Artificial hair industry booms, embrace your own

I WOULD like to highlight the growing artificial hair (wigs) industry and the money spinner the modern woman has made it. The main players here are people with frizzy hair (Afro) who crave straight hair through the use of home hair straighteners, treatment at exclusive hair studios or using designer wigs as well as tinting.

I agree that an individual’s hairstyle (especially in women) defines their physiognomy, beauty and character. The fairytale fables once again peeps into our lives when I think of “Rapunzel”.

Hair industry trends estimate that the industry in Africa was penned at R6.3 billion in 2015.

But why the desire to change your natural hair?

Why pretend to be something you are not? Natural Afros, dreadlocks, braids and weaves are our birth-right and people should embrace it. Straight hair was traditionally a mainstream requirement to access professional, social and academic opportunities, a legacy from a time when people of colour were treated unjustly.

Cape Town annually plays host to the Natural Hair Festival – an initiative that promotes people appreciating and loving their natural hair.

Hair-straightening products commonly referred to as Brazilian “keratin” straighteners could pose serious health risks for it contains a dangerous form of formaldehyde.

Formaldehyde exists as a liquid in cosmetic products and is toxic in large doses. It is considered an effective embalming agent.

The Brazilian treatment of heatstraightening hair is popular because it lasts longer and continues to be effective, even when wet.

Imported hair pieces are big business in the growing niche markets. Chinese, Indian, Peruvian and Malaysian wigs are in big demand with pricing dependent on length and quality.

Just look at celebrities, Lerato Kganyago and Bonang Matheba, trend-setting ambassadors for the artificial hair movement. It is tradition in India for female devotees to shave their hair off when a wish is granted through prayer. And so temples are doing a lucrative trade selling the hair to British sales agents. The hair is considered premium and virgin because in most cases it has never been subjected to artificial agents.

Fashion or fad – changing your hair colour from midnight black to blonde must be the craziest desire on earth. Blonde jokes apart, Paul Pogba looks like a clown with his blonde tint.

While the fluff of bullion streaks on Boris Johnson’s head complements his maverick political disposition, imagine president Cyril Ramaphosa with a blonde tint? KEVIN GOVENDER | Shallcross