Which costs more, skin (poly) base or swiss lace base?

Skin (Poly) Base: Base material. Swiss 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.

Comparison

Skin (Poly) Base vs Swiss Lace Base

The same American man shown with advanced Norwood 4 loss on one side, a full salt-and-pepper head of hair on the other — What coverage looks like when it is specified correctly — the question underneath skin (poly) base versus swiss lace base.

The short answer

The most invisible parting against the most breathable base

Skin wins on the parting and loses on the heat. Swiss lace wins on comfort and loses on durability. In a drier climate that is a genuine toss-up; in a hot, humid one it usually is not.

Through the warmest months a sealed poly base has nowhere to vent sweat, so the perimeter lifts before the base itself is worn out. Swiss lace lets air through and stays comfortable, at the cost of tearing if you ever pull it off dry. If you want the skin parting in a humid city, plan a lace rotation unit for the hottest months rather than trying to make one base survive both seasons.

Side by side

Skin (Poly) Base compared with Swiss Lace Base
	Skin (Poly) Base	Swiss Lace Base
Category	Base material	Base material
Typical lifespan	4–8 months of daily wear	3–6 months of daily wear
Best for	Clients who part their hair and want the most undetectable scalp look.	Front hairlines and anyone who sweats heavily.

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

Swiss Lace Base

Fine Swiss lace that disappears against the scalp and lets air through. The softest front hairline available, and the first choice for humid climates.

In its favour

Very breathable
Softest, most invisible hairline
Comfortable in humid weather

Against it

Delicate — tears if pulled dry
Needs careful adhesive removal

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 Swiss Lace Base — FAQs

Skin (Poly) Base or Swiss Lace Base — which is better?: Neither is universally better. Skin wins on the parting and loses on the heat. Swiss lace wins on comfort and loses on durability. In a drier climate that is a genuine toss-up; in a hot, humid one it usually is not.
Which costs more, skin (poly) base or swiss lace base?: Skin (Poly) Base: Base material. Swiss 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

Get it fitted

Every figure on this page comes from units we template, fit, service and repair ourselves across 36 cities in the UK, US and Australia — not from a manufacturer's brochure. Consultation, scalp template and hair match are free, whether you order or not.