Comparison
Skin (Poly) Base vs French Lace Base
BeforeAfterThe short answer
The realistic first-system comparison
This is the choice most first-time wearers actually face, and French lace wins it more often than people expect. Skin gives the better parting; French lace survives the handling mistakes every first-time wearer makes.
Skin bases are unforgiving of impatience — the most common way a first unit dies is a dry removal at month two. French lace breathes well enough for a monsoon, takes re-bonding without complaint, and is only marginally more visible at the part than poly.
Side by side
| Skin (Poly) Base | French Lace Base | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Base material | Base material |
| Typical lifespan | 4–8 months of daily wear | 5–9 months of daily wear |
| Best for | Clients who part their hair and want the most undetectable scalp look. | First-time wearers who want breathability without babying the base. |
The case for each
Skin (Poly) Base
A thin polyurethane base, 0.03–0.08 mm, that sits directly on the scalp and reads as skin at the parting. The most invisible option and the easiest to clean.
In its favour
- Most realistic parting
- Wipe-clean, adhesive comes off easily
- Very secure bond
Against it
- Least breathable in humidity
- Thinnest grades tear first at the perimeter
French Lace Base
A slightly heavier lace than Swiss. Almost as invisible but noticeably more durable, which makes it the sensible default for a first custom system.
In its favour
- Good balance of realism and durability
- Breathable
- Takes re-bonding well
Against it
- Marginally more visible than Swiss lace
- Slightly stiffer at the front
How we would decide it with you
At a consultation this is settled by looking, not by discussing. We assess the loss area in daylight, check the hair around it, and ask how you actually live — how much you sweat, whether you ride, whether you swim, whether anyone sees you at conversation distance all day.
Both options above are things we make, so there is nothing for us to gain by steering you. The wrong specification costs us a remake and costs you a year, which is why we template before we quote.
Still not sure which?
Tell us your stage of loss and we'll give you a straight recommendation between these two — including when the answer is neither.
Skin (Poly) Base vs French Lace Base — FAQs
- Skin (Poly) Base or French Lace Base — which is better?
- Neither is universally better. This is the choice most first-time wearers actually face, and French lace wins it more often than people expect. Skin gives the better parting; French lace survives the handling mistakes every first-time wearer makes.
- Which costs more, skin (poly) base or french lace base?
- Skin (Poly) Base: Base material. French Lace Base: Base material. Comparing headline prices is misleading on its own — the number that matters is the twelve-month cost including servicing and replacement, and the two options are rarely on the same replacement cycle.
- Can I switch from one to the other later?
- Yes. We keep your scalp template on file, so a replacement can be ordered on a different specification without re-measuring. Plenty of clients keep two systems on rotation with different builds to compare them in real wear.
Other comparisons
- Skin (Poly) Base vs Swiss Lace Base
- Skin (Poly) Base vs Monofilament Base
- Skin (Poly) Base vs Silk Top Base
- Skin (Poly) Base vs Hybrid Base (Lace Front + Skin Perimeter)
- Swiss Lace Base vs French Lace Base
- Swiss Lace Base vs Monofilament Base
- Swiss Lace Base vs Silk Top Base
- Swiss Lace Base vs Hybrid Base (Lace Front + Skin Perimeter)
Get it fitted
Every figure on this page comes from units we template, fit, service and repair ourselves across Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Panvel and Pune — not from a manufacturer's brochure. Consultation, scalp template and hair match are free, whether you order or not.