How thick are lace bases compared to poly?

[hairwars]

Hi guys, I'm a diffuse thinner, who has had enough of hiding my hair loss with a comb over and concealer combo. I'm having to use more and more concealer to the point I've got more toppik/dermmatch on my head than actual hair. I think I'm a decent candidate for a system, as I'm fortunate enough to still have a complete hairline intact. So I don't think I have to worry too much about detectability to sight, at the hairline, which seems to be a major issue for most wearers. I plan on wearing just behind my natural hairline and I've seen a few photos and videos of this and everyone seems to agree that it gives a huge advantage to the wearer, so I'm very pleased about that. However, I have some concerns about detectability to touch.

I realize, that at some point, if I were to get into a relationship with a woman, it's almost inevitable that she will discover I'm wearing a system. So I know I'll have to deal with that. But I don't want to do it until I'm sure the relationship has a longer term potential, and before that, I hope to have had some physical action! I plan on saying I don't like my hair being touched, but even so, I'd like the system to be as undetectable as possible.

From what I've read, a properly attached UTS 0.03 and even poly 0.06 bases are very hard to detect, as they are so thin. But I'm a pretty active guy, so think a lace system might be the way to go for me. But I've read people saying that with lace, you can feel the edges. So my question is, just how thick are lace bases (what is the thinnest I guess I'm really asking?) Am I right in thinking that is can run my fingers across my head with a UTS and find it very hard to feel the edges, but with any kind of lace system, it's just going to be much easier to feel the edges?

Thanks, I appreciate you taking the time to read this and for any advice you might offer.

 

[Noah]

Hi Hairwars

I haven't tried to measure it, but Swiss lace is certainly comparable with the very thinnest polyskin bases. Here's a picture of mine which will give you an idea just how fine it is.

I don't think the edges of a lace system are per se any more detectable than the edges of a skin system. However, typically skin bases are a uniform thickness over the whole base, and are attached with a layer of liquid adhesive over the whole base/scalp interface, whereas lace systems are typically attached with a line of tape just around the perimeter, leaving the centre of the base unattached and breathable. Also, many lace systems have a horseshoe-shaped strip of polythene around the back and sides of the system, which gives a smooth robust surface to attach tape to for a more secure hold and an easier clean-up. A line of tape around the perimeter makes a little bump in the lace base which can just about be felt, especially if the piece is low density. The combination of poly horseshoe rim plus tape creates quite a big bump which can fairly easily be felt.

If you are concerned about detectability to the touch, I would avoid the poly horseshoe rim. You could also avoid using tape, and just use liquid glue instead, although that would make the processes of attachment and clean-up a bit more fiddly, and the difference is fairly marginal. I wear a lace system without the poly rim, but I do use tape, and no one has ever detected it.

I think if you retain your natural hairline and wear a system like that in behind it, you stand a very good chance of your system going undetected for as long as you want, although I agree that it is something that should be disclosed in the context of a long-term relationship.

Noah

 

[hairwars]

Hi Noah, thanks for taking the time to reply.

Your response raises another question for me. If I were to use glue, as opposed to tape, on a lace system, am I effectively negating the benefit of lace being more breathable? With glue I assume I apply it to the entire base and thus the center will also be attached (unlike with tape) and therefore it wont be as breathable, like with a poly system?

Thanks

 

[Noah]

If you did a full scalp glue bond with a lace unit you would be lowering the breathability, but it will still be more breathable than a skin base. But I would suggest you just glue around the perimeter. The main reason why skin units are glued all over is that, if you don't, and some of the skin base is left unattached, it makes a kind of "plastic bag" noise when you touch it (or anyone else touches it).

 

[hairwars]

Ah ok, that make sense.

Does lace look like natural scalp? I'm planning on using a lighter density system, where some scalp will be visible. I plan on having bleached knots, as it will be dark hair.

Thanks again, I really appreciate your help.

 

[JonathanHair]

Are you looking just for a full lace system or is lace front one?

 

[hairwars]

I think full lace. But I've not fully decided yet. I'm still reading and learning as much as I can.

 

[JonathanHair]

Full lace systems are the most natural looking but are usually more expensive as it is lace throughout. Lace front uses other material which provides other benefits (such as the poly making it easier to attach/remove). This is a good guide on full lace vs. lace front. It's about wigs but the same thing applies to men's hair systems.

As far as thickness goes though, lace systems in general are pretty thin and look undetectable, especially with the front hairline.

 

[hairwars]

Thanks a lot for the info and the link. I'll read the guide tonight. I'm grateful for your help.