French top wigs are a definite throw back but are making a huge come back as the manufacturers have figured out how to make them faster and more economically than in the past. A French top wig is basically a machine or hand tied wig with a special French top added. The French top has an esthetically pleasing appearance that literally looks as though hair is coming straight from the scalp.
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 The French Top and Part has been around for many years and they were originally made by wig makers only.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.
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The proper application of a hair replacement system is very important. If the system isn’t properly place the hair wearer may find the system uncomfortable and un-Styleable.
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.
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Often the difference between stock and custom hair replacement system prices can be big. Unfortunately there are many hair wearers out there who simply have to order custom. Everyone has a unique head shape, and although stock hair systems have been produced to work great for a large majority of hair wearers, having a unique head size that does not conform to typical stock size is something that no hair wearer can get around. For this reason many hair wearers are confined custom hair systems. There’s certainly nothing wrong with going custom. In fact, a huge number of hair wearers opt for custom hair solutions by choice, not necessity. They prefer the individualized service and feel there is nothing more natural than a fully custom hair replacement system.
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Hair loss does not discriminate in any way. Men, Women and Children all loose their hair in different ways. Usually when we think of hair systems we think of the toupee for the man and a wig for a woman but this is far from the reality.
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. (more…)
Lace materials for hair replacements and particularly fronts have become a hot ticket in the industry. It isn’t a surprise considering the appearance one gets from a lace is as close to reality as you can get.
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.
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Whether one chooses a liquid adhesive as opposed to a tape is truly a personal choice but it also has a great deal to do with the attachment wanted as well as the base material and often a combination of both tape and adhesive is used.
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.
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Lace wigs and lace fronts are the hottest ticket out there. Lace wigs were originally only found in the theatre, the silver screen or on those who had the connections to have one made for them. Lace wigs and lace fronts have recently been seen on the streets since the popularity of some well seen celebrities who openly wear the wigs and lace front additions.
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.
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Removing the adhesive residue from the hair of a hair system is incredibly important. The adhesive in the hair can create a lot of stress and degradation to the hair knots as well as to the integrity of the base material.
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.
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