Human Hair Wigs vs Synthetic Fiber Wigs — which one is better?

Wigs are emerging into the mainstream as one of the most rapidly growing fashion accessories, and for good reason – they allow for experimentation with different styles day after day, all while protecting your natural hair.

While wearing wigs has traditionally been stigmatized, it’s now shown that around 50% of Americans use wigs or other hair extensions, and the number is even higher amongst celebrities at a whopping 90%! That brings us to the ultimate question – what are all of these wigs made of?

The two most popular types of wigs are human hair wigs and synthetic fiber wigs. While the purpose and use of these wigs is largely the same, there are some key differences in product use and quality. Below we’ll guide you through some of the most frequent confusions and answer the question once and for all: which one is better, human hair wigs or synthetic fiber wigs?

Human Hair Wigs

You guessed it – human hair wigs are made of human hair. With wig manufacturers only accepting healthy virgin hair, they are naturally soft, shiny, and heat styleable. However, things get a little more complicated when analyzing the two major types of human hair, regular human hair and REMY

• Regular Human Hair Wigs

  Regular human hair wigs are made of normal human hair, meaning you can do everything to them that you do to your natural hair – heat style, cut, wash, dye, blow-dry, and more. The styling and maintenance of a regular human hair wig gives the same thrill as if the hair were your own, but it can also include the same amount of work. Unlike synthetic fiber wigs, human hair doesn’t snap back into its original style, meaning it needs to be restyled after each and every wash.

• REMY Human Hair Wigs

  The term REMY usually refers to the distinct method of manufacturing and assembling human hair. REMY hair ensures maximum quality as its alignment of the hair follicles are kept in the same direction that they grew naturally on a human head, which significantly reduces their chance of tangling. The careful process of cutting the hair from the donor and manufacturing it makes REMY more expensive, but it may be worth it for a more natural, smooth look

  While these are the two most common types of human hair, there are more specific categories out there such as Asian Hair, Indian Hair, Brazilian Hair, and European Hair. Depending on which ethnicity the hair is sourced from, there are differences in texture, shine, and tensile strength of the strands. As if that weren’t enough, all of these types can be considered virgin or non-virgin, too! Virgin hair simply means the hair has never been dyed or chemically treated,while non-virgin may have been dyed, bleached, or permed to create its look.

Take a look at the pros and cons of a human hair wig:

Synthetic Fiber Wigs

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The most affordable hair on the market is synthetic fiber hair. These strands are made of a variety of hair fibers, such as acrylic, polyester, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and kanekalon. The quality depends on the type of hair fiber used, with the highest quality being kanekalon. High quality synthetic fiber wigs can replicate the appearance and feel of natural human hair, and can be pre-styled into braids, locs, curls, and ever-more! Synthetic fibers allow you to experiment with different styles at a more affordable price, and can even be heat-styleable

While a synthetic fiber wig is much more affordable than a human hair wig, there are a few limitations. Many synthetic styles aren’t made for heat styling, and the fibers aren’t quite as strong and long-lasting as human hair. They are not suitable for bleaching and dyeing either, so the color you get is the color you’re stuck with. On the bright side, you get to enjoy an easy pre-styled look that snaps back into place after a gentle wash.

Here are some pros of cons of synthetic fiber wigs:

Human Hair Wigs vs Synthetic Fiber Wigs — which one is better?

In terms of quality and the most natural look and feel, human hair wigs take the cake. But when it comes to experimenting with a variety of styles at a low cost, synthetic fibers come out on top.It all depends on your lifestyle and desires – do you want one everyday wig or a variety of locs, curls, and braids? Do you enjoy heat styling your hair or do you want a wig that maintains its intended shape? Whatever you answer, rest assured; the perfect wig is out there for you.