Wigs for women offer you freedom, confidence and imbue you with transformative powers. Wigs are not just for coping with hair loss. They can also help sate your craving for a new look. You can now easily explore various styles, colours and lengths. This guide will walk you through the benefits of wearing wigs, various types available, reveal some must-know care tips and more. Let’s start.
Top Three Benefits of Wigs for Women
More than ensuring you look fabulous all the time, wigs also offer additional benefits. Some advantages may even surprise you. Let’s discuss some noteworthy reasons you should invest in a wig.
1. Improved Self-Esteem
A 2018 study shows that hair prostheses can significantly improve the quality of life and self-esteem in patients with severe alopecia areata (AA). While the study included both men and women in their samples and benefits can be seen for both sexes, wigs for women are still a great investment.
Although the wigs did not affect the actual symptoms, they did help participants feel more confident and capable. So a new look can truly be empowering and help you bring yourself back to yourself or become the person you were always meant to be.
Think about it. How empowering would it be for patients who suffer from diseases that affect hair growth or lead to hair loss to go back to before the diagnosis? It can be seen as an opportunity to start from the beginning or do a complete rebrand.
However, wigs for women aren’t just for patients. Wigs can offer a boost of self-confidence to anyone willing to try them. Made a quick-fire decision to get a buzz cut and now regret it? Wear a wig till your hair grows back (we promise, it will!). Or, if you want to see how you’d look with a hairstyle before actually committing, try on a wig and see if it matches your facial features. This way, there will be no more regrets. You can effortlessly make lasting decisions or reverse mistakes.
2. Present a Realistic Appearance
Wigs for women won’t always leave you looking like a cosplayer at Comic Con. Thanks to advanced wig-making techniques and high-quality materials, you can find wigs that look and feel extremely realistic.
These days, there are high-quality wigs available that look natural and fit comfortably. The best choice for a high-end look is to choose an option made from human or high-quality synthetic hair. The choice between human and synthetic hair wigs comes down to your budget. Human hair wigs typically boast a realistic appearance and feel. Human hair can also cost a bit more money and needs additional care when styling and storing.
With realistic wigs for women, people should not be able to tell the difference between your wig and your real hair. There are also other steps to take when ensuring the most natural finish when wearing wigs.
3. Offer Versatility with Styles
Wigs come in a diverse range of lengths, styles and colours. Each choice allows you to alter your appearance without changing your natural hair. Women who want to avoid heat damage but still want a sleek and straight look can effortlessly implement it without using any heat. You can even choose between long and short wigs! Women with wavy hair who want natural curls without getting a perm? The change is easy.
You can also start with a single wig and change the style as you please. It is very much like styling actual hair. However, this process may just require a little bit more care. There are also certain things to consider. It’s easier to get a straight wig to curl than to straighten a curly wig.
Alternatively, cutting a wig is a permanent change; unfortunately, wigs cannot grow back. But they can go shorter. And you can always just get another longer wig to replace the one you altered.
Top Types of Wigs on the Market
We’ve briefly mentioned the different types of wigs for women available. Now, we’ll take a deep dive into the different types available and their distinguishing characteristics.
Human Hair Wigs
- Human Hair Wigs: These wigs are made of natural hair from all over the world. Human hair wigs are great options for those who want a natural texture and are planning on wearing them for longer periods.
- Remy Human Wigs: This is a high-quality wig option that can be styled, cut, straightened and even dyed. Remy wigs still have the cuticle layer intact, which makes them feel smoother, look healthier and appear shinier.
Synthetic Wigs
Synthetic wigs are made from man-made fibers such as acrylic, nylon, or other polymers and plastics. They’re much more affordable than real hair wigs, but not as long-lasting. They’re ideal choices for those who don’t use a lot of styling tools or want to use them as a short-term solution.
Non-Slip Wigs
Non-slip wigs are perfect for those who are fully bald. Regardless of the reason, these ‘suction’ wigs are made with a base comprising materials that help grip your scalp without the need for elastic adjusters.
These wigs are lightweight and comfortable and aren’t scratchy or irritating.
Cap Constructions
Cap constructions have various applications. You can choose from:
- Lace Front: This type of cap looks like a natural hairline. A lace front is the perfect option for pulled-back hairstyles.
- Full Lace: A full lace cap offers wearers excellent styling versatility. Styles you could explore include updos and fishtail braids.
- Monofilament: These cap constructions provide a realistic scalp appearance. They’re good choices for those with sensitive skin. You could choose to incorporate bangs or try space buns.
- Wefted: Wefted caps are a budget-friendly and breathable option. They’re great for casual wear in a half-up, half-down style or mermaid waves.
Hair Toppers & Hair Pieces
Hair toppers or partial wigs cover part of your head and are great for those experiencing hair thinning. They have large holes that allow you to pull strands of your hair through them for it to blend seamlessly.
Hair pieces are also referred to as hair extensions. These pieces aim to enhance your natural hair or cover up bald patches. While these options don’t provide full coverage, they’re still useful to those suffering from all sorts of hair loss.
Promoting Scalp Health & Protection
Wigs can enhance style and also protect your natural hair and scalp. Wearing wigs correctly can serve as a protective barrier against certain elements, such as:
- Pollution
- UV Rays
- Harsh Styling Tools
Women who are experiencing traction alopecia or hair thinning can prevent harsh styling of their natural hair. Additionally, a silk or cotton wig cap can also protect your scalp from heightened irritation levels when it comes into contact with your head.
However, you need to remember that your scalp will still need to breathe. While many wigs are made with breathable materials, you should still take a break from wearing wigs. Regular breaks will ensure you’re looking after your scalp health.
As an extra precaution, you should keep both your natural hair and wig clean. Keeping both your scalp and wig clean and then moisturizing correctly can help prevent bacteria build-up and reduce scalp irritation.
With proper care, wigs can serve as products for beauty and also for health. Wearing wigs protects your natural hair from harsh chemicals, over-styling, and too much brushing and touching that can lead to hair thinning.
How to Choose the Right Wig
Knowing all the options on the market may make choosing the right wig feel overwhelming. However, it’s important to ask yourself the following questions before purchasing a wig.
1. Why do you need a wig?
The reason behind needing a wig can greatly affect the type of wig you choose. Identify whether you need it for medical reasons, convenience, or if it offers a boost to your fashion quotient. Knowing what you need it for will help narrow down your choices.
2. How much are you prepared to spend?
Your budget will greatly affect what kind of wig you can buy. Human hair wigs provide a superior, realistic experience, but can cost a bit more. Synthetic wigs are a cheaper alternative for those who don’t have the financial capacity to invest in human hair wigs just yet.
3. How much effort are you willing to put into styling?
You will need to consider whether you have time to meticulously treat and style your wigs, as needed, with human hair wigs. If you’re looking for a wash-and-wear type solution, then synthetic options would work best for you.
4. What’s the best cap construction?
Consider which cap construction will be more beneficial for how you want to use the wig. Women with sensitive scalps may consider monofilament caps. Whereas women looking for a natural-looking hairline may opt for lace front wigs.
5. Which colour and texture is best suited for you?
The perfect colour or texture greatly depends on each individual’s style. While some may choose something dramatically different from their original hair, other women may choose to colour match and find a wig closer to their actual locks.
Caring for Your Wigs
To promote longevity and keep up the appearance, wig maintenance is necessary.
- Washing & maintenance: We recommend you wash your wig after every 8 to 10 wears. To ensure the wig’s integrity, ensure you use sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner. Once washed, let it air dry on an appropriate wig stand.
- Styling: Avoid brushing your wig when it’s wet. When you brush it, opt to use a wide-tooth comb or detangling brush. If you’re using heated tools, always add a level of heat protectant. Additionally, only use a straightener, blow dryer, or curling iron on human hair wigs or heat-friendly synthetic wigs for women.
- Storage: Ensure you store your wigs away from sunlight and dust. Sun and dust exposure can damage the aesthetic and texture of your wigs. Try to store them on a mannequin head or inside a silk bag.
These are just a few helpful tips to follow when trying to keep your wigs in perfect shape. However, you should always follow the instructions from the wig manufacturer.
Conclusion
Wigs for women are versatile tools for transformation, scalp healing, and self-expression. There is a wig for every lifestyle, budget and style preference. Hopefully, this comprehensive guide can assist you with choosing the best wig for your needs.
We’re sure you’ll easily find your perfect wig. You’re one purchase away from a more confident you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the answers to some commonly asked questions about wigs.
Q1. Can I be allergic to synthetic wigs?
Yes, some people can be allergic to the materials used to make synthetic wigs. Those with a synthetic wig allergy may experience itching, redness, and scalp irritation when their head comes into contact with the synthetic wig.
Alternatively, some women can be allergic to the chemicals used to treat synthetic wigs, ensuring smoothness and luster, and a realistic appearance. That’s why we always recommend washing your wig thoroughly before wearing it. This pre-wash will be useful for removing irritants and pollutants.
Q2. When should I start shopping for wigs?
Ultimately, the timeline is up to you. However, we do recommend you start shopping before complete hair loss if you want a natural colour and style close to your original hair.
Q3. Can I sleep with my wig on?
This is not recommended. You should always remove it before bed or a nap in order to prevent tangles and excessive friction with your scalp.
Q4. Does synthetic or human hair last longer?
Human hair wigs usually last for about 1 to 3 years. On the other hand, synthetic options may last up to 4 to 12 months. However, these are just estimates, and these numbers all depend on certain factors such as how much it’s used, the original quality, and your care schedule.
Q5. How often should I clean my scalp?
A weekly wash should ensure good scalp hygiene and prevent any issues.
Q6. How do I measure my head for a wig?
Use a soft tape measure. Measure the circumference of your head, including the space across your forehead and behind your ears. Once the tape connects, that’s your head measurement.
