Recently, hairpieces have become increasingly popular and are also a good alternative to extensions. Wigs are recommended for people suffering from any type of hair loss, whether mild or severe and for people who want to change their look and try out a different hairstyle. Losing some or all of your hair is scary and can result in many diseases. Hairpieces are of big help to people in those situations, especially women. If your strands are getting thinner and falling out, immediately contact your doctor and get a diagnosis. We recommend that you purchase a hairpiece immediately and not wait until all of your hair is gone. This will make the transition much easier and cause less discomfort.
Quick Access
- The pros of human hair wigs
- The cons of human hair wigs
- The pros of synthetic hair wigs
- The cons of synthetic hair wigs
In the past, hairpieces were mostly worn by patients who were in treatment for hair loss, but nowadays, more and more women are using wigs to try out new colors, cuts, and textures. Human hair wigs are really good for that because they look just like real hair, and you can buy them in many different styles.
Deciding whether a human hair wig is the right choice for you might be quite the challenge, especially if you know nothing about wigs. Human hair wigs have advantages and disadvantages, which should be considered before purchasing. That’s why we have compiled a simple list of all the main pros and cons of human hair wigs that might help you with that decision.
First, let’s examine some of the pros of wearing a human hair wig. It has many advantages, and we have listed some of the most important ones.
Natural and Realistic Look and Feel
The best thing about wigs made from human hair is how good and natural they look. The biggest fear people have when wearing wigs is that it’s very noticeable. That’s not the case with these wigs, and you can feel comfortable while wearing them. Quality wigs are almost indistinguishable from the real thing, especially to the untrained eye. If a natural look is something that you value most in a wig, we recommend that you go with human hair.
A Life Saver for People Suffering from Hair Loss
Hair loss can happen for many reasons, but surely, it’s very traumatic for the person experiencing it. Hair is something that defines us and makes us special, so losing it can bring up many insecurities and loss and even depression. The most common reasons for hair loss are chemotherapy, alopecia, lupus, thyroid issues, hormonal changes, stress, pregnancy, and many others. Some are more severe than others, but all are very unfortunate. Wigs provide comfort to the patients who are being treated and restore much-needed confidence.
Relatively Easy to Put on
Wigs are easy to put on once you get a hang of it. Having it done by a professional is unnecessary when you can learn to do it yourself. There are many tutorials available that explain in detail how to do it. Knowing how to apply the wig yourself will make you feel more secure and in control of things, and you will also have the option to fix it if something goes wrong and the wig becomes detached.
Different Attachment Methods Available
A great thing about wigs is that you can use a couple of different methods to put them on. The most popular ones are sewing it in and gluing it on. Both work well and are pretty easy to master. Sewing is recommended if you plan on wearing the hairpiece longer without taking it off, and gluing is a better temporary option. When sewing, you need to make cornrows first and sew the wing onto the braids using a thread and needle. When using glue, apply it around your hairline and then attach the wig.
Doesn’t Require Any Natural Hair
While extensions require you to have medium-length hair, you don’t need any natural hair to wear a wig. That is perfect if you suffer from hair loss or have very thin and damaged hair. If your strands are in bad shape due to split ends, overuse of hot tools, or frequent dyeing, wearing a wig can give your natural locks the time and space to recover and grow longer. And since human hair wigs look just like the real thing, why not let your natural tresses rest for a bit?
Many Human Hair Wig Types to Choose From
A great thing about wigs is that there are so many different options to choose from. Most wig types are determined by the cap design and the amount of lace material there is. Three most popular hairpiece types are full lace wig, lace front, and 360 wig. All of those use a monofilament cap that’s part lace, part regular cap material. With a full lace wig, you get a cap made completely out of the mesh material, meaning each hair is sewn in by hand. This is the most natural-looking wig type because the hairline and parting look realistic. With a 360 hairpiece, you get a strip of lace all around the cap, creating an extremely realistic hairline. As the name implies, a lace front has lace only at the front part of the hairpiece. The more lace there is, the more expensive the hairpiece is. That’s because hair that’s hand-sewn onto lace looks just like real hair growing out of the scalp in the front, as the name implies, has lace only at the front part of the hairpiece.
Hundreds of Different Styles
Choosing a style is the most exciting and fun part of purchasing a hairpiece. There is a wide range of textures, from straight and wavy to curly, and many different cuts and shades. Whether you want to recreate your natural locks or go for something completely different is completely up to you. There are no strict rules. But if you do want the hairpiece to look just like your natural strands, you need to be a bit more careful when choosing the style, color, and texture to make an exact match. Make sure your style complements your face nicely; otherwise, the wig might look weird on you.
Simple to Maintain
It might seem like a lot of work, but hairpieces are quite simple to maintain. All you need to do is wash it now and again (with the wig off) and brush it. It’s the same thing you would do with natural strands. A great thing about a human hair wig is that you can style it however you want to and use a flat iron or a curler. However, don’t overuse the hot tools because that might shorten the lifespan of the hairpiece.
Comfortable to Wear
Human hair wigs are generally of good quality, which also means they’re comfortable to wear. This is very important because you shouldn’t feel discomfort while wearing it. The purpose of a hairpiece is to replace natural strands, so it should feel good. If you feel like the wig is tight, that probably means it’s too small. Make sure to measure your head first and buy the right-sized hairpiece. It should fit snugly on the head but not so tight that it’s uncomfortable.
Can Be Dyed
With human hair wigs, you have the option of changing the color. That’s cool because having the same shade might get boring over time. That being said, it is not recommended to dye the human hair a lighter color; only go for the darker tones. Bleaching the hair, even slightly, requires the use of strong chemicals, which are not healthy for natural hair, let alone a wig. If you don’t want to dye the hairpiece, another way of having different color styles is to buy two wigs.
Can Be Customized
Human hair wigs offer you the option of customizing them to get a more realistic look. Although many hairpieces are pre-plucked, you can also do it yourself. If you never heard about plucking, it means that some of the hairs from the hairline are manually removed with tweezers. Hairpieces are usually equally dense all around, which is not what happens with natural strands. If you look at your hairline, you’ll notice that the density is a bit lower, and there is a lot of baby hair. That is the effect that should be achieved by plucking. A human hair wig can also be cut to achieve a style that fits you better.
Lasts for a Very Long Time
One of the main reasons why people choose human hair wigs instead of synthetic ones is their extra-long lifespan. A synthetic hairpiece can last for only about a couple of months if it’s a good quality one, while human hair wigs last for months and months. The way to ensure the longevity of the human hair wig is by treating it with care. Even the most expensive high-quality wigs can be ruined by neglecting them and not following maintenance instructions.
There are also some disadvantages of wearing a human hair wig. There are not many of them, but it’s something that you should be prepared for.
A Bit Expensive
The main disadvantage of human hair wigs is that they cost more than synthetic ones. The prices range from $100 to $150. However, if you take into consideration how long they can be worn, the prices are realistic. If you’re on a tight budget but still want a human hair hairpiece, consider buying a 360 wig. It is one of the cheapest human hair wigs and can be bought for $50 to $100. Synthetic wigs are cheaper but don’t expect to wear them for a few months.
Can Look Bulky
This depends on the hairpiece, but some can look bulky and unnatural. This is a problem with the density of the hair, which does not reflect a natural one. A way to get rid of this problem is by plucking some of the hairs, especially on the hairline in order to create a more realistic look.
Has to Be Styled
While a synthetic hairpiece holds its style, even after washing, that’s not the case with human hair wigs. You have to style it every day, just like you would natural strands.
Could Come Off
Sometimes, a hairpiece could come off, which is the worst nightmare for everyone wearing it. But that can happen only if the wig is not attached properly. So you can easily avoid this problem by simply ensuring it’s applied well. Also, wigs that were glued on tended to come off more frequently than the ones that were sewn in.
Can Get Really Hot
Some women experience a lot of heat while wearing a hairpiece in the summer. That can feel quite uncomfortable and bad for the wig as well. Full-lace wigs are the best ones when it’s hot outside because the cap is made only out of lace. The mesh material allows the hairpiece to breathe and not get too hot.
Requires Maintenance
A wig is just like natural hair and should be cared for. So, be prepared to do certain things to keep the hairpiece in good shape. Washing is done by removing the wig and washing it separately with a quality shampoo and conditioner. The best way to dry it is to place the hairpiece on a wig stand and leave it overnight. Swimming is strictly forbidden when wearing a hairpiece because it can permanently damage it.
Ready to Wear
The best thing about a synthetic 360 hairpiece is that it’s always ready to wear. Synthetic strands hold the style, so there’s no need for styling; just put it on, and you’re ready to go. This may be appealing to a lot of busy women who can’t spend thirty minutes or more getting ready before rushing to work. That makes a 360 synthetic hairpiece easy to maintain.
Cheaper
The biggest advantage of synthetic wigs is, of course, the price. Unfortunately, human hair might not be a realistic option if you’re on a tight budget. Although synthetic hair doesn’t have such a long lifespan, it still serves its purpose. Also, those not sure if a 360 hairpiece is the right choice for them can try synthetic ones first to see what it’s like without spending a fortune. Some also buy wigs for special occasions, cosplay, or Halloween. In that case, a synthetic 360 wig is a much better choice, and you will also have a lot more unique colors and styles to choose from. Synthetic hairpieces come in all colors of the spectrum, so there are many choices there.
Good Temporary Option
A 360 synthetic wig is also a great temporary option and is recommended for chemotherapy patients. Although people experience hair loss while undergoing chemo, the strands luckily grow back after the treatment. That’s why it makes more sense to go for a synthetic wig. Also, this type of hairpiece doesn’t require much maintenance and styling, and that’s perfect for patients undergoing the treatment.
Doesn’t Need Conditioning
Because it’s not made out of real strands, the synthetic 360-degree wig doesn’t need any conditioning. That’s great news because it means fewer things to worry about. Synthetic 360 hairpieces are very low maintenance, and that’s what is great about them.
Doesn’t Last as Long
The main downside to synthetic 360 wigs is their short lifespan. Synthetic fibers, even quality ones, cannot withstand constant use, brushing, and washing, so they wither and deteriorate over time. Although it’s a good temporary option if you want a wig that’s durable and long-lasting, choosing human hair is a no-brainer. It depends on what you want from the 360-degree wig, so you should choose accordingly.
Frizzes Over Time
Synthetic hairs are prone to frizzing, which increases over time. You should brush often, which might reduce it a little bit, but as time goes by, frizzing and matting are inevitable. This happens because the synthetic fibers brush against each other as the strands move around and, as a result, become tangled up.
Damaged by Heat
Curling and straightening are not recommended for synthetic 360 wigs because one of two things can happen. If the synthetic strands are low-quality, they can melt when coming in contact with heat, so avoid that if you don’t want to burn off the hair. Higher-quality synthetic strands might not melt but can still get severely damaged without giving you the desired results. Either way, it’s best to abstain from using a curling or flat iron. However, synthetic 360 wigs come pre-styled and stay the same even after washing, so there’s not much need for curling or straightening them anyway.
Unnatural Sheen
You have probably come across some people where it’s so obvious that they’re wearing a hairpiece. You can bet they’re wearing a synthetic one because human hair cannot be detected as easily. The main problem is the unnatural glare these hairpieces have, which makes the whole thing look a bit off. Although natural locks are shiny to a degree, synthetic strands usually have an exaggerated glare which makes it obvious that it’s fake. To combat that, women often apply some dry shampoo, making the hairpiece more matted so that it doesn’t reflect light so intensely.
Conclusion
To sum up, human hair wigs are higher in quality, look flawless, and last for ages, while synthetic ones have a shorter lifespan and don’t look as realistic. However, synthetic wigs are considerably cheaper.
So, it’s really up to you to decide what works best for you. Hopefully, now you understand both a bit better and can make an informed decision.
