With the most expensive wigs, hair is sewn to a net strand by strand, which not only takes time and effort, but also tests the maker's skills. Most real hair sets or hair pieces start at 3,000 yuan, and the most expensive ones can cost as much as 18,000 yuan.

These wigs are popular among international celebrities, and their natural look and adaptability have helped them became the favorite among Hollywood actresses.

Rebecca, the Chinese wig brand that originated in Xuchang, Henan province, says almost of half of its sales revenues come from Africa and a quarter from the Americas.

The former US first lady Michelle Obama has often been praised in the media for her hairstyle, on many occasions when she wore a wig. When Barack Obama was first elected president, in 2008, wig companies in Xuchang launched the Michelle Same Style wig. As a result, it quickly sold out and was out of stock for several months.

In addition to wigs as a solution to baldness, hair transplantation has become an option for many, and in the current crop of those choosing it, those aged 20 to 30 account for 57.4 percent, a report by China Central Television said.

There are various ways of performing hair transplants, and in 2018, the CCTV report said, about 500,000 such operations were performed in China, the surgery fees exceeding 10 billion yuan. It estimated that the average cost of hair transplant surgery is more than 20,000 yuan.

Contact the writer at zhanglei@chinadaily.com.cn