Human Hair Wigs vs. Synthetic Hair Wigs – What’s the Difference?

Should you go for synthetic hair wigs, or should you opt for human hair wigs? This is a question that a lot of women face when choosing a wig, and it is a legitimate one. Nowadays it’s quite difficult to tell the difference between a synthetic hair wig and a human hair wig, although the prevalent notion is that human hair wigs are better than synthetic ones because they are made of real hair.

The truth however, is that neither is totally better than the other, and the best type of wig for you really depends on a number of considerations. To make this choice easier for you, we’ll break down the main differences between these two types of wigs, particularly their benefits and disadvantages.

Human Hair Wigs: Benefits & Disadvantages

As you probably already know, human hair wigs are made of real, natural, harvested human hair. This means that they look, move and act just like your own hair, and therefore look and feel very natural.

Because they are made of natural human hair, these wigs are easier to style, and can be cut and coloured just as you would your own hair. They can also be worn for longer periods of time, from days to a week without needing to be removed and they’ll stay on your head looking as natural as ever. You could wear them while exercising and sleeping and they would still be fine; and although it isn’t recommended, they could even be worn while swimming because of their natural quality. With proper care and maintenance, these wigs can last a long time even with daily use, around a year or two.

What most people probably see as the biggest disadvantage of human hair wigs is their price. Because they are made of real hair, they cost a lot more than synthetic wigs– but you do get your money’s worth in the natural appearance and longevity of the wig.

Another disadvantage with human hair wigs is that they need more maintenance than synthetic ones. You have to treat them like you would your own hair: you have to shampoo and condition them regularly, otherwise they may lose their natural lustre and become brittle. Just like your own hair they also react to the environment around them, so they can become frizzy, limp or dry at times. They can also become damaged from harsh brushing or prolonged use of heated styling tools.

Generally however, these are things you’d normally do anyway with your own natural hair, so doing them for your human hair wig may not mean much of a difference. If you’re looking for a totally natural look and feel, and want to have the freedom to style your hair any way you want any time, a human hair wig will be your best choice.

Synthetic Hair Wig: Benefits & Disadvantages

Synthetic hair wigs are composed of man-made fibres that are much more durable than human hair. Probably the most prominent benefit to synthetic hair wigs is that they come already styled and have the ability to hold a certain style no matter the conditions. So even if it’s humid out or you get your wig wet, it won’t go flat or frizzy but will retain its style. This, combined with their relative affordability means you can have several different synthetic wigs in several different styles for different days. This is a great plus if you’re quite adventurous with your hair and would like different daily looks that will look flawless no matter what.

Because of their material and their adherence to a specific style, synthetic wigs are much easier to maintain. However, these qualities are also disadvantageous in that a synthetic wig cannot be styled any other way. While some high quality synthetic hair wigs can be styled using heated styling tools, this may prove to be more difficult than styling real human hair. And since it is not made of natural hair, a synthetic wig cannot be coloured differently as well. 

While they are relatively inexpensive, synthetic wigs get old and tangled very easily and usually only last around 4-6 months, maybe even less if you wear them very often. Some also have a sheen to them that make them look unnatural.

If you would like to experiment with fantasy colours and different styles in different days, having several different synthetic hair wigs may be a good choice for you. Just make sure you choose high quality ones that look more natural, and make sure to clean and remove them daily as sleeping with them on can lead to tangles.

The wig you wear can make or break your look, so it’s important that you consider your options and choose wisely. It’s also important to get your wig from a reliable supplier, one that not only provides high quality wigs but ensures that each wig matches your needs and preferences perfectly.

If you’re in need of a human hair wig in Sydney, turn to Transitions Hair. We’re trusted providers of high quality human hair wigs in Australia, with a personalised approach to finding the right solutions to hair loss and hair thinning. Get in touch with us now to know more and schedule a free hair consultation.

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