How Long Do Wigs Last?
When investing in something, the first question you may ask is, “How long will this last?” Whether it’s hair extensions, shellac manicures, wigs, or something as simple as a jar of your favorite night cream. A common concern among wig wearers, particularly beginners, is “How long do wigs last?” Of course, you want your synthetic or human hair wig to look and feel as good as the day you bought it, but this can be a difficult question to answer because they have different lifespans due to how they are made.
We will provide some of our best wig care tips to ensure your wig maintains its flawless style. Now, look at two frequently asked questions: “How long do human hair wigs last?” and “How long do synthetic wigs last?”
I. How Long Do Wigs Last?
There is no definitive answer for how long your wig will last because two factors determine it. The first is how well you treat them, and the second is your opinion on when they should be replaced. However, when it comes to your synthetic or human hair wig, it’s critical to be as gentle and delicate as possible while wearing, caring for, and storing it.
1. How Long Do Human Hair Wigs Last?
As you probably already know, human hair wigs are made of real, natural, harvested human hair. This means that they look, move, and act just like your own hair. Because they are made out of natural human hair so they look and feel natural, but they also have to be re-styled after washing just like natural hair. For many, a human hair wig is an investment that the wearer hopes to use for a long time. Luckily with the proper care, human hair wigs tend to last more than a year when worn daily and up to three years when worn occasionally.
Human Hair Wig
2. How Long Do Synthetic Hair Wigs Last?
Synthetic Hair Wig
When worn every day, synthetic wigs can last for 3 to 5 months. Synthetic wigs have a shorter lifespan than human hair wigs due to they are prone to tangling which affects their day-to-day resilience. If you’ve noticed that your wig isn’t holding its shape, the synthetic hair is shedding, or there’s too much frizz, it’s time to find a new wig style.
II. How To Make A Human Hair Wig Last Longer
A human hair wig does not receive the oils and vitamins from the scalp that natural hair does in order to stay revitalized after styling and daily life. So here are a few hints and tips to help you keep your human hair wig in the best possible condition:
1. Washing The Wig Delicately
Most people believe that washing the wig is the same as washing the original hair, but this is a huge misconception. The original scalp hair and hair in wigs should not be washed in the same way due to the wigs having a lot more fragile hair and requiring extra care.
To keep your wigs durable and lasting long, you should wash them in lukewarm water with special wig shampoo, avoid vigorous washing on the roots instead gently massage in a circular motion and run the suds through the ends.
*Note: Though washing the wig with the right products is the key to great wear and keeping the wig fibers in the best possible condition, beware, over-washing your wig can have the opposite effect. Don’t wash your wig after every wear. Usually, you should wash your human hair wig every 7 to 10 wears.*
2. Styling Products
Whilst human hair wigs are made to be versatile, steering clear of heated tools such as hair dryers, 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!
*If you have to use heat styling tools, just remember to adjust them to a low temperature and make sure to use a heat protection spray, and avoid using styling products near the roots of your lovely human hair wig.*
3. Blow-dry Your Wig With Caution
Individual hair strands of human hair wigs are typically attached to the cap via a tying technique. Excessive use of a hair dryer can cause knots to become loose, resulting in human hair shedding. If possible, keep the wig on a wig stand and let it dry naturally before using it.
4. Store Your Human Hair Wig
Care for your human hair wig is not just about styling, shampooing, and conditioning, but also about how you store it when you’re not wearing it. It is always best to keep your wig away from any source of heat. Also, make sure to keep your wig in a dry place. Humid environments, such as a bathroom, will only shorten the life of your wig. Remember that a human hair wig is an investment and you are looking for a nice return like any investment. It will pay off if you maintain and care for it properly.
III. How To Make A Synthetic Hair Wig Last Longer
Luckily, synthetic wigs are easy to care for as they are intended to hold their shape with the minimum effort required.
1. Brush Your Wig After Taking Off
It’s helpful to get into the habit of brushing through your wig after taking it off. Gently removing any tangles, and smoothing and separating out the hair fibers with a wide-tooth comb or paddle brush before storage. Always brush small sections of hair, starting at the tips and moving toward the crown, holding each section to prevent any pulling at the wig cap.
2. Store Your Synthetic Wig
To prevent tangling and maintain a nice, smooth feel to the hair fiber, it’s good practice to store your wig in its box. Twist the ends of the hair around your hand while holding the wig at the cap and fold it into the hairnet provided for extra protection.
3. Don’t Wash Your Wig (Unless It's Absolutely Necessary)
Washing your wig will doubtlessly cause some shedding and slight loss of density, no matter how gentle you are. Your synthetic wig will obvs not benefit from the natural oils produced by your scalp and if it is brushed and cared for correctly, there should be no reason to wash your wig.
If absolutely essential, let’s use silicon-based products on your wig. There is a range of silicon-based products to choose from, a coating of silicon softens tangled, dry hair, smoothing out the fiber and adding a natural shine to the wig.
IV. Why Do Human Hair Wigs Last Longer Than Synthetic Wigs?
Human hair wigs are great for everyday use as they tend to last longer than synthetic wigs due to the quality and origin of the original hair. Better-quality human hair wigs have had the least amount of processing, color treatments, and will not contain silicone additives (used to make the hair softer). Remy human hair is a high-end type of human hair. Hair follicles are kept running in the same direction when collecting and crafting the wig, which makes tangling greatly reduced, and the hair looks and feels silkier.