Based on the use of hair, wigs can be classified into these three distinct types:

Human Hair Wig – These types of wigs are made from human hair. They are the most natural looking wigs, the closest one can get to the real thing; so much so that many a times to the untrained eye, it is difficult to ascertain if it is indeed a wig. These are more expensive. Based on hair types Human hair wigs can be classified further into these types. These are Chinese or Malaysian Human Hair Wig, Caucasian or European Human Hair Wig, Indonesian or Brazilian Human Hair Wig, and Indian Human Hair Wig. While the Indian Hair is more popular amongst consumers due to its texture and strength, the European wig is the most expensive of the lot. The European wigs are also a little rare.

Animal Hair Wig – As the name suggests these wigs and hairpieces use animal hair generally from a goat or a yak.

Synthetic Hair Wig – A synthetic hair wig is manufactured with fibers. These fibers are extremely similar to real human hair. These wigs are highly economic and low maintenance.

Depending upon the weft and the method by which hair is secured together in a wig, wigs can be classified as:

Machine stitched weft wig – These types of wigs and hair pieces are made by stitching together hair strands by using a hair sewing machine. There are two sub classifications in these: double wefting (this is a regular weft.) and single wefting (this is relatively new. It is also called as a light weft or a thin weft.)

Hand tied wefts: These are made by tying together the hair strands around a strong and durable weaving thread. Since this is labor intensive they are relatively expensive.

These are the major classifications of wigs. There are other types of wigs and hair pieces too. Some of them are listed below.

Medical wigs – Medical wigs are mainly manufactured for people who lose hair due to some medical condition like chemotherapy or alopecia and so on. They are more suitable for such patients.

Lace Front Wigs – These give an appearance of a natural hairline. They are popular amongst celebrities and fashionistas. Individual strands are knotted along the mesh, generally of a polyester or nylon material in the frontal area of the hair piece thus creating an illusion of hair growing naturally from the scalp. These have become extremely popular in the 21st Century. There are many varieties available like: Swiss lace, French Lace, Thin Skin, Stretch lace and so on. Each of them differs from the other in a singular aspect like Stretch lace is easy to detect whereas Swiss lace is extremely undetectable when used.

Lace Frontals – These are half wigs or hair pieces. They are secured using skin adhesives. The important thing to remember is to use skin friendly or skin safe adhesives to secure these lace frontals in place.

Monofilament Wigs – These types of wigs are slightly less expensive. A monofilament is sewn in the wig. This is generally sewn in only one part of the head in a monofilament part wig, depending on the choice of the consumer, left, centre or right. Once sewn the position of the monofilament cannot be changed. They too give the illusion of hair naturally emerging out of the wearer’s scalp.

PU Skin weft – This is specifically for those people who have a very sensitive scalp. People with a sensitive scalp find the cloth based wefts itchy and uncomfortable. Thus they substitute it for polyurethane. Polyurethane or PU is a material which is used as a base and this material is highly agreeable to people with sensitive scalps.