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Types of Wigs
Familiarizing yourself with the various types of wigs will help you to make an informed purchasing decision. Our video (below) provides a good visual of the different wig cap types.
Our photographs and summary below will point out the pros and cons of each type of wig cap. Understanding the different types of cap construction will give you a better awareness of how each type of wig is made. Please note that there may be slight variations amongst different brands.
Standard & Capless Wig Construction
- With this wig type, teasing is present at the crown or hair root to give lift and volume. The teasing is purposefully placed to conceal the cap underneath.
- Low maintenance and ready to wear out of the box.
- Strips of hair, called "wefts", are sewn together by machine to create the hairpiece.
- The "wefting" (hair strips) provide varying degrees of openness in the cap. If the wefting is open between 20-75%, the wig is classified as "capless". If it is open more than 90%, it is called "full capless" or "100% capless". The more open it is, the cooler and more comfortable the wig is to wear.
- The part is stationary and cannot be moved.
- Come in a variety of qualities from very low end to excellent. We only offer high quality classic caps.
- Standard (or classic) cap wigs offer an excellent quality at a budget friendly price. They are the least expensive type of wig.
Monofilament Wigs
- With this wig type, individual hairs are tied to a fine mesh material that allows both light and air to pass through.
- Made of an ultra fine mesh fabric that blends with any skin tone, giving the look of real hair growing from the scalp.
- The hair comes out of the cap vertically - the same direction that natural hair grows.
- Offers versatile styling options as hair can be styled or parted in any direction.
- Provides the most comfortable and natural look possible. Excellent for sensitive scalps.
- Lightweight and breathable; great for warm weather.
- Should be handled more gently than standard or machine made caps.
- A "double mono top" has an extra layer of soft material for additional comfort.
- Monofilament wigs are especially popular for women with hair loss due to their moderate price and extremely natural appearance.
Types of Monofilament Wigs
Monofilament Part
Only the part area has monofilament construction
Monofilament Crown
Only the crown area has monofilament construction
Monofilament Top
The entire top of the wig features monofilament construction
100% Hand Tied Wigs
(also called hand knotted or full lace)
- With this wig type, each hair fiber is manually and tediously hand knotted to a soft fabric base.
- In addition to the cap itself, hand knotting on these types of wigs is often (but not always) done on the edges of the cap as well. This process hides the cap material and gives a natural appearance when the hair is pulled back.
- Hand tied wigs offer the most versatile styling options as hair can be styled or parted in any direction.
- Softest, most comfortable wig cap type. Ideal for sensitive scalps or hair loss.
- The cap offers a bit of stretch to it, which many find extremely comfortable.
- Requires more gentle care than machine made caps.
- Lightweight and breathable.
- Hand tied wigs are the ultimate in luxury, providing the most comfortable and natural look possible. They are also the most expensive type of wig.
Lace Front Wigs
- With a lace front wig type, the front hairline of the wig features a lace material with individual hairs tied the the base. The rest of the cap can be made using any of the above methods.
- This type of wig creates a natural looking front hairline that looks like hair growing from the scalp.
- Allows for a nearly invisible hair line.
- Tape or adhesive can be used to secure the lace to the scalp.
- Each hair is individually hand tied to a piece of sheer lace.
- Lace can be delicate and should be handled carefully.
- Those with extremely sensitive scalps may find the lace edges on the wig to be a bit scratchy.
- Lace front wigs are ideal for hairstyles where hair will be pulled back away from the face, providing a natural looking hairline.
Skin Top Wigs
- Skin top wigs were once the high end option for those who could afford them. Due to advances in wig construction, skip top wigs have largely been replaced by monofilament wigs, which are more comfortable and affordable
- With this wig type, individual hair fibers are implanted into an artificial plastic scalp base.
- Feature the same hair distribution pattern as monofilament caps. The hair comes out of the cap vertically, in the same way that natural hair grows.
- Can be made by machine or by hand. If done by hand, the hair fibers are randomly placed, giving a more realistic appearance. The finer the hair groupings, the better the quality.
- Can be a bit hot on the scalp.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wig Types
Which types of wigs look the most natural?
Many women think that you must have a human hair wig in order to achieve a realistic look. In actuality, if you are choosing a high quality synthetic wig, it can be very difficult to tell the difference. In our salon, we have a handful of human hair wigs mixed in with our synthetic hair wigs. We often ask customers to pick out the human hair wigs and often pick the synthetic one. It is important to point out that our synthetic wigs are very high quality; It's quality that makes the difference, no matter which type of fiber you choose.
If it is within your budget, we highly recommend a monofilament wig cap. Monofilament wigs give the appearance of individual hairs growing from the scalp, which is very natural looking. They can also be parted in different directions for additional styling versatility. A lace front wig will give you a natural looking hair line and the ability to wear the hair pushed back and away from the face. A 100% hand tied wig is a premium option that is comfortable and looks like hair growing from the scalp on the entire cap. All of these cap types will make a wig appear more natural.
The most natural looking wig is going to be one where the style suits your face shape and the color suits your skin tone. We recommend taking advantage of our free wig consultations so that you can ensure that you find the best possible color for you. Our certified wig specialist can color match your selection to a swatch of your own hair or a photo.
Pro Tip: Have a stylist who is experienced in wig styling trim your wig to best suit your face shape and give it a look that is truly personalized. This will help your wig to appear more natural.
What Type of Wigs Are "Medical Wigs?"
When companies advertise wigs as being "uniquely designed for medical hair loss," they are referring to wigs designed with monofilament construction. No one company has a monopoly on this type of wig; any wig shop should have a selection of monofilament wigs for sale.
Monofilament cap types are desirable for any wig wearer. With a standard cap, the hairs are dispersed in rows or lines. Monofilament wigs look like real hair is growing from the scalp. They are more expensive because the construction process makes them more costly to make. The ultimate "medical wig" will be a hand tied wig. The cap base is made of a soft mesh material that stretches and feels especially comfortable on a bald scalp. They are also the most expensive type of wig.
At Headcovers Unlimited, we offer natural looking wigs with different types of construction to fit your budget. While monofilament or hand tied wigs are recommended for those who can afford them, we also have a large number of quality wigs without monofilament construction that are still good choices for cancer patients and others with medical hair loss.
What Type of Wigs are Best for a Sensitive Scalp?
Hair loss from chemotherapy often results in a sensitive scalp. Wigs with 100% hand tied or double monofilament wig caps tend to be the best for sensitive scalps. These wig caps are softer and feel more gentle on sensitive scalps than classic cap wigs.
There are several types of wig accessories that can help any wig feel more comfortable on a sensitive scalp. Our Cushion Band Gel Headband works to relieve pressure that a wig may place on the scalp and reduces shearing forces that can create pressure sores. They are easy to disinfect and non-allergenic.
Wearing a wig cap underneath your wig will create a soft barrier between the interior of the wig and your scalp. They come in soft, breathable materials like cotton and bamboo to help soothe your scalp. Bamboo wig caps also contain natural antibacterial properties, making them perfect for cancer patients.
What Is The Best Type of Hair?
There are 3 basic types of hair, including human hair, synthetic and heat resistant synthetic hair. Each has pros and cons. The best type of hair will be different for each individual. You should select the type of hair that best meets your lifestyle and need. See our resource page on Synthetic vs. Human Hair Wigs for detailed inforamation.
What Type of Wig Is Best For Thinning Hair?
For women in the initial stages of hair loss a hair topper could be a good solution. A hair topper is a type of hairp iece that can conceal thinning hair or areas of hair loss at the crown, hairline or top of the head. Toppers are a great option for women who do not have complete hair loss, as they can be blended seamlessly into your existing hair. Toppers are available in synthetic, heat friendly synthetic and human hair. We offer a wide variety of hairpieces that attach in different ways to disguise hair loss or thinning areas. See our Topper Buying Guide for more detailed information about the types of hair toppers, attachment methods and step-by-step instructions for selecting the best type of topper for your needs.
Pro Tip: Hair toppers can also be used to add volume to existing hair or to cover up new hair growth between colorings.
What are the Different Types of Wigs & Hair Pieces?
Hats with Hair: This type of hair piece is open in the top and can be worn underneath hats and scarves. For women who find wigs too hot, too expensive or uncomfortable, our hats with hair pieces are a great option.
Bangs: Clip-in bangs are often worn by women who want to try wearing a hairstyle with bangs without committing to cutting their own hair.
Extensions & Volumizers: Add length and volume to existing hair by adding hair extensions. Hair extensions clip into your existing hair and are available in several different lengths, a multitude of colors and different textures. We offer a selection of synthetic extensions, as well as heat friendly synthetic and human hair extensions that can be heat styled to match your existing hair's texture.
Hair Wraps, Buns & Ponytails: Hair wraps, hair scrunchies, clip in ponytails and buns are small hairpiece attachments that you can wrap around a ponytail or bun to add instant elegance and a unique look.
Headbands: Wearing a headband with hair can give you an elegant and intricate look without all of the time and energy that creating this look with your own hair would take.
Selecting Your Wig
Cost, wig style and your overall lifestyle should all be considered when considering which type of wig is best for you. There are many pros and cons to each type of wig cap. Once you have selected your type, the next step is to choose your style, material and color. See our helpful guides on how to select a wig style and how to select a wig color and human hair vs. synthetic wigs for the next steps. Also... don't forget to browse our large selection of women's wigs and men's wigs for inspiration!
Comments, Questions & Ratings
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Thank you for this easy to follow resource on the different types of wigs. I've been looking for one that I can understand and you've made it so simple. (Posted on 03/18/2022)