Can I Sleep in My Wig?

Can I Sleep in My Wig?

Can I sleep in my wig

So, can you sleep in a wig? Our Simply Wigs community often asks this question, as we know that taking a wig off before bed can be a tough challenge for some. This could be especially relevant if you are in the company of a friend, partner, family member, or just anyone if you don’t quite yet feel comfortable enough. 

Even though it is incredibly tempting to sleep in your wig after a long day, it is important that you don’t.

Can You Sleep in a Wig?

Though it is possible to sleep in your wig, and it may be incredibly tempting to do this after a long day, we highly recommend that you don’t.

If you sleep in your wig regularly, you will most likely wake up with knots and tangles, and it will take longer for you to style your wig the next day. Sleeping in your wig can reduce the lifespan of your wig tremendously as the friction between the fibre and your pillow can cause matting/tangling of the hair.

Sleeping in a wig can also trigger scalp irritation due to a build-up of sweat and oils during
overnight wear. Because of this, you may notice a build-up in your wig cap, which could
cause the hair to loosen from the cap and mean the wig demands washing more often.

Can You Sleep in a Human Hair Wig?

Putting synthetic wigs aside, you may wonder whether the same principle applies to human hair wigs. Generally, you should use the same rules for these types of wigs. Whilst human hair wigs are often claimed to be more comfortable to sleep in due to their lightness and breathability, you should still try to avoid sleeping in them to avoid damage.

Human hair wigs are also pricier, so you’ll definitely want to ensure it stays in a healthy condition! To enhance its longevity, you’ll want to keep your human hair wig tangle-free, which could involve storing your wig on a wig stand overnight and gently brushing it with a wig brush before going to bed to ensure it is truly detangled for the day ahead.

Is There Any Case Where It’s Beneficial to Sleep with a Wig On?

While there are many drawbacks to sleeping with a wig on, some wig wearers still choose to do so.

One of the most common reasons why someone may choose to sleep in a wig is convenience. Sleeping in a wig can save time getting ready for bed or getting ready the next day, as your wig will already be secure on your head (although it may still require touching up). 

Another reason why you may sleep with a wig on is self-consciousness. If you have only recently started to experience hair loss or are sharing a bed with a new partner, you may feel more comfortable sleeping in your wig for now.

Solutions to Sleeping with a Wig On

While we don’t recommend sleeping with a wig on, we understand that some circumstances may make you feel more comfortable doing so. Let’s face it – if you have a new houseguest or come home exhausted, sleeping with a wig on sometimes happens. Look below to find our top solutions to sleeping in a human hair wig or a synthetic alternative with as little damage as possible.

  • Secure your wig – Not securing your wig is one of the most common wig mistakes, meaning the first thing to do if you are sleeping with a wig on is to ensure it is in place before you hit the hay. Accessories like hair bonnets or wig clips can help to secure your wig, stopping it from tangling during the night.
  • Choose your sleeping wig – If you want to sleep in a wig occasionally, it’s worth choosing a less expensive style that you will only wear during the nighttime hours. This will stop your main daytime wig from getting damaged, which could save you a lot of money in the long run.
  • Use a silk scarf – Wrapping a silk scarf around your wig can help to protect it, keeping it in place and thus minimising damage to the fibres. 
  • Purchase silk pillowcases – If silk scarves aren’t your thing, you could try a silk pillowcase instead. The smoothness of silk can stop your wig from frizzing and cause less damage.
  • Brush your wig in the morning – You should brush your wig regardless of whether you’ve slept in it, ensuring you defrizz your wig by tackling pesky tangles or knots. Place your wig on a wig stand and work a brush or comb through with care.
  • Wash your wig – If sleeping with a wig on is necessary for you, then so is washing it. Sweat and oils will gradually build up on your wig – especially if you sleep in it. This means you must get yourself a good wig shampoo and conditioner to restore a synthetic wig or freshen up a human hair alternative in the long run. Use our guide to determine which wig care products are right for you
  • Experiment with braids – Braiding your wig loosely could help to decrease the number of tangles and knots, especially if your chosen wig style is long. Remember not to braid the strands too tightly, which could cause further damage.
  • Give the wig a break! – All in all, you should only sleep in your wig if necessary and remember to give it a well-earned break! Even with the above solutions, you may find your wig is suffering from frizz, tangles, split ends, and a whole host of other problems. To keep your wig in tip-top condition, avoid sleeping in it whenever you can.

Alternatives to Sleeping in a Wig

Alternatively, if you still want to cover your head but don’t want to wear a wig, you can always wear a piece of headwear, like a hair loss turban, instead. The Chandra Cap by Christine Headwear is perfect for this. It is soft and seamless and will keep you incredibly comfortable at night.

As a winner in both style and comfort, the Chandra Cap is popular amongst our beautiful customers. It comes in two subtle colours and has no irritating seams to ruin the effect. What’s more, this fabulous piece is constructed of 95% Bamboo Viscose, so you can look and feel fabulous whilst doing your bit for the environment.

We know that losing your hair can be incredibly distressing; sometimes, you feel like you have lost your identity. That is why we always try to find the perfect solutions and styles for our community here at Simply Wigs.

We are so excited about the Chandra Cap and hope it will help bring confidence to those who need it at night time. We want to do everything possible to make you feel comfortable, confident, and, most importantly, like yourself. 

If you have any experiences or tips concerning sleeping with a wig on, we’d love to hear about them in the comments below. Also, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you have any more queries about sleeping with a wig on! 


Comments

23 thoughts on “Can I Sleep in My Wig?

  1. We’re glad you found a wig you love! If you contact our customer service team on 01484 844557 they would be happy to help you out with wig caps.

  2. Very Interesting, love the info. Never heard of a sleep wig, or a swim wig, I want both! I’m 70yrs old have worn hair pieces since I was 16, hate my hair. It’s naturally curly and very, very fine. I finally found a wig I just love, it’s Grey 18″ and soft curls all over! but I can only find a lg. Wig cap. Do u have this?

  3. Hi Cheri,

    I am so sorry to say that the Night wig has new been discontinued.

  4. I have had to have MR scans, in the past, and kept an old wig, with the metal wires, etc., removed for this purpose.
    I, also, used this wig in hospital and during surgery. It makes you feel so much more confident, at a time when you are, naturally, feeling more stressed.

  5. I also wore an old wig throughout my surgery and a week after in hospital. It made me feel more normal than my very thin hair. I am a full time wig wearer and am so happy to have lovely hair, something I have never had and it is very thin since chemo.

  6. I worried more about being wig less than about my op! So glad I had an old long wig to wear through surgery & after. Nobody guessed it was a wig!

  7. Well done Susie. I’m very in favour of something that helps you feel the best you can. I also wore an older wig during an op and it lifted my spirits enough to get through the difficult time. xx

  8. What a fantastic idea with the night wig, I have only just discovered this company and you are already offering much more help and information than I have been given so far. I feel so much better with all the tips and advice you give. Thank you.

  9. Hi all,
    Early wig-wearing days, I tried sleeping whilst wearing a rather expensive number.
    I ruined it!
    If you have braids or sewn-in extensions, all is good but quite lumpy and blooming itchy!
    If you really need to be covered, get a reasonably cheap wig of a similar colour to what you wear and use this as your ‘Go to’
    Or . . Get a light wool cap. Nice and snug.
    Thing is . . People who you’re close to and people who care about you and know you, really do not give a poop if your wearing hair. They Love you anyway! ?

  10. I have a little hair and normally, I don’t wear my wigs at night. The exception, is when I have the grandchildren staying, especially when they are sleeping close by in the camper van! I sometimes have to get up for them in the night and I don’t feel that I want them to see a different ‘me’. I will usually wear an older wig to sleep in, but I must say that it is very uncomfortable.
    I really like the concept of a ‘night wig’. It would be great to have a longer style with the same soft cap. Fast drying ‘Swim wigs’ would be a great idea too….

  11. I had an older Amore Stevie which I wore in hospital. I plaited it before I went in having sprayed it well with fibre oil before I plaited it.

    My own hair ( a very small amount) was shaved close to my scalp & on the morning I went in for my op we taped the wig to my scalp at the front & nape of my neck.

    I wore that wig through my op (in a net cap) & slept in it too. I did brush it out & spray it when in hospital. It didn’t move a bit & was comfortable. I even wore it for my first night home too.

    I got quite a few compliments about my ‘hair’ which made me chuckle to myself. I will definitely wear my older wig again if need be & it didn’t knot probably because of it’s length & plaits.

  12. I do exactly the same. I keep an old wig to wear at night when I am away. I also use it for spa visits. AnneH

  13. I use up my old wigs for sleeping in once they are too worn out for daily use. I find the front still looks “ok” (who sees once you’re asleep) but eventually the back frizzes up (I read for about an hour at bedtime) and then it’s time to finally say goodbye to a loved wig. You can still wash it. I find I can get 3 or 4 months extra out of it.

  14. I have slept in a wig many times, i.e. when I have shared a room on holiday or when staying in someone else’s home, BUT I would never sleep in a good wig. I keep an old one for this purpose, which is identical to the one I wear during the day. As I wear long wigs I tie back my night-time one into a pony tail and no-one ever knows the difference. I know long hair is not an option for everyone, but just having an old one in the same style for night-time might help. I hope you don’t mind me suggesting this.

  15. Wow love the night wig also love the turban is it one size fits all or does it come on different sizes and colors regards rosie


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