What Goes Into Making Different Kinds Of Hair Wigs
A wig is perhaps one of the more underappreciated fashion items of today with all the work that goes into making one. Both men and women alike have reasons for buying one from wanting a completely new look, to having a quick and easy way to cover hair loss. Knowing how a wig is made may influence which kind you want to go with, or which kind you feel is more worth the money. Here is a brief overview of how a wig is made.
A History Of Wig Production
The way false hair and its cosmetic use has been implemented really goes back for about as long as mankind has existed. But the ancient Egyptians were probably the first civilization to highlight it in their art and show how it could add tremendous beauty to men and women who wore them. A wig back then was made primarily out of sheep’s wool and palm leaf substances, but human hair was used sometimes too. Fast forward to the 17th and 18th centuries where it was very common for men of the upper class to wear them, and portraits of them were quite common including with America’s founding fathers. Human hair was used more and more during this time, but horse hairs and hair from goats also became popular, especially during times when diseases and plagues broke out. The wig would soon lose its symbol of nobility, but that gave way to its modern developments of giving people a more natural look for their hair when they needed it.
How A Synthetic Wig Is Made
Synthetic wigs are usually not made from human hair, although in a few cases both artificial fibers and human hair is used to give the wig an even more unique feel. A synthetic wig will usually be made by different animal hair or materials like nylon and polyester that can be easily reformed and woven around. The foundation of the wig will usually be made of a kind of netting that’s made to fit the wearer’s head, but sometimes the wig will sit on a silicone foundation. The benefit to a synthetic wig is that the materials are usually plentiful and don’t require the cost of buying from a hair market. The downside is that the hairs on this kind of wig don’t tend to flow as naturally as human hair, can’t be colored as easily and can get damaged more easily. But if you’re mostly looking for a cheaper wig, a machine made synthetic wig may be alright for you.
How A Natural Hair Wig Is Made
While natural hair wigs could be machine made, many people prefer a handmade natural wig because the quality can be even better. Generally, the preparation that goes into this kind of wig begins with the hairs undergoing a straightening and cleaning in very hot soapy water to remove any germs from it. From there it can be made into curly, wavy or straight patterns using curling irons and other cosmetic tools that hairdressers use. Then the foundation is made from silk or another similar substance that has been custom fit to the wearer’s head, and all the strands that make up the foundation net are sown together. Then, using a process called “knotting”, the hairs are attached to the foundation, and the wig is ready to be worn once the final styling touches are made.
Is a wig something you should buy? Like most other cosmetic products, there is a major difference between the simple manufactured wig and the handcrafted one. But there are a range of products in between that can offset cost and quality.