2. Cons of Human Hair Wigs:

• High Maintenance: Just like real hair, human hair wigs need to be washed, deep-conditioned and re-styled frequently.
• Cost: Because they are harvested from human hair, they are typically more expensive.
• Color Variation: It is difficult to replicate an exact color when you replace a human hair wig or wish to purchase a back up of the same style. Human hair wigs of the same color will vary slightly from wig to wig because each wig contains hair harvested from multiple people.
• Reacts to Weather: Like your own hair would, human hair wigs react to the weather and can become frizzy, limp or dry depending on the weather.
• Color Fading: The color of a human hair wig will oxidize or fade with exposure to light.
• Fragile: The hair will incur damage if subjected to harsh brushing, back-combing or overuse of heated styling tools.
• Weight: Human hair wigs can feel heavier than synthetic wigs of a similar length and style.
• Styling: Human hair wigs are more labor intensive and require more effort and skill to style. They often need to be trimmed or cut by a stylist before they can be worn.

II. Synthetic Hair Wigs

1. Pros of Synthetic Wigs:

• Easy Care: Synthetic wigs are easy to take care of. Because synthetic wigs have something called “style retention,” they never have to be styled. You simply wash, dry and then shake them out, and the wig will return to its initial style.
• Style Memory: Synthetic wigs hold their style regardless of the weather.
• Versatile: You can try out various colors and styles without the need to see a hair stylist by purchasing multiple synthetic wigs.
• Large Color Selection: The sky is the limit where colors are concerned. You can choose from an array of natural colors, as well as several fantasy colors.
• Cost: Synthetic wigs are relatively inexpensive. It is more affordable to have multiple wigs or to replace your style when you get tired of your current look.
• Low Maintenance: They require very little maintenance. This is important to consider if you are experiencing health issues and not feeling well.
• Natural Looking: If purchasing a high quality synthetic wig, it is very difficult to tell the difference between a synthetic wig and one made from real human hair.
• Ready to Wear: Synthetic wigs come pre-styled and “ready to wear.”

2. Cons of Synthetic Wigs:

• Shine: Some economy or budget synthetic wigs (typically those under $100) may have an unnatural shine.
• Longevity: Synthetic wigs and toppers do not last as long as human hair wigs. They typically last about 4-6 months with daily wear.
• Less Versatility: Synthetic wigs cannot be straightened or curled with heated styling tools unless it is a specifically designed “heat friendly” synthetic wig.
• Cannot Change Color:  Recoloring is not recommended for synthetic wigs and traditional hair color will not adhere to the fibers.

1. What is your budget?

Knowing your budget is a great way to determine which type of wig fiber to choose. When undergoing cancer treatment, money can sometimes be tight and the need to choose a wig within your budget can be a crucial deciding factor in deciding on a wig. Synthetic wigs can be very budget friendly, especially if you don’t plan to wear your wig daily. A high quality synthetic wig can look very natural and can be washed less frequently than a human hair wig, requiring you to spend less money overall on shampoo, conditioner and styling products. Human hair wigs are typically more expensive, but they do last longer, which offsets some of the added expense.

2. What type of hair loss do you have?

Depending on the type of hair loss that you have, your hair may or may not grow back. If you know whether or not your hair will grow back, this could help determine how long you will need to wear a wig. Because human hair wigs can last a year or more when properly cared for, women who need to wear a wig for an extended amount of time may find that to be a better option. If your hair is starting to grow back already, or you know that you will not need to wear a wig for very long, a synthetic wig that lasts 4-6 months with proper care may be the right choice for you.

3. Do you experience fatigue from chemotherapy or other health issues?

Synthetic wigs require less maintenance than human hair wigs, and therefore require less energy to style and care for. This allows you to save your energy when necessary. When washed, synthetic wigs will return back to their original style after air drying, while human hair wigs will require straightening or curling after being washed and dried. Human hair wigs also need to be deep conditioned, washed and re-styled frequently just like your real hair. Many women in treatments find that the last thing they want to concern themselves with is spending hours maintaining a human hair wig.

4. Where will you wear your wig?

The weather can affect the style of a human hair wig, causing strands to frizz or go limp. If you live in a hot and humid or very damp climate, consider wearing a synthetic wig that will hold its style better in most climates. If you are set on a human hair wig, try a wig with shorter, more manageable strands to help you have an easier time keeping your style looking great, even in less than desirable weather. Also keep in mind that frequently wearing a human hair wig outdoors in direct sunlight can also attribute to fading and alter the color of your wig.

5. How often will you wear your wig?

With daily use, human hair wigs can last a year or more, while synthetic wigs typically last 4-6 months (Heat friendly synthetic wigs usually only last approximately 3 months). Wearing your wig less frequently will help to extend its lifespan. How often you need to wash your wig will depend on how often you wear it, which affects the amount of care you need to provide for your wig. Most synthetic wigs only need to be washed every 6-8 wears, but human hair wigs may need to be washed more often in order to re-style the wig. Washing and styling the wig frequently can put more stress on the fibers, causing them to break down more easily.

6. Do you like to frequently change up your look?

Human hair wigs offer the versatility of changing your style from day to day. You can take human hair wigs from straight to curly and back again using heated styling tools. Many human hair wigs can also be colored by a stylist experienced in customizing human hair wigs. Synthetic wigs can be trimmed by experienced stylists to your liking, but cannot be heat styled to change the texture and cannot be re-colored. What you see is what you get when it comes to the texture, style and color of a synthetic wig, which attributes to the ease of wearing a synthetic wig.