.jpeg "Emma Jeffery")
With over half of all women estimated to experience significant hair loss at some point in their lives, it’s no surprise that many turn to alternative hair solutions to provide the volume and coverage they desire. Wigs and hair toppers are extremely popular options all over the US, and it seems as if most of Hollywood enjoys the extra bounce, length, or fullness they can provide. If you’re considering a hairpiece of your own, you may have some questions about how to wear a wig, especially if you still have some of your natural hair.
In this article we will discuss whether or not you can wear a wig if you still have your own hair (spoiler alert - you can!), whether a wig will damage your natural hair, and how to hide even the longest hair under your wig. We will also share some tips for protecting your natural hair while wearing a wig.
What makes us the authority on this subject? Daniel Alain has been handcrafting the finest human hair wigs for over two decades. There’s not much we don’t know about the alternative hair industry and we’re passionate about sharing our knowledge with you.
What’s under your wig?
Let’s cut to the chase, wigs are for anyone with short hair, long hair, bald spots, a thinning crown, a loss of density, or with no hair at all. These days, a well-fitting, comfortable, natural-looking wig can be a total game-changer for anyone worried about their bio hair, or simply wanting to change their look. The idea of a fake-looking wig that everyone can tell isn’t real is a thing of the past, and in its place? Beautiful, sophisticated, luxurious hairpieces that give you confidence boost and a spring in your step.
One of our customers, Lyndi, lost her hair during chemotherapy treatments and invested in one of our human hair wigs. She shares,“In the 4 years of wearing my human hair wigs, I have never once had anyone ask me if it was a wig. It’s my superpower!”
Does wearing a wig damage your own hair?
If you’re suffering from hair loss, you probably want to protect your natural hair as much as possible, so you might be worried that wearing a wig will damage your precious strands. While experts agree that wearing a wig is more likely to protect your natural hair rather than damage it (for example, you won’t be styling your natural hair as often, using heat tools on it if that’s your jam, or exposing your natural hair to the elements), there are some things you can do to make sure your natural hair remains healthy and continues to grow under a wig.
Tips for protecting your natural hair while wearing a wig
Tip #1: Make sure your wig is the correct size
A wig that’s too tight on your head may cause traction alopecia by pulling on your natural hair. If you’re serious about finding the best wig for your needs, it’s best to avoid buying a random wig online without first taking head measurements, trying it on for size, and seeing how it fits after extended wear.
Find a wig boutique or salon that offers private consultations, takes accurate measurements, and offers you a range of sizes to try out for comfort and fit. If you’re unsure about how to find the best wig salon, check out our salon locator for a reputable provider of Follea by Daniel Alain in your area.
Tip #2: Continue caring for your natural hair and scalp
Even though your wig will cover your natural hair, don’t skip hair wash day! Continuing to shampoo, condition, and brush out your natural hair will help maintain your hair and scalp health.
Tip #3: Don’t wear your wig while swimming or sleeping
At Daniel Alain, many of our customers ask if they can swim in their wig. While swimming in a hairpiece is not a great idea for the health of the wig (pool chemicals, saltwater, or sun exposure will damage the hair over time), it’s also damaging to your natural hair. Your hair is at its weakest when wet, and the wig clips may pull out your natural hair as it moves around in the water. But don’t let this ruin your summer of wig-wearing! If you really cannot swim without something covering your head, consider opting for a swim cap, giant sun hat, or scarf to keep you covered up instead.
Sleeping in a wig is also a big no-no. Unless you snooze like a motionless Sleeping Beauty, tossing and turning as you catch your 40 winks will also put pressure and tension on the wig clips and can damage your natural hair. Avoid napping with your wig on and enjoy the shut-eye without the worry you’re hurting your hair.
How to hide natural hair under your wig
Let’s say your natural hair is longer than the average wig-wearer - how would you go about hiding it under your wig? Real-life Daniel Alain customer, Kelly, who suffers from androgenetic alopecia and has lost much of the density of her hair, prefers to tuck all 16” of her natural hair up into her wig out of sight.
“My hair is quite long right now and it did take some practice to figure out how to get it all to fit into the wig,” says Kelly. “One of the techniques I use is putting it in two pigtails that I flatten against my head as I put on my wig.”
Another option is to do what Daniel Alain consultant, Tracy, does and that is to keep her natural hair loose around her shoulders and to place the wig over the top. The color of her wig is the perfect match to her natural hair, so the two blend perfectly together to create the most natural, full look.
Why does Tracy prefer to wear her hair down, you ask? “When I pull my wig up in the back for a ponytail,” she explains, “people see my own natural hair line.”
Where can I buy a human hair wig near me?
Hopefully we’ve allayed your concerns about whether you can wear a wig if you still have your own natural hair and you’re feeling confident in moving forward in this exciting journey. Now that you're equipped with some top tips for wearing a wig while still having hair and know how to prevent damage, you may be wondering about the next steps.
If you’d like to know more about our premium-quality human hair wigs and world-class consultation experience (humble brag!) we have a few options you may be interested in. First, our salon locator will point you towards your nearest provider of Follea human hair wigs by Daniel Alain. Alternatively, you may book an appointment for a virtual consultation with one of our experienced consultants who would be happy to guide you. If you’d prefer to come and see us in-person, we also offer consultations in our showroom in Newport Beach, CA. We’d love to help you make your hair dreams come true!
