At one time, the chief reason a woman might don a wig might be because of hair loss. Celebrities such as Dolly Parton trademarked their famous coifs by adding to the height and thickness of their natural hair with a wig. (Dolly was also rather outspoken about her use of wigs. Perhaps Dolly led to a loss of the stigma associated with wearing wigs.)
Yes, women wear wigs as a solution to thinning hair or hair loss that is related to medical causes, such as chemotherapy treatment. Some people believe that a woman’s hair is her crowning glory, and in many ways, this it true! When women feel they are having a “good hair day,” they often feel more confident, which is another reason that women might wear a wig. Note that some women wear a hairpiece rather than full wigs if their hair is thinning in one spot.
A woman with a full head of hair might still wear a hairpiece if she wants to have versatility with her hairstyle. Like the aforementioned Dolly Parton, some women simply add a hairpiece so that they can add height to their hair or perhaps to style their hair differently. When a woman adds a hairpiece or a full wig to her hair, she is allowing herself versatility of style as well as the ability to change her hair color. Women can make short hair longer or they can tuck longer hair into a cap and add a wig with shorter-length hair. The possibilities are endless where a wig or hairpiece is concerned.
Some women wear a wig because wigs save them some time when getting dressed. Furthermore, a wig can help a woman to get a trendy new hairstyle without having to pay for a trip to the salon.
While there are lots of reasons women wear wigs, it is always a good idea to explore what type of hairpiece or wig might be best for you.
When considering hairpieces, there are many choices. There are clip-in hairpieces that women can use in areas where their hair is thinning in order to make the hair appear fuller and thicker. Clip-in pieces may be human hair or synthetic hair, and neither type is definitely better than another. There are some clip-in pieces that are meant for bangs and fringe. A large base top piece is especially helpful for those with thinning hair on top, and it may take the place of a full wig if the base top piece provides the coverage one needs.
Wiglets are similar to wigs and hairpieces in that they provide coverage to a large area of the wearer’s head without being an actual, full wig. Some refer to them as “mini wigs.” Wiglets are easily attached to the wearer’s existing hair, and they tend to blend effortlessly into the hair of the wearer. Some wiglets are considered human hair frontals.
Hair extensions are typically associated with people who want to lengthen their hair, but they can also be used to thicken up thin hair on top of the wearer’s head. Extensions can be worn on top of the head rather than being confined to the wearer’s longer locks (or the side or bottom of the wearer’s hair).
There are also those who use toppers to increase the thickness and volume of their hair. Topettes, as some of these are called, are specially designed to provide hair thickening assistance to women who have Androgenetic Alopecia.
Once you determine what type of hairpiece you should choose, you might want to give specific thought to whether you want a natural hair wig (or hairpiece) or a synthetic hair wig. Synthetic wigs are made from fibers which are meant to give it the look and feel of real hair. Natural hair wigs are made from human hair that is “harvested” – meaning people sold their hair to be made into a wig. Of course, it is going to be hair that is natural-looking and natural feeling. Often, the choice between natural and synthetic wigs is basically price and how real the wig looks.
Synthetic wigs must be washed and cleaned with specially made products. Without the proper products, you can damage the hair in the wig. Human hair wigs also need special products for the purpose of cleaning. However, some experts say that shampoo for chemically treated (colored) hair is safe for human hair wigs.
Most wigs and hair pieces will come with instructions on how to properly clean them, but most experts recommend cleaning the wig or hairpiece every ten to fourteen days. This is NOT washing the wig, but rinsing the hair piece with cool water then blotting dry with a towel. You should put the damp wig or hairpiece on a wig stand so that it can dry and maintain its shape. Any time the wig is not in use, it should be stored on the same wig stand. Hair pieces are no longer just for those with thinning hair! Everyone can benefit from the use of a wig or hair piece.