How Long Can You Wear a Hair System with Glue on Before Maintenance Is Needed?

As a hairstylist who is newly trained to install hair systems for your clients, you may frequently have your clients asking, how long will my hair system or wig last? How much will my hairpieces or wigs cost me per year? How long can my hair systems last on my head? How do I take care of my hair system?

Panic not. Newtimes Hair has been working with professional stylists for the last fifteen years. We have accumulated some of the most skilled and practical first-hand experiences and detailed guidelines. They will answer all these most frequently asked questions about hair replacement systems or wigs for men.

Get familiar with these toupee tapes and familiarize your clients with them. It will portray you as a reliable person to turn to. They will stick with you for years.

Today, we will talk about another hot question about hair systems, which has everything to do with your client's scalp health and hygiene. That is, how long should you keep your hair system glued on your head before each wash?

First, let's clarify why we need to take the hairpiece or toupee off for a wash once in a while.

Why Should Permanent Hairpieces Be Taken Off Once in a While?

Toupee tape or glue is not recommended for day wig or topper wearers. Your female client can simply put these temporary hairpieces on like a hat or clip them on like an overall hair cover. They can remove them anytime they want.

However, most permanent hairpieces or hair systems for men are installed using glue for the strongest grip. Especially for the wearers of poly hair systems, wig glue or adhesive creates a very strong grip and clingy result.

For more details on the difference between permanent and day wig wearers, refer to our post Difference Between Permanent and Temporary Wigs and Hair Systems.

However, permanent hairpieces or men's toupee mustn't be worn for over six weeks before each wash. That's because, after an extended period, the glue or adhesive used on the hair system will turn into a gooey, starchy substance and seep through the base of the hair system into the hair.

Next, the substance will get the hair stuck and tangled, and you will spend a lifetime cleaning it and easily damage the base and the hair, so the hair system can be chucked in the bin.

So, How Long Can I Leave a Hair System with Glue On?

It's not possible to give an exact answer. Your client's skin type, his living environment, how much glue or adhesive has been applied for attachment, and whether he is a heavy sweater all contribute to the re-bonding frequency.

To get the closest answer to perfection, we've asked our partnering salons on all continents. Our final answer is three to four weeks per wear.

Yes, before your client leaves your salon with a new hair system attached to the head, tell him to come back again in three or four weeks for a proper wash of the hair system and his head so that his head can breathe and his scalp remains healthy. A proper wash every three or four weeks can also keep the hair system or hairpiece in optimum condition.

Also, ask your client to get hair systems in pairs. If he wants one, get him to get two instead. So they can rotate: having one washed, put on the other one, and swap again for the next wash. This way, both hair systems will last longer.

There are many types of hair system bases. Skin hair systems are for good conditions. The material of the base determines how long you should wear it before each wash. Some are more delicate than others. That's why some hair system bases can go on for weeks, and some have to be maintained at least every one or two weeks.

Skin Hair Systems

Thin skin hair systems are the most popular type of hair replacement system worn by the largest hair system population. They are easy to attach and maintain, ideal for new wearers who aren't yet ready for a full commitment.

Plus, for wearers who are into sports, thin skin hair systems are clingy and grant a solid hold. Your client can dive or even skydive, and the hair system just won't go anywhere. They are breathable, but certainly not as breathable as lace.

If your client sweats a lot, it's ideal to have them return to you and get the piece washed once every 3-4 weeks, allowing the scalp to have a proper cleaning to keep the scalp healthy.

For most of your clients, when they sweat, they mostly sweat at the front. That's how lace front hair systems (usually a skin hair system with a lace front) have gained popularity among them throughout the years.

The lace at the front goes across the hairline, covering the top area of the forehead. That ensures breathability and the most realistic hairline. And it's affordable, too.

But, with lace front hair systems, it is ideal to return and get a wash once every two weeks, depending on the scalp condition. For some, who don't sweat too much and use very strong adhesive, they can get away with 2-3 weeks.

Lace Hair Systems

Lace hair systems are one of the most delicate types of hairpieces, especially Swiss lace hair systems. When attached, the lace melds perfectly into the scalp, giving your client the most realistic hairline. Especially with knots bleached, the hair will look just like it's growing from the wearer's scalp.

However, lace hair systems are not ideal for clumsy or heavy-handed wearers. Lace is thin, fragile, and tears easily. So the wearer needs to handle it with the utmost care.

Lace hair systems are most often applied using toupee tape. However, some experienced hair pros do use liquid adhesive or glue. Never apply liquid adhesive directly to the lace. Instead, apply the adhesive to the scalp first and wait for it to dry and become tacky. Then, gently position and secure the hairpiece into place.

The solidified liquid adhesive can also form a secure bond for lace hair systems. However, common sense tells us that a lace base is full of holes, and once the glue or adhesive turns into that gooey and sticky substance, it will seep through the holes easily and get the hair near the roots stuck and tangled. You will spend hours cleaning it.

Thus, it is recommended that lace hair systems should never be bonded for longer than a week.

Fine Mono Hair Systems

Fine mono hair systems are known as the most durable type of hairpiece. However, they are usually accompanied by a poly skin or lace perimeter to strengthen it. So the edges of the material don't split.

The monofilament hair systems can be worn for about six weeks. However, it is not recommendable. From a hygienic perspective, it's better to take it off once every four weeks, at most, to clean mainly the skin or lace perimeter. It is just as important to clean up the scalp and implement a wig care and maintenance regimen after removing the mono hairpiece.

Good Quality Adhesive or Glue Is the Key

Last but not least, to make the most of your hair system and ensure a prolonged hairpiece attachment, quality adhesive or glue is essential.

For clients who are into sports or an active lifestyle, who happen to live in tropical and humid climates, or who tend to sweat heavily, the Ghost Bond Supreme produced by Pro Hair Lab is an ideal option. It is free from latex and other harmful ingredients, making it a perfect choice for sensitive skin, and adaptable for both lace and poly skin hair systems.

For a hold that is supposed to last for up to 4 weeks, Walker Ultra Hold is your go-to. The waterproof adhesive serves as a permanent attachment adhesive for perimeters, is ideal for full-head bonding, and works well for lace front hair systems, too.