5 tips for making your wig last longer

Whether you’re wearing a wig to conceal temporary or permanent hair loss, to boost your confidence, to be more versatile with your hairstyle and colour, or to cut your hair care regime right down, one thing’s for certain, your choice of wig or hairpiece is imperative to your look.

Whilst wig wear unlocks the affordability you need to overcome your hair challenges, purchasing a wig that’s high quality and made to last is important for enjoying the great value and pulling off a fabulous, effortless and natural look. Once you’ve chosen your wig, however, how can you ensure it lasts?

Depending on your wig quality, type and construction, the average lifespan of wigs are 3 months to 1 year.

Human hair wigs last longer than synthetic styles, but how you care for your wig during this time can make all the difference to its longevity as well as keep your style looking and feeling great for the long haul. Read on to discover our top tips for making your wig last longer…

1. Think quality, not quantity, with product

Product use makes wig wearing a hell of a lot easier. It also means that whether you’ve chosen a synthetic or human hair wig, you can style your barnet just like your natural hair.

Unfortunately, standard hair products don’t cut it with wigs. They contain ingredients that do very little to rehydrate and preserve wig fibres and can even damage your wig beyond repair; this can make it unwearable after very little time at all.

If you want your wig to last longer and look great, invest in high-quality products that are specifically made for wigs and use them sparsely. Overloading your wig can lead to longevity-reducing product build-up and greasiness.

 2. Avoid over-washing your wig

Washing your wig with the right products is the key to great wear and keeping the wig fibres in the best possible condition. But beware, over-washing your wig can have the opposite effect. Don’t wash your wig after every wear. Instead, wash synthetic wigs every 7 wears and human hair wigs a little more often.

You may need to wash your wig more frequently if you exercise in it, use a product to style or expose your wig to strong odours.

3. Soak – don’t rub – when washing

You can’t treat your wig like natural hair so be sure to adapt the washing process to suit your wig type, style and construction. The most important thing to note when applying shampoo or conditioner is to soak your wig in the product, rather than rub or massage it in.

Rubbing and massaging cause friction that leads to fibre loss, matting and knots. We recommend adding a mixture of shampoo and water to the sink and soaking your wig in this solution for a few minutes before combing through and rinsing thoroughly.

After washing, detangle your wig with a specialist detangling brush before air drying.

4. Steer clear of heated tools

Whilst the wigs of today are made to be versatile – even many synthetic styles can be heat treated – steering clear of heated tools such as hairdryers, curlers and straighteners is a sure-fire way of making your wig last longer.

Heat may make your wig and its style more controllable in the short term, yet long term, hair can become damaged, brittle and dull, and it won’t repair like your natural hair!

5. Take care when not wearing your wig

How you treat your wig when it’s not on your head is just as important. Avoid sleeping, showering or swimming in your wig where possible. Instead, store your wig upright on a stand and place it in a cool, dark room.

Covering your wig is another must as Cosmopolitan details:

“The smartest way to make sure your wig is retaining moisture while it’s being stored? Johnson suggests keeping your wig in a silk or satin bag—not only will it help keep your wig soft and hydrated, but it’ll also prevent static and tangles in the long run. Many wigs are sold with satin bags for this exact purpose…”

Want a high-quality wig that stands the test of time? Shop our bestselling range of synthetic wigs and human hair wigs today.