There are many different types of wigs from synthetic to human hair.
The type of wig and the amount of stress you put it under will all impact how long your wig will last.
Types of wigs
Lace front wigs have a sheer base hairline that is sewn into the wig’s crown. This resembles your natural hairline and is often seen as the best quality wig to purchase for general use.
360 lace front wigs have this layer of lace all the way around the exterior of the scalp area, rather than just near the forehead.
This is perfect for when you are looking to style your wig with an exposed neck - styles such as high ponytails for instance. These wigs mean that your wig will blend seamlessly into your natural hairline and no one will be able to tell that you are wearing a wig.
Synthetic wigs
These are much cheaper than genuine human hair wigs but they do have a shorter lifespan. Generally speaking, synthetic wigs will only last for around 4 to 6 months.
This will be shortened if you use heat on the hair fibers, or if you subject it to chemical processes such as bleaching and dying.
Heat resistant synthetic wigs will last a little longer than standard synthetic wigs, but still not as long as human hair.
How to wash a synthetic wig
The first step when washing a synthetic wig is to fill a sink with cool water. Mix in a little wig-specific shampoo and submerge your wig in the water.
You should allow your wig to soak in the water for 5-10 minutes, depending on how dirty the wig is. Never wring, twist, or scrub your wig as this can damage the hair fibers.
Once this time has passed, gently move the wig in and out of the water. If you notice any small stains, such as those from makeup, you can gently scrub them with a toothbrush.
Rinse your wig gently under cool running water. Refill the sink with cool water and add some wig-specific conditioner to the basin. Submerge your wig in this water and gently work the conditioner through the hair with your fingers.
Rinse the wig again under cool running water. Pat any excess water out of the wig with a towel. Hang the wig on a wig stand and allow it to dry at room temperature. Do not put your wig onto a Styrofoam head at this point as this can cause the wig cap to stretch and become deformed.
Human hair wigs
Virgin human hair wigs are the best for lifespan. Virgin hair means hair that has not been treated with chemicals therefore has an intact cuticle. This means that dyed, bleached, and otherwise processed hair is not virgin and will not last for as long.
Virgin human hair wigs tend to be able to last for over a year with proper care and maintenance. It will also depend on what type of wig you wear and how often it is removed.
If you have attached your wig well, they can remain on your head for up to 6 weeks! We suggest removing them regularly (at least every 1 - 2 weeks) to allow for correct cleaning of both the wig and your natural hair.
How to wash a human hair wig
You will first need to brush your wig using a wide-toothed comb. Begin at the ends of the hair and work up towards the roots to prevent damaging the hair fibers.
Place your wig under a tap with running lukewarm water. Gently press out some of the excess water - but do not wring it out as this will damage the wig.
Add a small blob of shampoo to your hands and gently work it into the hair fibers. Work from the roots upwards, but avoid the scalp. Try not to rub the hair as this could break the fibers.
We recommend using a clarifying shampoo designed for use on wigs as these are more gentle and will keep your wig in a better condition.
Place the hair under a stream of cool water to rinse off the shampoo. Continue this process until the water has run clear. Gently blot the hair with a towel or cotton t-shirt until it is just damp.
Repeat the shampooing process but switch it for a hydrating conditioner designed for wigs. Comb the conditioner through the lengths of the hair and again take care not to get it on the scalp.
Allow it to sit on the hair for up to 5 minutes, depending on the time specified on the bottle.
Rinse out with cold water and ensure all conditioner has been washed out. Again, gently blot it dry with a cotton t-shirt or towel. Place the wig on a wig stand in a well-ventilated area and allow it to air dry completely.
Do not blow-dry or brush the hair.
How to make your wig last longer
This mainly comes down to how you wash, dry, and store your wig. The more often you wash your wig, the shorter the lifespan will be. General advice suggests to wash your wig after every 8-10 wears, or every 6-8 weeks.
In terms of storage, we suggest keeping your wigs out of direct sunlight. This can cause the color to fade. We would also recommend storing the wig on the top of a wig head or mannequin.
This will help the wig to retain the natural shape of a head, meaning that it will lie better when attached to your head.
The wig should be stored in a cool and dry place to protect the hair fibers.
We suggest avoiding the use of heat and chemicals on your wigs. These will damage the fibers and result in your wig aging and deteriorating more rapidly.
We suggest transporting your wig on a wig stand inside a wig box. This will protect the delicate fibers from getting damaged when in transit.