Investing in anything is a long-term commitment. If you buy a new car for example, you’ll have it serviced and ensure that it is well maintained. You wouldn’t open a new bank account and then simply leave it without periodic review. Any financial expenditure should be carefully decided upon, and once the money has been spent you need to ensure that you undertake the best practices to protect your assets. Wigs are no different.

Firstly, wigs can be expensive, costing from few hundred, to thousands of pounds. They are not bought as a one off, rather they are likely to be used frequently if not daily. How you look after your wig is therefore key to ensuring that it looks as good in 1

2 months’ time, and beyond, as it did the day you bought it from the fitter. So if you are in the process of purchasing a wig, or if you’ll likely need one at some point in the near future, here we’ll look at the best practices to ensure that your investment holds its appeal, style and value.

Experts

Like anything, if you want to get the best advice, you should ask an expert. In this case a recognised fitter. If you are looking for longevity, and you should be, then how you treat your wig from day one will be key. Ask as many questions as you can think of at the fitting – maybe even prepare a list, and make sure that you discuss aftercare. A good fitter will see your wig not as a sale, but as an investment in you. If you think that their concern will end once they have sold you the wig, perhaps you should find a different fitter. A good, professional and expert fitter will help you establish good and proper maintenance and care regimes, and moreover tell you what not to do! Seek out their knowledge and experience and use it to your advantage, after all you are giving them some good business.

Know The Difference

You can purchase either synthetic fibre wigs or actual human hair wigs. Not only are these different in appearance and style etc. but their aftercare differs greatly too. You’ll be following a different schedule for synthetic or human hair, so make sure you know the basis of your own wig. Each individual wig should come with its own care guidelines, and if not make sure you ask.

Generally speaking though, synthetic wigs are a little less intensive when it comes to aftercare. They probably need washing after about 8 wears as opposed to more frequently for human hair. They probably take a little less styling too. However, unlike natural hair wigs, they don’t take well to recolouring or restyling and you will probably only be able to keep the wig as it was first purchased. As such they are less versatile, but that is perhaps the trade-off for easier care practices.

It is important that you use only the right products on any wig, to ensure that you minimise the risk of damage, which may not be capable of being rectified. Some products contain chemicals that can permanently damage a wig especially synthetic wigs as their make-up is not natural. Again, the advice of the provider is key.

Styling

Often hairspray is the go to styling agent of choice, but this can irreparably damage a wig, causing it to become greasy or tangled and perversely thus making it harder to style. There are specific products available for wigs, but even these should be used conservatively and with professional advice.

Hair is often heated using tongs or hair driers. However heat is the enemy of wigs, especially synthetic ones. Only minimum use on natural wigs is recommended too. It’s also suggested that you do not sleep in your wig, as they are no different to your natural hair, in that they’ll become tangled and knotted. The problem though is that it takes much more time/effort to untangle a wig, and it may even cause damage. Removing the wig when you shower or swim as often as possible, and preferably every time can avoid the same sort of problems.

Care

As well as washing your wig, according to its guidelines, there are other wig maintenance suggestions to note.

You may still have some of your own hair, if say your loss is partial. You’ll need to take good care of this, as well as the wig as they will come into contact with one another. Also you’ll need to maintain your own hair to ensure that it continues to match the partial wig. Finally it is suggested that you refrain from cutting your wig. It is best to leave it as purchased, even if you are tempted to trim it a little. One cut would soon become two and before you know it you may have ruined the whole appearance of the wig. It hasn’t grown or changed, so there should be no need for scissors at any point. Taking proper care on a day-to-day basis is the best way to avoid the temptation.

A good wig is an investment in yourself and you deserve only the best after all. It will boost your confidence, self-esteem and happiness. You’re already suffering from the trauma of hair loss, so you should ensure that you get proper expert advice and thereafter follow it. Simple steps, as highlighted above, will help maintain that initial feeling when you first bought your beautiful wig. You can experience that same lift every time, it just takes a little effort.