If you haven’t heard of lace front wigs, you have unknowingly seen them.  Celebrities like Beyonce and Tyra Banks have been wearing them for years now. From long and straight, to big and wavy, front lace wigs gives hair styling a new twist.

These wigs are not new to people in the entertainment industry and health care professions where they were made popular because of their natural appearance.  Before they were moved into the mainstream, lace front wigs (LFW) were used for movies, theater products and drag queens, as well as for cancer patients and balding women.

Why are these wigs so popular?

What makes LFW useful is that they provide more versatility than traditional weaves and wigs.  You can change your style and hair color easily without using your own hair and most importantly, it looks completely natural.

LFW appear natural because of how they are made.  A custom made LFW is made with human hair.  Individual strands of hair are then pulled through a piece of lace mesh giving the illusion of coming out of your scalp for an even more realistic look.  Usually, when traditional wigs are worn, they are styled to include bangs or the hair is pulled out in the front.  But with a LFW, you glue down the lace so it looks like your own hairline.  In the picture below, you can see how the lace is dyed to blend with your skin color.

Although you can buy LFW’s a lot cheaper, most good custom made LFW’s go for about $2,000-$3,000.  Celebrities having a lot more money may spend anywhere from $5,000 on up for more expensive human hair.

There is something to take caution about the use of LFW’s.  The lace on the wig is very delicate and because there is glue involved, it is not something that can be put on and taken off quickly.  The glue is designed to chemically bond the lace on the wig to your head.  If not taken off properly the glue will rip out your real hair.  You should seek a professional to attach and remove these wigs.  A stylist that has experience in the wig application and removal will know the tricks of the trade to ensure that minimal damage occurs.

As remarkable as the technology is for these wigs, they are not without imperfections. The attachment can be visible to the eye and can come unattached due to sweat or highly expressive facial movements. If the forehead is moved to make an expression, a distinct line of where the lace ends and the natural muscles of then forehead begins are visible.  (See picture below.)

On television and in photos a LFW not as noticeable because there is a team of professionals making sure that every detail of the application is perfect.  Additionally, when you look at photos they can be digitally touched up to where you can’t see it.

LFW’s are fun and I can see why they are desirable.  But if you want to invest in a LFW, please contact a professional stylist who has experience (maybe a certification) in applying and removing these delicate hairpieces.  A professional will take precautions to ensure that your natural hair is cared for properly.