Wig Fibers
Wig Fibers
Synthetic Fiber Wigs
Synthetic fiber is the most inexpensive and low maintenance of all "hair" fibers. The synthetic materials used in hairpieces today are extremely natural looking. Made of acrylic/modacrylic filaments, synthetic fiber holds shape and color better than natural hair. Wigs made with synthetic fiber are more or less permanently set in style. Curls and waves do not need to be reset, although you can use rollers to enhance or alter the style to some extant. This easy-care quality makes synthetic-fiber wigs a wonderful option for everyday wear. Synthetic fiber will melt or singe if it comes in contact with excessive heat, so curling irons must be avoided.
There is new lightweight fiber developed by Aspen that is designed to withstand high temperatures--up to 350 degrees F (twice the range of regular synthetic hair). It is easy to brush and tends not to frizz in warm weather. You can find this in Aspen's Imagination Collection wigs.
Newest Synthetic Wigs
Human Hair Wigs
Human hair is, of course, the most natural looking fiber used in wigs and hairpieces, and it can be styled and tinted as with natural, growing hair. It is also more expensive than synthetic fiber. Depending on the type of human hair used, the cost ranges from moderate to very expensive.
Most of the human hair used in wigs and hairpieces has had the cuticle chemically removed. This make the hair much less likely to tangle. Take a strand of your own hair and run your fingers over it from top to bottom. The hair feels silky, right? Now, try the reverse and run your fingers up the strand. The hair feels slightly coarse and your fingers don't slide as easily as they did going down. This is because the cuticle, the outside layer of the hair, is composed of overlapping protective scales which point away from the scalp and toward the end of the hair. As hair strands rub against each other the tiny scales can cause the hair to tangle.
Human hair that has had the cuticle removed is silky and almost tangle-free, but it is not as strong as hair with the cuticle intact. You should always treat this hair gently. If you decide to dye the hair, we recommend going darker rather than lighter. Lightening is much more damaging to the hair than tinting.
Remy (or Remi) Human Hair is the complete hair strand and has not been weakened by stripping. Remy hair is created by careful processing which leaves the cuticle in place. The result is stronger, superior hair. Still, this hair has undergone some processing (such as cleaning and dyeing), so it should also be treated gently. To keep this hair in good condition, avoid lightening processes. Remy hair is more expensive than cuticle-free human hair, and is also referred to as "cuticle hair."
