After investing in a lace front wig, many people wonder how long it will last. With conflicting information online, it can be tough to know what to trust. If you’re looking for clear answers, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll explain the typical lifespan of lace front wigs and the key factors that influence their durability.
What Are Lace Front Wigs?
Lace front wigs are crafted to mimic a natural hairline. Individual hairs are hand-tied into a delicate lace material that sits along the forehead, seamlessly blending into your skin to give the illusion that the hair is growing directly from your scalp. This feature sets lace front wigs apart, offering an incredibly realistic hairline.
For an even more natural look, check out our ear-to-ear lace front wigs.
How Long Do Lace Front Wigs Last?
Human hair lace front wigs typically last between 3 to 6 months. Remy hair wigs, known for their superior quality, last anywhere from 4 to 12 months. The highest quality virgin hair lace front wigs can last up to 18 months. The lifespan of your wig depends largely on how well you maintain it, the origin of the hair, and several other factors
Factors That Affect Lace Front Wig Longevity
Now that you have a general idea of how long lace front wigs typically last, let’s explore the factors that influence their lifespan in more detail. You may be surprised by how many elements play a role in determining how long your wig will stay in top condition.
Hair Grade
The quality of hair used in your lace front wig is one of the most critical factors in its durability.
Here are the three main hair grades to be aware of when shopping for wigs:
- Virgin Hair: Lace front wigs made from virgin hair offer the longest lifespan. Virgin hair is of the highest quality and hasn’t undergone any chemical treatments. Its natural shine and strength are preserved, making it healthier and more durable than other hair types. You can expect virgin hair wigs to last significantly longer due to their minimal processing.
- Remy Hair: Remy hair is a step down from virgin hair but still provides premium quality. While it may have undergone processes like dyeing or texturizing (such as curling or waving), the hair cuticles remain intact and aligned in the same direction. This helps maintain the hair’s health and longevity, ensuring it lasts longer than processed hair.
- Processed Human Hair: The most common and affordable type of wig hair, processed human hair goes through multiple chemical treatments, including the removal of cuticles, dyeing, and texturizing. This extensive processing makes the hair more prone to damage and reduces its lifespan compared to virgin or Remy hair.
To dive deeper into hair materials, check out our article, “How to Choose Between Virgin Hair, Remy Hair, and 100% Human Hair.”
Hair Source
The origin of the hair used in your wig is another factor that affects its longevity. Here are the three main hair sources:
- Chinese Hair: Known for being the strongest and coarsest type of human hair, Chinese hair is highly durable. However, some people find it less desirable due to its rough texture compared to softer hair types like European or Indian hair. It also tends to resist textural changes, making it less suitable for styles like kinky curly or yaki textures.
- European Hair: European hair offers a balance between strength and softness. It is highly sought after by Caucasian women and is rare on the market, making it quite expensive. Though it doesn’t last as long as Chinese hair, it provides a softer, finer texture.
- Indian Hair: Indian hair is the finest and softest hair available and is widely accessible due to the religious donations made by Indian people. It’s incredibly versatile and easy to style, which is why it’s popular among Black women. However, due to its fine texture, it has a shorter lifespan than Chinese and European hair.
Lace Materials
The type of lace used in your wig is just as crucial as the hair quality. If the lace becomes damaged, the wig will be compromised, forcing you to replace it. Wigs come with different lace types, including Swiss lace, HD lace, Clear lace, and French lace.
Here’s a breakdown of these lace types:
- HD Lace: Extremely delicate and prone to tearing, especially during installation or removal. Despite its fragility, HD lace is favored for its ability to blend seamlessly with the natural hairline, making it appear more realistic.
- Swiss Lace and Clear Lace: These lace types are more durable than HD lace. Of the two, Clear Lace offers superior blending, or “melting,” into the skin, regardless of skin tone.
- French Lace: The most durable of all lace options, though it can be more challenging to melt for a natural finish. However, its strength makes it a long-lasting choice for frequent wig wearers.
The Manufacturing Process
The way a lace wig is manufactured also plays a big role in how long it will last. Here are some factors to consider:
- Knots: Wigs with double knots are more durable and last longer compared to wigs with single knots.
- Bleaching: Unbleached wigs tend to last longer, as the bleaching process weakens the hair by lifting the cuticles, making it more prone to damage.
- Chemical Treatments: Wigs that have undergone chemical treatments, such as cuticle removal or coloring, generally have a shorter lifespan than those left untreated.
How You Style the Wig
The way you style your lace wig can greatly influence its lifespan. Frequent heat styling, especially with lower-quality wigs, will cause deterioration over time. Even with high-quality virgin hair wigs, excessive use of heat tools can lead to hair breakage and reduce the wig’s durability. Dyeing, bleaching, and other chemical treatments can also weaken the hair, either causing immediate damage or leading to gradual wear over time.
Rough handling during styling, such as aggressive brushing or tugging, can result in split ends, shedding, and breakage, further shortening the wig’s life.
Wig Maintenance
Proper maintenance is essential to prolong the lifespan of your lace front wig. Neglecting care will cause the wig to wear out much faster. Key factors include:
- Washing Method: Avoid machine washing or scrubbing the wig harshly. Instead, gently soak and clean the wig to prevent unnecessary stress on the strands.
- Frequency of Washing: Washing too frequently can dry out the wig, leading to shedding and brittleness. However, not washing it enough will result in tangling, buildup, and damage.
- Products Used: Always use products specifically designed for wigs. Regular hair products can cause damage and shorten the wig’s lifespan.
- Storage: Store your wig on a mannequin head, in a shoebox, or a satin bag to help maintain its shape and quality.
How Often You Wear Your Wig
The frequency with which you wear your wig affects its longevity. Wearing it daily will cause it to age faster than wearing it occasionally. Many people opt to rotate between multiple wigs to extend their lifespan.
Hair Texture
While hair texture doesn’t directly impact a wig’s lifespan, curly wigs require more maintenance and tend to tangle more easily than straight wigs. Without proper care, curly wigs will become damaged quicker.
Hair Length
Similar to texture, longer wigs need extra care. If not properly maintained, long hair can show signs of aging, tangling, and damage sooner than shorter wigs, resulting in the need for earlier replacement.
How to Extend the Lifespan of Your Lace Front Wig
Now that we’ve covered the factors that impact a wig’s lifespan, let’s dive into how you can make your lace front wig last longer. The best way to ensure longevity is to invest in a high-quality virgin hair lace front wig. However, there are several other steps you can take to prolong the life of your wig, which we’ll explore below:
- Avoid Bleaching the Knots: If possible, opt for a pre-bleached wig. If the knots are still visible, you can use powder to conceal them. If you need to bleach the knots yourself, be cautious not to over-bleach and use a gentle bleach and developer.
- Detangle with Care: Always detangle your wig gently, working from the ends to the roots using a wide-toothed comb or your fingers. Avoid tugging or pulling on the hair.
- Limit Heat Styling: Heat can cause the hair strands to deteriorate, so it’s best to minimize heat styling. When you do use heat tools, apply a heat protectant and keep the temperature as low as possible.
- Be Gentle When Plucking: Lace is delicate, so handle it with care when plucking. Consider purchasing a pre-plucked wig, or if you prefer to pluck it yourself, follow a guide to ensure you do it safely.
- Wash Your Wig Regularly, But Not Too Often: Regular washing is important, but over-washing can dry out the hair. Aim to wash your wig every one to two weeks if you wear it daily, and use a shampoo specifically designed for wigs.
- Always Condition Your Wig: Conditioning is essential to maintain your wig’s moisture, prevent tangling, and reduce dryness. This step will also minimize breakage and shedding.
- Air Dry Your Wig: Blow drying can be too harsh on the hair, so gently towel dry your wig and let it air dry. If you must use a blow dryer, use the cool setting.
- Store Your Wig Properly: Proper storage is crucial to maintaining your wig’s moisture and overall condition. When not in use, store your wig on a mannequin head, in a box, or in a satin bag to prevent it from drying out or becoming misshapen.
- Rotate Your Wigs: Wearing the same wig every day can shorten its lifespan. It’s a good idea to have a few wigs in rotation to give each one a break and allow time for maintenance.
- Apply Oil to Your Wig: Keeping your wig moisturized with a light oil will protect it from external elements and keep it looking shiny and healthy.
- Leave Dyeing to the Professionals: Dyeing a wig at home can often lead to irreversible damage. For a color change, it’s safer to buy a pre-colored wig rather than attempting to dye it yourself.
- Avoid Wearing Wigs to Sleep, Shower, or Swim: Sleeping in your wig can cause friction, leading to split ends, dryness, and breakage. Similarly, swimming or showering in a wig exposes it to chlorine or saltwater, which can dry it out. If necessary, wear a bonnet or scarf to bed, and a swim cap when in the water.
Lace front wigs can last anywhere from 3 months to over a year, depending on the wig’s quality and how well you care for it. By following the tips outlined here, you can significantly extend your wig’s lifespan. If you’re looking for a long-lasting, high-quality option, we recommend our Clear Swiss lace front wigs, which feature a natural hairline, easy lace melting, and exceptional durability.
and…
If you’re looking to buy high-quality wigs or hair extensions, look no further than HazuHair.
We are a trusted Vietnamese hair factory with over 100 skilled workers, offering a wide range of hair styles including wavy, curly, straight, kinky, and more.
Our products come in various colors such as natural black, ombre, blonde, red, pink, and many others.
Reach out to us today!
- Hair Factory: Tan Son 2 Village, Tan Dinh, Lang Giang, Bac Giang Province, Vietnam
- Hotline: +849 4949 3883
- Whatsapp Mrs ThanhLam: https://wa.me/84949493883
- Website: https://hazuhair.com