Medical Hair Loss Questions Answered – Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Wig

How to pick a good wig? Your best choices include short or medium-length wig styles since these can minimize the length of your face. For example, you probably shouldn’t choose a wig that goes past your shoulders. If you want to soften the straight lines of your face, then you should look for wigs with layers.

The goal is to find a wig that naturally reflects your personality and beauty. But navigating the maze of options is exhausting. Let us be clear: you are not alone. Millions of people from all walks of life wear wigs every day, and by 2023, the global wig market is projected to climb past $10 billion.

That’s a lot of fabulous hair flipping going on!

Unfortunately, this popularity comes with a caveat: it’s daunting to sort through the endless variations to find the perfect wig. How can you have full confidence in your selection in a crowded marketplace riddled with misinformation?

Knowledge is power, which is why we’ve consulted with industry pros and put together this ultimate guide to buying the best wig!

Ready to love your look? Read on as we cover every aspect of buying a great wig online to get you closer to finding your best hair.

1. CHOOSE A HAIR TYPE: HUMAN HAIR VS. SYNTHETIC HAIR WIGS

Your first decision when buying a wig is to decide between wigs for patients with cancer vs. human hair. There are pros and cons to each type of hair, and we take a deep dive into wigs for patients with cancer vs. human hair in this guide but let’s explore the basics.

Human Hair Wigs

Human hair wigs are made from 100% human hair and can be fully customized and styled daily. However, it’s important to note that there are different types of human hair and two primary categories: European and Asian hair.

Asian hair accounts for the 98% majority in the marketplace, and only about 2% of use premium European hair.

 European Human Hair

European human hair comes from the ponytails of European women. During the 1980s-90s, many Eastern European women donated their hair for a good profit. However, as socioeconomic status improved over time, collecting European ponytails has fallen out of practice. That’s why authentic European hair is scarce.

What makes European hair premium is that the cuticle is intact, creating a beautiful natural flow, shine, and direction of movement.

Due to their rarity, European fall into the luxury wig category because they look the most natural, last the longest with proper care, and have strict quality control, manufacturing, and processing standards.

Asian Human Hair Wigs

The main sources of Asian hair wigs are China, India, Vietnam, and Mongolia. China contributes about 90% of the human hair wig, topper, and extension market, and there are two primary methods for collecting Asian hair:

• Floor hair: The donor collects hair from shedding or brushing, saves it up, and sells it to a manufacturer who then sorts and processes the hair.
• Remy ponytails: These are typically collected when Indian women donate their hair at a temple in a ritualistic offering to the gods. The temple then sells the hair to manufacturers. Alternatively, manufacturers buy Remy ponytails from local women who sell their hair for a profit.

Both European and Asian contain real human hair, but each has pros and cons.

• Pro: While there are different types of , overall, they will look more natural than wigs for patients with cancer hair fibers, especially with the cuticle kept intact and a single donor ponytail.
• Con: High-quality are expensive due to high standards for manufacturing, sourcing, and processing.

Starr Fox, National Sales Director and Consultant of Peggy’s Choice, has worked in the hair industry for over 20 years and said that styling preferences play a large role.

“If you want to change your style naturally, your hair would never look the exact same everyday with a human hair wig.  With a wigs for cancer patients, cancer wigs, wig for cancer patients near me, , it will.”

Synthetic Wigs

The appeal of wigs for cancer patients, cancer wigs, wig for cancer patients near me, s is that they’re ready to wear out of the box, and they tend to be more affordable. However, they have limitations with styling and a shorter lifespan than . You’ll also notice that wigs for cancer patients, cancer wigs, wig for cancer patients near me, s have a high sheen, which looks less natural than human hair, especially in the daylight.

Synthetic wigs contain a variety of fibers like polyester, acrylics, and PVC (polyvinyl chloride). The type of wigs for patients with cancer fibers used influences the wig’s sheen. For example, low-quality wigs for patients with cancer fibers will have the highest sheen and lack a natural-looking texture and fluidity.

For those not wanting to draw attention to their coverage, wigs for cancer patients, cancer wigs, wig for cancer patients near me, s may pose a higher risk for looking unnatural. However, not everyone can invest thousands of dollars into a premium hair wig, but keep in mind buying multiple wigs for cancer patients, cancer wigs, wig for cancer patients near me, s over time can get pricey too.

“People purchase according to price, and they often don\’t wear them.  They (end up) buying two, three, four, five wigs to find the right one and, in the end, have spent the same amount of money as a premium human hair wig.”

If aren’t an option for you at this time, consider choosing a wigs for cancer patients, cancer wigs, wig for cancer patients near me, made from Kanekalon fibers, the best quality wigs for patients with cancer in the market. Buying a premium wigs for cancer patients, cancer wigs, wig for cancer patients near me, is still affordable compared to luxury European hair wigs, and you’ll have less maintenance overall. Once you decide what type of hair is best for you, do your due diligence, particularly with wearing human hair. Unfortunately, there is misleading information and false claims in the marketplace because the industry is unregulated. That’s why a buyer beware approach is best when researching brands and their reputations on social media and reading customer reviews.

• Pro: Synthetic wigs are affordable, ready-to-wear, and pre-styled to retain a great look over time.
• Con: Due to their wigs for patients with cancer fibers, these wigs won’t look as natural as , even with the highest quality Kanekalon fibers.

2. FIND THE RIGHT CAP CONSTRUCTION FOR YOU

Let’s talk about the importance of cap construction when buying a wig. Because ultimately, it can have a significant impact on your comfort, styling preferences, and how you prefer your hairline and part to look.

Your bio hair also plays a role in choosing the right cap. For example, if you have Alopecia Totalis or Universalis, you’ll most likely want to select a wig cap offering the most grip and security. Here’s a look at the various wig cap constructions and their respective features:

CONTACT A PRO

Lace Front:

• A lace front cap has a piece of ventilated lace across the forehead that creates a seamless hairline. Ventilation is a process done by hand where 1-3 pieces of hair are tied in a knot around the lace.
• The lace is translucent to blend with your natural skin tone easily.
• The hairline directs hair away from the face for a more natural look.
• Depending on the hair quality and craftsmanship, the knots on the front hairline can be virtually undetectable or somewhat noticeable.

Closed Front

• Features “Under Ventilation,” a technique at the front hairline that integrates with your natural hair.
• Is an excellent choice for wearing bangs or side fringe.

French Top:

• Incorporates two layers of material: one lace and one monofilament, which hides the knots between the two layers, making them undetectable.
• Creates a natural look on the top of the wig .
• The layers create a soft and comfortable feel on the scalp.
• Typically more expensive due to the materials used and the time to craft the piece.

Skin Top / Monofilament Top:

• The smooth and thin nature of a monofilament material top creates the illusion of a natural scalp and part.
• Hair is ventilated to the top of the cap allowing for versatile styling and parting.
• The knots are visible on the top of .

Lace Top:

• The knots are tied directly onto the lace and are therefore visible on the top of the wig.
• Easy to move the hair in any direction.
• This style is known for providing maximum volume.
• Lighter and more breathable than monofilament tops.

100% Hand-tied / Knotted:

• Moves the most naturally because each hair strand is individually knotted and tied to a spandex cap.
• The most comfortable and softest style of wig cap that’s great for wearing all day.
• Lightweight and breathable.
• Easy to style, wear in a ponytail or bun, comb, and clean.

Machine Wefted Back

• Hair is sewn on tracks that are then sewn onto the back of the wig.
• Spandex cap construction.
• The back of the wig may feel heavier and thicker due to extra material.
• Sturdy construction for worry-free wearing.
• Certain hairstyles like buns and middle to high ponytails are limited.

So, which cap construction is the best for beginners? Starr explained that the materials used have a significant impact on the wig’s comfort and movability:

“Better quality lace is softer on the skin, so it won’t be itchy. If the inside of the cap is lined, you won’t be poked by inverted hairs. Some wigs cause itching because the hair works its way back through, so it pokes you. However, If the cap is lined, it has a harder time poking through.”

Are you still with us? We know it’s a lot to take in, but cap construction is vital for deciding the level of volume you want, style preferences, where you like your part, and how you integrate your bio hair (if applicable).

Now that we’ve covered the crucial details of buying a wig, it’s time for some fun: finding your style

3. START BROWSING our DIFFERENT WIG STYLEs