Permanent Wigs—Myth or Reality? What are the Best Alternatives?

31st August 2023

There’s a common question that people suffering from hair loss often ask—is it possible to have a permanent wig that could be attached to the head permanently and won’t cause any irritation, scalp issues, or problems? There’s no denying that hair loss can be detrimental to your mental health. It affects your self-esteem and makes it difficult to go to work or attend public events. Other skin-related issues can be concealed with makeup or clothes, but when it comes to hair, women do not want to compromise.

That’s where the wigs, extensions, toupees, and hair systems come into play. These hairpieces help you have a head full of hair for weeks. It also allows you to try new hairstyles regularly and create unique and bold looks. Wigs have undoubtedly become one of the popular fashion trends lately. And since human hair extensions are available, people are trying these natural-looking wigs that blend seamlessly with your natural hair and give you a gorgeous look. But is there anything like a permanent wig? Let’s find out.

Debunking the Myth of Permanent Wigs

Permanent wigs are nothing but fiction. Whoever tells you these wigs exist is lying, since every wig requires to be removed for washing and maintenance. And even if such kinds of wigs are available, they are not good for your scalp health. No matter how often you wash, condition, and maintain, there’s no way a permanent wig that isn’t removed from your scalp can cause damage to your natural hair or the skin.

That’s because these wigs are attached to your scalp using glue or wig tape, both of which contain chemicals that can hurt your sensitive skin. So, if you find someone offering a permanent wig, getting one is a bad idea. You should stick to the removable wigs that you can easily take off using the solvent, clean your scalp, and put it back on with fresh glue.

Sometimes, people use the terms real human hair wigs and permanent wigs interchangeably. Since they blend seamlessly with your natural hair and feel lightweight, people might confuse them with permanent wigs. These human hair extensions are versatile enough to allow you to try different hairstyles, colors, and volumes while retaining the natural look of your hair. These wigs give the wearer a natural appearance, but they last for a short while. The maximum you can keep the wigs on your head is 6 weeks. That too when you have used a premium glue that offers a long-lasting and strong hold without damaging your natural hair.

Other perks of these wigs are they are breathable, durable, and look natural. You can enjoy all the perks of having natural voluminous hair, except that it needs to be removed once in a while and cleaned thoroughly. You must also wash your head and give it some rest before reattaching the wig.

What Can You Do With the Wigs?

Wigs are made of different materials and come in two popular types—synthetic wigs and human hair extensions. The latter is a better option if you want a realistic look and versatility. These are available in Poly or Monofilament bases, which are attached to your scalp with strong hair system adhesives. As mentioned previously, they are not permanently secured to your scalp, so they must be removed within a few weeks. During this period, they will stay stuck to your scalp securely and will impose no restrictions. You can swim, take a shower, sleep peacefully, and engage in strenuous physical activities without worrying about your hair slipping.

Simply put, you don’t have to make any significant change to your lifestyle in the fear that your wig might fall. There’s no maintenance required when you have the wig on. Just make sure you keep it away from high temperatures, too many styling products, and chemicals that are harmful to human hair. Other than that, you can wash the human hair wig once you take it off. Wash your scalp after removing any residue from the glue.

So, Which Hair System is the Best?

No hair system can last more than 8 weeks on your scalp without re-attachment. In fact, most of them need to be removed within 4-6 weeks. And that’s good practice, as detaching your fake hair and washing it will ensure that your scalp and natural hair stays in good condition.

But you don’t have to take the wig off frequently, i.e. when sleeping, showering, or participating in sports. If your application is accurate, you can rest assured that your hair will stay in place for weeks and will look as beautiful as new when you reattach it. Usually, how long your hair system can stay adhered to your head depends on the glue you have used. The stronger the adhesive, the longer your wig stays secured.

That said, the type of extensions and their quality also play a role here. You may need to replace your hair system in 1-2 years or sooner depending on how you maintain it and its quality.

Other Myths About Hair Extensions

It’s Apparent You’re Wearing a Wig

The real human hair wigs is designed to blend perfectly with your natural hair, concealing those bald patches and giving you a realistic, natural look. So unless it’s a low-quality wig made of synthetic fibers, your hair extensions won’t be noticeable.

They Damage Your Scalp

Human hair wigs do not damage your scalp as long as you maintain the wig, use a skin-friendly adhesive to secure them to your head, and wash your scalp every few weeks. Wearing a wig cap beneath your wig will give extra protection to your scalp.

It’s for those with Hair Loss

No denying, wigs are an excellent solution to hair loss problems, but it’s not just for that. Many celebrities and social media influencers have made wigs popular in the entertainment industry. Commoners are also considering them for regular use, especially to try new hairstyles and create different looks for special events.