In truth, there can be nothing more annoying than when your wig rides up at the back of your head! There can be various reasons for your wig to ride up in the back. Take a look at some of the common reasons why this may happen and see if any of them rings true for you. Let us know in the comments below, what you do to help stop this from happening.
1. First things, first.
The most important first step to figuring out what the reason is? We suggest measuring your head to make sure that you are fitting for the correct size of the wig. It is very easy to do, and you can find how we suggest taking your measurements. Then once you are armed with this information you can decide whether this may be a cause of the wig riding up.
| CAP SIZE | CIRCUMFERENCE |
|---|---|
| Child/Petite | 19″ (48.3cm) |
| Petite | 21″ (53.3cm) |
| Petite/Average | 21.5″ (54.6cm) |
| Average | 22″ (55.8cm) |
| Large | 23″ (58.4cm) |
2. If you have no or very little hair.
You may want to consider a wig grip. There are two types that will help, as they have been designed to make wearing a wig during hair loss more secure, confident and comfortable. They adjust to body movement and distribute the weight of a wig evenly and keeping them from slipping.
WIG GRIP HEADBAND – No more need for tape, glue or clips. The Wig Grip headband will keep your wig in place all day long. Provides peace of mind by making your wig more comfortable and preventing it from slipping.
If you do not want to use a wig grip then you may want to try using wig clips that can be sewn onto the fabric part of the wigs. Simply sew the clips in the area that requires the extra security – in the nape, one at each ear tab,
If you have total hair loss you may find that you can use wig tape to help secure your wig. A variety of wigs will have certain areas where you can easily attach tape for extra security.
3. You have some hair.
If you have some hair that you are trying to conceal under your wig. There may be a couple of ways that you may want to try to stop the wig from riding up.
Secure your hair before you put on your wig. Make sure that your hair is that is tied flatly and close to the base of your nape as possible. Secure it with bobby pins to make sure it is FLAT before applying your wig cap, making sure that your hair is in a bun that is tied flatly (and as close to 2” – 4”) above the base of your nape as possible. Secure it with wig clips to make sure it is flat before applying your wig cap.
You can always use wig clips that are easily sewn into your cap to secure your wig. We recommend using the small pressure-sensitive wig clips and simply sew in at the nape and one at each ear tab. Place your wig onto your head, then simply head by pressing on the centres of the wig clips, you can ‘snap’ to secure the wig and ‘unsnap’ to remove the wig.
If you have any ideas on ‘how to stop your wig from riding up’, then we would love to hear what your ideas are, we can then share them all with the SW community. Just leave your comments below.
For David, You have discovered an unmet need in the wig market. Until someone moves to better mens wigs, you might want to look into making your own at home. There are some instructions online you could start with. I hope you find or make something that works!
Hold up stocking grip? Excellent, I have never thought of that therefore my wife shall be asked to make the necessary purchase!
Where can I get a long, grey, man’s wig? Anyone have any suggestions? Do Ellen Wille have any women’s long grey wigs that could be adapted?
With thanks for any help offered.
Hi there, I have no hair now and use wigs. I found that my short hair wigs would do this too. I bought hold-up stockings and cut the top off. Then I sewed that to the bottom of my wigs. The grip that holds the stocking up, grips onto the nape of your neck and no more moving. You don’t have to keep using tape. I found it much better than tape anyway. Try it and you’ll be amazed.
Up until my mid 40’s (now in mid 60’s) I had shoulder length thick, mid brown, wavy hair. I now wear a light grey wig. Within the space of ten days it had all gone save for a couple patches on the very back of my head leaving me looking like Gollum. I was diagnosed with all over body alopecia due to stress and acute trauma. With no likelihood of any hair returning I began wearing Ellen Wille wigs for men but encountered two problems: one was that wig makers do not cater for men who previously had long hair and secondly, the shorter men’s hair continually creeps up the nape of the neck which means that I am continually fidgeting when I am out. This leaves me very self conscious. I do have a final problem which is that some male wig models do not come with a front facility for tape which is absolutely essential or else the wig continually slips up the forehead. Any comments or helpful suggestions would be gratefully received and much appreciated. Thank you.
I use pre-cut/shaped wig tape, the ones that are shaped for the front. I cut the edges on both sides so it is not quite so curved and I use this on my nape to attached the bottom part of the wig. Usually works well.
Is a bit of a pain to remove each night but it does give me assurance that my wig is not moving.
Excellent sensible advice with options and good to know that I am not the only one with this problem.
I have been making face masks during lockdown and I use nose strips (the kind that mould around the bridge of your nose to make the mask fit snugly).
They are made of soft aluminium and I wondered if they could also mould around the nape of the neck when sewn on a wig that rides up.
You can buy these strips on the internet quite cheaply and they measure 9cm long with rounded edges so they are safe to use and have no sharp edges.
I found a scrap of 1cm wide bias binding (again found on the internet or anywhere that sells things like sewing thread), I cut a piece 10 cm long and folded over a small piece on one of the short sides to stop it fraying. I then sewed it to the edge of my wig using a basic stitch along one of the long sides, folded the other small side under and sewed along this and continued up the other long side. I then just needed to slip the aluminium strip inside and bend it to fit.
If one strip is too soft then try using two strips together. I put one on each side just past the ears and found it worked quite well without being too firm.
If you can’t find bias binding then a narrow piece of ribbon would do just as well.
I have alopecia at the back of my head only. I usually stitch a wide elastic to my wigs. My problem is after putting on the elastic the wig can’t come off my head cause its now snug but the back get loose so it doesn’t ride up but it just dangling at the back. I use the comb that’s provided to the back of the wig but I eventually have to unhook it from my head cause it hurts.
Please help
I purchased the nylon wig grips, these just pop off the top of my head. I got the gel band grip. It fastens then slides up the back and back the front, popping right off my head. The wigs fit on my head but slide off. I have hair but it’s so thin and long. I can secure it but everything; hats, grips, head bands, wigs all come popping off the top. I can’t get anything to stay.
To the person that ask where you get the got2be spray from CVS has it Walgreens and Walmart it’s some good stuff. And I used ghost bond glue and my wig doesn’t lift up at all. I’m trying a new glue call meltdown it’s waterproof and sweat proof. I was just having a issue with a wig that’s a little to small but I can’t get my money back so I’m trying to make it work it’s the new headband wigs I got it to fit my head but it slips off so I’m thinking of sewing some combs inside an the wig grip I heard about. Any idea I’m open.
I wonder if a bit of hot glue would work? Since u can put hot glue on a hanger to keep clothes from slipping
Angie that sounds wonderful. I have some hair but it rides up almost constant ?
I also have little hair in front and I use It Stays, I gently pull away from the scalp every night and it really is so gentle on what little hair I have, as yet none of my hair has come away. X
Hi, I tried the stocking tops on my wig but I started itching so bad I had to take it off. It did work though but not for me. Double sided tape works too. Hope this helps.
Where do you get got2b glue from ? I am quite happy with ‘It Stays’ but would like to try that as well. Apart from that I do exactly the same as you and mine stays on all day, which is just as well for me, I haven’t got much hair underneath, what is there is so ultra thin and sparse and I would hate the world to see that side of me !
Angie M- your comment sounds brilliant. I will try it. I have been using a wig band, the velvety ones., and they work great for keeping a wig in place BUT the wig band itself rides up though the wig doesnt. I wear short wigs. Very frustrating.
I have hair but am losing hair in front. The body glue works but I worry that I will pull off some of the little hair I have in front when I remove my wig. I do not like to wear a wig cap.
I had the same problem, damned annoying. I took various advise, some work some were useless. The best for me is It Stays. I go around the front part of head and back. Hold for twenty seconds and as yet it is perfect, stays all day. I wash hair in Luke warm water and around the glue bits on wig, then s@me process next day. It makes me feel very confident. Hope you find your answer and what works for you. X
Hello,
This can be a frustrating issue. You may want to read this article on My Wig Rides Up At The Back.
A lot of our clients like to use a Comfy Grip or a Wig Grip for this, both can achieve a good solution.
I hope this helps.
SW Team
x
My head is totally flat in the back all my wigs rise up in the back. That is totally annoying. I have tried so many things, and nothing works for me. What do you suggest
I use the lot.
First I run some oil through my own hair.
Then I put my hair in pig tails. Next I take one pig tail across the back of my head and secure it with a very strong clip, then I do the same with the other side.
Next I put on my wig cap and on top of that I put my wig grip.
Next I apply IT STAYS body adhesive all around the edge of my hairline followed by a layer of Got2b Glued water resistant spiking glue. I give it a couple of minutes and then put my wig on. This wig is going nowhere. I have to wear it all day so can’t risk it coming off.
When I take the wig off I wash the glue off with warm water.
Hi Vanessa this sounds good too. I have a lot of double sided tape so I shall give that a go first as I hate sewing lol thank you for a good tip ?
No the best way is to secure it with double sided tape I stick mine on the temples and a piece at the back trust me this wig is not going anywhere even when it was hot it stayed put – I pin my short hair what I have up on top then slip the over it’s great
Hi Angie that sounds like a brilliant idea I shall definitely give that a go. Thank you so much.
Hi Angie, like you I too have no hair due to Alopecia and your suggestion sounds really good. I will definitely give it a try. Thankyou
Hi there, I have worn wigs for many years now due to Alopecia and have no hair at all. Riding up at the back is a problem with many wigs, especially short ones but I have an easy ,cheap and comfortable solution! Buy yourself a pair of good quality hold up stockings in a shade close to your wig (although this isn’t essential as it can’t be seen) .Cut off the top part of the stocking that has the rubber sticky band. Turn your wig inside out and find the secure band at the bottom that sits on the nape of your neck. Cut the stocking top to the shape of the band on the wig and sew it onto it, sticky side out. When you put your wig on ,the sticky band keeps it in place on your neck and is very comfortable. This really works for me and I hope other wig wearers finds it helps too?.