By: Natasha Archary
In case you were wondering how wigs are made, watch this viral video that shows how the hair strands are bundled, weighed, sewn together and styled.
A full, custom-fitted, hand-tied, human-hair wig can take four to eight weeks to make and would sell for approximately $2,000 to $4,000. With the global hair wig and extensions market expected to grow by up to 13% by 2026, the demand for wigs and hair extensions may mean mass production will take over.
Wigs are either made with human hair which is donated or sold or materials can be synthetic in nature. Synthetic wigs hold their style well, weigh noticeably less than human hair but tend to be more sensitive to heat and can be easily damaged.
Some manufacturers blend synthetic and human hair to create wigs that have both the style-retaining qualities of synthetic hair and the natural movement of human hair. However, this can complicate maintenance, since the different types of hair require different kinds of care.
Machine-made wigs are created by weaving hair into wefts, i.e hair shafts that are woven together at one end into a long strip. These can be sewn in rows to a net foundation.
The high demand for premium-quality hair products is influencing manufacturers to set up production facilities in Asian countries, especially in China and India.
Also read: Ntsiki Mazwai takes swipe at DJ Zinhle’s wig range


