THE ARTISTRY

of ARTIFICIAL
HAIR
Chapter 14
1

INTRODUCTION

Wigs began in about 4000 B.C.

Purpose

protection

Spread from Egypt to Europe than

America
Ancient

Egyptians shaved their heads

w/bronze razors & wore heavy black
wigs to protect them from the sun

Ancient Rome
Wigs

made from the prized blond hair

of captured barbarians from the north
In Japan , the lacquered coiffures of the
geishas were actually wigs
18th century England
Men wore wigs, called perukes
Indicated if they were in the army, navy or
engaged in the practice of law
3

Popularity of wigs was magnified in

the mid 50s to mid 60s
Decline in wig sales, services and
availability of wigs until late 1980s

Medical

reasons - causes sales and

services to increase again
1990s - 2000 - partial hair,
extensions, hair weaving
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WHY PEOPLE WEAR

WIGS

CHOICE
MEDICAL
FASHION
PRACTICALITY

TYPES OF HAIR

HUMAN HAIR
European,

Asian, and Indonesian

European- softer more preferred
Animal hair
YAKS - medium texture
GOAT - ANGORA - soft texture
HORSE- coarse texture

SYNTHETIC

- MODACRYLIC FIBER
6

HAIR USED IN WIGS

HUMAN HAIR

Match test

Burns has a strong

odor

Clean every 2 to 4
weeks
Liquid dry shampoo
is used

SYNTHETICMODACRYLIC

Melts slowly leaves

a small ball at the
end of the strand

Clean every 3
months

Toxic, Flammable
Evaporates as it dries

Condition with a
leave in conditioner
Use cool dryer

Match test

Non- absorbent
( lack porosity) will
not attract dirt

Shampoo with mild

shampoo and
conditioner
Use cool dryer

CONSTRUCTION OF
WIGS

THE WAY WIGS ARE PUT TOGETHER

CAP

WIG
Cotton, synthetic, elastic
1st type of wig made of all cotton
fitted like a swim cap

hot, tight, uncomfortable

CAPLESS WIG
Wefts

of material sewn to strips of elastic

Stretch wig- cooler, lighter, natural
looking more comfortable, easier to style
8

HAIR PLACEMENT INTO

WIGS

HAND TIED
Strands

of hair tied to wefts, then hand

tied to the elastic
More expensive
Must take extra care of cap

MACHINE MADE
Sew

the strips on the elastic in a circular

method
Hard to style the top, but more durable

COMBINATION
Uses

both methods to construct the wig