Wearing your wig while sleeping or showering is usually not a good idea; it may decrease the longevity of your wig and may damage the fibers of the wig and wig cap structure, especially if it is synthetic or a delicate style. While it may be technically possible to do this, the friction from a pillow while sleeping, or the moisture from a shower experience (and possibly the shampoo or shower steam) can result in tangling, matting, and loosening of wig cap structure.
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If you are sleeping in a wig, particularly the back or side of your wig cap, the structure will be significantly vulnerable. A lot of rubbing against bedding will result in frizz, breakage, and even discomfort from secondary wig use. If you must sleep in your wig for travel or necessary medical reasons, we recommend using a silk pillowcase or satin bonnet to limit friction, and using a wig that has a soft cap, preferably with a design for 24/7 (endurance) wear.
Showering with a wig is even riskier than sleeping in a wig. Showering with your wig on, or exposing your wig to water, particularly hot water, or chlorinated water, may damage the fibers, or stretch the wig cap structure, or disrupt the lace front, and be sure to look for wig care products. Shampoo, conditioner or even the steam from a long shower can cause build-up, with may also disrupt the style. If convenience is your goal, then it might be a lot more convenient to remove your wig when taking a bath and store your wig on a stand.
For many people, wearing a wig regularly is part of their daily life, whether for beauty, comfort or confidence. But giving your wig a break to rest and avoiding sleeping and showering in your wig, helps to protect its form or shape and helps it to feel fresh and wearable for longer.
Here are a few more wig-related questions we’ve answered:
- How do I store my wig to keep it in good shape?
- How do you wash a wig properly without damaging it?
- How long does a wig typically last with regular use
Discover focused answers in our – Wig Questions & Real Answers section.