What are Synthetic Wigs Made of?

We all know that synthetic wigs are great but have you ever thought about what they are made of?

My name is Lori, and I have been wearing wigs for over six years now. Synthetic wigs are one of my most familiar products. After all these years, I have to conclude that understanding the material used for making synthetic wigs definitely helps in picking a high-quality hairpiece.

In this article, we will talk about what synthetic wigs are made of, the difference between heat resistant and normal synthetic wigs, how long they can last, and some answers to the most commonly asked questions.

Sounds good? Keep Reading!

What are Synthetic Wigs Made of?

Synthetic wigs are usually made of man-made hair fibers. These fibers can be acrylic, polyester, PVCs (polyvinyl chloride), and heat-resistant fibers, such as Kanekalon and Toyokalon.

All these fibers have undergone processes to make them look like human hair. It is pretty easy to tell the difference between high and low-quality synthetic hair. Synthetic hair, compared to human hair, often comes with better quality.

One of the most common ways to determine the quality of synthetic hair is how shiny it is. Human hairs don’t shine, so the less shiny a synthetic wig, the better quality.

Regular Wigs vs Heat Resistant Synthetic Wigs

Most of the synthetic wigs cannot be styled with heated styling tools, as they are made by plastic, however, for heat resistant wigs, they are made with special fibers, and they can withstand high temperatures, which gives you an option to style them as you like.

Usually, heat resistance is a big selling point when it comes to synthetic wigs. So most sellers will especially address that “this is a heat resistant wig!”, or else you can look at the hairs.

Usually, a heat-resistant wig is less shiny than a regular wig, and their hair is softer and smoother.

Also, check out the temperature tolerance too. The higher temperature a wig can tolerate, the better quality it is.

Most heat-friendly wigs are more expensive than regular wigs. However, they also tend to have shorter lifespans. The more you style a heat-resistant wig with heated tools, the shorter the lifespan it would be.

Also, it is more challenging to style a heat-resistant wig than a high-quality human hair wig. Eventually, they are plastic, so it makes sense that it is more difficult to alter their shape than a human hair.

How Long Does Synthetic Wigs Last?

Most synthetic wigs can last for around 3 – 4 months if you wear them every day and wash them with wig shampoos once a week. 

If you handle your wigs with more love, like handle and store them gently, never wear them to sleep, and brush them every one to two days, they can last for six months or more.

Do note that the lifespan of a curly synthetic wig is shorter than straight hair wigs. Just like human hair wigs, the shape of curly hair makes them easier to tangle.

FAQs

How Does a Wig Catch on Fire?

Usually, only very poorly made wigs containing a lot of impurities will catch on fire. Most of the synthetic wigs will melt and smell like plastic, while human hair wigs will burn into ash or curl upwards. 

Are Synthetic Wigs Toxic?

Most of the synthetic wigs made from renowned brands are non-toxic, however, poorly made, low-quality synthetic wigs can be toxic because of the impurities in raw materials.

A friend of mine purchased a wig at a meager cost, and the hair caused allergic reactions to her face and neck, even though she had washed it before putting it on!

According to my experience, most heat-resistant synthetic wigs are non-toxic.

Are Synthetic or real hair wigs better?

Synthetic hair wigs are cheaper and require less maintenance than natural hair wigs. However, they are less versatile as the look is fixed.

If you are looking for a wig that nobody can tell you are wearing, aim for a high-quality real hair wig with virgin or remy hair.

Wrapping Up

I hope you find this article useful in helping you to understand about synthetic wigs. Knowing what they are made of can help you pick the most suitable product. For example, I only purchase heat-resistant wigs nowadays because I love the versatility.

Just avoid low quality, poorly made wigs, even if their price may be very attractive.