Lace front wigs are exploding in popularity due to their natural-looking hairline and versatile parting options. People of all ages and backgrounds are giving them a try to upgrade their hair game.
One of the most common questions that wig newbies have about lace front wigs is, "How long do lace front wigs last?"
If this sounds like you, then you need to read this article all the way to the end.
We're going to take a look at the average lifespan of lace front wigs and provide you with everything you need to know to keep your lace wig looking its best.
How Long Do Lace Front Wigs Last?
You can expect a human hair lace front wig to last:
Free 50-page guide
Your hair is already growing. The problem is keeping it.
On average, hair grows a third to half an inch a month, and curlier hair tends to grow more slowly. If your length looks stuck, that’s your hair breaking off as fast as it grows in. Here are the seven causes of breakage and the weekly routine that stops them.
Free. One email a week after that. Unsubscribe anytime.
- Up to 3 years with occasional wear.
- About 9 months to 1 year with daily wear.
*These estimates are for a very good quality wig that is properly maintained. For a human hair wig worn every day, Breastcancer.org gives nine months to a year. For wigs made of real hair in general, Cancer Research UK gives one to three years.
On the other hand, synthetic wigs typically last for about three to nine months if you wear them most days and a little bit longer if you wear them sparingly. Synthetic fiber is made from plastic, so hot water or a flat iron can change its shape for good unless the wig is labeled heat-friendly. Human hair wigs handle heat better, as long as you use a heat protectant.
The exact length of time your wig lasts depends on a few different factors, including:
- How often the wig is worn.
- The quality of the wig.
- What material the wig is made of (e.g., human hair wigs, synthetic wigs, virgin human hair, etc.).
- How well the wig is taken care of (e.g., proper care includes washing, conditioning, etc., but it's worth mentioning that heated styling, bleach, hair coloring, etc. will reduce the usefulness of your wig).
The less strain you put on your lace wigs, the longer they remain in good condition.
So, what gives out first? On most lace front wigs, it's the lace and the tiny knots that tie each hair to it, not the hair itself. The knots slowly loosen as you wear and wash the wig, so more hairs come out in your comb. And the lace is thin enough to tear if it's pulled off your skin or snagged with a comb. Treat it gently, though, and high-quality lace front wigs can last a few years.
Even though lace front wigs don't last forever, there are steps you can take to make them last longer. We'll dive into those later in the article.
Original Curl Centric chart
Which habits add months to your lace front?
Find the habit, then read across. The first two help your lace front last longer. The other four shorten its life, and the last two can end it early.
| Habit | What it does to your wig | Why | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rotating two or three wigs | Each wig gets days off, so its lace and knots wear out more slowly. | A human hair wig worn every day usually lasts about nine months to a year. With breaks between wears, it can last up to three years. | Keep two or three wigs in rotation, and store each one on a wig stand between wears. |
| Washing about every 6 to 8 wears | Clears out sweat, oil, and styling products before they weigh the hair down. | Washing too often wears out the cap and loosens the knots faster. | Wash it sooner only if it smells or feels heavy with product. |
| Long soaks | More hair comes out in your comb after wash day. | Wig makers warn that time in the water loosens the knots, and that a soak longer than five minutes can damage the wig. | Soak a synthetic wig for three to five minutes at most. Wash a human hair wig under cool running water instead. |
| Fabric softener or laundry detergent | The wig feels soft for a while, then turns frizzy and starts to shed. | Household softeners and detergents break down wig fiber over time and loosen the knots. | Use a shampoo and conditioner made for your wig’s fiber. |
| Peeling glued lace off | A rip in the lace, and sometimes broken hairs at your edges. | Glue that hasn’t been dissolved holds onto the lace and your skin, so pulling tears whichever gives first. | Soak the lace with the remover made for your glue or tape, and wait for it to lift on its own. |
| Heat on a synthetic wig | Frizzy, kinked, or crunchy ends that stay that way after a wash. | Hot water, blow dryers, and hot tools reshape synthetic fiber for good. | Use cool water. Only use heat on a wig labeled heat-friendly, and stay under the temperature on its label. |
If your skin turns red, itchy, or swollen where the glue or tape sits, that’s a reaction to the adhesive, not wear on your wig. Take the wig off with remover, stop using that product, and see a board-certified dermatologist if it doesn’t clear up. Get medical help right away if your face swells or you have trouble breathing.
How Long Can You Keep a Lace Front Wig On?
The length of time you can keep your lace front wig on depends on the method you used to apply it. It can be anything from a single day for glueless wigs to up to two or three months for wigs sewn onto braids.
How Many Days a Glued or Glueless Wig Stays On
A glueless wig, held on with a strap, combs, or a wig grip, comes off at the end of each day. A glued wig, or one held down with tape, usually keeps the lace down for several days before it starts to lift, according to a 2023 dermatology review. If your lace front is sewn onto cornrows (a sew-in), it can stay on for several weeks.
Is Six Weeks the Limit for Wig Wear?
No. Six weeks is a limit many stylists use for extended wear, but it didn't come from a study. Dermatologists set their limits for sewn-in styles like weaves, and they're a little longer. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) says to wear them for two or three months at most, and a UK hospital dermatology leaflet says eight weeks or sooner. Whatever holds your wig on, follow the directions on the glue or tape label for how long to wear it.
When to Take Off a Wig Installation Early
Take your wig off early if your scalp hurts, stings, or itches, or if the skin under the glue or tape turns red or bumpy, even if your wig installation is only a day old. That isn't normal wear.
Some bonding glues contain latex, and latex in hair glue has caused severe allergic reactions, so check the label before you try a new glue. Get medical help right away if your face swells or you have trouble breathing. Our guide on how long a wig install lasts covers each method in more detail.
How To Make Your Lace Front Wig Last Longer
How long your wig lasts depends on how well you take care of it. As with any investment, you want to get your money's worth out of a lace front wig. So, in this section, we'll give you some pointers on how to prolong the life of your wig.
Be Gentle with Your Wig
The gentler you are on your wig, the longer it will last. Your wig can't replace hairs that fall out, so do everything you can to keep the strands in place.
Use a wide-tooth comb or wig brush whenever possible, and always detangle your hair before styling. Avoid heavy detangling when the wig is dry, and always use a gentle touch whenever you style or maintain it.
Use the Right Products
When it comes to caring for your synthetic wig, the products you use are your most useful resource. If you have a human hair wig, you should treat it almost like you would your natural hair.
Use a gentle shampoo and conditioner made for color-treated hair, since the hair on human hair wigs has often been colored or processed before it's sold, and always apply a heat protectant before using high heat. Avoid using products with ingredients that leave buildup on the hair.
If your wig is synthetic, use specifically formulated products to care for your wig. There are special shampoos, conditioners, and styling products that prolong the life of the synthetic fibers and won't build up like the products made for human hair.
Don't reach for liquid fabric softener, even in a pinch. A softener rinse can make a synthetic wig feel smoother for a little while, but the wig maker Jon Renau warns that household softeners break the fiber down over time and loosen the knots that hold the hair to the cap. That's why we always recommend using wig products tailored specifically for use on the type of wig you own.
Wash Your Wig the Right Way
Though washing your wig is essential, the wrong technique will drastically shorten its longevity. You never want to scrub or agitate the wig, especially not when it's wet.
Also, you should never use hot water to wash your wig, and avoid putting conditioner on or near the wig cap. Conditioner on the cap can loosen the knots and make your wig shed.
Here's the right way to wash your lace front wig. If you wore it with glue or tape, take the adhesive off the lace with its remover first, following the label, and then start at step one.
- Dampen your wig with cool water.
- Smooth a small amount of conditioner through the hair, keeping it off the lace, and gently detangle your wig with a wide-tooth comb.
- Mix shampoo and cool water in a large basin and submerge your wig. If your wig is human hair, or its care card says not to soak it, skip the basin and wash it under cool running water instead.
- If you're using the basin, allow the wig to soak for three to five minutes, which is what the American Cancer Society recommends, and gently dip it up and down. Don't rub or agitate the wig. Wig maker HairUWear warns that soaking it longer than five minutes can damage it.
- Lift the wig out and empty the basin. One short soak is enough. Leaving the wig in the water longer, or soaking it again, can loosen the knots and make it shed.
- Rinse the wig with clean water until all the shampoo is washed out.
- Apply some lightweight conditioner to the mid-lengths and ends of the hair, keeping it off the lace, and leave it on for as long as the label says. On a synthetic wig, use a conditioning spray made for synthetic fiber instead.
- Rinse your wig with cool water until the water runs clear.
- Dab the wig with a towel to absorb excess moisture, without twisting or wringing it, and allow the wig to air-dry on a wig stand.
Remove Your Wig Carefully
Removing your wig carefully is another crucial step when it comes to lengthening the lifespan of your wig. Once the lace rips, it may be impossible to repair.
Don't rush through the removal process, and never rip your wig off. This will damage both your skin and the wig.
If you applied your wig with glue or tape, use the remover made for that glue or tape, the way its label directs. Saturate the lace along your hairline with it, then wait while it softens the bond. If one spot still holds, add a little more remover and give it more time instead of tugging. That UK hospital leaflet warns that glue pulled away from the skin can rip out the delicate hairs at your edges.
When the adhesive bond is broken and begins to come away from your scalp, your wig will come off with ease.
After removal, we recommend storing your wig on a wig head, wig stand, or in a wig box. Read this article for more details on how to properly store a wig.
Don't Overwash Your Wig
Washing your wigs too often will leave them looking dry and brittle. Wash your wig only as often as you need to and follow up with conditioning treatments like you would with your natural hair. Generally, you should wash your wig after every 6 to 8 wears, which is what wig makers like Jon Renau recommend. If you wear your wig every day, that's about once a week. Wash it sooner if it smells or feels heavy with product.
Pro Tip: You should also limit the number of styling products you use on your wig to reduce the need for cleaning.
Can You Wear a Lace Front Wig Every Day?
You can definitely wear your lace front wig daily! Just know that it won't last as long with daily wear. If you want to wear a wig daily, rotating between two or three wigs each day of the week is recommended.
Switching out your wig often reduces the wear and tear your unit will incur, and it allows you to space out your wig wash sessions.
A daily rotation works best with glueless wigs you take off at night. If your lace front is glued or sewn down, it stays on for days or weeks at a time. In that case, switch wigs between installs instead, and give your own hair a break in a loose, low-tension style before the next one goes on. The AAD recommends a break like that after wearing weaves and extensions.
When Should You Replace Your Lace Front Wig?
Replace your lace front wig when the front lace tears, when you can see thin patches along the hairline or the part, or when a synthetic wig has heat damage. Those three don't get better with care.
A rip in the lace along your hairline is very hard to hide, and you shouldn't put glue or tape over it. Thin patches mean the knots have let go of too many hairs, and those hairs can't be put back. On a synthetic wig, frizzy or kinked ends that don't smooth out after a wash usually mean heat changed the fiber, and that damage won't wash out.
On the other hand, wigs that feel stiff, dull, or tangled at the nape usually just need a wash. And lace that lifts at your temples a few days into a glued install is normal. That's sweat and skin oil loosening the glue, not a sign your wig is worn out.
Do's and Don'ts of Wearing Lace Front Wigs
Here is a list of do's and don'ts to keep in mind when wearing lace front wigs. Following the tips provided in this section will help extend the life of your wig and keep it looking new.
Dos
- Do avoid products with drying ingredients, and only use heat on synthetic wigs labeled heat-friendly.
- Do use a wig stand to help your wig keep its shape.
- Do treat the wig as well as you treat your natural hair.
- Do adjust your wig to make sure it fits well.
- Do take your wig to a hairstylist to get it professionally cut or colored.
- Do be patient when it comes to applying and removing your wig.
Don'ts
- Don't rip or pull your wig off without loosening any adhesives or attachment mechanisms.
- Don't sleep in your wig unless you have to. If it's glued or sewn down, wrap your hairline in a satin scarf at night.
- Don't neglect your natural hair.
- Don't put a wig on damp hair.
- Don't buy cheap wigs if you want them to last for a long time.
Related Articles
- Best Natural Looking Human Hair Wigs
- Can Horsehair Be Used for Wigs?
- Why Do Black Women Wear Wigs
- How Long Does a Wig Install Last?
When it comes to the lifespan of your lace wig, the amount of care you put into it makes all the difference.
By taking a little extra time and using the proper technique, you can keep your wig in great shape for months to come. We hope this article has given you all the tools you need to do just that!
