What to Know About Real Human Hair Wigs
Sure wigs can be worn to cover hair loss, but there are also lots of people who wear wigs as fashion to change their look the same way they change their clothes. And then again, some women who are transitioning from permed hair to natural wear wigs as a protective hairstyle, while others wear them as part of religious observance. Whatever the reason, real human hair wigs offer the most natural look and feel and afford more ease in styling than synthetic wigs, thus they are the preferred wig choice of many.
There may be little that all human hair wigs actually have in common with each other besides the fact that they’re all made with human hair. There are several important features that distinguish different types of hair that are used to make wigs. Moreover, these feature effect the quality of the wig you get and the price that you pay.
Processing it All
Unless the hair is labeled “virgin human hair” you can assume that it has undergone a variety of processing. The majority of hair human used for wig making comes from China, India, and Indonesia. Often it has had most of its natural pigment removed and then is dyed to produce an array of hair colors that can suit a variety of consumers.
Among other processes the hair is subjected to is one to remove its cuticles. This helps cut down on tangling, but it also weakens the hair, so it then has a synthetic finish applied in order to strengthen it again. It’s also common that in order to offer consumers different hair textures, the hair is also permed.
This amount of processing, however, doesn’t affect the natural, human hair look and feel that consumers are looking for. The hair can be cut and styled much the same as any human hair can be. In addition, consumers like that it’s an affordable human hair wig option. Virgin hair can boast that it’s still in its natural state because it has not undergone processing, but unfortunately for some consumers, it also gives them fewer choices in hair color and texture.
Remy Hair
When hair is collected and the natural direction of the individual hairs is maintained relative to each other, it’s referred to as ‘remy’ hair. Remy hair is less prone to tangling because the shingle-like cuticles of the hairs are all lying in the same direction and thus don’t get caught up against each other. Remy hair is also noted to be very durable and shiny, so although it is more expensive than hair that’s collected in a random fashion, informed consumers appreciate its value.
Yaki Hair
Hair that’s known as ‘yaki’ hair has undergone a texturizing process that produces various curl patterns that are normally associated with African-American hair. The yaki texturizing can be applied to varying degrees so that the results look like hair that’s been relaxed or like natural curl that can range from waves to tight coils. Women with natural curl to their own hair benefit from the process of yaki texturizing because it allows them the option of wearing human hair wigs that look like their own hair instead of looking obviously like a wig.
European Hair
‘European hair’, also referred to as ‘Caucasian hair’, is simply hair that comes from someone of European ancestry. Whereas Asian hair routinely requires plenty of processing to produce a variety of hair colors, it generally takes less processing with European hair to achieve the same results, leaving it closer to its original state. And whereas there is an abundance of Asian hair on the hair market, European hair is much more scarce which in turn is reflected in its much higher price. It’s a price, however, that many consumers are willing to pay because of the silky feel and durability that European hair is known to have.
Good for All
So, clearly there’s plenty of variety among hair used to make human hair wigs. And that’s good news for anyone who’s looking to find the right wig that suits their personal taste and really looks and feels like their own hair.
Renae Bree Cooper is a writer who specializes in writing about hair care tips and products. On her website, FullLaceHumanHairWigs.org, she provides consumer information and tips on full lace human hair wigs plus human hair wigs for black women, and European human hair wigs.