Hair System Glossary

Poly perimeter A thin, pliable strip of polyurethane applied to the full or partial perimeter of a hair system. Adhesives are applied directly to the poly perimeter instead of the hair system base material. It is used to increase durability and simplify cleanup. Recolor Recolor is the process by which blond hair is ventilated into the hair system base, then manually processed with darker color, so knots are completely invisible and the hair looks like it is naturally growing from your scalp. Ready-to-wear hair system Any hair system or wig that is pre-made and stored in a warehouse facility, ready to ship upon ordering. It is not a custom product. See “stock hair system.” Reinforced sewing lines In a full lace hair system with no poly perimeter, invisible “sewing lines” are sometimes stitched into the lace to give the base more shape, which allows for easier attachment and positioning. Return Hand-tied hairs in lace and monofilament bases have a long end and a short end on either side of the knot. The short end is known as the return. For example, a 16-inch-long hair system might have a 4-inch return. Skin "Skin" is the industry term for a solid-surface polyurethane or silicone base material. There are different thicknesses of skin material, but at its lightest, it’s about as thick as a contact lens. It covers the natural scalp to create a faux scalp with hair growing out of it. It is gas permeable, but does not allow air, water or sweat to pass through. Stock hair system A hair system that is pre-made, by hand, to general specifications, stored in a warehouse facility, and ready to ship upon ordering. It is not a custom product, but can sometimes by customized to better suit the customer. Template A temporary mold made from plastic wrap and tape which conforms to the exact shape and size of your head. From your template, the factory creates a more durable plaster mold, which is used to created the base of your hair system. Topper A hair system designed to cover, and/or enhance the density of, thinning hair on top of the head. Toppers cover only the top or part of the top of one's head. It is attached to one's growing hair by temporary means, such as hairpiece clips. It is designed to be removed on a daily basis. Ventilation The method in which hair is attached to the base of a hair system, including looped, hand-knotted or "injected" techniques. Ventilation also describes the direction in which hair is attached — or ventilated — into the base, such as brush back/forward, left/right part, etc.