The basic structure of an hairpiece can be broken down into the following components and customers can always mix and match the different variables within each component to create their ideal hairpiece:
Base:For base we mean the material on which the hair of the hairpiece has been incorporated. Everyone has a different lifestyle and consequently there are several different types of bases:
Lace: Lace is the most undetectable material used in hairpieces these days. Once placed on your scalp, there is no discernable netting to signal that the hair on your head is not the hair you were born with. The lace foundation disappears as it touches your skin.
SFS Super Fine Swiss Lace: is the thinnest and most delicate lace available and can be used for the front hairline, it can also be used for the entire base but #64 French Lace is recommended with a Super Fine Swiss Lace front.Virtually invisible.
Swiss Lace: is a little thicker than the Super Fine Swiss but does disappear on the scalp very well and is more durable than the Super Fine Swiss.Undetectable
French Lace: is a good choice especially for bases. It is very durable and has good disappearing qualities on the front hairline as well. It is available in bleached white, pink, orange yellow, tan, brown, black colors. If matched in proper color with the own skin tone is undetectable as much as Swiss Lace.
Curl and Wave Hair
Curl size is expressed in millimeters (1 mm=0.04 inch).The higher the curl size in millimeters the straighter the hair. The very slightest wave, called "Body Wave" is barely detectable in the hairpiece. You can only see very large, slight waves. It seems to help your hair remember the way you comb it. When you comb it wet, and then let it dry in your own style, the body wave seems to keep your set better.
-Body Wave
-Slight Wave 30mm-26mm
-Medium (Standard)Wave 25mm-20mm
-Tight Wave 20mm-16mm
-Medium (Loose) Curl 15mm-11mm
-Tight Curl 10mm-06mm
-Afro Curl 05mm-02mm
Hair Style
Freestyle, if you want the flexibility of moving the part from time to time or no part at all. With freestyle, there's not a defined direction of which the hair has to go. If you're not sure about what style to chose, you can simply sketch some hair onto the pattern you send us, or draw a paper sketch of the way your hair looks or send a photo of the hairstyle you want to achieve.
Hair Length
Length is entirely at the customer's discretion during the first cut in for the hairpiece. Any length can be obtained up to 24 inches. Additional fees are applied for all lengths over 14 inches.
Hair Knotting and Bleaching
Natural single hair knotting is standard on all Top lace front hairlines unless otherwise requested . All Bleached knots are added per requested.
Remy Hair
Human hair collected directly from a hair donor is Remy Hair. It is sometimes referred to as Cuticle & Cut Hair. The majority of human hair sold over the counter is non-cuticle hair. Over the counter hair cuticle has been stripped by using an acid-bath. With Remy hair, we do not do this so the hair cuticle remains intact which ensures the cuticle layers are aligned in the same direction. The hair is stronger with great luster and has the potential to last MUCH longer if properly maintained. The most impressive advantage of Remy hair is tangle-free and longer life.
Accessories
Attachment refers to how the hair system is attached to your scalp or balding area. The two most commonly used attachment methods are double sided tapes and liquid adhesives. Which product to use is just a matter of preference. In most cases, customers can use either the tape or the bonding or even a combination of both depending on the customer's lifestyles and the type of bases.. If someone is very active and constantly engages in sports or lives in extreme climatic conditions (wind,rain,strong sun, ecc) then it is important to choose an attachment that offers the maximum hold. On the other hand, if someone is more concerned about breathability of the scalp and being able to cleanse the scalp on a regular basis, then it is important to choose an attachment method that allows easy clean up and maintenance. Tapes are doublesided . They are sticky on both sides and they have a backing that must be peeled off and are generally suited for daily or short term use where the customer can remove the hair system and the tapes at night and reattach the next day. This allows for daily clean up of the scalp and the hair system. Liquid adhesives are generally more suitable for extended wearing for over a couple of days or even longer.
Adhesives
Top Lace Flesh Glue: A water-based white cream that dries clear and without shine. Used mostly on the lace front and can give up to 7 days hold.
White Glue: Goes on white dries clear. Apply to scalp and while still wet apply hair piece and press down with brush, then quickly remove hair piece and let dry for 5 minutes for extra hold apply second coating, scalp and hairpiece must be free from oil and clean.
"I" Glue: Use on lace or poly gives a hold of 3 days to 1 week on lace and up to 4 weeks on poly. Apply to scalp and while still wet apply hair piece and press down with brush, then quickly remove hair piece and let dry for 5 minutes for extra hold apply second coating, scalp and hairpiece must be free from oil and clean.
Ultra-Hold: Excellent medical grade formulated acrylic adhesive. Used mostly on poly and is regarded as the strongest adhesive available holding up to 4 weeks. Can also be used on lace for a strong hold, but does give a little shine through the lace.
Mity Tite: Medical grade formulated acrylic adhesive. It is a soft bond extended wear adhesive not as strong as Ultra-Hold but does hold for up to 3-4 weeks on poly. Again, can be used on lace but again gives a little shine through lace.
Super Grip Adhesive: Goes on white and dries clear, can be used to reactivate tape, for use with lace, first apply Scalp Protector, let dry, than apply Super Grip
Contoured Tape is available in many contours (A, AA, B, BB, C, CC and D).It's ideal for attaching the entire front and sides/back.
Tape Rolls are ideal for cutting lengths of tape to your exact specifications.
All Lace support tapes 7mm, 4mm, Pink Royal Lace Support Tape: Can be placed onto the lace under hair density to give a little more hold, but should be used right at the front hairline as they will show through. They can be used on poly perimeters and give a medium for up to 3 days.
Contoured Tape is available in many contours (A, AA, B, BB, C, CC and D).It's ideal for attaching the entire front and sides/back.
Tape Rolls are ideal for cutting lengths of tape to your exact specifications.
All Lace support tapes 7mm, 4mm, Pink Royal Lace Support Tape: Can be placed onto the lace under hair density to give a little more hold, but should be used right at the front hairline as they will show through. They can be used on poly perimeters and give a medium for up to 3 days.
Dura-Flex
This new transparent tape is one of the strongest, most durable double-sided tape on the market today. It can last up to 3-4 weeks without the use of other adhesives. This product consists of a fiber filled hypoallergenic pressure-sensitive adhesive. The transfer adhesive is supplied on a tan paper liner. The adhesive thickness measures a nominal 5-mil.Expect a 3 weeks bonding.
Scalp Protector
If you are have sensitive skin, oily skin or excessive perspiration it helps to prevent irritation of scalp due to tape, excess unit wear, adhesives, allergic reaction. It forms a tough, thin, protective barrier, which will wear off gradually over 2 to 3 days but will not dissolve in the scalp's perspirations. The tape and adhesives will adhere better and last longer. It helps to prevent tape from getting gummy.
Citrus Resolvent: Fast acting on flesh glue but gentle to skin. Avoid contact with eyes.
Lace Release: This solvent reduces the chance of damaging lace frontal .Adhesive residue remains on scalp not on hairpiece. Non-oily
Hair Density
Hair density is simply how many hairs are added to your hair system base. In the old days, high density was necessary because the base materials were usually made of thicker materials and would be easily exposed if hair density were low. Nowadays, with the advance of thinner base materials such as lace and thin skin low density tends to look more natural especially with the see through look along the hairlines. You can chose different hair density in different areas of the base.
Extra light density is 45%
Very light density is 50%
Light density is 55% to 65% .
Medium light is 70% to 80%.
Medium is 90% to 100%.
110% and up (For women only. This is very, very thick).
Density is hard to gauge from photos and a lot depends on your hair length, how curly it is, how dark it is, the lighting, etc. The pictures below are of a factory density book (no bleached knots here!) which contains industry standard densities of 50%, 80%, 100%, 130%, 150% and 180%. Looking at our photos page you will see how various densities look in various colors and lengths on our clients...
Lace in the front:
ADVANTAGES
-Most natural
-Glued down well is undetectable both to the sight and touch
DISADVANTAGES
-Delicate material
-Need periodic maintenance
-Short life span (6 months)
Lace in the base:
ADVANTAGES
-Most breathable
-Lightweight and comfortable
-Glued down well is undetectable both to the sight and touch
DISADVANTAGES
-Delicate material
-Less maintenance than thin skin
-Short life span (6 months)
Lace + Thin skin Poly strip (around sides and back) Thin skin Poly strip is used around the perimeter of lace bases so glue or tape can be applied. It is very thin and difficult to detect it with touch.
ADVANTAGES
-Tapes and strong adhesives can be used on the poly strip
DISADVANTAGES
-Poly strip is more detectable to the touch than lace
Thin skin is a very thin poly material and can be used for bases and fronts. This type of base looks very natural when hair is injected into it. Thin skin can also be used around the perimeter of lace bases so tape can be applied to it. It is very thin and is very difficult to detect it with touch.
ADVANTAGES
-Natural frontal hairline
-Easy and short maintenance with tapes and strong adhesives
-Resistant base
DISADVANTAGES
-Poly skin base is less breathable than thin skin and more detectable to the touch
Lace + Poly gauze
Poly gauze is used around the perimeter of lace bases so glue or tape can be applied. It is more durable and thicker than thin skin and a little more detectable to the touch .
ADVANTAGES
-Natural frontal hairline
-Easy and short maintenance with tapes and strong adhesives
DISADVANTAGES
-Thin skin base is less breathable than lace and can't accept hair density over 85%
Lace front + Thin skin base
ADVANTAGES
-Natural frontal hairline
-Easy and short maintenance with tapes and strong adhesives
-Resistant base
DISADVANTAGES
-Poly skin base is less breathable than thin skin and more detectable to the touch
Fine monofilament base allows the scalp to breath easily and provides good natural look. More strong and durable than lace.
ADVANTAGES
-Excellent breathability
-Accept heavy hair densities
-Good Life span (1 year)
-Hair knots don't need to be bleached
DISADVANTAGES
-Less natural to the touch than lace
-Less durable than poly skin
-Not a good choice as base in the frontal area for a natural-looking hairline
Poly skin base is constructed with a thin layer of permeable skin whereby the hair is injected or knotted into it at pre-determined angles to replicate the lift and naturalness of real hair. More durable, resistant and thicker material than thin skin and can be used for heavy hair densities. Injected and knotted hair into poly skin again does look very natural, but is easier to detect to the touch than thin skin.
ADVANTAGES
-Easy and short maintenance with tapes and strong adhesives
-Accept heavy hair densities
-Ideal for very extended wear
-Longer life span (1-2 years)
DISADVANTAGES
-Less breathable than lace
-Less detectable to the touch than thin skin
-Not a good choice as base in the frontal area for a natural-looking hairline