Shanghai Consumer Protection Tests Wigs- Material, Comfort, and Safety Insights

Shanghai Consumer Protection Commission Tests Wigs: Material, Comfort, and Safety Insights

Wigs can enhance your appearance, but poor-quality wigs may negatively affect health and user experience. Currently, wig standards are incomplete, prices vary widely, and product quality is inconsistent. To address this, the Shanghai Consumer Protection Commission (Shanghai CPC) recently conducted a comprehensive wig testing program.

Mislabeling of Hair Material

The Shanghai CPC purchased 40 wig samples for testing, including 21 full wigs and 19 hairpieces, from popular brands such as Rebecca, Iremy, V’S, and Aidelansi, with prices ranging from ¥99 to ¥6,534. In addition to testing wearing performance, the commission also examined material and safety issues that are not covered in current industry standards but are of concern to consumers.

The survey found that material is the primary factor for consumers when selecting a wig. Market wigs mainly fall into three categories:

1. 100% Human Hair

2. 100% Synthetic Fiber (Polyester)

3. Blended Hair (Human Hair + Polyester Fiber)

These types differ in realism, wearing comfort, and price. Generally, the higher the human hair content, the more expensive the wig.

Among the 40 tested samples, 33 labeled their material, while 7 did not. Some samples had incomplete or unclear labeling, such as “matte high-temperature fiber,” “imported fiber mix,” or “memory fiber.” The human hair content of all blended wigs ranged from 25% to 70.3%. Inaccurate labeling can mislead consumers during purchase.

One sample purchased on Tmall, labeled as 100% human hair and distributed by Hangzhou Qianiao Trading Co., Ltd. (produced by Jinhua Mengfayuan Wig Co., Ltd.), was actually a blended wig with 52.2% human hair and 47.8% polyester fiber.

Breathability Affects Comfort

Comfort is another key factor for consumers, along with the durability after repeated use. Wig breathability is influenced by weave density, number of net layers, fiber thickness, and material. Wigs with multiple net layers, dense hair knots, or thick synthetic fibers tend to be less breathable.

Testing of the 21 full wig samples revealed:

• Higher airflow values = better breathability = greater comfort

• The most breathable sample: 3297 mm/s

• Less breathable sample: 746.6 mm/s

Wigs with high human hair content generally had better breathability, while synthetic wigs performed worse.

Hair Shedding Performance

Regarding hair shedding, 12 full wig samples had 3 or more hair strands break completely, with the worst case reaching 9 strands. One hairpiece sample had over 10 strands shed during combing.

Safety and Harmful Substances

For safety, the Shanghai CPC tested 14 blended wigs and 9 synthetic wigs for burning performance.

• 4 samples did not continue burning.

• 19 samples continued burning and produced molten droplets that ignited cotton, posing fire hazards.

Synthetic components burn faster and more violently if not flame-retardant, producing molten droplets that can cause secondary fires.

In terms of harmful chemicals, 15 samples tested negative for alkylphenols (AP) and alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEO), while 16 samples contained these substances below 100 mg/kg. 9 samples exceeded 100 mg/kg, including a wig produced by Xuchang Aisi Hair Products Co., Ltd. (brand: Nayoo) with a total content of 448.79 mg/kg.

Industry Standards Are Lacking

The Shanghai CPC highlighted that current wig standards do not fully cover material composition, harmful substance limits, or safety indicators. The commission plans to work with industry associations and quality inspection agencies to establish and improve standards, promoting the regulation and quality enhancement of the wig industry.

Tips for Choosing a Wig

1. Select based on face shape and skin tone. Check labels for manufacturer and contact information in case of quality issues.

2. Verify wig material: Snip a few strands and observe burning behavior. Hair will smell like burnt hair and leave brittle residue; synthetic fibers behave differently.

3. Test hair shedding: Pull a few strands from different areas or comb the wig 5 times to observe hair loss.

4. Prioritize comfort: Choose single-cap, hand-woven wigs where possible. Wear the wig to check for heat, sweating, or discomfort.

5. Handle brightly colored or very light wigs carefully: These may not be durable; limit washing and sun exposure to maintain quality.