What to Do With the Excess Lace/ Skin at Your Hair System's Hairline?

If you've just received your first hair system and you see some extra unfinished material in the front, that isn’t there by mistake. It is called empty lace or empty skin (depending on the material used) and is included for a few reasons.

What is empty lace or empty skin in hair systems?

Ever looked closely at a hair system before fitting it? You may have noticed a strip of exposed, unfinished material along the very front edge with no hair attached at all. This is often called the "empty lace or empty skin,"

This extra material is what you trim away after positioning the system on your head. The extra base allows for perfect hairline placement tailored to your face shape. You can cut and customize this excess material yourself, or have it done professionally to create your exact hairline shape and position.

What are the advantages of empty lace or empty skin?

• The ‘empty’ front prevents damage to the lace or skin base during styling.
• Allows for precise customization by your stylist.
• Creates a softer, more natural hairline when applied.
• When a stylist works on your system, they can use this section to securely pin it in place.
• If you prefer a more gradual blended look instead of a sharp, straight hairline, that empty area gives you some wiggle room to customize how your lace or skin blends with your scalp.

How to trim and blend the extra base material of your hair system?

Here are the most common questions people have about trimming this front section:

Should I trim the empty skin right to the hairline?

No, not for thin-skin systems. The front, vent-free poly membrane used in thin-skin hair systems is very thin, and cutting it flush with the hairline can leave a noticeable edge where the system meets your forehead.

Instead, leave about 1/8 inch of empty skin along the front. This small strip allows the material to taper gradually, blending the system's thickness into your natural skin rather than creating a sudden line. The result is a front hairline that looks soft, gradual, and natural.

Do I need extra lace at the front for a French or Swiss lace system?

This depends on how long you intend to wear the unit before replacing or reapplying it. Lace is a woven material, and woven materials naturally fray at the edges with wear over time.

• If you'll wear the unit for more than 2 months, leave about 1/8 inch of empty lace at the front as a reserve. This gives the lace some room to fray gradually without disrupting your hairline.
• If you'll wear the unit for less than 1 month, you can trim right to the hairline, no extra lace needed, since there isn't enough wear time for fraying to be an issue.

Whichever method you choose, lace blends seamlessly with your skin, giving you a natural-looking hairline.

For welded lace systems, how much lace should I leave at the hairline?

Welded lace hair systems, such as Superhairpieces M110, M103, M107, and M110P, are constructed with lace threads that are welded along the edge. This welding process prevents the lace from fraying during wear, unlike traditional woven lace.

Because of this, a complete trim, cutting the empty lace right to the hairline, is recommended for these systems. There's no need to leave a reserve, since the welded edge will stay intact for the life of the unit.

Read More: What is Empty Lace or Empty Skin in Hair Systems