What is Wig Ventilation?

February 19, 2013 in cap construction

What is Wig Ventilation

The wig ventilating method incorporates a process similar to making a latch-hook rug.

Using a ventilating hook, the wig maker ties strands of hair to foundation.

This method of wig-making dates back to King Louis XVI, who wore a wig to disguise his hair loss.

Wigs are still made using this process, perhaps because it produces the most natural-looking result.

Ventilating Materials

Creating a wig begins with the foundation, which is a cap-like structure designed to snugly fit the head.

Foundations are usually made from some combination of nylon and cotton lace.

The hair is then woven into the foundation a few strands at a time using a metal ventilating hook.

For the most natural results,human hair is used.

Synthetic hair is made with plastic polymers, so can be unnaturally shiny.

It’s also difficult to create a wig that has a natural-looking part when using synthetic hair.

Ventilating Process

Using only a few strands at a time, the wig maker draws the hair through the wig foundation with the ventilating hook.

The hair is then kept in place by tying a small knot.

To make a believable full lace wig, this process will be repeated as many as 40,000 times.

Around the edges of the wig, to re-create a believable hairline,

the wig maker will use only a single strand of hair in the ventilating process.

The creator of the wig will use a variety of hair colors for subtle differences in shading.

wig ventilating

Wefting

The less artful way to create lace wigs is by using a method called wefting.

In this process, machines are used to sew swatches of hair onto the foundation.

The lack of delicacy of this process leads to a bushier hairpiece, with no natural part,

but a wig produced by this method will be less expensive.

Mass-produced lace closure wigs are made using wefting.

More Tips for Natural Wigs

The most natural-looking wigs are a result of tailoring the hairpiece to a specific person’s measurements.

The better the wig fits, the more organic the presentation.

Although wigs made from the ventilation process are the most believable-looking,

a machine-made wig can be made to appear more natural when a strip of mesh is attached to the hairline,

consisting of hairs that have been individually woven through using the ventilation method.