Hairpieces have been a time-honored solution for hair loss. Wigs and toupees were all the rage in Europe back in the olden days. In fact both the words "wig" and "toupee" are of French origin. Toupee was derived from "toupet," a diminutive of the old French word "toupe" which means "tuft of hair." "Wig," on the other hand, was taken from the French word "periwig," which was what the ornamental headpieces of gentlemen in the 17th and 18th century were called. These types of headpieces were considered ornamental, and should they hide the baldness of their wearers, it would be considered an incidental benefit.

 

When selecting hairpieces, one must consider the shape of the head and the face and the wearer's skin color. Modern wigs have evolved from the unattractive and easily detectable toupees of the past to natural-looking hair that blends naturally with a person's appearance. The pieces available today fit better, are more comfortable to wear and look and feel natural. Custom-made wigs are usually the best, though they tend to be more expensive than their ready-made counterparts. High quality custom-made wigs are made of human hair. Manufacturers of custom-made wigs match the texture and density to the wearer's hair, ensuring that the wig is completely undetectable in the scalp.

 

 

The costs of hairpieces are determined by the quality of the hair used, by whether the piece is custom-made or ready made and by the type of fastening used. Ready made wigs in the United States can cost as little as $40, while custom-made pieces can go as high as $4,000. Caring for the wigs is just the same as caring for natural hair. Wigs made with high quality human hair require closer attention and care and should be washed with shampoo and conditioner and blow dried. On the other hand, synthetic wigs need weekly washing in cool water then left on a towel to dry.