Wigs

A wig is a godsend for a bald person. This hairpiece is generally made of human or horse hair. Sometimes due to availability constraints of natural hair, synthetic hair is used. While most wigs are used to cover baldness, some are used by those who may not be happy with their hair’s colour or styling. Wigs are often used by actors to suit the hairstyle requirements of a particular role. Wigs are also frequently used by cross-dressers and transsexuals. Wigs have been in use since ancient times. During the reign of the Pharaohs, Egyptians used wigs to protect their tonsured heads from the heat of the sun. Old civilizations in Greece and Rome, too, saw frequent usage of wigs on the streets and formal occasions. In the Far East, wigs made their appearance mostly during stage performances.

In the seventeenth century, wigs began to be used by the aristocrats in France and England. These wigs, called periwigs, were designed to fall over the wearer’s shoulder and had curly hair. These wigs are used even today by judges, bishops and holders of similar official designations. Wigs are also a useful accessory for cancer patients under chemotherapy, a treatment that causes rapid hair fall. Numerous celebrities are known to wear wigs on a regular basis. The popularity of these accessories can be garnered from the fact that some fashion designers actually create customised wigs.

Wigs come in varied shapes, sizes and colours and are so realistic that a casual observer may not even realise that the person is wearing a wig.