Recession: Wigs to the rescue

IN the spirit of the economic recession, more ladies are embracing wigs as a new-found love.

Wigs come in various lengths, styles, shapes, texture and sizes, and are an affordable and easier option for caring for the hair. They also come in handy for women who are trying to grow out their natural hair and are ideal for emergency hair situations.

There are many reasons a lady may need to use a wig. They include medical challenges, change in appearance, emergency hair situations, costume parties, hair growth challenges, among others. Wigs come mainly in synthetic hair, natural hair (made from human, wool, or animals such as horses and biolon.

However, it is not uncommon for users of wigs to take for granted the tips for choosing and caring for wigs. Below are four important things to note when using wigs:

Texture

According to www.hairfax.ca, wigs are made with three kinds of materials. For synthetic wigs, which is the least expensive material used in wigs, although popular for its price point, synthetic hair is more rigid than human or biolon hair and also tends to frizz when exposed to heat. There are three different types of synthetic wigs: wefted – an entry-level, machine-made wig, in which synthetic hairs are machine-sewn onto bands of material, which are then constructed into a cap. The wefting material comes in various colours to blend with the colour of the hair in the wig; mono-top – features a mono-filament area on the top portion of the cap. The mono-filament is clear, allowing one’s natural scalp colour to show through in parting. The hair in the mono-top section of the wig is single hair injected, meaning it is hand-sewn into the cap, one strand at a time, for a more natural look. The sides and back of the mono-top wig are wefted; hand-tied – they use mono-top construction, with the back and sides featuring hair that is hand-tied into mesh. Some hand-tied wigs still use wefting as well, but the wefting is attached to mesh fabric and includes hand-tied portions throughout.

For human hair wigs, it flows more freely than synthetic, is more resistant to frizzing, but tends to fade. Wigs made of human hair fetch a higher price point because they look more natural, are more difficult to make and have added features. Wigs made of human hair also use mono-top construction, with wefting at the sides and back. They also feature polyurethane lining along the base for a more comfortable and secure fit.

For wigs made from biolon, which is the latest advancement in replacement hair materials, it looks and feels just like human hair, but resists fading like human hair does and is less prone to tangling, making it easier to care for. These wigs are designed primarily for people with complete hair loss, such as those affected by alopecia. They are very lightweight and have a completely clear mesh cap, allowing natural scalp tone to show throughout. They are constructed using only SHI (single hair injected) technology – no wefting – and also feature added polyurethane for extra grip.

Tone

Each style of wig comes in as many colours as possible. Aside the common colours of black and brown, wigs are also available in blue, gold, white, purple, pink, red, among others. Even these individual colours, including black and brown, come in a variety of shades. Some wigs combine different shades in one style. The secret to picking the perfect colour is dependent on the occasion, and what suits your personality.

Trend

Wigs come in as many styles as the female mind can construct. Length is also an important factor when choosing wigs. Length basically ranges between short, medium or long. It is important to note that when choosing the wig length, comfort is necessary, especially with the texture that the wig is made from. Styles are available usually as curly or straight, with some wig styles combining both features. For the perfect fit, always determine your face shape.

Treatment

Hair experts at www.wigs.com suggest six steps for caring for wigs. They are:

Step 1: Detangle – Before you wash, make sure you carefully detangle the hair using a wide tooth comb. Start from ends and work toward the root to decrease shedding.

Step 2: Rinse – Use lukewarm water and rinse from roots to ends. Do not soak as this can lead to tangling. If your wig is curly, try leaving the hairnet on.

Step 3: Shampoo – Loosen shampoo in your hands and work through the hair. Distribute a small amount of shampoo evenly throughout the hair. Use circular motions to clean the cap.

Step 4: Condition – For synthetic hair, spray leave-in conditioner from the mid-shaft to the ends, and be sure to avoid the root or knots. For human hair, leave in for a few minutes before rinsing. Do not apply conditioner to the root. If dry or damaged, use a deep conditioner.

Step 5: Rinse – Let lukewarm water flow in the same direction of the hair to avoid tangling. Squeeze and press the hair; do not wring. Towel blot to remove excess water.

Step 6: Dry – For synthetic hair, air dry on a folding wig stand. Gently part the hair with a comb before wig dries. For human hair, blow dry about 80% and then round brush until smooth.