For men experiencing hair loss, a hair toupee is a great solution that offers a natural and comfortable way to regain their confidence. Two of the most popular base materials for toupees are lace and PU.
Full lace and PU hair systems offer unparalleled levels of comfort and realism, but they come with the trade-off of a shorter lifespan. Fortunately, with proper care, you can extend the lifespan of your toupee and continue to look great for longer.
Generally, the lifespan of a toupee varies depending on the type of hair system, the frequency of use, and the maintenance routine. Lace hair systems typically last for three to four months, while PU skin hair systems can last for three to nine months. However, it is worth noting that the lifespan of a toupee can be affected by various factors, including environmental factors, lifestyle, and personal care routines.
Here are 12 essential tips that will help to increase the lifespan of your toupee:
Avoid washing with hot water. Hot water can damage the shaft of the hair, making it dry, frizzy, and brittle over time. When maintaining your toupee, avoid using hot water whenever possible. Instead, use lukewarm water to wash your toupee, as it will help to retain the quality of the hair.
Avoid blow-drying with high heat. Blow-drying your toupee with hot air will damage the hair shaft, making it dry and brittle. It’s best to avoid high heat when blow-drying your toupee. Instead, use cool air to dry your hair, as it will help to maintain the quality of the hair over time.
Avoid combing your hair while it’s wet. Combing your hair while it’s wet can cause damage to the hair shaft, resulting in hair breakage. Before combing your hair, ensure that it’s dry by using a hair dryer with cool air. Avoid sleeping while your toupee is wet too, as the rubbing between your hair and your pillow can also cause hair to break when it is wet.
Use a stand for your toupee. Using a wig stand will help to retain the shape of your toupee over time. When not in use, store your toupee on a wig stand to maintain its shape and prevent it from becoming tangled or damaged.
Use conditioners often. Apply conditioner every couple of days to keep your hair looking smooth. When maintaining your wig every 1-2 weeks, you can do a deep conditioning of your toupee as well. Conditioning the hair will help to keep it looking healthy and shiny, thereby extending the lifespan of the toupee.
Never tug excessively when removing adhesive tape. When removing adhesive tape from your toupee, be sure to apply enough tape removal solution, and let it sit for a minute before trying to peel off the tape. Tugging the tape strongly may stretch the base of your toupee or even tear it. Always be gentle when removing adhesive tape from your toupee. If in doubt, apply more removal solution and wait!
Be selective with hair styling products. Hair styling products that are easy to wash off, and avoid products that contain alcohol. Hair styling products can damage the hair shaft, so it’s best to use them sparingly. When using hair styling products, choose products that are easy to wash off and do not contain alcohol. If possible, choose a hairstyle that requires minimum styling.
Be gentle when styling your hair. Avoid tugging and pulling your hair excessively when styling your toupee, as this may cause hair breakage. Instead, be gentle when styling your toupee, and use a blow dryer (on cool air mode) to help you create the style you want.
Apply hair oil regularly. Oil helps to keep moisture in hair. Applying hair oils such as argan oil or coconut oil to your toupee regularly (every one to two days) will help to keep it looking smooth and hydrated. Dry and brittle hair is more likely to break or become damaged, which can shorten the lifespan of your toupee. For the best results, apply hair oil to the toupee when it is dry, using a small amount at a time to avoid making it look greasy.
Avoid being in the sunlight for extended periods. Sunlight and heat can damage the hair, causing it to become dry, brittle, and lose its color. It is essential to keep your toupee out of direct sunlight whenever possible, especially during the hottest part of the day. If you do need to be in the sun, wear a hat or use a toupee with a built-in UV protectant.
After swimming, shampoo your toupee. It is totally fine to swim with a toupee. However, chlorine water and sea water can cause hair to become dry and brittle, so it is essential to shampoo your toupee after swimming. This will help to remove any chemicals or saltwater residue that may have accumulated on the toupee, preventing them from damaging the hair shaft over time. You can also apply leave-in conditioner before dipping into the water to protect your toupee.
Be careful when shampooing your toupee. While washing your hair with a toupee on, make sure to avoid rubbing the hair in different directions as it may result in tangles and breakage. It's best to follow the natural direction of the hair and shampoo it gently to prevent damage. Rubbing the hair in all directions may cause tangling and make detangling harder, leading to breakage.
Avoid scratching. When wearing a toupee, it's easy to feel the urge to scratch your head, particularly towards the end of your maintenance schedule. While an occasional gentle scratch is acceptable, it's advisable to refrain from aggressive or frequent scratching as it may cause hairs to break or damage to the toupee's base. Rather than scratching, you can attempt to alleviate the itch by softly tapping the affected area. If the itching persists, consider shortening your maintenance cycle, removing your toupee more often for cleaning and giving your scalp more rest time in between wears.
By following these tips, you can extend the lifespan of your toupee, reducing the overall cost of wearing a toupee over time. It is important to remember that regular maintenance and proper care are key to keeping your toupee looking great for as long as possible.
If these tips seem overwhelming, don't worry. You'll get better at maintaining your toupee with time. I recall when I was looking after my initial toupees, I frequently tangled the hair and had to devote significant time to detangle it, resulting in hair breakage and even tearing of some of the toupees. But now, maintaining my toupee is a piece of cake!
A hair toupee is a great solution for men with hair loss, and with proper care, it can continue to look fresh for longer. Using hair oil, avoiding sunlight, and shampooing after swimming are all simple steps that can help to extend the lifespan of your toupee. Following these tips will not only keep you looking fantastic for a longer period of time but also save you money in the long run. For more useful tips on maintaining men's hair systems, be sure to follow Regario.