The hair replacement system has a long history, and during this time has been known by many names. It has been called a hairpiece, toupée, topper, periwig, rug, wiglet, and postiche amongst other names, and just like its many titles, the hair replacement system itself has evolved over the years.
In this blog post, we take a closer look at how hair systems have changed over time and why hair replacement systems are the best they’ve ever been in the modern-day!
The Ancient Egyptians’ love of wigs and hairpieces is where their history first began. But instead of being primarily used to conceal hair loss or thinning, wigs were worn as status symbols as world history portal Janetpanic.com describes:
“Wearing a wig signaled a person’s rank in Egyptian society. Although a shaved head was a sign of nobility during most of the Egyptian kingdoms, the majority of Egyptians kept their heads covered. Wigs were worn in place of headdresses or, for special occasions, with elaborate headdresses.”
This theme is reflected across many civilisations throughout history, with hairpieces revered by the Assyrians, Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, French and British. Many famous Romans wore wigs, in fact, Julius Caesar is thought to have worn a wig under this famous laurel wreath to hide his progressive hair loss.
During Ancient Egyptian times, wigs were large and thick to facilitate elaborate designs that represented the wearer’s standing in society. They also helped to shield wearers’ delicate scalps from the harsh midday sun.
In 16th century England, decorative hairpieces also had a more practical purpose. Whilst the great British weather meant there was no need to up the UV protection, people did need protection from lice. Extravagant wig designs helped people to avoid uncomfortable infestations.
As time went by these intricate designs became even more daring and creative, a far cry from the discreet, natural-looking toupées worn by men and women today. According to Encyclopaedia Britannica, the toupée reached its height – in size and popularity – during the 1770s. Frames, pads and felted cushions were used to make hairpieces taller and more exaggerated than ever.
Better known as a visionary makeup artist, Max Factor was also well regarded for his wig making talents.
During the 20th century, Max Factor re-envisaged the toupée. He used craftsmanship to develop the most discreet and natural-looking hairpieces that had ever been seen. Max Factor utilised flesh-coloured lace and barely-there hairlines to transform the toupée and his designs were worn by a string of Hollywood actors due to their inconspicuous appearances.
With wig making techniques increasingly sophisticated, the hair systems of today are of the highest quality. As well as taking care of scalp health with their lightweight, breathable, ultra-comfortable designs, their use of fine soft lace creates an undetectable, natural-looking hairline.
Many of our men’s hair systems also come equipped with ear tabs and Velcro adjusters to ensure added comfort and security.
The customisable nature of modern-day hair replacement systems makes them extremely discreet too. You can choose from a huge selection of colours and styles to find the perfect match, and personalise your hair system with additional styling, colour and highlights to combat male hair loss your way!
Shop our range of men’s hair systems today to discover all the perks of modern-day hair replacement systems.
