Hair System Base Construction

Having a good understanding of how hair bases are designed will help you pick the right base every time.

Why so many configurations?

Knowing your preference is important before you order a custom base system from any company. You may be looking for the most undetectable appearance possible, or perhaps you prefer strength and durability. This does not mean you can only have one-or-the-other. Many bases are designed to offer a combination of both.

In hair bases, four designs reign supreme

There are four basic construction methods for hair system bases. Although the industry provides a vast array of designs and materials, almost every type of custom hair system can be placed into one of four main areas of base construction. The trick is to figure out which is the best for you.

I. Full Lace Base Systems

Base systems made entirely of mesh fabric or “lace” material are the hottest trend in hair replacement these days. A full lace base can be made from many different types of lace materials to increase the durability. However, the more popular full lace systems use ultra fine material to provide the most natural appearance possible.

These systems are also thought to be the lightest and most breathable systems available. The downside to a full lace base system is that it will probably have a limited life-span and require regular repairs or replacement. See our entire line of full lace base systems.

II. Lace Front Base Systems

In an attempt to achieve the natural appearance of a full lace system yet provide a longer life span, the industry has created hair systems using the lace material only in the front and hairline area.

These “lace front” systems are available in a variety of different designs and materials. Most times you see lace front bases using skin material in the back and top.

The drawback to these types of bases are in the way they feel – because of the varying weight between lace in the front and skin in the back, running your fingers through your hair will sometimes reveal a small “bump” at the point where the two materials meet. See our entire line of lace front base systems.

III. Full Skin Base Systems

Base systems made entirely of polyurethane or “skin” material are common in the industry because they can be dyed to resemble your natural skin tones. This will frequently provide a natural appearance as well and like the full lace systems, the weight or thickness of the skin material will vary depending on user preference.

The popular remy hair systems are a part of this category and use a combination of skin materials to provide a natural look from the top of the head. However, these systems tend to be very thick and will not offer the most natural appearance in the front hairline.

Perhaps the biggest drawback to a full skin system is they are not breathable, although they are gas permeable. This often causes the system to be hot and less comfortable to wear than the lace systems. See our entire line of full skin base systems.

IV. Conventional Base Systems

Long considered the flagship base systems in the hair replacement industry, these bases are very common among hair wearers.

Most times these hair systems use thicker materials and a common design is to provide a mesh fabric top with a polyurethane perimeter for added stability.

Although still very popular, conventional base systems are steadily becoming extinct in the industry because they cannot offer the same level of appearance as the full lace, full skin or lace front systems. See our entire line of conventional base systems…

No Lose... We Help You Choose!

We encourage every hair wearer to educate themselves and know what is available before picking a base system. However, Hair Direct is always here to help!

We have a highly-qualified staff of hair techs to guide you through the selection and design process of your hair system.

Browse through our wide selection of custom hair bases and read about the features and benefits they each offer.

Check out High Definition Hair™, a new technology available in both full lace and lace front bases to create an undetectable hairline.