Natural Wigs for Thinning Hair: How to Pick the Perfect Wig

The Length of Your Hair

Your choice of hairstyle will be the most important variable when choosing between synthetic and human hair wigs. You see, synthetic wigs are better for shorter hairstyles, while human hair wigs should be chosen for longer hairstyles.The reason for this is twofold.

The first is that the flow and fall of hair tend to be more prominent in long-haired wigs. This makes human hair wigs a much better choice if you want a long hairstyle.

On the other hand, synthetic wigs are better suited for shorter hairstyles. The reason for this is that they require less maintenance. Moreover, over time, they start showing signs of clumping and frizzing at the tips of the hair.

This problem can become particularly visible on longer synthetic wigs as larger portions of the hair start frizzing and clumping. In shorter hairstyles, though, these problems affect a smaller amount of hair, which allows them to remain hidden.

Therefore, if you choose synthetic wigs for longer hairstyles, then there’s a chance that others will be able to tell that you’re wearing a wig, while longer human hair wigs will offer better drape and fall of the hair.

The Extent of Maintenance Required

If you want a low-maintenance solution, then you should choose synthetic wigs over human hair wigs because the latter’s maintenance requires a lot of time and effort. In fact, you’ll have to take care of your human hair wig much more than you’ve been taking care of your natural hair.

To get an understanding of how much maintenance human hair wigs require, imagine people who are very fussy about their hair and increase the amount of time and effort they spend on their hair by at least five times. In fact, human hair wigs require even more conditioning and maintenance treatments than extremely coarse, dry, curly, and thick hair.

Human hair wigs have all the fragility of human hair without the protection of the natural oils produced by the scalp. Since the hair on these wigs isn’t rooted in the scalp, they don’t receive any natural oil while you’re wearing them. As a result, they’re more prone to drying, breakage, and frizzing.

Synthetic wigs, on the other hand, are at the opposite end of the spectrum. In fact, in a lot of circles, synthetic wigs are also known as “shake and go” hair solutions because all you need to is shake off the dust on the wig, put them on, and go.

You don’t have to worry about conditioning and moisturizing them too much. You don’t even have to worry about them becoming frizzy in humid environments. Further, you won’t have to bother about maintaining the hairstyle or color of your synthetic wig either because they retain their initial style and color very well.

The Adaptability of Your Wig

Because the style and color of a synthetic wig are fixed, it offers virtually no adaptability. Therefore, if you’re one of those individuals who like to change their look from one event to another, then you’ll be better off choosing human hair wigs.

Because human hair wigs are made with real human hair, they’re more accepting of style changes. You can use curlers and straighteners at home to change the look as per your requirements. Moreover, unlike your natural hair, human hair wigs will hold the style until they get wet or damp.

You can even cut the hair on the human hair wig like you would do with your natural hair to get a different hairstyle. Further, changing the color of human hair wigs is also possible provided it is done by a professional. However, it is important to keep in mind that the adaptability of the human hair wig will depend upon the source of the hair.

Most human hair wigs, these days, are built with hair sourced from Asia with countries like India, China, and Indonesia prominent contributors. Human hair wigs made with European hair are much rarer and considerably more expensive too.

Further, the way the human hair has been processed will also determine how adaptable the wig is going to be. In fact, all human hair wigs aren’t built alike, and you’ll have multiple categories to choose from too.

Chemically-Treated Hair

If a wig is based on chemically-treated hair, it means that its hair is heavily processed with one or more chemicals. The chemical treatment they receive performs three functions.

The first is that it sanitizes the human hair, the second is that it neutralizes the color of the human hair, and the third is that it strips away the cuticle layer of the human hair.

The purpose of the cuticle layer of the hair is to protect the core of the hair and provide it with the resilience it needs to cope with changing environmental conditions. The cuticle is also responsible for giving the hair its shine and vibrancy.

Since human hair cannot be left without a cuticle layer, it is layered with sturdy silicones before being put in the wig. The silicones are supposed to perform the same function as the cuticle layer but do need special care since they disappear over time.

Because they use heavily processed human hair, chemically-treated human hair wigs have one big disadvantage and one big advantage.

The disadvantage is that they’re prone to damage and breakage. Silicones can never provide the same kind of flexibility and protection that the hair’s natural cuticle layer can.

The big advantage is that these types of wigs take to color treatments very easily since it is usually the cuticle that prevents the hair from absorbing dyes. Therefore, without this layer, it becomes very easy to color processed human hair wigs.

Chemically-treated hair is the cheapest option if you want a human hair wig because of the simplicity of the process.

Remy Hair

Remy hair lies on the opposite end of the spectrum from chemically-treated hair. The process of getting Remy human hair is very time, effort, and cost-intensive. This is why it is the most expensive human hair option when it comes to wigs.

Remy human hair is not manufactured but is collectedinstead. The hair is usually taken from a single donor and tied together in the same way that it was arranged on the donor’s head. Even though Remy human hair does not involve any chemical processing, it still offers the best durability and shine in wigs.

This is achieved by ensuring all the cuticles in the layer are facing in the same direction. As the cuticles are all aligned in one direction, this allows them to protect the hair better.

Further, since they reflect light in a single direction, they also end up offering a better shine and vibrancy to the wig. Finally, when brushed and styled in the right way, these cuticles get even tighter to the cortex of the hair, causing it to be even better protected and shinier.

Virgin Hair

Virgin human hair can be defined as human hair that hasn’t been modified or processed in any way. People and businesses often use the terms “Remy human hair” interchangeably with “virgin human hair”. While the two are very similar, they are different in subtle ways too.

For instance, it is possible for virgin human hair not to have cuticles aligned in the same direction. Similarly, it is also possible, although rare, for Remy human hair to be minimally processed. Usually, this minimal processing is done for the sake of sanitizing the human hair for use.

Depending on the quality and the source of the hair, virgin human hair can be even more expensive than Remy human hair.

Classic Caps

These are the oldest types of caps. As a result, they’re the most common type of caps you’ll find while searching for natural wigs for thinning hair. These types of caps feature “wefting”. Wefting is a term used to describe strips of hair that are sewn together.

Classic caps are often sub-categorized based on the denseness of the wefting. For instance, you can find 20 percent cap-less classic wigs to 75 percent cap-less classic wigs. You’ll even come across full cap-less wigs, wherein the denseness of the cap is 90 percent lower than normal.

As is obvious, the more cap-less your classic wig is, the better it will allow your scalp to breathe. More cap-less classic wigs are also more comfortable. Because of these qualities, though, more cap-less wigs tend to be more expensive.

You should also know that because of how classic caps are constructed, they rarely allow the user to create parting. If you try to part a classic cap wig, you’ll end up exposing the wefting under the hair. At the same time, depending on the wefting configuration used, it is possible to pull your own hair through the wefting to create a more natural look.

Monofilament Caps

Monofilament caps are modifications of classic caps with one key difference. Here, the hair is hand-tied or machine arranged on a monofilament base. The monofilament base is extremely efficient at imitating the appearance of the scalp.

It is very fine and even has a similar color to the scalp tone of the wearer. It is because of this quality that monofilament caps offer adaptability in terms of your parting.

However, it is still recommended that you choose a monofilament cap that already comes with a parting that suits your preferences. If later, you wish to modify the parting temporarily, you’ll still have the option to do so, but the most natural look comes with pre-fixed partings.

The advantages offered by monofilament wigs mean that these tend to be more expensive than classic wigs.

Lace Fronts

Lace fronts are basically monofilament wigs with a lace front. The material used to make the lace front is similar to the one used for monofilament caps. As a result, it blends well with the skin tone of the wearer.

Lace front wigs look even more natural than basic monofilament wigs because they allow a natural transition from the forehead onto the hair as opposed to the seemingly abrupt growth that non-lace front wigs offer.

With this gradual and natural transition, lace front wigs allow various frontal hairline configurations, including bangs and swept-back hair alike. Their ability to make the frontal hairline natural makes lace front wigs the best option for people with receding hairlines.

As can be expected, lace front wigs are even more expensive than the basic monofilament wigs.

Fully Handtied Caps

While we mentioned hand-tying as a technique in the monofilament cap section above, we didn’t delve into it because it is significant enough to be put in a separate category.

Fully hand-tied caps have a very fine and soft monofilament base. As their name suggests, they’re made with every hair strand being fastidiously tied individually to the monofilament by hand. Because these types of caps are handcrafted, they offer many advantages.

The foremost is that, since every hair strand is individually tied, these wigs offer the most natural look. In fact, when they have lace front wigs, they offer an even more natural appearance. Further, because of the softness of the monofilament and its gentle treatment, the cap is significantly more comfortable to wear.

All these qualities and the elaborateness of the manufacturing process makes fully hand-tied monofilament lace front wigs the most expensive option in the market right now.

The only exception is custom-made wigs, which are even more expensive. However, in the majority of cases, custom-made wigs are also fully hand-tied monofilament lace front wigs.

The only difference is that they’re tailored specifically for a user. The professional takes measurements in terms of the scalp shape, skin tone, and hair color before manufacturing a single piece specifically for the user.

Front Coverage Wigs

Front coverage wigs are ideal for people with a receding hairline. Also called halos, fringes, and bangs, these types of wigs give the impression of a full and even hairline.

They’re also quite versatile. This means that you’ll be able to modify how the hair falling over your hairline looks as and when required. Generally, these types of wigs come in the clip-on format. In other words, they’re attached to the natural hairline with the help of clips.

While clip-on front coverage wigs may be more common, monofilament and lace fronts are also gradually becoming more available.

Partial Coverage Wigs

Partial coverage wigs are also known by multiple other names such as wig-lets or hair toppers. These types of wigs will be ideal for you if your hair is only thinning at any one spot on your scalp, while the rest of the scalp is, more or less normal.

Since men normally experience hair thinning at the hairline and crown simultaneously, these types of wigs are usually used by women experiencing female pattern baldness. The reason for this is that female pattern baldness usually manifests in thinning hair around the parting, while the front hairline and the crown remains unaffected.

Full Coverage Wigs

These types of wigs cover the majority of the scalp, which is why they’re often called crown toppers. They are proper wigs that are best used by people experiencing severe hair thinning all over the scalp.

Full coverage wigs also offer the most variety of options possible in terms of hair type, cap type, construction type, and even style. In fact, many people, including actors, use these types of wigs to change their appearance and looks.

Since these types of wigs offer the maximum coverage, they’re the most expensive when it comes to various coverage types.

Step 1: Determine Your Budget

If you have boundless money, then you don’t need us. Just go for a custom-made wig created by one of those celebrity stylists that big fashion and styling magazines feature so frequently.

If you’re not one of those high-rollers, then you need to determine your budget. In other words, you need to set a ceiling on how much you’re willing to spend on your wig. There’s no way around it. Your monetary reach will determine which wig you choose regardless of all other variables.

Step 2: Type of Hair Thinning

The full coverage wig is the default option for most people, especially if they don’t know a lot about wigs. However, since you’ve read through this guide, you’re not one of those people.

You now know that you don’t need to spend for a whole wig when all you need to do is cover a small thinning patch, a receding hairline, or a problematic parting.

So, spend some time in front of the mirror, comparing old photos with your current look. Involveyour friends and family if you feel comfortable. The idea is to figure out how severe your hair thinning problem is so you can determine how much coverage you need.

Step 3: Focus on your Skin Tone

This step is not relevant for you if you’re going for a hair topper or even a wig to cover up your widening part. It is, however, very important if you’ve chosen to go for either frontal coverage or the full coverage wig.

These types of wigs will border the skin on your forehead and neck. You need the choice of hair color and texture to match your skin tone. For example, blonde hair can look quite odd on someone with very dark skin tone. The same applies to red hair and non-pale skin tone.

Remember, you’re looking for natural, not bold. However, if you can pull off the bold or unique look, the world is your oyster, and everything under the sun will work with your attitude.

Step 4: Choose Hair Specifics

You’ll, of course, have to make some important decisions about the hair on your wig too. These decisions will also have a bearing on the cost of the wig, so you need to be careful here.

For instance, if you want long hair, then be prepared to pay extra because you’ll not only have to pay for more hair but will also be better off choosing human hair wigs. If you’re choosing shorter hairstyles, though, you can save a lot of money by going for synthetic wigs.

In both cases, you’ll have to decide on the type of hair you want, i.e. curly, straight, wavy, and thick. Similarly, the color of the hair will again need to be matched with your skin tone. However, unless you’re going for extreme looks, highlights and minor deviations shouldn’t be a problem.

If you do plan to change your hairstyle and color at a later date, you’ll again want to choose human hair wigs. Moreover, you’ll want to pay attention to the source of the human hair, since that will change the way your hair will respond to stylistic changes.

Step 5: Be Aware of Your Facial Shape

It would also be wise to keep your facial structure and shape in mind if the natural look is very important for you. If the wig you choose doesn’t match the shape of your face, then it can end up looking really odd. When deciding what is right for your face, the basic principle remains the same as what experts follow in fashion, i.e. symmetry.

Creating symmetry is all about finding balance. So, if your face tapers near the chin, then you want a style that will reduce the width of your forehead. If the opposite is true and you have a circular or squarish facial shape, then you want your wig to elongate your face by framing it properly.

Of course, if your face is oval or diamond-shaped, then you’ll have the most options to pick from. These facial shapes are already balanced and symmetrical. So, they don’t need intervention.

Washing the Wig

Synthetic wigs can be worn straight out of the box. The same isn’t true for human hair wigs. In fact, experts recommend washing a human hair wig before putting it on. If you’re buying it from professionals, then they’ll automatically do this for you.

However, if you’re not, make sure that you wash the human hair wig in the right way. To do this, you’ll need the right kind of shampoo. The shampoo will need to either be designed specifically for wigs and hair extensions or be completely organic, i.e. free of artificial compounds like sulfates and parabens. In fact, this should be your guiding principle when it comes to all hair products you plan to use on wigs.

Moreover, when choosing conditioners or hair gels, try to get those that don’t contain silicones. Silicones can make the grip of the wig uncertain.

While washing the wig, you should also make sure that you don’t use hot water. The water should, at most, be lukewarm. Hot water will harm the structural integrity of wigs and will result in them getting damaged faster.

Styling the Wig

After you’ve washed and conditioned the wig, you’ll be tempted to brush away the tangles right away. Don’t. Avoid brushing wet and damp wigs as that can cause breakage in the hair. Wait for it to dry and then detangle the hair.

Similarly, don’t use hot tools on wet or damp hair. Wait for it to become dry and then use a heat protectant or natural oil before applying the hot tool. We would suggest avoiding the use of hot tools altogether, if possible. If you have to use such tools, make sure that you buy wigs that can handle the heat.

Coloring the Wig

Synthetic wigs don’t take to coloring easily, but they do hold the color they come in very well. Humanhair wigs, on the other hand, can be colored like natural hair. If the wig is made with chemically-treated hair, then the coloring process is even easier and smoother.

If you want to change the color of your wig, make sure that you go to a stylist. More importantly, make sure that the stylist you go to is experienced at styling and coloring wigs. Someone who doesn’t know how to work with wigs may end up damaging them. This is precisely why you shouldn’t color your wig at home.

Storing the Wig

While you may want to prevent others from finding out that you use a wig, we strongly suggest that you avoid hiding the wig in a box that isn’t custom made for it.

Storing wigs in generic boxes and drawers can lead to horrible kinks and tangles, which will reduce the life of the wig. It is always better to store a wig on a hanger. Even better yet, get a small bust and place the wig on the head to store it.