The short answer is that a full cap wig can last just as long as a lace front wig with the proper care.
I've find that many manufacturers are saying that super fine swiss on a full cap will not only. I've had full cap units made with finer lace, and they've lasted for up to 2 years, before I had to ventilate more hair onto the system.
How To Wear A Full Cap Wig
You should only use pinking shears when cutting lace that has a denier count of 35 and above. This type of lace will most likely be similar to French lace, especially when compared to authentic Swiss lace, which will have a denier count less than 35. The reason why you shouldn't use pinking shears on Swiss lace is that the lace is so fine, that the jagged edges will eventually buckle into itself. Speaking from personal experience, pinking shears on a Swiss lace unit will actually not give a more natural effect, and will encourage unraveling of the fine threads.
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| Top: How swiss lace will look after using pinking shears Bottom: How swiss lace will look like after a few days |
Note: when I talk about Swiss lace, I'm speaking about "Hollywood", authentic Swiss lace - not the type of hard Swiss lace that many vendors are peddling as Swiss lace.
How To Wear a Full Cap Wig: Wig Tapes and Wig Adhesives
Choosing a wig glue or a wig tape is up to personal preference and body chemistry. Wig tapes tend to be easy to use. However, they are sometimes visible around the hairline area, with this not being an issue with glue adhesives since the lace will "sink" into the liquid glue.One of my favorite techniques is using a glue and tape combo. I use lace tape around the whole perimeter of the unit. Then I will use a small amount of lace wig glue right at the edge of the tape in the front hairline, extending the glue about a millimeter or two in front of the tape so that it goes onto my skin. Once I let the glue dry, I place the wig on my head, aligning it with the tape and the glue. After pressing the edge of the lace with the help of a comb, I use a satin scarf to secure the wig on my head for a couple of hours. The edge of the lace will then be invisible.
The Benefits of a Full Cap Wig
- More undetectable when compared to a lace front wig. Lace front wigs can definitely look natural, but they aren't natural to the touch. A lace front wig has wefts on it, and sometimes adjustable combs. This adds bulk, and it's detectable by touch. If you're going to wear a wig full-time, then a full cap wig is recommended.
- Braids. A lace front wig will only give you a couple of inches of parting space, while a full cap wig will be made out of lace from front to back. If you are feeling adventurous, you can always braid your full cap wig. You cannot do this with the 2 to 3 inches of lace on a lace front unit.
With general maintenance, a full cap wig can last for several years. Even my units that I made with very fine "Hollywood" Swiss lace has lasted for years, with me changing to a different unit because of boredom and not out of necessity.
Number One Tip When It Comes To a Full Cap Wig
Learn how to ventilate. This is the best tip when it comes to not only maintaining your full lace wig for several years, but it is also beneficial when it comes to lace front wigs. Lace wigs will naturally shed over the years, regardless if you gently bleached the knots on your units or blasted it with an hour of bleaching. If you notice that your systems seem a bit thin, then you can easily spend a couple days ventilating hair onto a full cap system.Not only do I ventilate hair when it starts to shed, but I also like to add a couple grams of lighter hair during the summer months. This adds dimension to the system, making it look a bit more natural.