Why did men wear wigs in the 1700s?

It is essential to know that 50% of men were balding to some degree in the 1700s.  In the nobility, add Syphilis to the formulae for many wealthy and aristocratic men, as this disease contributed to balding.  Around the mid-1600s, at almost the same time that King Louis made wigs popular in France, his cousin King Charles II of England also began wearing them to cover his prematurely graying hair — both monarchs’ hair conditions are believed to have been caused by syphilis and its treatments. According to some scholars, these unfortunate side effects didn’t necessarily leave sufferers cowering in the shadows—in some cases, fashion may have evolved to help hide the signs of late-stage syphilis.  (Source: History Facts)

[If you have any questions, you can reach me at williamrassman33@gmail.com]