The scalp ages 12 times faster than the skin on our bodies and 6 times quicker than the skin on our face, which makes your scalp health a priority. Yet despite many of us investing heavily in the products that nourish and protect our skin, scalp care is often overlooked.
For those of us facing temporary or permanent hair loss and thinning, taking care of the skin beneath the hair is even more important as scalp skincare specialist Act+Acre details:
“Some basic science for you: hairs grow out of the follicles on your scalp. Along with hair, however, follicles produce sebum (an oily secretion)—an amount that varies, dependent on each person. What doesn’t vary is that too much oil can clog follicles, meaning hair quality is impacted negatively… Hair loss is normally hereditary but having an unhealthy scalp can speed up the process by up to 10 years.”
For people using wig wear to conceal hair loss issues or harness a discreet solution on the road to recovery after temporary hair loss, helping the scalp breathe is the difference between comfy, confident wig wear and an itchy, irritable experience.
Here we reveal our top tips for taking care of your scalp as you negotiate life as a wig wearer.
The skin on your scalp needs just as much care as the skin on the rest of your body. Washing your scalp regularly to keep it clean is essential. If you have some natural hair remaining, your usual shampoo will do the job. Otherwise, use face wash or a specialist scalp cleanser to keep your scalp nice and fresh.
To keep your scalp hydrated, even with regular wig wear, apply a light moisturiser or essential oils (like lavender, geranium or frankincense) daily.
Scalp massage is an incredible and hugely relaxing way to preserve scalp health. As well as stimulating blood flow to promote hair growth, regularly massaging your scalp can decrease the stress that worsens and accelerates hair loss and thinning.
Applying a warm flannel and a couple of drops of lavender or tea tree can deliver a similarly soothing sensation for wig wearers looking to relieve tension and irritation.
Reducing product buildup will keep your wig as lightweight as possible and lower the risk of irritation.
Oil, skin cells and sweat are all secreted from the scalp. Team this with exposure to external contaminants like dust, dirt, smoke and pollution, and your wig can get weighed down without regular washing.
We recommend that you wash your synthetic wig at least every seven days to keep it clean, protect scalp health, and enjoy a great looking style for longer. You’ll need to do this more frequently if you wear a human hair wig.
After washing, leave your wig to dry thoroughly before wearing to reduce irritation further.
The wig you wear can enrich scalp health no-end. Picking a wig that’s lightweight and comfortable is the key to protecting your scalp and enjoying comfortable wear around the clock.
Whilst synthetic wigs have something of a bad rep when it comes to irritation, choosing a high-quality synthetic design unlocks many perks in the scalp health department. The lightweight feel of a quality human hair or synthetic wig will put less of a burden on your scalp and boost breathability too.
Read more about the pros and cons of synthetic and human hair wigs or shop our range of quality wigs right here.
