Sometimes referred to as hairpieces or wiglets, hair toppers are designed to create additional coverage and volume to parts of the head that may be lacking in hair and should merge seamlessly with the natural hair already present.
Totally non-invasive and cost-effective when compared to surgical alternatives, hair toppers can be blended with natural hair and secured using tapes, clips, or adhesives. Coming in a vast range of colours, materials, and sizes, if you’re struggling with hair thinning, loss, or baldness, they may be the ideal solution.
Can everyone benefit from hair toppers?
Absolutely! If you’re suffering from alopecia, are balding prematurely, or simply want to add some more volume to your hair, toppers can be a real saviour.
While hair toppers can be worn by anyone, new mothers (postpartum can cause hair loss) and those with hair-related conditions such as androgenic alopecia may find them particularly effective.
What materials are hair toppers made from?
Hair toppers can be synthetic or natural, and there are advantages and disadvantages to both:
- Synthetic
While these toppers don’t give as natural a look as human hair toppers, the fact that they come in so many different textures and colours makes experimenting easy and more cost-effective than with human hair toppers.
Composed of fibres such as plastic or nylon, synthetic hair toppers aren’t as easy to style as their human hair alternative, as when exposed to heat, the strands can melt or merge, and they also don’t respond as well to colouring.
However, as mentioned, they are cost-effective and allow for virtually unlimited experimentation in terms of colours and textures.
- Natural
Comprised entirely of human hair, natural hair toppers help individuals create natural looks, thanks to blending seamlessly with their existing hair.
Heat can easily be applied to human hair toppers, just as it can to natural hair, making the options for styling endless and simple. These toppers can also be coloured, just as you would with your bio hair.
What bases can you choose from?
You can choose from either a silk or a lace base for your topper, and as you might expect, there are advantages and disadvantages to both:
- Silk
Made from a single silk material layer at the apex and with a silk base to secure the hair at the foundation, silk-based hair toppers are designed to mimic the scalp’s natural appearance and conceal hair knots. In this way, they help to create the illusion that the topper is nothing more than a natural extension of the scalp.
- Lace
A hair topper with a lace base offers the wearer a hairline that looks exceptionally natural, thanks to individual strands of hair being tied to the base. Breathable and lightweight, human hair toppers for women with a lace base are the ideal choice for warmer climates. Because they mimic the natural hairline, are highly breathable, and are relatively porous, sweat has no opportunity to accumulate, and there should be no buildup of fungus.
Cheaper, softer, easier to install, and a lot more delicate than their silk counterparts, lace-based hair toppers are a popular choice among women seeking a more natural look that’s also highly versatile.
To explore hair toppers in more detail, why not drop into your local wig store and chat with the knowledgeable staff about what would best suit your needs and budget?
Melissa Williams 
Brooks Reynolds