Make Your Wig Last Longer with Alopecia Circle’s Wig Styling Guide
Written by Kaelie Piscitello
Styling wigs is surprisingly easy and fun once one gets the hang of it! With the correct protective equipment, “doing your hair” can make wigs last longer too.
Remember, wig hair doesn’t grow back, so prioritize protective styles over fashionable ones! You will thank yourself later.
1. Ditch Heating Products
Lots of people love to style their hair with blow dryers, straighteners, and curling irons. Wig companies know this and make wigs that users can apply heat to.
However, can does not mean should. All heat products can damage wigs and will shorten their lifespan.
If you’re like me and like to curl your hair often, find heat alternatives that work well for you, such as sock curls or braids. Of course, the traditional heatless curlers work well too.
Instead of blow drying your hair, wash wigs before bed so they can air dry overnight. Don’t worry, air drying still allows wigs to look natural and fresh.
If you decide to use heat, always apply heat protectant spray like you would to real hair.
2. Keep Up-dos Loose
Slick backs have made a comeback, but let’s be realistic. Tight hairdos make it pretty obvious when someone is wearing a wig.
Severe ponytails and buns accentuate wig lines, and can make the sides and back flap up, sometimes without the wearer realizing it.
The solution? Keep your up-dos lower to the base of your neck and loose. Master a classic low pony and bun with lots of fly aways and intentional hairs pulled out.
This will create a much more natural look than severe hair dos, and no one will know if you’re wearing a wig or not.
3. Ask for Temporary Dye Touch-Ups
All wig colors fade, but it’s important to use temporary dyes to protect the hair from damage!
Some wig salons offer a gloss that touches up the original colors. It looks great and has much cheaper costs than permanent dyes too.
4. Find Hair Elastics that Do Not Pull
Wigs shed easily, so find hair ties that pull less! Avoid the little clear rubber ones because they pull the most.
Instead, find gentle, plastic alternatives. I love the coily plastic ones because they barely bother my hair and come in fun colors!
Claw clips also provide a fun alternative for hair elastics, and are super trendy at the moment.
Other options include scrunchies, gentle barettes, and bobby pins to pull hair out of one’s face.
5. Wash Every 2-3 Weeks
Most people should wash their hair every few days. However, wigs are a completely different story.
If someone washed their wig every few days, it would shed like crazy and never fully air dry.
This might sound gross but wig hair does not get oily like natural hair does, making a shampoo and condition last much longer.
Washing too often pulls hair out. So, if your cap feels gross, cleanse it with alcohol wipes.
That said, wigs do get hot and sweaty easily in the summer. So, you can wash it a little more frequently in those months than you might choose to do in the fall or winter.
Protective Wig Product Links
This post is not sponsored by anyone, but here are some links to products that can be found either on Amazon or at your local drug store that look stylish and will protect your wig!
For more information about Alopecia Circle, click here.
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