Wigs, Wiglets, Switches, and Falls

Wigs, wiglets, switches, and falls: Various types of hair pieces are designed to cover an individual’s entire head of hair or for use in special areas of the head. These hairpieces will blend with the individual’s own hair.

Overview: This chapter will provide you with the knowledge and skills required to become part of the lucrative field of wiggery.

Behavioral objectives-student goals: After completion of this chapter, and after instruction, study, and practice, you will be able to perform and demonstrate competency in servicing wigs, wiglets, switches, and falls by demonstrating the following techniques and procedures as they relate to hairpieces: cleaning, cutting, thinning, setting, combing, and placing and securing a hairpiece on the natural hair of an individual. You will also be able to demonstrate competency by identifying, explaining, and/or listing the types of hairpieces, the technique for making wig measurements, making size adjustments, and the procedure for coloring hairpieces.

Hairpieces are an important and dramatic part of the world of hairstyling. People wear wigs for many different reasons, including but not limited to:

1. Covering baldness
2. Changing hairstyles without affecting the length or shape of their own hair.
3. Having a well-groomed appearance when time does not permit a visit to the beauty salon.
4. Protecting a bald head from strong sun
5. Adhering to religious custom

The sale and styling of hairpieces is an important part of the progressive hairstylist’s income.

It is very important that you develop the knowledge and skill required to become part of the lucrative field of wiggery. The areas discussed in the chapter include:

• Types of wigs and hairpieces
• Quality of wigs and hairpieces
• Machine-made and hand-tied wigs
• Wig measurements
• Wig block measurements
• Cleaning hairpieces and wigs
• Cutting and thinning a wig
• Setting a wig
• Temporary color rinses and permanent tints for wigs and hairpieces
• Wig size adjustments
  • Shrinking a wig
  • Reducing wig size by tucking

Wigs tract their history back to ancient Egypt. The most expensive wigs are those made from human hair. Hairpieces and wigs started to become popular in America in the year of 1957. The sales and services of wigs reached their peak in 1966. They are, however, still popular today. The introduction of modacrylic, kanekalon and dynel synthetic fibers for making wigs made caring for wigs and hair pieces easy. Wigs made with synthetic fibers retain their styling even after they are washed with shampoo and water. Some wigs and hairpieces are made of a blended mixture of human hair and synthetic fibers. If a wig or hair piece is not properly labeled, the hair can be tested in order to determine if there are synthetic fibers present. Test by placing several strands of hair in a clean ashtray and light the strands with a match. If the hair burns quickly, has no odor and leaves small hard beads of fiber in the ashes, it is synthetic hair. Human hair gives off an odor and burns slowly.

The use of wigs and hairpieces in hairstyling has become an important and exiting part of a hairdresser’s and cosmetologist’s practice.

Sanitary and safety precautions for wigs, wiglets, switches and falls

1. Use wig cleaners in a well-ventilated room.
2. Liquid dry wig shampoo may be flammable. If so, keep it away from any flame.
3. Use a commercial nonflammable wig cleaner whenever possible.
4. Always strand test color before doing a complete application.
5. Always use a plastic covering over a wig block.
6. Allow ½ inch extra length when cutting bangs on a wig.
7. Always use the correct size wig block, this will prevent shrinking or stretching
8. Avoid having the teeth of the comb touch the wig foundation because this can tear the wig easily.
9. Do not allow cleaning fluid to come into contact with your skin.
10. Avoid pulling the hair from the hairpiece foundation.