5 Key Differences Between A Toupee And A Wig
Male pattern baldness affects a large number of men at some point in their lives. According to the American Hair Loss Association, approximately 25% of men with hereditary male pattern baldness start losing their hair before age 21. By age 35, about 66% of men will have experienced some degree of hair loss. And by the age of 50, approximately 85% of men will have significantly thinner hair.
With a high rise in lifestyle and environmental stressors, a growing number of younger males are losing their hair faster than before. As such, wigs and toupees are becoming even more prevalent now. If you are a newbie to these concepts, let us help you understand the difference between the two so that you can choose what suits your hair loss best.
Here are 5 Key Differences Between A Toupee And A Wig:
Coverage
Wigs are hair replacements for men that are meant to cover the entire head. They have been used since ancient times but have only recently been more publicly accepted. A considerable part of this is because celebrities and others have been experimenting with different lengths, colors, and hairstyles to maintain a refreshed look every other time.
People with cancer, alopecia, or other health conditions leading to prolonged hair loss can find specialized wigs to help them through their medical journey. People can also wear them to hide their entirely bald scalps or clean-shaven.
Whereas toupees are used to cover specific areas of the scalp but not the entire head. They cover the balding scalp (due to male pattern baldness) or the frontal regions of the head to conceal receding hairlines and thinning hair.
So wigs have a larger coverage area than a toupee. Most males can ideally start using a toupee to conceal their starting stages of hair loss and then work their way into wigs over the years. Some men may never need wigs as toupee would suffice just as well for them.
Mode of Attachment
Most wigs can be elastically applied and adjusted with clips at the back of the hair system, but some also use tape or glue. They come in different hairstyles and colors for people to experiment with new looks. Wigs are very comfortable; they hug and conform to your head for the most seamless fit. They are also lightweight, thereby ensuring comfortable all-day wear.
Toupees, on the other hand, have to use adhesives to be attached to the scalp. They can easily be secured by applying glue or double-sided tape onto their base for long-lasting wear, but this has to be done correctly; otherwise, it can appear quite conspicuous to others.
Not all wigs need adhesives, but all toupees do.
Ease of wear
Both wigs and toupees are easy to wear and comfortable to use; however, they are different in terms of daily use. People can choose to remove their wigs daily. They can be washed separately, but toupees are installed and removed once every few weeks. You can take a shower with them on.
Full-cap wigs are generally removed before sleeping, whereas toupees can be worn while sleeping since they don’t shed easily.
Appearance
Wigs tend to look too perfect with well-cut and styled hair that looks too good to be true. But if one uses human hair wigs, this problem can be avoided as they do not have an unrealistic shine. A wig is a chance to step out of your comfort zone and try something bold or different from your regular style for personal, fashion or cosplay purposes.
Wearing a wig guarantees that your hair will look full, with all the same color and thickness throughout, without the worry of bald spots or thinning, as they provide complete coverage for your head. Furthermore, styling and application of a wig require much less effort and maintenance than other hair systems, such as a toupee.
When deciding on a toupee, you should choose a color, style, and texture matching your existing hair to blend seamlessly with your natural hair. This makes them more natural looking and believable.
Cost & durability
Since wigs are low on maintenance and cover a larger area, they are generally costlier than toupees. Toupees are usually less expensive than full-cap wigs since they do not cover the entire scalp. Wigs may last up to two years, depending on wear and upkeep, although this is longer than the lifespan of toupees. Toupees can last up to six months, with the more natural-looking pieces being less durable.
Now that the pros and cons of each have been put before you, you must remember that choosing a wig or toupee entirely depends on the specific need of your hair loss area.
Santana, a content writer with Superhairpieces, writes blogs that provide helpful insight on everything hair replacement related. Her belief that ‘there is a hairpiece for everyone’ makes her committed to bringing more awareness and social acceptance of women’s hairpieces, human hair extensions for women, and men’s hair systems; as part of a daily lifestyle.
She gives easy tips and tricks to wear and maintain your hairpieces with pride and confidence while crushing each stigma surrounding it, one hairpiece at a time.
This blog lets the readers know the difference between two different types of hair systems. Not every balding head requires a full wig. You can opt for a toupee for coverage on the top of your head instead. Hair systems make a world of difference to men with severe hair loss issues, and we are here to make that a pleasant experience for each one.