Wigs have seemingly been worn throughout history, even on the genitals (see merkin); the ancient Egyptians, for instance, wore them to shield their hairless heads from the sun
In Jidaigeki, a genre of film and television, wigs are dependent extensively to alter the cast's hair styles to reflect the Edo Period when http://www.maxwigs.com/ most stories take place. Only a few starring in big-budgeted films and television range will grow his or her hair so that it could be cut to a proper hair style instead of using a wig.