Deciding between natural human hair wigs and synthetic wigs made from some kind of artificial fibers can be a more challenging task than you think. There are so many different factors to think about in order to arrive at the right decision. Besides, both types of wigs have advantages and disadvantages so there’s really no clear answer as to which particular type is better.
The only way to make the right choice is if you learn everything you can about both wig types because only then can you weigh the pros and cons properly and choose the one that can provide best for your personal needs.
Natural Human Hair Wigs
These wigs are made from real human hair that is donated or sold by real people from many different parts of the world, although a huge majority of all human hair wigs are manufactured from Asian hair. Indeed, most wig manufacturers source their human hair from China, which is the world’s biggest supplier. In their natural form, these hairs are straight and black but with the use of modern technologies and some amount of processing, they can be crafted into all sorts of wigs of different colors and hairstyles.
Since they are made from human hair, natural wigs do have a much more realistic appearance. They can also be styled the same way as real hair – even with the use of heating products like blow-dryers or curling irons. Of course, one has to be careful in handling these wigs to avoid damaging the usually delicate wig cap, especially if it is made from the almost invisible lace material that is preferred by many wig wearers.
As for the drawbacks, human hair wigs are prone to “bad hair days” just like real hair, and must be styled almost every time you put them on. These wigs also have a higher price tag compared to synthetic ones.
Synthetic Wigs
Price is probably the most distinct difference between synthetic and natural wigs. Some people pay many thousands of dollars to buy a natural human hair wig, whereas synthetic wigs can be purchased for just a hundred dollars or so.
Of course, as with practically everything else in the world today, the price of a wig is proportional to its quality. In other words, the more expensive wigs are usually the better ones while the cheaper wigs leave something to be desired.
This is not to say, however, that all natural wigs are better than synthetic wigs. For an individual who is on a very tight budget, it is just impractical to buy a thousand-dollar wig, especially if you don’t plan on using it a lot anyway. Synthetic wigs are much easier on the finances, although they do require more stringent maintenance procedures.
One of the advantages of synthetic wigs is that they never lose their style even with regular use. Even after you have worn them for some time, or even after you shampoo them, they will still go back to the original style that they had when you bought them from the store. This is great for people who don’t have time to fuss with their wig every morning. Instead of spending several minutes styling their wig, they can just put it on and be ready to go outside the house.
As you can see, both natural and synthetic wigs have their benefits so it would really depend on the individual’s preferences to determine which the better choice is. But the truth is that there are many other factors to consider besides whether the wig is made from real or artificial hair. For instance, it is also important to check what kind of material the wig cap is made of before you buy anything.
There are three main types of wig cap that you can choose from: the standard cap, the skin-top cap, and the monofilament cap. The standard cap is typically made of lace and can vary widely in terms of quality and price. These are breathable caps that are very comfortable to wear even in warm temperatures and are not that visible underneath the hair.
Skin-top caps are much more affordable so they are great alternatives for those who are on a tight budget but they are not meant for prolonged use because the thickness of the material doesn’t really allow the scalp to breathe. The kinds of hairstyles that can be used with these wig caps are also severely limited if you want to avoid having the cap show through.
Finally, monofilament caps are usually made of polyester or nylon, on which the hair fibers are meticulously attached by hand. The precise craftsmanship of these wigs make for a very natural look while the softness of the cap base makes it a great choice for people with a sensitive scalp.
