One of the biggest considerations in choosing wigs is whether you want to go natural or synthetic. The synthetic fibers used in making wigs today look far more realistic than in previous generations, but they can still look less than natural.

How to Tell the Difference:

The traditional way to tell if a wig is made with human hair or synthetic hair is to pull a strand out of the wig and burn it. Natural hair will burn slowly and give off a distinctive odor, while synthetic hair will usually tend to melt and/or ball up when placed near flame, depending on the particular composition of the synthetic fiber, or will burn out quickly. In either case, synthetic hair will not give off an odor.

Advantages of Human Hair Wigs:

•Human Hair Wigsare more realistic appearance than synthetic wigs

•greater durability

•the same styling and maintenance requirements as your real hair; can be custom-colored to suit; and can tolerate heat from styling appliances.

Disadvantages of Human hair Wigs:

•it reacts to climate the way your real hair does (may frizz or lose curl in humid weather)

•hair must be reset/restyled after shampooing, which can be challenging for someone attempting to do so at home

•color will oxidize/fade with exposure to light

•hair will break if mistreated by harsh brushing, back-combing or overuse of heat styling

•can be heavier than synthetic wigs of similar style/length.