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.

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.