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How Are Real Human Hair Wigs Made?

Discover the art behind crafting Real Human Hair Wigs. Unveil the secrets of how are real human hair wigs made.

There are many different reasons that people choose to wear wigs, including medical conditions, religious reasons, fashion reasons, and more. Human hair wigs are among the most popular options because they are made from real human hair. Gabi’s Wigs offers a wide variety of wig types, styles, and colors. Our professional stylists can help you choose the perfect wig to meet your needs.

In this article, we’ll explore more about how human hair wigs are made.

What are Human Hair Wigs?

Human hair wigs are wigs that are made from hair sourced from human donors. There are certain criteria that must be met in order for the hair to be used to make a wig:

  • Must be free of defects
  • Must be the proper length and color
  • Must be cuticle intact

The average cost of a human hair wig ranges from around $700 to $2,000+. While the cost is higher, the quality makes it worth the investment. A human hair wig will last an average of 1 to 3 years with proper care and maintenance. Finally, since they are made from real human hair, they look and feel the most natural.

How are real human hair wigs made?

There are several steps involved in the creation of human hair wigs:

Lay the Foundation

The first step is to construct the base, which is referred to as laying the foundation. A stable base is necessary for holding the hair in place. The technician starts by forming a plaster mold using a standard template or measurements provided by the client. Once complete, the mold can be turned into the base. There are several different wig bases, including:

  • Full lace: this type of base is comfortable, breathable, and airy. However, it is not as durable as a lace-front base.
  • Lace front: this is a popular, natural-looking base that offers a realistic transition from the forehead to the hairline. This type of base is known for its styling versatility and breathability.
  • Skin base: this base is a polyurethane blend material that looks similar to skin. While this is an ideal option for extreme hair loss, it is not breathable.
  • Monofilament: this base is an ultra-fine soft mesh that lets skin show through, it offers both durability and versatility.
  • Weft: this is an affordable, lightweight, open, and breathable option, it is primarily used as a wig base for women’s wigs.

Preparing the Hair

Once the base is ready, the hair must be prepared. There are several steps involved in this process:

  • Presort: First, any foreign bodies and gray hair must be removed. Then, the hair will be checked to make sure all of the cuticles are going in the same direction to avoid frizz during the next stage. This is a critical step for ensuring a quality wig.
  • Wash/disinfect: After presorting, the hair will be washed and disinfected to remove any impurities. Then, it is left to dry.
  • Sort: Once the hair is dry, the hair will be pulled through spikes to remove any shorter hairs that may be present. Then, wire drawing brushes are used to straighten and sort the hair into lengths. All of the hair in a wig needs to be basically the same length.
  • Coloring: Finally, the hair is color-treated to achieve the right shade.

Attaching the Hair to the Cap

The next step in the wig-making process is to attach the hair to the cap. This process is known as ventilation.

  • Knotting ventilation: this is a popular method for attaching human hair to the wig base. The hair is pulled through tiny holes with a needle and tied with a knot
    • Single knot (natural-looking, lays flat)
    • Double knot (doesn’t look as natural, but durable)
    • Half-knot (small and undetectable)
    • Bleached knot (completely hidden)
  • Injection ventilation: the base is put on a mold and a special needle is used to attach the hair to the base. The process can be a lift injection or flat injection. This is a knotless method.
  • V-loop ventilation: in this process, the hair is injected into the base and pulled back through, creating a “V” shape with the hair. This is the second knotless method.

Styling

The final step in the process is to style the wig. First, a wet brush is run through it to dampen the fibers. Then, the style is put in. If it is a curly wig, we put curlers in it. If it’s straight, we blow it out. However, we avoid using high heat, as this could damage the fibers.

Other Wig Types

There are several different types of wigs on the market. Human hair wigs are the most popular because their appearance and texture are the most natural- because it is made from real human hair. However, they are more expensive than other options - but if cared for properly, can last for several years.

Full synthetic wigs, on the other hand, are more budget-friendly. While this can allow you to get a few different wigs to experiment with different looks, these wigs do not last as long. Plus, in most cases, they cannot be heat-styled like human hair wigs because the fibers will burn. Finally, they wear out and will need to be replaced more often than human hair.

The final option is the synthetic/human hair blend. These wigs are more durable and longer-lasting than full synthetic wigs and less expensive than human hair wigs.

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