| A women's hair is her crowning jewel. Healthy looking | | | | disease resulting in hair loss) and more seriously, |
| hair has been associated to self-esteem, pride, | | | | chemotherapy treatments can be a factor in deciding |
| desirability and an overall positive self-image. It is a | | | | to wear a wig as opposed to being seen without hair. |
| women's ultimate accessory. Studies show the loss | | | | Men, when faced with these conditions can shave |
| or thinning of a women's hair can impact her | | | | their heads; however, most women will choose to |
| self-confidence and the way she feels about herself. | | | | wear alternative hair for appearances sake. |
| To deal with the changes in her hair, many women | | | | Fashion and Appearance |
| will choose the option of wearing a wig or other hair | | | | Wigs and extensions do not have to be worn out of |
| enhancements, such as hair extensions. | | | | necessity. Many women already have full heads of |
| Having the advantage of wearing alternative hair | | | | hair; however, they may opt for a different style or |
| helps women maintain an attractive appearance. In | | | | color that cannot be achieved with their own locks. In |
| addition, thinning and hair loss are not the only | | | | addition, perhaps these women are in high profile |
| reasons, women choose to wear wigs and other hair | | | | careers or prestigious positions, and are pressured to |
| enhancements such as, hair extensions; perhaps a | | | | look their best most days. These women cannot |
| style or color change is desired without a permanent | | | | afford to have "bad hair days" as they may be |
| change to the natural hair. | | | | photographed at any given moment. |
| Hair extensions can include hair weaves, braids or | | | | Quality of Original Hair is Undesirable |
| clip-ons; and are worn by an ever increasing number | | | | Sometimes, regardless of regular hair treatments and |
| of women. They are incorporated into their natural | | | | maintenance, a woman's hair still does not look |
| hair. For this reason, a woman who has a medical | | | | healthy and vibrant. For the most part, a woman |
| condition causing hair loss or thinning, would need the | | | | who wants to look appealing will never neglect her |
| full coverage of a wig, rather than extensions. Also, a | | | | hair. For some, this may sound vain, however, mood |
| professional hair stylist is often needed to ensure the | | | | swings and loss of productivity have been associated |
| hair weave is done properly, looks attractive and is | | | | with "bad hair days". Rather than continuing to spend |
| not readily noticeable. | | | | hours at the salon and money on one product |
| On the other hand, for the woman who knows her | | | | following another; many women will decide that these |
| own unique style and how to take care of her wig or | | | | day to day hair struggles are not worth the agony. |
| extensions, a professional stylist is not needed to | | | | They feel they can never have a "bad hair day" with |
| maintain the wig's appearance. There are many | | | | an already styled wig. |
| women who style and apply extensions themselves; | | | | Over-processed Hair |
| which is mostly done to save money. Still, many | | | | Over-processed hair can be visible, and cause the hair |
| prefer the added professional touch of a salon stylist, | | | | to become unmanageable. Further, overuse of |
| because the wig can be custom cut and colored to | | | | chemicals for the purposes of straightening and |
| match a client's personal style. Furthermore, applying | | | | curling hair, and hair dye containing harsh chemicals |
| extensions without someone's assistance is difficult. It | | | | such as, Hydrogen Peroxide and Ammonia can cause |
| is important to note that while both men and women | | | | allergic skin reactions. It has been documented that |
| seek thinning and hair loss replacement options, this | | | | these allergic reactions can develop into skin |
| article will concentrate on how and why women | | | | conditions. Eczema, pimples, redness and blistering |
| resort to alternative hair; mainly because a women's | | | | around the hair line, on the face and neck are all |
| appearance is often under more scrutiny and she will | | | | symptoms of an allergic reaction to hair dye. A |
| take action immediately. | | | | Dermatologist will advise his/her patient with this |
| Two Major Categories of Hair | | | | problem to discontinue the use of all chemicals on the |
| Synthetic | | | | hair and begin using special hair products such as |
| This hair is made of artificial fibers like acrylic and | | | | medicated shampoos. |
| nylon. It is easily maintained as curls stay in after | | | | In the meantime, a woman may not be happy with |
| washing, and do not require a great deal of styling | | | | her hair being stripped of the usual weekly salon |
| effort. The downside of synthetic hair is that you | | | | products applied to her hair. At this point, she may |
| cannot apply any kind of heat to it such as, a blow | | | | start wearing alternative hair to maintain the look she |
| dryer, curling or straightening iron. The use of heat | | | | is used to while letting her skin heal. The truth is she |
| will damage the fiber and destroy the hair. With | | | | may never be able to use these products again; she |
| proper care, synthetic hair can last for many months. | | | | would be risking flare ups. |
| However, the longevity of hair extensions depends | | | | Busy Lifestyle |
| on many factors such as, fiber quality, how it's | | | | Women who have busy lives including taking care of |
| handled, and exposure to extreme moisture, heat | | | | families, jobs, community activities and active social |
| and humidity. In regards to a synthetic wig, if the wig | | | | lives, may prefer wearing a wig over spending hours |
| is worn everyday, it will need to be replaced more | | | | in a salon to achieve the same results. The styles and |
| frequently. Also, keeping a wig on a wig stand will | | | | textures of wigs or alternative hair today is such that |
| help to maintain its shape and style. The wig should | | | | a perfect match to one's own hair can be attained |
| be covered with a hair net. | | | | without anyone being the wiser. |
| Human Hair | | | | Active Lifestyle |
| The advantage of wearing this type of hair is that it | | | | Many women have active lifestyles which involve |
| can be treated just like your own hair. The strands | | | | regular or daily workouts. During this time, the hair |
| are heavier in weight, which makes it last longer. | | | | may sweat and cannot be reverted back to its |
| Human hair can be cut, styled and colored in the | | | | original style before the workout. This is especially |
| same method you would use on your natural hair. | | | | true for women of color. While daily exercise is great |
| Wigs are often custom made from the finest of | | | | for hair health, daily or regular sweating can be brutal |
| Asian, Indian and European hair. Hair for extensions | | | | for a black women's hair; having a spare wig on hand |
| are heavily imported from India and Brazil which can | | | | following a workout, will allow a woman the freedom |
| be the most expensive, costing into the thousands | | | | of leaving the gym and then going to dinner looking |
| of dollars. | | | | and feeling great. |
| Many women enjoy human hair from these locations | | | | Finally, the variety of alternative hair options available |
| because the hair is considered "virgin", untreated with | | | | to women has vastly improved from the time when |
| chemicals or coloring. The downside of this type of | | | | jokes were made about women who wore them. |
| hair is that it responds to the same humid conditions | | | | Gone are the days when the family pet found a |
| as natural hair. Also, as many women have reported, | | | | resting place on Grandma's wig. Today, wigs, hair |
| human hair does not hold a sheen as does synthetic | | | | extensions and other hair enhancements can be |
| hair. This is primarily due to the hair not being fed by | | | | matched to a women's everyday natural look. They |
| nutrients from inside the body, which are considered | | | | are classy, offer convenience and do not make |
| hair food for your own natural hair. | | | | women any less attractive. Women can wear wigs |
| Reasons Women Wear Wigs or Hair Enhancements: | | | | with confidence knowing that she will not have to |
| Medical Conditions | | | | sacrifice her personal, unique style simply because she |
| Medical conditions such as, Alopecia Areata (a skin | | | | is having a "bad hair day". |
