Ever had a really long day and ended up passing out with your full lace wig on? We’ve all been there. But is this safe to do? I’ve done some research and here’s what I found.
Sleeping with a full lace wig on is possible, provided that you take precautionary measures like wearing a silk headscarf or satin bonnet to protect your wig from any friction that can cause it to become frizzy, tangled, or matted. That said, ensure that you have also properly secured your wig on your head to prevent it from slipping.
With that being said, let’s take a closer look at how you can protect your full lace wig from damage so that you can safely sleep with it on!
How Can You Protect Your Full Lace Wig While You Sleep?
To protect your full lace wig while you sleep, secure your wig by braiding it or tying it in a loose ponytail before wrapping a silk headscarf or satin bonnet on your head to prevent friction between your wig and your pillow. If your wig is short, secure it under your headscarf using clips or bobby pins. That said, you can also use a sleep wig.
1. Secure your wig
Tie your full lace wig into a ponytail or put it in a braid. This will ensure that it does not move around too much as you sleep and that knots do not form. If your lace wig is short, then you can simply secure it using clips or bobby pins, the important thing is to hold it in place.
2. Cover your wig
Wear a wig nightcap or bonnet to cover your wig. It is important that you choose the correct nightcap material. Wearing a satin bonnet or a silk nightcap is the best option. These materials are not only soft and smooth but they are also affordable. They limit the friction on your wig caused by your pillow as you sleep. Avoid using wig nightcaps made from cotton. Friction can cause the hair on your wig to deteriorate and shed over time.
3. Use a satin or silk pillowcase
Sleep on a pillowcase that is made either from satin or silk. This, together with your wig nightcap, will prevent any friction from your pillow. Using a cotton pillowcase will cause friction between your pillow and your wig, this will lead to hair breakage.
Now that you know that it is perfectly fine to sleep with your wig on, as long as you follow the above steps to protect your lace wig. Lets take a look at how to take your wig off safely.
4. Morning-After Care
Thoroughly, but gently, brush or comb through your lace wig to get rid of any tangles. This will also keep your wig from frizzing or matting during the day. Brushing through your hair can also help bring back some of the volumes that may have flattened out while you slept.
5. Brush Your Hair Before Bed
Detangling your wig before bed is super important. This is because hair is especially prone to tangling while you sleep, and going to bed with even the smallest tangle can result in massive knots and even worse, matting!
Investing in a good detangling brush is one of the best things you can do! This will prevent any excess pulling of the hair and will prevent your wig hair from breakage and split ends.
6. Invest In A Sleeping Wig
Investing in a wig that you use only for sleeping is something that many wig-wearers have started doing. This is usually a wig that is a lot cheaper than your every day wig, meaning that you won’t lose any sleep if it suffers a bit of damage!
This will also mean less wear and tear on your original wig, meaning that your more expensive wig will last you much longer—definitely a win-win situation!
The Pros & Cons Of Sleeping In A Full Lace Wig
Even after reading the above precautions that you can take to prevent your wig from damage while sleeping, you may still be a little bit unsure. I’ve put together a table below for you to take a look at some of the pros and cons of sleeping with your wig on:
| The Pros: | The Cons: |
| You save a lot of time by not having to remove your wig, as removal procedures can be tedious. | The friction on your wig caused by your pillow can cause your wig to get tangled, this is made worse for curly and long human hair wigs. |
| You can avoid damaging your natural hair by using the incorrect wig removal procedure. | You will need to wash and style your wig more often to revive its volume. This can shorten the lifespan of your wig. |
| You can look beautiful with your wig on even whilst sleeping. | You can cause damage to your natural hair and hairline. By sleeping with your wig on, you are not allowing your scalp to breathe, this can cause hair thinning. |
| You don’t need to waste time installing your wig in the morning, especially if you’re running late for work. | Sleeping with your wig on can be uncomfortable and cause strain to your neck and scalp especially if your wig is long. |
How to Safely Take your Full Lace Wig Off
As tempting as it is to keep your full lace wig on, there does come a time when it must be removed. Stylists recommend removing your lace wig every 4-6 weeks. This is so that your natural hair and scalp can breathe and your wigs can get a deep clean and condition. If we take care of our lace wigs, they will last longer!
The safest way to remove your full lace wig is first to secure your wig so that it’s not in your face, tie it in a ponytail. Then, apply an adhesive remover like C-22 solvent around the edge of your wig and wait 3-5 minutes before gently pulling your wig off your head. If there is glue left on your wig, use a soft scour pad to scrub it off.
Avoid simply pulling or tugging your lace wig off, as you don’t want to accidentally pull out your baby hairs. Protect your edges ladies! To safely remove your lace wig, use an adhesive remover such as rubbing alcohol or C-22 solvent (can be purchased from Amazon). Follow these simple steps:
- Apply the adhesive remover. Once complete, wait a few minutes to allow the glue to soften.
- Gently peel back your lace wig. Start from one side of your head, and work towards the other side. Be patient and do not pull on the lace.
- Wipe away residue. There may be some residue left on the wig, simply use a wet washcloth to wipe it off.
If need be, give your face a bit of a wash to remove any residue that may have gotten stuck to your skin.
How to Store your Full Lace Wig To Extend The Lifespan
Once you get the hang of taking off your full lace wig using the method I have provided above, you need to take into consideration how your storing habits are affecting the lifespan of your wig. The most important thing is to keep our wigs in the best condition for as long as possible.
The best way to store your wig to make it last longer is to invest in a wig stand. You can purchase a wig stand from Amazon or make your own using household items that will allow your wig to keep its shape. For short-term storage, you can keep your wig in a shoe-box or a plastic bag.
How we choose to store our wigs when we aren’t wearing them is crucial to this. Want to learn more about how to keep your full lace wig in good condition by reusing it correctly? Read our article here.
Final Thoughts
If you prefer wearing your full lace wig every day, then sleeping with your wig on makes the most sense. I totally get it. Just remember to consider the tips laid out in this article so that you can keep sleeping with your wig on without damaging it!
Investing in a sleeping wig is certainly a recommendation I can emphasize, as you are able to both wear a wig and prevent your valuable wig from becoming prone to any damage!