Let’s get real. Sleeping in your wig is not generally recommended by wig experts. But if you’re bone-tired, have a new houseguest, or don’t have your usual hair tools available, you might end up catching some Z’s with your wig on. It’s not ideal, but it definitely happens.
It’s very possible to sleep in your wig without damaging the hair, as long as you don’t do so on an everyday basis. When you know removing it before you doze off just ain’t gonna happen, follow these tips to protect your wig during sleep.
Wrap your head
Whether your wig is human hair or synthetic, it’ll be damaged by too much friction. Friction can deteriorate the fibers and cause a loss of hair over time. It also leads to tangles, frizz, and dryness, all of which are a pain.
To protect your wig from friction, lay the hair flat against your head and pin or tie it into place. Then, wrap your head in a silk or satin scarf. This will keep your unit in place while also protecting it from friction.
Sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase
Invest in a silk or satin pillowcase for your own bed. That way, if your scarf does slip off during the night, your wig will still be protected from friction and frizz.
You can sleep without a scarf altogether if you use a silk or satin pillowcase, but beware that you may end up with more tangles if you tend to move around in your sleep.
Brush your wig thoroughly in the morning
When you wake up, you may or may not have a serious case of bedhead. Carefully brush or comb your wig to remove any tangles that may have formed overnight. This will prevent the hair from matting or frizzing over the course of the rest of the day. If your hair looks flat in some areas, use a little water, leave-in conditioner or wig spray and gently fluff it.
Give your wig a break
Try not to sleep in your wig often. Over time, all that friction will lead to split ends, frizz, tangles, matting, and other issues. In short, it’ll shorten the lifespan of your wig. It’s not worth it!
Buy a sleeping wig
Do you regularly doze off with your wig on and/or find yourself reluctant to take your wig off at bedtime? Consider investing in a sleeping wig, which is especially designed to withstand being worn all night long. Many women have both a sleeping wig and a daytime wig; that way, both wigs can maintain maximum longevity.
Do you ever sleep in your wig? How do you make it work?
