally disappears. Swiss Net is more expensive than French Lace so it is often promoted but just as often substituted with French Lace. Unfortunately consumers who don’t really know the difference cannot tell if they have Real Swiss Lace or its less expensive counter part, but seeing the two materials together you will see the differences quite clearly. The main difference is its more transparent look and it is a bit finer, therefore more delicate than French Lace but the finished look is truly the ultimate for Lace Materials.

Source

Generally speaking tape is used for daily wear if tape is being used as the only attachment method or in combination with hair clips. Daily wear tapes are usually pretty aggressive and hold quickly but often will loose their strength by the end of the day—hence the name. These tapes can be used on the perimeter tape tabs as well as the frontal area and are very effective as well as safe for skin contact. There are also very good extended wear tapes that really give a good hold for up to 7 days and work very well for perimeter, frontal or even total head bonding. This type of tape has a good hold for longer periods and does not breakdown quickly, it also is very good used on lace bases, fine welded mono and thin skin bases it is truly an all purpose type of tape with a good track record for hold. If a hair wearer has problems with sensitive skin or is recovering from an outbreak due to a reaction to another tape or adhesive there is now available a tape that actually has a medicated factor that will help to heal the skin while giving the hair wearer a light hold.

Adhesives have long been the favorite for permanent attachments. They can be latex based, resin based, silicone based or acrylic based and each has its own function, good qualities and bad qualities. Latex adhesives aren’t used much these days. The original latex adhesives were made with natural latex which is rubber. This was an effective material but could often result in a toxic allergic reaction so the adhesives people have since replaced this with synthetic latex. Latex is soft and pretty comfortable to wear but it can bleed when the wearer perspires with a milky appearance and is not so easy to get out of hair and base materials. Resin based adhesives are softer and great for grafting where the system is completely adhered to the head. Good quality resin based adhesives stay soft and pliable and by nature should absorb the body oils and perspiration during the duration of its hold. The hold time for these products is about 21 days. Silicone adhesives are the most costly but the safest for use on skin. They are clear, stay soft and will work on many types of bases including lace. The use of silicone adhesive on lace works well because it is water resistant affording a longer hold time, it dries clear and can’t be seen through the lace making it very popular among lace wearers and those with lace fronts. Acrylic adhesives are hard drying but have the longest hold. In the class of acrylics is “Crazy Glue” and we all know the type of hold you can get with that. When using acrylic adhesives tape is also incorporated and is placed on the perimeter of a system to make clean up and removal easier but if the adhesive gets on the base or the hair it is impossible to get out.

The bottom line is that it will take a few tries for any hair wearer to find the right tape, adhesive or combination that will work for them. Always be sure to test the adhesive or tape by placing a small amount behind your ear on the skin and wait 24 hours to be sure there is no negative reaction.

Source

A lace wig is truly the ultimate for any wig wearer. They are different from wigs as we generally know them because they are usually made or at least “tailored” to fit the individual. A lace wig is made completely of a soft French or Swiss lace in several sections and the wig maker will take darts in the lace to make the material contour the head and because of this it is possible to get a glove tight fit for the wearer. During the process of tailoring the wig base the wig maker will take into effect the finished hair style to be sure that the lace is place so the hair can be ventilated / tied into the base going in the correct direction for the finished style.

This is especially important in the top and frontal area as this is where the hair must flow naturally and the way the lace is configured hair direction will be affected if the lace is not placed correctly. Once the wig maker has the cap completed they can do a final fitting to be sure the fit is correct and the front is smooth and tight. If adjustments need to be done this is the time to do it and a final fitting can be done just to check. Once the cap is finished the wig maker can now begin ventilating the hair into the base. This is done with a hooked ventilating needle that can be gauged to pick up as many hairs as needed for a section of the wig. For example in the back and side areas the wig maker may use a needle that picks up 2 to 4 hairs for the knot. This allows for volume without having to fill in quite so many holes in the lace. The wig maker will usually start at the nape area and work up on the back of the wig followed by the sides and then working on the top. Once the wig maker gets to the top and front area they will usually switch their ventilating needle to only pick up one hair for each knot. This allows the wig maker to make very small tight knots that are virtually impossible to be seen. The real art for the wig maker is of course the frontal area. The single hair knots, placement and hair direction has to look and move like natural hair and should not be noticeable to the eye. Once a lace wig is completed, dressed or styled and placed on the head a small amount of lace adhesive is placed on the skin where the edge of the lace will sit, allowed to get tacky and then the lace is pressed into the adhesive where it disappears into the skin. Once the adhesive is completely dry normal daily make up can be applied and the wearer is ready to go.

Source

When cleaning a system or lace front always try to have the most refined natural solvent or removal available. The most common cleaners on the market are citrus based but have a yellow or orange appearance. Your best choice cost a bit more but is well worth it in the maintenance of your hair system. The base as well as the hairs are better protected with a refined remover such as Adhesio™ Adhesive Cleaner. You’ll know it’s the most refined by its crystal clear appearance.

Apply Adhesio™ Adhesive Cleaner to a cotton pad or swab, apply to the tape or adhesive area and allow to work. When the adhesive is loosened gently remove the system from your head. Apply additional Adhesio™ Adhesive Cleaner to the adhesive or tape and allow the cleaner to work. Gently remove the tape. With tape or adhesive you will notice that the residue is beginning to break down and coagulate. You can use a soft wash cloth or soft bristle brush to work the residue off the lace or base material and into the hair. Once the residue is in the hair it can easily be combed out of the hair with a fine tooth comb then washed as usual until all oil and adhesive residue have been removed from the hair. It may be necessary to wash the hair two or three times but it is important to get all adhesive and solvent residues from the hair, base material and tape tab areas. Once the hair is completely cleansed of any residue apply a gentle leave in conditioner to the hair and allow the hair to air dry. If you should find any area where there appears to be residue or oil it is advised to repeat the process again. It is advisable to concentrate on only those areas that need attention and avoid areas where the hair is clean. Rinse the entire system apply leave in conditioner and allow to air dry.

It may seem like a lot to do but it is wise to understand that the alternative is hair loss, scalp irritation and the breakdown of your systems base. Whenever residue is left in the hair it always settles in the knots and the base material. The combination of products and chemicals with body oils and acids will most definitely cause break down in your system and hair. A few simple tips to remember: Whenever possible dilute your shampoo and conditioner. Wash rinse and repeat—at least once or twice—this isn’t your head this is a textile and hair or fiber that are not a part of you other than their attached for a period of time to you head. Rinse, Rinse, Rinse and Rinse some more. The longer you rinse the more residue and body fluids you’ll remove and the cleaner your system. Finally, consider an additional system to rotate for the best possible hygiene.

Source