By now, we've all come to realize that this stay-at-home situation might go on longer than we really expected it to. And as we continue social distancing, washing our hands over and over again, and repeatedly cleaning everything in our homes, a few questions may come to mind: "Where can I get disinfectant wipes?" "Is the grocery store open?" "How long can I keep my hair in braids under my wig?" Alright, the last question may not be the most common, but it's still a valid one that will be relevant even after this is all over. With salons closed, many of us are forced to forgo our usual beauty treatments, or just take care of our grooming ourselves.
The outside world may not be seeing them anytime soon, but a lot of people with kinky and tightly-coiled textures do wear wigs as a way to protect their natural hair and minimize the opportunity for damage. Most wear cornrows underneath their wigs so they can lay flat, but when you're switching out units and enjoying playing with your look, it's easy to forget that the hair you've got growing from your head needs love, too. This is especially true for those currently working from home, who may find that a wig is an easy, quick way to look put together for a Zoom session. With everyone's schedules out of wack and no place to go, it can be tempting to keep those braids in for a little longer than you should. But how long is too long? And how should we be caring for our scalps in the meantime? We asked the experts for some insight.
Glue versus non-adhesive wig installation
Answering the titular question isn't quite as easy as it seems. Shani Francis, board-certified dermatologist and hair loss specialist in Illinois, says that "different styles use different miles," meaning that the amount of time you can keep your braids in really depends on the application of the wig and what type of unit you'll be wearing. So first, it's important to have a conversation with your stylist about what's best for your hair, particularly the stylist who installed the wig in the first place.
Trichologist and stylist Bridgette Hill, who works at Paul Labrecque Salon and Skincare Spa, says the length of time you should keep your braids depends on whether you secured your wig with glue or not. "When referring to an adhesive or glue installation, the hair should not be left under for more than five weeks. When referring to a glueless non-adhesive installation, it is ideal to remove the wig nightly," she explains. "This is not only most beneficial to your natural scalp and hair fibers, but it also extends the life and retains the quality of the wig."
