There are two types of wig material – synthetic fiber and real human hair. Most people naturally assume that a human hair wig is necessarily better than a synthetic one, when in fact it is not that simple. The correct choice depends on what you expect from your wig, how you are going to wear it, and how much time can you can devote to caring for it.
Human hair wigs
The majority of human hair wigs on the medical wig providers market are made from Asian hair. Most of it comes from China, although higher quality Asian hair comes from women who live in India or Pakistan. Asian hair by its nature is thick, straight and usually very dark in color. Obviously this hair is great for making straight black wigs, but to make a blond curly wig it has to go through several bleaching steps and other chemical treatments. As a result, the hair gets damaged and a wig that looks great, when new, might become dull in a few months.
The best quality hair for European-looking wigs comes from Eastern European countries, like Poland and Russia. This hair costs more than Asian hair, because in these countries not so many women are willing to sell their locks. Wigs that are made from European hair last longer and feel softer to the touch.
When buying a human hair wig, be sure to find out from where the hair originates. If you are prepared to spend several hundred dollars on a wig, it is best to find one made from European hair. If the wig label says “human hair wig” without specifying the origin of the hair, it is most likely made from Asian hair.
Advantages of human hair wigs:
- A human hair wig lasts longer than a synthetic one
- A human hair wig is soft and feels natural, to the touch
- A human hair wig can styled and dyed, just like your own hair
- A human hair wig “breathes”, so your scalp won’t perspire as much under one
Disadvantages:
- A human hair wig needs to be styled after every wash
- A human hair wig is expensive
Synthetic wigs
Although you can find hundreds of synthetic wigs styles, not all synthetic fibers are created equally. For example, costume wigs for Halloween are usually made from lower quality fibers – they are cheap and look obviously like a wig. For a Halloween party this is just fine, but for every day use you want a wig that will look like it has grown on your head. Luckily for you, the modern synthetic materials, which are used in top quality designer wigs, can look very realistic