The time has come, you have decided: A hairpiece or a wig is needed! But now comes the next fundamental decision - should it be hair replacement from human hair or do you decide for synthetic hair from synthetic fibers? Of course, I can't and won't take the decision away from you. Both options have advantages and disadvantages, so you can only find the best option for you if you inform yourself about it and then compare it with your requirements and ideas about hair replacement.
Synthetic hair: advantages and disadvantages of synthetic hair
My first question regarding synthetic hair was: what is synthetic hair actually made of? The answer is relatively simple: synthetic hair is made of a type of plastic, polyester to be exact. It is manufactured in an elaborate process and then shaped into the proper, hair-like form.
When this fiber is used for hairpieces and wigs, it results in certain advantages. For example, a hairpiece made of synthetic hair never needs to be styled. During the manufacturing process, the synthetic hair gets its final shape and never loses it. Curling iron, straightener, curlers, and co. can be safely left in the drawer with such a hairpiece. Many women find synthetic hair easier to care for, as no complex styling is necessary.
Hairpieces made of synthetic fibers are usually cheaper to buy and you will find a wide range of colors and models. Synthetic hair is also colorfast and does not fade even after extensive exposure to sunlight.
However, advantages can also become disadvantages. Yes, you don't have to style the synthetic hair - but if you ever want to try a different hairstyle, you will have to buy another hairpiece with the desired hairstyle. Straightening a curly hairpiece and vice versa is only possible with special heat-resistant synthetic hair fibers, which in turn are more expensive to purchase.
Artificial hair tangles quickly, especially at the nape and tips. This is where the greatest friction is, as the hair rests against the collar and shoulders and is constantly in motion. Matted hair is incredibly annoying and needs to be brushed through again and again. Due to the structure of the polymer, synthetic hair reflects light differently than real hair. That's why hairpieces made of synthetic hair have an excessive, unnatural shine.
The durability of hairpieces and wigs made of artificial hair is shorter than that of real, human hair. As a rule, such hairpieces last about 6 months and then need to be replaced.
Conclusion: synthetic hair wigs are good for entry into the world of hair replacement and for people who do not need or want to wear hair replacement all the time. The cheaper purchase price is put into perspective by the shorter lifespan.
Real hair: advantages and disadvantages of human hair
The origin of human hair is not all that mysterious - it is the hair of humans that is cut off to create hair replacements. Nevertheless, the origin of the hair has a great impact on its wearing comfort and hair replacement care. So not all human hair is the same.
Basically, human hair offers the advantage that it can be colored and styled. It, therefore, feels like your own hair in everyday life and offers the wearer a high degree of flexibility and naturalness. With adequate protection, real hair can be straightened, blow-dried, and curled as desired.
The durability of human hair is between 12-24 months with good care but also depends on the color treatment of the hair.
The price is clearly a higher one - depending on the length of the hair, you pay between 800 and 2,000 euros for this valuable resource. The care for a hairpiece made of real hair is comparable to the care for your own hair: shampooing, conditioner, styling products. For some women, this is too much effort.
Conclusion: For people who are dependent on hair replacement in the long term, human hair is a good solution. The higher price is compensated by a longer durability and the feeling of the hair is comparable to your own hair. But beware: human hair is only worthwhile if it is of high quality. Thus, hair replacement from Asian hair is only suitable to a very limited extent for European women with hair loss. You can read more about this here.
Finding the right hair replacement: Testing above studying
Whether you get along better with synthetic hair or human hair, you simply have to try it out. If you can already exclude one of the two possibilities from my list, then try it with the other. Personally, I've always been a human hair fan, simply because I want my hair replacement to be as close as possible to what I've lost. I like the feel of real hair and don't find the styling and maintenance time-consuming or annoying. With synthetic hair, the shine and tangling massively bothers me - I wouldn't do well with that. That said, there are millions of women who are very happy with hairpieces and wigs made from synthetic fibers. Just try it out and see for yourself what suits you and your needs best!